NHL 09

by Electronic Arts

Product Features

• Defensive Skill Stick - NHL 08 gave you true offensive prowess with the Skill Stick, and this year, you have the power to stop it. Block passing lanes with 360 control of your stick or kill an opponent's one timer game by lifting their stick just before they receive a pass
• Be A Pro - A dynamic 3rd person camera puts you in the role of one player on a team. The Performance Tracker will rate your play in over 50 categories, to make sure you know what parts of your game need to improve. Start your career off in the ranks of the AHL and become one of the best in the NHL. Your very own hockey card will mark your progress, from your rookie beginnings to a potentially legendary ending
• Create-A-Play Breakouts - create a winning strategy in both online and offline play. Make breakout plays from your own zone or set up behind your net and tell your right winger to look for the flip dump from the defenseman
• NHL 94 Controls - Hit, pass, shoot, and score using the simplified two-button control system featured in NHL 94. So even if you're new to the game, you can challenge the best of the best
• One-handed Dekes - When you are skating in on a breakaway, tap the puck to one hand and tuck the puck behind a sprawling goalie for the ultimate finish

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0018421C2
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches ; 3.2 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: September 9, 2008
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,402 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #35 in Sports & Outdoors > Fan Shop > Video Games & Accessories
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Platform: Xbox 360

NHL 09 X360

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BUY THIS GAME! Madden does NOT compare!, September 12, 2008

By 

John P. (East Brunswick, NJ) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: NHL 09 (Video Game)

First of all, to explain my title, I admit that I am, primarily a Hockey fan. I love Football as well, but Hockey is my #1 sport.

Ok, that being said, I didn't write the title because I prefer Hockey over Football...I wrote it because EA Canada has truly added a boat-load of features and innovations to this game, rather than take the route that EA Tiburon has taken year in and year out, and recycle last year's game.

I have been playing NHL games since the dawn of time...or at least since the first NHL game was released way back in the day.
Yes, of course I LOVED NHL '94. I loved it so much, I still wish I could play it...I've been hoping EA would make it an unlockable game in this year's version...but no such luck.
Anyway, by the time NHL '07 came out, I was starting to get frustrated by the NHL games. The controls were getting more complicated, the games were becoming less arcadey, and slower, and I just found myself losing interest and hope that the perfect Hockey game would EVER appear.

NHL '08 I know restored most peoples' hope in the series, but I wasn't convinced. I just couldn't get the dual analog stick handling down.
Then...the demo for NHL '09 came out.
I was skeptical at first, but the demo forces you to go through a series of tests of skill with the stick handling before it lets you play a game.
This was BRILLIANT on EA Canada's part.
By the third time through the tutorial, I felt comfortable enough with the controls to try the Be A Pro mode.
I went out and pre-ordered the game the same day.

BE A PRO mode is what I've been waiting all my Hockey-loving life for.
It's Hockey with RPG elements.
You basically create a player with your name, and choose whatever play-style you like (ie, Power Forward, Sniper, Dangler, etc.).
You then start your career as an amateur in the AHL, on your favorite team's actual NHL minor league club, playing on the 3rd line.
I cannot believe EA Canada went out and got EVERY AHL team, and player for this. The AHL could be a game by itself!
After each shift on the ice, your coach evaluates you, and the GM will also let you know if they are impressed enough with your performance to move you up to the 2nd or 1st line, with the ultimate goal of making it to the NHL and becoming a legend.
You can either play this mode ONLY as your player, or if you get bored watching the game while waiting for your next shift, there is a position lock option, so if you're a RW, when your shift is over, you will control EVERY RW on your team.
With every game you play, you will earn experience points, which you can use to "level up" your character...basically to increase different attributes which improves the performance of your player.

I can't tell you how realistic this mode is, and how immersive. I never would have thought it.
When you play as yourself and only your position, it becomes less about accumulating ridiculous stats, and more about being an actual part of a TEAM.

Also, for those people who love online play, this same feature is basically available online in the EASHL (EA Sports Hockey League).
You take your created player, and either create or join a team of 6 (up to 50) and compete online for the EA Cup.
This is really incredible. If you have a team of 30 people, only 6 people can play in a game at a time...there are no line changes online...but it also means, if all 30 people are playing 5 different games, your team will benefit by earning points and rank.
Awesome feature.

If that wasn't enough for you, this game is chock full of modes.
You can simply play a single game, or you can play Dynasty mode, practice drills, and even a shootout mode, that my girlfriend was enjoying playing with me.
You can also play as the goalie in any of the modes, and while that's not my usual choice of position, after trying it out, I was really surprised by how well implemented it is, and how fun.

EA Canada also took the Saved Replays option that Madden annoyingly limited and one-upped it. You can not only upload your replays to EASports.com, but you can edit them, and save them to your hard-drive.
You can also take in-game screenshots of your character and put them on your player's Hockey card.

I could go on and on with this review, but it all boils down to this:
BUY THIS GAME!
Please support games like this, where the developers prove that they care more about their sport, than just cashing in on a new year.
EA Canada has restored my faith in video-game Hockey. They took what worked from last year, and added tons of features, and value to their game.
There is truly something here for everyone, and if you are a Hockey fan, or a sports fan at all, you owe it to yourself to go out and buy this game.

Go Rangers!!!

