NHL 2K6

 Xbox
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 26 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 26
  3. Negative: 5 out of 26
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  1. DonT.
    Sep 15, 2005
    9
    Take it from a Canadian who actually plays the game on and off the ice. If you want a hockey video game that best recreates the real game (ie. Simulation) 2K6 is the game for you. I love it, and will be paying it regularly until 2K7 is released. So many ways to tweak the game to your liking, it's excellent for any gamer experience level. Sure their may be a bug here and there, but Take it from a Canadian who actually plays the game on and off the ice. If you want a hockey video game that best recreates the real game (ie. Simulation) 2K6 is the game for you. I love it, and will be paying it regularly until 2K7 is released. So many ways to tweak the game to your liking, it's excellent for any gamer experience level. Sure their may be a bug here and there, but what software doesn't. When it comes down to it, it's all about the "Gameplay" and this game delivers. Best hockey video game series ever. EA can learn from 2K...if they were smart.… Expand
  2. FredD.
    Sep 6, 2005
    10
    Once again, the best.
  3. Kevin
    Sep 14, 2005
    8
    Gameplay improvements to AI and balance are notable - raising the bar once again for realistic videogame hockey. The graphics and interface haven't had much of an update, but that's not why I play videogame hockey. Plus, this title will be released for the Xbox360 - and that promises to be an amazing graphical achievement. The very fact that D-men hold the blue line, puck Gameplay improvements to AI and balance are notable - raising the bar once again for realistic videogame hockey. The graphics and interface haven't had much of an update, but that's not why I play videogame hockey. Plus, this title will be released for the Xbox360 - and that promises to be an amazing graphical achievement. The very fact that D-men hold the blue line, puck cycling is truly possible, and the increasing amount of goalie animations make this the title to beat. Don't believe the EA fan boys when they tout NHL '06 - unless you like run-n-gun, cartoon-style ice hockey. I'll take realism and simulation over 60 SOG games anyday.… Expand
  4. DaryllH.
    Sep 6, 2005
    10
    didn't update itself as much as it should..but far better than EA sports NHL 2006. i think the true barnburner will be the xbox 360 version that comes in Nov.
  5. JoeB.
    Sep 6, 2005
    10
    The Best.
  6. EricB.
    Mar 21, 2006
    9
    As someone who has owned NHL 2006, and has now got rid of it, let me say this: NHL 2K6 is by far the better game. I am sick of supposed hockey-lovers commenting about NHL 2006 is better. It is not. I f you have played hockey in your life you know that 2K6 is the better game. EA's game is for people that go to hockey to watch the hits. The A.I in EA's game is horrendous! If you As someone who has owned NHL 2006, and has now got rid of it, let me say this: NHL 2K6 is by far the better game. I am sick of supposed hockey-lovers commenting about NHL 2006 is better. It is not. I f you have played hockey in your life you know that 2K6 is the better game. EA's game is for people that go to hockey to watch the hits. The A.I in EA's game is horrendous! If you get up on them 6-0 prepare to be scored on at rediculous angles and distances, with only 2 minutes left in the game. They A.I. wil try to tie the game up by doing things that no human can achieve (behind the back, through the legs, behind the net, red-line goal anyone?). I sold NHL 2006 for pennies at EBgames because I had had enough of the poor A.I., annoying commentary, sluggish controls, and horrible hitting mechanics. 2K6 is the best hockey game out there. It realistically depicts the FEEL of hockey. It is by no means perfect (look for Nintendo Revolution stck handeling to fill some gaps), but it is the better game.… Expand
  7. AaronC.
    Oct 19, 2005
    10
    Although EA's game is prettier, on the PC at least (1024x768 full detail) 2K6 is a solid improvement on 2K6 (and i never have to hear that that insane blocker dive save referred to as "not spectacular" again). EA's game is great if you like a 5-1 game at the end of the first period (and that's CPU vs CPU) and if you like to play with all the rules off and no penalties, Although EA's game is prettier, on the PC at least (1024x768 full detail) 2K6 is a solid improvement on 2K6 (and i never have to hear that that insane blocker dive save referred to as "not spectacular" again). EA's game is great if you like a 5-1 game at the end of the first period (and that's CPU vs CPU) and if you like to play with all the rules off and no penalties, however, if you like a solid game of hockey and are a fan of Hockey Night in Canada you are in for a treat as soon as the players hit the ice. Though I'm not and never have been a fan of icon passing i'm glad they made it an option. If you are not a fan of Pro Control, at least it's not THAT integral a part of the game. The graphics are only a marginal step up from last years game and since i just moved, I haven't been able to fire up the good ol 5.1 surround yet (can't wait tho). Funny, a friend of mine and I have been playing 2K hockey