NHL 2K9

 Xbox 360
Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 33
  3. Negative: 1 out of 33
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  1. Planet Xbox 360
    82
    The best online addition this year is the Team-Up feature, something all sports games should have going forward.
  2. WonderwallWeb
    81
    A great hockey game that is very easy to pick up and play.
  3. IGN
    80
    The controls have been fixed, it's fun, and there are some nice touches to the presentation. But the AI is very suspect and the emphasis on fun hurts the authenticity, which was once 2K's biggest selling point.
  5. GameDaily
    80
    There are three excellent control options available for both old-school players and precision shooters. They work most of the time, although realism takes a back seat with the excessive checking and occasionally dumbfounded artificial intelligence.
  6. GameZone
    80
    If the fun NHL 2K9's developers were trying to bring back lies somewhere around the gameplay of Ice Hockey for the NES (the king of pick-up-and-play sports), they surely missed the mark.
  7. TeamXbox
    79
    NHL 2K9 shows that Visual Concepts has pretty much done everything it can to the same core engine that was used when the 360 launched. NHL 2K9 is a good game, but it shows its age in a few too many areas to compete with what else is out there.
  8. Xbox Achievements
    79
    Controls are responsive and players did what they were told to do without a hitch. Lack of fighting direction hurts this score.
  9. GameFocus
    78
    A buy to whoever felt intimidated by NHL 09’s approach in terms of game modes and controls. For the hardcore hockey fan...it’s hard to recommend but it deserves a good look.
  10. Console Monster
    78
    NHL 2k9 is nothing to be shunned as there is certainly enjoyment to be had, however, EA managed to step their game above the competition this year around with NHL 09.
  11. GameShark
    75
    What we have with NHL 2k9 is a top shelf hockey game that still needs some tweaking to perfect the on-ice experience. That said, the impact on the authenticity of the game of having such unparalleled realism in the realm of puck physics cannot be overstated.
  12. Gaming Age
    75
    Without the franchise problem, NHL 2k9 would be recommendation with no qualifications.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 7
  3. Negative: 2 out of 7
  1. DanielLindenbaum
    Sep 10, 2008
    2
    I bought this game without playing the demo.
    I own NHL 2k8 and i love that game so I thought this would be an upgrade...
    This is the worst    I bought this game without playing the demo.
    I own NHL 2k8 and i love that game so I thought this would be an upgrade...

    This is the worst sports game ever created
    The second I started playing the actual gameplay, it was not fun at all

    The menu's are horrible and you have 50% less options than last year. I kept looking for a button to go to advanced settings for each menu and found nothing
    The control scheme is horrible and it does not let you switch to 2k8 controls
    The players look bad
    The speed burst button is a waste of time as it does nothing. The gameplay feels sluggish and the hits are not better than last year.. they are worse.
    Also the AI keeps trying to do spin moves every shot they take. No excitement in this game, very boring and slow..even on the fast speed

    The only thing good about this is having updated music.
    I bought this game and played with the menu for 20 minutes, then played the game for 10 minutes
    Then I posted it on Ebay

    I will stay with my NHL2k8.. maybe I will rent NHL 09
    Thanks- Dissapointed Daniel    … Full Review »
  2. 2ksnipefest
    Sep 27, 2013
    7
    I play 2K8 Religiously. About 700 total games so far. Its so fun and enjoyable. Going from PS2-360 of coarse the graphics are better. That'sI play 2K8 Religiously. About 700 total games so far. Its so fun and enjoyable. Going from PS2-360 of coarse the graphics are better. That's about it. Messing with a steal of a $20 new game and making it junk is mind boggling. The controls were awesome for rookie-advanced players alike. 2K8 franchise is deep real deep. 2 way contracts/ players of the week/ practices/ opportunity knocks etc... 2k8 may or may not have been flawed in was definitely fun. My opinion that is the only thing that matters in judging a game.

    2k9 7
    2k8 10    … Full Review »
  3. GAhern
    Sep 12, 2008
    8
    Game play is getting better. Strong graphics (viewed on HD 1080i/p) Players seem a bit washed out, but each year the movements get more fluidGame play is getting better. Strong graphics (viewed on HD 1080i/p) Players seem a bit washed out, but each year the movements get more fluid and realistic. Love!!! Randy and Drew as play by play guys. Zamboni game is a novel touch! Audio is where the game suffers. The crowd/ background noise cuts in and out from the surround sound mode at different times and the board/ glass noise is way over done!
    New crowd animations and arena renderings are finally starting to catch up to the rest of the authenticity.
    No! you don't have crazy, wicked stick and player controls like EA, but the learning curve to pick up the controls and start playing successfully is about 10 seconds. Overall the best hockey game 2K has done to date    … Full Review »
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