EA Sports NHL 09 / 2K Sports NHL 2K9

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 9:30 pm

Thanks for the info, Archi (both on the Wii remote issue and NHL 2K9. As for the remote, I haven't figured out if it's the same remote that does this all of the time. They both look the same, they're both inside wheels, and we toss them in a basket below the tv stand when we're done. Maybe I'll put a piece of tape on one so I can see if it is just one remote? I'm also going to replace the batteries and re-sync the next time I play. Maybe that will help?

I'm really curious to see how NHL 2K9 turns out. The controls sound VERY interesting. Then again, my old brain might not be able to process it all and remember how to do things.

Post by **archibalduk** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:34 pm

bruins72 wrote:I'm really curious to see how NHL 2K9 turns out. The controls sound VERY interesting. Then again, my old brain might not be able to process it all and remember how to do things.

Previous NHL 2K games catered for both crowds; you could choose how advanced the controls were. At the one end, you had the simple pass, shoot, etc and on the other hand you could use the trigger buttons as shift keys to give each button multiple functions. I think it is unlikely the controls will be too complex for the Wii. It's their first attempt at a hockey game for the console.

There's a brief preview over at IGN: http://uk.wii.ign.com/articles/891/891458p1.html

The preview includes a video and some screenshots. The video isn't the best quality (it's a camera filming a TV screen) but the game does look really promising. The graphics look ok and it looks really smooth. I'm not expecting PS3-quality graphics - so long as it's smooth and the gameplay is good (previous versions have been rightly criticised for being too easy to score one-timers). It's still early days, though. It sounds like it's coming out in September.

Wii Sports Resort sounds really interesting if only because it comes free with the MotionPlus addon. The sword-fighting mini game sounds very promising. Maybe the MotionPlus will revolutionise the already intuitive Wii controls.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 9:40 pm

Thanks for the links! The graphics on the NHL game look plenty good enough for me. I'm more about the gameplay than the graphic for games anyway.

The article didn't mention when this MotionPlus thing is coming out. This sounds like exactly what the Wii needs. Swordfighting? Oh yeah! If they had this when I was a kid, I can't tell you how many injuries could've been avoided (my grandfather made me 2 wooden sword and shield sets that my friends and I would beat the hell out of each other with). The first Jedi game to use this could be EPIC!

Oh and I was looking at the GameStop website and saw a Price Is Right game coming in the future. You even get to choose between Bob Barker and Drew Carey as the host. That could be a fun party game. LOL! Hmmm... do you guys even know about The Price Is Right over there?

Post by **archibalduk** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 12:28 pm

Operation Sports have a good repository of info regarding NHL 2K9. They seem to summarise every sites' reviews, news, etc regarding the game.

Here is 2K Sports' published fact sheet for NHL 2K9:

Wii™ Key Features List:
2K Sports is proud to announce NHL 2K9 will be coming to the Wii Console™ from Nintendo this fall. As the first and only officially licensed NHL and NHLPA video game for Wii, NHL 2K9 will offer fans the fun opportunity to play like the pros using the Wii Remote™ controller as a hockey stick and experience the sport in a new, entertaining and wholly unique manner.

§ Wii Remote™ Shooting – Execute wrist shots with the flick of the Wii Remote or put some power into shots by holding the B button while flicking the Wii Remote to blast a slapper.

§ Wii Remote™ Fighting – Adding a never-before-seen layer of fun to hockey video games, NHL 2K9 features on-ice showdowns. When two players have raised their aggression enough to fight, pointing the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controller downward drops the gloves. Once a fight has started, punch with the Nunchuk and balance with the Wii Remote to get your opponent off their feet.

§ Precision Passing / Chain Passing – Exclusive to Wii, take the guesswork out of which player is going to receive a pass by selecting players with the Wii Remote cursor. One-timers, give-and-go and tic-tac-toe passing are executed by selecting multiple players prior to pressing the pass or A button.

§ Wii Remote Goaltending – Gesture-based goaltending allows fans to get between the pipes and flash the leather. Even take control when it counts the most -- in shootouts!

§ Full Featured Simulation – NHL 2K9 on Wii offers the same full-featured, fun hockey experience as available on other platforms complete with franchise mode, practice mode with a tutorial, pond hockey, and much more!

bobmcgoo · Post by **bobmcgoo** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 5:00 pm

Sounds really quite good, actually.