for 3 years and though we always have a blastafter a year of playing each game certain gripes acome up, last year (2k5) our major complaints were: Colour commentator MUST BE FIRED (he was), arrrgh, why can't we just tell the players to crash the net (fixed) and canned commentary on individual players is WAY too repetitive if you want to play through a few seasons as one team (fixed by giving stats rather than compliments). The general lack of variety has also been fixed with more celebrations and arguments against penalties. I've even seen players from my team give the other goalie a pat on the pads after a good save. The fighting has been improved though, and you have the choice whether or not to fight. As in all hockey games though that mechanic needs improvement. I do miss the overall tension meter from last year and the pushing match cut-scene for a late hit though I always wished there was more variety. A late hit usually draws a crowd and there should be players trying to keep each other seperated from one another and "discussing" each other's behaviour. There are a few gripes about the commentary though minor they must be brought up. Once in a while Harry Neale will say a team is 2 goals behind (a problem with canned commentary) when they are only one and I noticed Ottawa had a 6 game winning streak and the stat on the bottom said that and Neale said 3 games. All in all it's still better than EA's super-repetitive commentary ("has his pocket picked" like 10 times in a game when something more generic would at least SEEM less repetitive). All in all, though EA definitely made an effort to revamp their game this year and I must say I'm more impressed with NHL06 than I have been with any NHL game since 98 for pc, it's simply to action packed and i got tired really quick of the "rush the zone shoot they rush the zone shoot...rince lather repeat until the score is 19-16" with nice graphics and that new Blink182 ( just an example I know there's no Blink182 in the game) song playing in the menu screen. I want a hockey sim, a game i stand a chance of losing and having a reasonable score if i play with more than 5 minute periods (I prefer 10) . If this review is incomplete, I apologize, i have a newborn that demands my attention a little more than this and i've lost my train of thought several times. I gave NHL2K6 a 10 not because it's perfect but because it's the best hockey game ever made and is the closest thing you will get to the real game that isn't developped by Blackbox (the only developer i'd rather have on a hockey game than Visual Concepts) like the excellent NHL2K for the Dreamcast.… Expand
  8. JimA.
    Sep 18, 2005
    10
    Wow, how are people not loving this game. It's very similar to last year's game with the addition of Pro Control, On the Fly Coaching, The Enforcer, and more cut scenes. I do think that the "dirty" ice looked slightly better in last year's game. The clean ice at the start of a period looks the same and the players stil look great. The announcers were a bit more lively last Wow, how are people not loving this game. It's very similar to last year's game with the addition of Pro Control, On the Fly Coaching, The Enforcer, and more cut scenes. I do think that the "dirty" ice looked slightly better in last year's game. The clean ice at the start of a period looks the same and the players stil look great. The announcers were a bit more lively last year, but this year's are still good. Most importantly the great game play remains! I don't thing it loses anything in presentation without ESPN either. Now let's get those roster updates out there on Xbox Live so we download them. I love this game!!!… Expand
  9. CJay
    Sep 27, 2005
    10
    EA has officially lost...they are simply stated...YEARS behind the 2K sports game developers...baseball...hockey and ESPECIALLY football....(of course EA has robbed us of that one...at least we still can have decent hockey games.) Having already bought this game and played it extensively..I would say its worth 50 bucks..but they only ask for 19.99. If you liked the last few 2K hockey EA has officially lost...they are simply stated...YEARS behind the 2K sports game developers...baseball...hockey and ESPECIALLY football....(of course EA has robbed us of that one...at least we still can have decent hockey games.) Having already bought this game and played it extensively..I would say its worth 50 bucks..but they only ask for 19.99. If you liked the last few 2K hockey games..you will enjoy this title...go get it.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

32
#32 Best Xbox Game of 2005
50
#50 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2005

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. DarkStation
    90
    Hockey season is back on, and 2K series continues with improved passing controls and fun enforcer feature, all for a low-low budget price.
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  2. AceGamez
    80
    Rock legends such as Panthera and Jet Black Summer have made contributions to the soundtrack and many Brits will be familiar with the commentary of Bob Cole and Harry Neale.
  3. Operation Sports
    100
    This is the best game of hockey that I have ever played.
    Read full review
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