NHL 09 Critic Reviews

With barely a visual hitch, exceptional presentation, engaging online, improved controls and an unmatched level of realism, there’s almost nothing to prevent a full recommendation to any fan of hockey or sports games in general. Even if you aren’t a fan of sports games, the game is so good it could turn you into one.

EA didn't just make their game look, sound, and play superbly, but they even brought their "A" game when it comes to features as well.

EA Sports has been doing fine work on this series for the last few years, but everything until now only seems like groundwork for this years version. Small problems aside this is the best game of hockey ever made.

You don’t even have to be a psychotic hockey fan to enjoy NHL 09; just a fan of sports in general and of solid Xbox 360 software. Of course pick this one up if you live and breathe the NHL hockey season, but NHL 09 is also worth a look by those that are still searching for that killer, HD-era sports application.

With its unparalleled controls, refined presentation, and unrivaled selection of game modes, NHL 09 is the best hockey game ever created.

NHL 09 is hands-down the best sports game yet.

There are some issues, but on the whole, playing NHL 09 feels incredibly realistic. It's a deep, challenging game, but it's so rewarding when everything finally clicks.

Another great version of ice hockey for the Xbox 360. The amount on offer and a great online community will keep you on this game for ages.

Competition has pushed EA this far and quite honestly they have just about buried 2K in the snow.

Otherwise, NHL 09 is easily in the running for the title of Best Hockey Game Ever, with some people leaning towards one of the great games of the past and others leaning towards the dearth of great modes in NHL 09.

It was one of the best, if not the gold standard for sports genre video games last year, and it looks set to re-claim that title yet again this year.

I highly recommend NHL 09 for the Xbox 360 to any sports fan out there even if you are not familiar with the hockey at the NHL level.

Whether you’re a two-way center, fourth line brawler, or an offensive defenseman with a nose for the net, NHL 09 is the hockey game for you.

NHL 09 isn’t just a great hockey game, it’s one of the best sports games to be released in the last decade.

NHL 09 is a great hockey title, offering some fantastic new features, a deep Be A Pro mode, and some awesome online features.

We love it when a sports game comes together. With NHL 09, all the potential this series has teased us with for the past two seasons has finally gelled into actual, grade-A greatness.

Last year's race between 2K Sports and EA Sports' hockey franchises was almost a dead heat. This year, EA's NHL 09 takes Lord Stanley's Cup, thanks to a combination of what worked well last year and some sweet new features.

The latest entry in EA's venerable hockey franchise is the best yet.

The controls feel a bit antiquated now that we've been acclimated to the Skill Stick, but it's an excellent way to introduce your non-sports game loving friends to one of the best sports titles in years.

I can't suggest it enough that one needs to buy this title or in the very least give it a rental for the online play. Be a Pro mode is outstanding and the Online League action is just awesome.