10/10


**UPDATE 10/19/08**
While I still agree that this is the BEST Hockey game, or sports game for that matter, that I have ever played...I have to warn consumers about a MAJOR issue with the game.
That being, the DISC READ ERROR. At first, my game played beautifully for 3 or so weeks. I never had the problems I read about on message boards.
But now, as of the past 2 1/2 weeks, I have been unable to play more than ONE game. In the Be A Pro mode (the greatest mode ever), when I have to sim days between games, the game will literally lock up, and a message will appear saying the 360 cannot read the disc. I then get booted out to the dashboard, completely unable to PLAY the game.
This is a MAJOR BUG, and one that EA has yet to fix or even address as widespread.
Until EA releases a patch, I have to drop my score down to 3 stars.

Please EA, don't ignore your fans...stop counting the money and release a patch.

Be warned consumers...it is a great GAME...just not a great PRODUCT right now.

**UPDATE 11/02/08**

EA Canada's David Littman has stated on the EA Sports NHL '09 blog that a patch is indeed in the works, which will address the disc-read issue I mentioned, as well as fix a number of other problems some people (not me) have been having, including the "glitch goals", etc.
So, I haven't seen it yet, but now that they are addressing these problems, I would not hesitate to HIGHLY recommend this game if you like Hockey or really, sports at all!
Get it.

http://www.easports.com/nhl09/blog.jsp

**UPDATE 12/13/08**

Have downloaded the patch since its release, and also installed the game to my Hard-drive after the NXE was live, and I have had ZERO problems with this game!
On EA's message boards, some owners are still complaining about game-freezing (mostly online), and disc-read errors (which I no longer have), so just be aware.
I don't know if these people have downloaded the patch or not, or if they installed the game on their HDD's...but just be aware an issue exists.
I, personally have no problems anymore, and stand by my review as this being the BEST NHL game ever, and in my opinion (only an opinion), the best SPORTS game ever.

Good luck!

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EA finally made a believer out of me., September 15, 2008

By 

Mike (Here and There) - See all my reviews

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: NHL 09 (Video Game)

I was going to buy NHL 08 last season for PS2 but after trying it out, I got the 2K version instead (which admittedly ended up getting played a lot less than the other 2K titles.) This year I abandoned playing the games on PS2 and went and tried them out on XBox 360 instead.

I heard some good things said about NHL 09 and yet the first thing I thought to myself was "Great, an EA NHL title for an odd year, not a good sign." (I gave EA's NHL 07 2 stars and didn't review NHL 05 because I thought it was terrible!)

The short version of this review: This game gave me everything I could have ever asked for and more.

The long version:

I sat down and went over my options and I couldn't believe the DEPTH of the game. EA has always included the NHL, the SM-Liiga, the Elitserien, and the DEL. Two years ago they included the Czech Extraliga and last year they included the AHL. This year... The Kontinental Hockey League and all of it's teams make their EA debut! Way to go EA for pulling off such a coup!

And that's just for starters.

The controllers have three options: The NHL 09 settings that are complex but diverse, the "classic" settings that make the controls a bit easier without losing all the functions, or the NHL 94 controller settings where you pass/select your player with A and shoot/check with B, just like playing it back in the day (though the disadvantage is losing the ability to change your lines manually, instigate a fight, etc.) Even controlling the goalies is cool because you can set their positioning and have them prepare to make saves in the butterfly, blocker, or glove. Pretty nifty if I say so myself.

The Dynasty mode is sufficient as always with two-way contracts, waivers, and truly deep team management (woulda been nice to see a fantasy draft option available but I can overlook that given everything else) and it's easy to get into the games. But there's one game function that sets the game miles apart from any other hockey title...

The "Be A Pro" mode is so ridiculously awesome that after you play it, the game will have you hook line and sinker. One option is to play as any other professional player of your choice. Wanna play as Sidney or Alex? Now you can. Any position, any player.
The second option, and the most rewarding to me at least, is to create your own character and watching him ascend the ranks! You'll start of as a prospect on your farm club (so if you choose the Phoenix Coyotes as your team, you get assigned to the San Antonio Rampage) and accomplish your goals over the course of the season. If you play well, you'll get called up from the farm club and play with the biggest, baddest, and best of the NHL. Do poorly, and you'll go from NHL star to AHL fourth-liner faster than you can say Alexandre Daigle. You can sim through those seasons, but don't sim a lot because the game doesn't appreciate it (the AI will have the coach reprimand you if you sim more than you play. I did this to test it out and while my goalie rocked during the regular season, my backup got the starts come playoff time. Hmm...)

Any complaints about the game? Well, I've noted before that the music used to be soft. The soundtrack now is more metal, but it's more mall-metal (Avenged Sevenfold, Priestess, etc.) I give EA an A for effort, but 2K just gets better bands on their soundtrack.

All and all though, while I still have to play the 2K title, something tells me that for the first time in 5 years I'm looking in EA's direction as to which will be the more superior in hockey titles. And that's an allegiance that isn't swayed easily. Kudos to EA for putting out a great title.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Minor details makes this better than last year, September 11, 2008

By 

Matthew Kunka (Canton, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: NHL 09 (Video Game)

The physics engine in this game is one of the best I have seen yet. Everything down to how you skate, aiming a shot and even checking/fighting. Also, this game introduces more of the European leagues and teams. Another great feature is taking your own league/club online and fighting to become the best. This game has everything it needs to make it a great game to play with your buddies or on your own. I'd highly recommend this game to anyone who loved last years game.

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