Best Hockey Games of the Last Generation - Wiggy's Blog

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Best Hockey Games of the Last Generation Stuck

Posted on February 19, 2013 at 04:33 PM.

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** Disclaimer: This list consists of games from the last generation of consoles (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii). Some of these games are being ranked according to the standards of the year they came out and the improvements they showed relative to what had come before **

5) 3 on 3 NHL Arcade

I had a surprising amount of fun with this arcade release. At first brush, this game seems like its just a simple romp with some goofy power-ups, but there is actually quite a bit of depth and charm to the whole presentation of the game (giant hits, goofy sound effects, crazy goals). It helps that this game is basically just aping what Ice Hockey did so well back in the day, and that's definitely worth something in my book.

4) NHL 07

I think this one deserves to be here for what it meant early on in this last generation. The graphical presentation was truly impressive at the time, as the characters, crowd and arenas had a crispness and depth that hadn't been seen until that point. And of course, that was also the first time users got to try out the skill stick, which has been something that has buoyed the NHL franchise for a good long while now. The games have been improved substantially since then, but this one made for a good time when it was released.

3) NHL 09

Adding NHL 94 controls was a fun little wrinkle, and the inclusion of European elite leagues was truly welcome, but this year was when EASHL really came out to play. Being able to go up against six other players with your full squad was truly satisfying, and it was such fun to have friends slot into roles on the team � big hitters, defensive specialists, snipers, playmakers, goalies, etc. The progression system made you want to continuously get games in each night. The EASHL is definitely one of the best co-op experiences of this last generation.

2) NHL 08

NHL 08 made some awesome improvements from NHL 07, specifically with way smoother framerate, better skating, revised hitting physics and the introduction of three-on-three online team play. The smoothness of the gameplay was truly a joy, as it really made the skill stick come to life. It was great to be able to make smooth passes and dangle towards the net in 60fps. To me, the revelation of team play was something I'd been waiting a long time for, and when I heard it would be in there, I knew sports games' online features were changing for the better.

1) NHL 13

Again, this isn't to say that NHL 13 is a perfect product � far from it. However, EA continued to build on the modes that it had been cultivating for several years, and it added a meaningful piece of gameplay iteration with True Performance Skating. The ability to push your skater all out on a breakaway or puck pursuit has a brilliant risk-reward, and it's fun to try and push the needle to the red without getting knocked over. Just the same, the realistic momentum when transitioning also feels great. NHL Moments Live was a bit of a misfire in my view, but EA also built upon its wildly successful Hockey Ultimate Team and EASHL modes in a good way.

Comments

# 1 DJ @ Feb 19

No love for NHL 10? Board battles and dump-and-chase were nice additions and the gameplay was refined from 07-09. That's my favorite NHL game this generation, with NHL 2K7 (I know some hate it but I loved it) and NHL 13 in the mix.

# 2 tril @ Feb 20

no love for NHL2k10. I believe that was the first game where a skater could pursue/play defense skating backwards, or was that 2k8.

# 3 GlennN @ Feb 20

I'm totally with DJ - NHL 10 was my favorite game in the series. Created the BeAGM mode which has seen little growth since. Gameplay was greatly improved from before. The peak of hockey in this generation. I don't play online at all, so EASHL means nothing to me.

# 4 BCDX97 @ Feb 20

3 on 3 Arcade was so fun! I loved that game. We need more games like that.

# 5 jyoung @ Feb 21

I definitely would have thrown at least one of the 2K games on here (2K8 or 2K10). There are things in those 2K games that EA still hasn't gotten right all these years later.

Also I enjoyed Blockey way more than 3 vs. 3 NHL.