Just wondering about the chain passing - how fast does the game expect you to point the Wiimote at different players? Will there be game slowdown while you do it? Or will you have to learn to do it in real time at speed?

I remember playing an NHL game for PS2 where you had slowdown during a breakaway/shootout, but I can't remember which one now. Maybe it'll be something like that?

flea · Post by **flea** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 5:30 pm

Iam really looking forward to some games who are scheduled to come out during the next months!!!

The first Iam looking for is Madden09 as Iam a big fan of the league and the game itself (altough 2k is also an extremely good game for that matter). This year is the 20th anniversary and EA are saying there will be some nice surprises in the game so Iam quite excited!!
Another reason is that I have never played most sports games on my PS3 as I have it only around three months....gonna have a busy summer

The next one in line is Star Wars: The Force Unleashed!! As a huge Star Wars fan Iam really, really excited about this game. In the previews and in the screenshots and vids the game looks just great and the story seems excellent too. Cant wait to have it in my hands....and even more in my PS3

Related to this info: devs have announced that they are working on KOTOR 3....FINALLY!!!!
Dont know if anybody here has played this game, but both KOTOR's are one of the best in the genre....only lowpoint is that its gonna be a OnlineMultiplayer game and Iam not very sure about how it will turn out....this probably means the end of Star Wars Galaxies, snif, snif.....no more jedi for me, lol.

And last, but not least: NHL09 and NHL2k9!!!
From what I have read I will probably buy NHL09 first as I love the features the game will have, like creating your own career, the AHL and so on. I have played NHL08 only on my PC and from what I have heard it has nothing to do with the console versions.
After playing NHL09 I will probably go for 2k9....but only if I like it after renting it (nice advice from Archie btw

)

I have a question for the ones who have played NHL08 in the consoles (specially for PS3 players): is there a way to download roster upgrades in the PS3 store or EA site for the PS3?? Just wondering if they care about it or we have to do it by ourselves.

Its gonna be a great gaming year!!!!

Post by **Tasku** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 5:46 pm

Back in the early days I was quite a big fan of EA sports games, not anymore though. Too much action and speed not enough depth, me thinks.

The games I play are EHM-like: slow moving, but full of thought and devotion.

I just bought Europa Universalis 3, which is a historical manage your empire-type of game from a small Swedish company Paradox Entertainment. They are known for map-based, historical, real time strategy games, that look really simple and even dull, but are full of events and what-if's, and offer endless possibilities for dictators and democratic leaders to change history for their own liking.

Lucky enough, unlike SI with Eastside Hockey Manager, Paradox have been able to keep their operations profitable and they have a solid fan base and a steady flow of well liked and well made games coming up.

I will have five of their games, when EU3 will arrive next week.

- Hearts of Iron 1 and 2 (WWII strategy)
- Europa Universalis 2 and 3 (1400-1800 game time)
- Victoria (1800 - WWI game time)

Other than those I like the occasional shoot 'em up for a week or two, but most big graphics games I tend to get bored of quite quickly, unless if they offer something different and exciting.

Post by **archibalduk** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 10:04 pm

According to 2K Sports' website, NHL 2K9 is to be released on 9 September: http://www.2ksports.com/games

I wonder if that applies to the PAL (European version) too...

Post by **archibalduk** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 11:10 am

The 2K Sports site has been updated. It's perhaps the first solid news of features: http://www.2ksports.com/games/nhl2k9

The release date is confirmed at 9 September 2008. I hope that's for Europe too.

Bobmacgoo - the game won't slow down to allow passing. You've just got to get quick at it. It's the same with Pro Evolution Soccer - with practice you can get quite quick at it.

Post by **archibalduk** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 9:41 pm

Here's a good review of the Wii controls for NHL 2k9: http://uk.gamespot.com/wii/sports/nhl2k ... id=6195406

There's also a video interview which shows off a lot of the game's features: http://uk.gamespot.com/video/947639/619 ... -preview-1

It sounds like they're trying to get a balance between offering plenty of control but not being as complicated as previous years. They haven't milked the motion controls like other Wii games so it is sounding very promising. It does sound very promising!

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 2:13 pm

This sounds VERY cool! I'm a little concerned that I won't be able to remember how to use half the control options in game but I'll definitely buy this one and give it a shot.

