NHL 06

Diehards will love the reduced emphasis on checking, while more casual fans should enjoy the new skill stick moves and the ability to place your shot wherever you please. Best of all, every rule change has made it into the game.

A kick-ass game of hockey that stands to be the best EA has ever produced. [Oct 2005, p.70]

Not that much has happened since the last time. The AI players have great difficulties especially in defense and maintaining a controlled defensive line-up is next to impossible. Nice atmosphere, though. [Sept. 05]

In many ways, NHL 06 really could be considered the best console hockey game to ever hit the ice – that is, if it weren't for the handful of glaring issues that have been with the game for years and EA simply refuses to address, not the least of which is EA's poor integration of online play through Xbox Live.

Sure, it's got all the new rule changes, as well as an almost entirely up-to-date roster, but considering how similar the game is overall to 2005's version, you have to ask yourself, "Is that really enough?"

Improvements in puck physics means that hard shots can bruise your opponents, while last year's overly aggressive defense has been scaled back to realistic levels.

The title is sure to horrify the hardcore, while providing hours and hours of fun for those who are looking for more action and less strategy. [*Note: original score posted by Operation Sports as 3/5 = 60. Current score on their redesigned site is inaccurate.]