Nhl 08

NHL 07
$19.99
Sadly NHL 07 is the only game in town for NHL hockey on any handheld system. There has never been a non-backyard hockey game for the DS and the only other options for the PSP are the even longer in the tooth Gretzky series.

So while NHL 07 is getting pretty old, it is still the best way to play a game of hockey on a plane.

The game is pretty simple if you've played older versions of the NHL series. Pass, shoot, hit, poke check and speed burst are pretty much all you need to know for the entire game. The game moves briskly, if at a more arcade than simulation speed. The graphics are nice enough and feature nice touches such as "popping the water bottle" on some goals.

Some of the complaints in other reviews are valid. I've gotten maybe 3 shutouts in 30 games, even when limiting opposing teams to 4 and 5 shots. On the other side, goals seems to be easily scored, but almost random. 2-0 breakaway one timer is met by a diving save. Seconds later a wrist shot from the blue line lights the lamp. Hmmmmm.

But all problems aside, it is hockey and it plays well. It isn't the best game you will ever play, but it is the best portable hockey game out there, and for fanatics like me, that is good enough.

NHL 08
$9.99
Every time they update the NHL game they change the menus around, make them harder to use and hide the game features and settings that you are used to using. NHL 2008, sadly, was no exception to that rule. Also, the NHL games used to come with an instruction manual that actually provided useful information to help you navigate through their confusing menus, but this version has the shortest, most uninformative game manual I have ever seen.

The game play is lamer than previous versions - the ai players will NOT go toward the net and get open for a pass no matter what you do and any time you try to pass to a player that is open for a decent scoring chance, the puck will inevitably go the wrong player - the one in the middle of the ice with 3 defensemen on him - either that or it will simply go back down the ice to your own end. It is also just about impossible to win a faceoff against the computer in this game. And the computer doesn't pass the puck in the faceoff, it just takes the puck, skates past your defensemen and shoots it. Forget strategy - just wait for the opponent to win the faceoff, skate past your defensemen, shoot it on goal and then get the puck and skate end to end and shoot it.

And the PowerPlay is useless in this game - I get more goals shorthanded than on the powerplay.

The hybrid controls suck - change the settings to classic.

Despite all of that I do play it alot because I love hockey. I actually like NHL 2003 a LOT better but thanks to switching to VISTA I can no longer play it...

NHL 09
$19.99
the game is very good better then 2k hockey. no clicgets. i like the game.

NHL 08
$19.99
I had recently purchased a 989 hockey game and was dissapointed while it was good it was not quite what I was looking for. I ordered this one and upon its arrival began playing. I found it excellent, it has all the usuall options for creation and teams, but you can also play as all the AHL minor leauge teams, which I almost enjoy more than playing as the NHL teams. For the controling you have the new hybrid controls that involve using the right stick for deaking and shooting. If you dont like this though they have an option for classic controls which I was suprised by and very glad about, and if you want to just change a few things in the controls there is a custom option. The graphics could be a little better they look alot like older versions but there isnt the same boxy quality to the game play.
Overall a great game.