Post by **archibalduk** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 9:54 pm

dave1927p wrote:i have it on the 360....franchise mode and superstar mode have gone untouched. Its very dissapointing

It does seem that they're putting all of their energy into the Wii game - that's good news for Wii owners but bad news for XBox & PS owners. The zamboni minigame is a very Nintendo Wii idea (sadly the Wii is plagued by minigames). I don't think they should be wasting their time with zamboni games until they've created the perfect hockey game. They have to be careful they don't forget about their XBox/PS fans because otherwise they'll jump ship to EA Sports.

B72 - I wouldn't worry about the controls too much. They've redesigned them so they're a great deal simpler than previous versions. From what I gathered in the video interview, whilst there are more advanced controls, the game is perfectly playable with just the basic pass/shoot/check controls.

Post by **archibalduk** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 1:54 pm

In the UK, play.com and Game (two UK retailers) are taking pre-orders for NHL 2K9. They've got it at £24.99 (RRP £29.99) and the release date is 31 October 2008. I wonder if this is the confirmed European date or an estimated date. It's a tad frustrating that it won't be here in time for the start of the hockey season but at least it's not as bad as 2K6 when it was released the following March in Europe (with still the same bugs and old rosters as the North American version, released the September prior).

To tide me over, I'm quite tempted to buy Summer Athletics next weekend (it's being released on 15/08/08). Perhaps that will cater for the Olympic fever that seems to be taking a hold of me! That's so long as I can find a review of the game - it might turn out to be another Wii dud. I'm aware there's a Sonic and Mario Olympics game but from what I've read it's very simplistic and repetitive...

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 5:53 pm

archibalduk wrote:In the UK, play.com and Game (two UK retailers) are taking pre-orders for NHL 2K9. They've got it at £24.99 (RRP £29.99) and the release date is 31 October 2008. I wonder if this is the confirmed European date or an estimated date. It's a tad frustrating that it won't be here in time for the start of the hockey season but at least it's not as bad as 2K6 when it was released the following March in Europe (with still the same bugs and old rosters as the North American version, released the September prior).

I'm okay with waiting until the end of October if they're going to make sure the rosters are up to date with the ones that teams start the season with.

Post by **archibalduk** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 12:03 pm

dave1927p wrote:
i have it on the 360....franchise mode and superstar mode have gone untouched. Its very dissapointing

What is superstar mode?

dave1927p · Post by **dave1927p** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 7:44 am

archibalduk wrote:
dave1927p wrote:
i have it on the 360....franchise mode and superstar mode have gone untouched. Its very dissapointing
What is superstar mode?

basically puts you in the shoes of an NFL player. Create your player, Pick a position, sign an agent, get drafted, etc. It's a role playing game....with very little RPG elements besides the very basics. On the field it's a 3rd person view and you only control that one player.

It was fun when it was first introduced in Madden 06 but it hasn't made any progress in the last few years.

Post by **archibalduk** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 9:59 pm

Even though this is an XBox 360 video, if this is the amount of effort 2kSports have put into the presentation of the game then I think us Wii fans are in for a treat!

In the UK (presumably it is the same for most of Europe), NHL 2K9 is coming out on 12 September for all platforms other than the Wii. As said above, the Wii version is currently scheduled for 31 October.

mtsouth · Post by **mtsouth** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 6:52 pm

bruins72 wrote:Thanks for the links! The graphics on the NHL game look plenty good enough for me. I'm more about the gameplay than the graphic for games anyway.

The article didn't mention when this MotionPlus thing is coming out. This sounds like exactly what the Wii needs. Swordfighting? Oh yeah! If they had this when I was a kid, I can't tell you how many injuries could've been avoided (my grandfather made me 2 wooden sword and shield sets that my friends and I would beat the hell out of each other with). The first Jedi game to use this could be EPIC!

You need to go check this out then:

http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/star ... index.html

That's right....lightsaber duels on the Wii......

mtsouth · Post by **mtsouth** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 8:01 pm

archibalduk wrote:Sounds impressive! I bet the Wii controls for using the Force could be quite cool - though I doubt the graphics are a patch on the PS3/XBox. I saw a trailer for Metal Gear Solid on the PS3 and was amazed by the graphics - I'm really missing out in that respect with my simple little Wii.

Let me know how NHL 2k9 goes.

