User Score
5.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 20
  2. Negative: 6 out of 20
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  1. aaronallingham
    Sep 14, 2008
    6
    The game play was typical 2k. The inclusion of the unique Wii style of play was surprising, in a positive way. My only disappointment with the Wii style of game play was that stick handling should have been incorporated using the Wii remote.The players were generic with little resemblance to the actual players and sadly the one token that 2k has over EA is the off ice, behind the scenesThe game play was typical 2k. The inclusion of the unique Wii style of play was surprising, in a positive way. My only disappointment with the Wii style of game play was that stick handling should have been incorporated using the Wii remote.The players were generic with little resemblance to the actual players and sadly the one token that 2k has over EA is the off ice, behind the scenes game play.In this installment this falls short of earlier versions. I give great acclaim for being the first Wii version of an NHL game and though I have sited some negatives I would recommend this game to any NHL fan porting on the WII. Expand
  2. CK
    Sep 20, 2008
    7
    Overall, I find gameplay to be very enjoyable. The graphics are disappointing, as noted by others, and overall the whole game feels as if it is more of a beta version than a finished product. However, it is very fun to play, the Wii Remote is used effectively, and passing is natural.
  3. JasonL
    Oct 1, 2008
    5
    Great idea, poor execution. While nobody expected jaw-dropping graphics the gameplay is not really that bad. The AI is still not up to snuff, I often watch players bunch up and go offsides ahead of the play. The menu system is poor, profile management is poor (and save failure messages seem to be the norm), and where are the user stats? I swear I saw them once but I've been throughGreat idea, poor execution. While nobody expected jaw-dropping graphics the gameplay is not really that bad. The AI is still not up to snuff, I often watch players bunch up and go offsides ahead of the play. The menu system is poor, profile management is poor (and save failure messages seem to be the norm), and where are the user stats? I swear I saw them once but I've been through the menu several times now and can't find them again. This game falls into one of these categories: it was obviously rushed out the door, it's still in beta or the testing team was on vacation. Maybe it's time to switch back to EA Sports. Expand
  4. Nelson
    Sep 18, 2008
    6
    Hungry for a game of Hockey for the Wii I picked this up. My 9 year old and I had a blast playing it as the controls were easy to pick up; before long slap shots, wrist shots and a fight or two happened. Graphically it sucks....really hockey on the game cube looked better. It has been awhile since I've really been bothered by graphics vs gameplay..in this case..it is veryHungry for a game of Hockey for the Wii I picked this up. My 9 year old and I had a blast playing it as the controls were easy to pick up; before long slap shots, wrist shots and a fight or two happened. Graphically it sucks....really hockey on the game cube looked better. It has been awhile since I've really been bothered by graphics vs gameplay..in this case..it is very disapointing. Regardless glad there is some hockey for the wii and hopefully next year they'll get it right Expand
  5. PaulShannon
    Sep 10, 2008
    5
    Good: Finally a hockey game for the Wii
    Bad: They should have finished the game before releasing
    Ugly: This game.

    Graphics literally look half done. Players are identical and lifeless (dead, DEAD eyes). On the plus side, gameplay and controls are pretty good.

    I am becoming more and more convinced that the impending Wii motion plus addon is necessary before waggle is useful.

Awards & Rankings

91
51
#51 Most Discussed Wii Game of 2008
88
#88 Most Shared Wii Game of 2008
Metascore
65

Mixed or average reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 11
  2. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. 68
    2K has the right idea here, including motion shooting, IR passing, and motion-based goaltending, but the core game is just too much of a rushed effort, and the final product is a visually unpleasant, choppy, incomplete package.
  2. It’s just too bad that it looks so darned ugly. The controls are a breath of fresh air, though, so long as you give them a chance (which we have a feeling too many people won’t).
  3. NHL 2K9 for the Wii disappoints in the graphical department as it cannot compete with its competitors in terms of visual appeal. However, the hands-on controls more than make up for this by adding a sense of actually being in the game and not just sitting on the couch playing the game