NHL 09

My boyfriend could play this game 4 hours. I don't play it, but he loves it, so 5 stars it is!

I don't know much about this game, I purchased it 4 my husband. What I do know about it is that you CANNOT PLAY ONLINE. The image that not just Amazon, but all retailers have 4 the game is incorrect. It blatantly shows the online sticker & states in the description that it can be played online. But after many phone calls 2 Amazon about sending us the wrong item (ours does not have the online sticker or online capabilities within the game)and receiving what Amazon believes 2 be a newer copy of the game, I frustratingly called EA Sports directly. Their representative informed me that the NHL 09 4 PS2 is NOT MADE FOR ONLINE GAMING...only the PS3 & Xbox versions are. It is a misrepresentation of the item they are selling. If you or your husbands are an avid online gamer, please beware before you purchase this item.

I bought this game hoping they had fixed previous flaws. I was disappointed 2 find out that EA Sports had only repackaged a lame version of their earlier games. I have faithfully bought every version since EA sports began making hockey games. NHL 09 is so slow, it puts me 2 sleep. Hockey is a rough game, but don't expect 2 see that realism instilled in this version. A player hit point blank with a slap shot or hit with a crushing hip check should get hurt & be out of the game; it doesn't happen like that, if someone is hurt, there is no hoopla. A huge flaw that has plagued the last 3 years continues; as you, the player, pass the puck, you have no idea if it is going 2 come right back or get sent 2 another unintended player; no hockey realism there. The games are too high scoring, especially when playing with a friend, but I bet Gary Bettman had something 2 do with that.
Pay close attention 2 where your goalie is; on many occasions & 4 no apparent reason, the goalie suddenly leaves the net. I lost a very close game because my goalie decided 2 leave the game or wander around because he was bored. Maybe he thought a delayed penalty was being called. Penalties do happen, & often are not shown on screen, maybe the goalie is confused, also. Speaking of the goalie, at one time EA Sports included injuries 2 the goalie; this led 2 realistic changes 2 the game, as you had 2 play the back up goalie, again this never happens. You won't even be called 4 goalie interference, so bang away, sometimes the puck will go in the net. I think most people know what boarding & charging are, don't worry, they won't call you 4 that, either. AI is still very challenged, my biggest complaint is the numerous off sides that will happen. Any NHL player will drag his foot on the line or try 2 get out of the zone 2 avoid an off sides call. This game gets frustrating so expect 2 have numerous off side calls. There is a visual & a verbal on ice warning, but the visual overlay is so small you seldom see it.
I was told this was the last version 2 be made 4 PS2, too bad, because not everyone can afford PS3; plus I am afraid the PS3 version is lame, too.

EA Sports NHL 09 is a solid game; much like last year's effort. Some improvements were made, & some added programming actually makes this game a purchase if you enjoyed last season's NHL 08.

Some of the new things in NHL 09 include better goalies (somewhat; still let in that soft goal more than wanted), a few new skating & checking animations, Create/Be a Pro mode, & the ability 2 play in numerous leagues (Russian, AHL, etc.). The Create a Pro mode is a neat idea, but not really all too great. It's interesting 2 create or be a current player & take them 2 stardom, but the reality is that this mode is really playing with the position lock (stuck in 3rd person perspective camera view) while following the development of one player. I enjoyed this mode of play except 4 a few bugs. First, no matter what player you have (that doesn't fight) control of, if you choose 2 drop the gloves, a fight will ensue with the player you control--it doesn't matter if you control a goal scorer & the enforcer is on the other wing; your goal scorer get in the scrap. A second bug in the game is with your AI teammates--they regularly skate right in front of you & get in your way as if you are the puck itself. Thirdly, the 3rd person perspective camera can sometimes be a problem as the action can tend 2 happen off camera if you fall behind. Other than that, this game play mode is fairly fun 2 play.

Dynasty mode is the same as last season. The major problem I have with the Dynasty mode is that you need 2 upgrade things like coaches, facilities, legal personnel, etc. I find this 2 be a little tedious as it makes your players worse more often than better. It's realistic, but I'd rather concentrate on drafting, signing contracts, & trading players. I have yet 2 discover a way 2 eliminate this micromanagement other than playing in the single season mode. However, in the single season mode you don't have 2 deal with the salary cap which can make lopsided teams, but teams & players play more 2 their attributes. In both modes here there are a few bugs as well. When trying 2 get in a scrap, the only players that fight are your defensemen; regardless if they have ever fought in their entire career. Additionally, your teammates tend 2 not find pucks & go off-sides far too often. In all modes, opponent AI tends 2 grab the puck in their offensive zone & skate 2 the middle of the circles, just stop there, & do nothing. Defensive strategies are a waste as even if you have your players in conservative play, they constantly get caught & trapped in the offensive zone leading 2 odd-man rushes & breakaways against you.

All advertisements 4 NHL 09 by EA Sports were 4 the PS3 & Xbox 360. In the PS2 version, certain things like the Create a Pro mode starts you in the NHL, not the AHL; as advertised. There is no stick lift option on the PS2 version, either (the closest you get 2 it is 2 hold the poke modifier & press the hook button). Lastly, there are no new fighting animations in the PS2 version as well.

I am not saying that this is a bad game, by any means. It is good hockey game. Rosters are pretty updated, but some players are found on your parent club's AHL roster (odd?). If you play it like how you see it, then you get a good hockey sim from goals scored, shots for/against, goalie GAA & save % (you will need 2 turn all but the defensive game play sliders all the way down--these are 4 player boosts only). However, if you constantly take players out of position 2 make big hits & have the game play sliders all the way up, then you will experience an arcade-like hockey game. NHL 09 vets will enjoy the complex controls, while those new 2 the series (or those who haven't played an EA Sports NHL games since the Sega Genesis days) can use the two-button controls (but you don't get most of the offensive/defensive moves).

Again, if you liked last season's game, then you will like NHL 09. The Create a Pro mode is worth checking out, but don't expect too much from it. It is an upgrade 2 last year's NHL 08, but it's not really a new title.

THE PERSON WHO MADE THIS GAME WAS CERTAINLY A PENGUINS FAN. I PLAYED AGAINST MY FRIEND AS THE BLACKHAWKS,LAST YEARS EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALISTS THE FLYERS, AND THE STANLEY CUP CHAMPION RED WINGS AND COULDN'T WIN. THEY MADE CROSBY ALMOST SUPER HUMAN. THE ONLY TIME I COULD WIN AGAINST THE PENGUINS WAS WHEN I USED THE PENGUINS AGAINST THEM. EXTREMLEY FUN GAME EVEN AFTER CAUSING ME TO THROW AND BREAK TWO WIRELESS CONTROLLERS.

Become the first great name in videogame hockey with NHL 09. Jump into the EA SPORTS Hockey League & become part of the first console sports MMO. Take your created player online & join a team with friends, or scout 4 players. Featuring 6 vs. 6 online team play, the ability 2 level up your player, tournament brackets, & awards at the end of every season.

Check Hard & Fight - A physics-based checking & fighting engine featuring more than 300 new animations brings a higher-level of intensity 2 the game