Two good articles with info on Force Unleashed

http://www.ebgames.com/Browse/ArticleVi ... leid=38021 - this one talks about Duel mode using the Wii controllers

http://www.ebgames.com/Browse/ArticleVi ... leid=31731 - general overview of the goodness

The best analogy I can come up with is that you are like Magneto from the X-Men movies....if Magneto also had a lightsaber and could shoot lighting from his hands.

NHL 2k9 - meh......need to check to see if it can play fast, it felt like the guys were skating in mud. You can play 1 period of Peguins and Wings. I was the Wings and managed to score in my second game on a dish and dunk from Datsyuk to Franzen. Not real impressed. It will be interesting to see what NHL 09 looks like. The Be A Pro feature has my attention. If it plays faster and smoother, then it might get my money.....after Rock Band 2, Force Unleashed, and Lego Batman.

bobmcgoo · Post by **bobmcgoo** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 4:39 am

Just played NHL 2K9 on the Xbox demo and I have to say it was exactly how I expected it to be - which wasn't good. The action is incredibly slow; they really are skating on mud. Apart from a few extra buttons it felt a lot like NHL Hitz 2K3 for Gamecube - I even scored a slapshot from the slot in exactly the same way that worked almost every time on 2K3. One game on the demo I had about 4 shots from far out and scored twice - the arcade side of things being a bit too prominent - and a stupid, if comical, goal where the puck was resting on the keepers' helmet, fell off onto his shoulder, then for some reason he dived backwards into the net and took the puck with him.

Saying all that, I'm going to buy it for Wii anyway because there isn't any other choice, and well, it is a hockey game

.

Post by **archibalduk** » Sun Aug 24, 2008 3:19 pm

bobmcgoo wrote:Saying all that, I'm going to buy it for Wii anyway because there isn't any other choice, and well, it is a hockey game .

I'm in the same position as you, Bob.

However, on thing to keep in mind is that the NHL 2K series normally comes with a ton of slider settings so you should hopefully be able to speed up the skating and perhaps compensate for anything that is too arcadey.

It's very confusing why EA Sports aren't releasing an NHL game for the Wii as they're releasing all of their other sports games under the "All Play" brand for the Wii. Maybe next year... I'm still happy just to see a hockey game for the Wii - I didn't think I'd ever see the day. I'd expect any first attempt on the Wii to be a little rough around the edges.

MtSouth - You're a fountain of information - thanks! The way they've implemented the controls for the light sabre and force moves sound cool. I wonder how the Clone Wars game will implement these features? I think I'm going to wait and see for a while - maybe wait to see if anything takes advantage of MotionPlus.

Let me know what you think of Lego Batman. I had Lego Starwars for the Wii but traded it in because it was too simplistic for me.

mtsouth · Post by **mtsouth** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 1:48 am

OK. The NHL 09 demo came out and I got a chance to play it on the 360. Seems pretty smooth and more fluid than 2k9. It has Be A Pro mode, so I got to play one period as Zetterberg and another as Crosby. Man is Syd fast! Course, I didn't do anything of note since I was out of position a lot. I finally managed to score a goal in team play with the Pens. Eric Goddard with a one timer off a feed from Matt Cooke.....just like real life right?!?!

At this point, I'll probably rent NHL 09 when it comes out. The Be A Pro mode intrigues me and I think it might be a lot of fun. I'm not considering NHL 2k9 at this point mainly due to 09 feeling more fluid and looking more polished.

My $.02

Post by **getzlaf15** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 3:05 am

NHL 09 is the game for me, already picked. The Be A Pro mode looks awesome and the games realism just cant be beaten.

Over here in England it's expected to be released a week tomorow, but in the past im sure weve had to wait for it, so hopefully it will be on time.

Post by **archibalduk** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 9:59 pm

NHL 09 sounds like the better of the two. Be A Pro is something I've always wanted to see in a hockey game. It's a shame EA won't be bringing their game to the Wii. Maybe next year... I'm still very much looking forward to 2K9 Wii though

Here's a nice short summary of the new features coming to each game later this month (or next month if you're in Europe): http://www.operationsports.com/feature.php?id=660

Post by **getzlaf15** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 10:11 pm

Be A Pro has looked good since Madden introduced it in 07, since then, i've been longing for this game.

Does anyone know the actual release date for us Brits for NHL 09?

EA Sports NHL 09 / 2K Sports NHL 2K9

Official PC/Console Thread: HOCKEY Games