Wii

NHL 2K9

NHL 2K9 takes a giant leap forward in gameplay and controls by transferring hockey to the Wii. It may not look or sound the best, but just like the Millennium Falcon, she's got it where it counts. Anyone wanting a fun hockey experience on the Wii, alone or with friends, would be happily served by 2K9.

It’s sure cool to see the first hockey game on the Wii pass the first test. Of course, NHL 2K9 isn’t a perfect game and isn’t the best looking game but it does capture what we want to see, a playable and fun sport game on a console that definitely needs more than mini-games and Mario games. I haven’t had that much fun on a Wii since the first time I’ve played Wii Sports. Now that 2K has shown to the world what they can do, it’s time to bring the much wanted tweaks. Expectations are high for NHL 2K10.

But as previously mentioned, as much as I like the actual hockey part of the game, even with some occasionally strange-acting AI, the presentation parts of NHL 2K9 suffer because the game went the "realistic" route rather than a cartoony sensibility that just seems to work better on the Wii. The sound effects and the execution of the commentary are poor, which doesn't help the overall presentation. As long as you know what level to put your expectations, there's a decent enough hockey game here. It makes me hopefully for what might come next year.

NHL 2K9 for the Wii disappoints in the graphical department as it cannot compete with its competitors in terms of visual appeal. However, the hands-on controls more than make up for this by adding a sense of actually being in the game and not just sitting on the couch playing the game. NHL 2K9 is a great first step for hockey on the Wii, and as it stands now it really is a great party game to engage your friends and family in friendly competition on the ice.

That's not to say I didn't have fun playing the game - I did - but it's as if the sport has gone through a time warp in its conversion to Nintendo's console. I'm not talking from 2K9 to 2K7, but rather sub-2K3, especially on the visual front. In fact, even then the series was never as thrown together or unreliable as it is here. It's still a fast, generally pleasant game of puck, but in no way does NHL 2K9 prove that the company has the passion or follow-through to make a serious impact on Wii. We want to see this game thrive. As it stands right now, it's a big rough, still fun, but a token rookie year as far as sports games go. 2K, it's time to give this one an overhaul for 2K10.

Overall, NHL 2K9 is a respectable first effort with on the Wii. Still, the subtraction of key features from other titles and atrocious graphical presentation hold it back from any sort of rookie-of-the-year consideration. If you’re a hardcore puckhead who only owns a Wii, then this is a fine place to start. Just don’t expect more than a competent game of puck with a unique control scheme.

In its maiden effort for the Wii, Visual Concepts plays it safe. It provides what one would expect in a hockey title, but doesn’t really innovate in the feature set. The control scheme shows promise and could be the cornerstone for future installments, provided a way can be found to offer more flexibility for casual fans. Still, it’s commendable that the developer has worked hard to leverage the Wii’s strength when it comes to controls. The biggest complaints I have are reserved for the presentation and multiplayer. Dumbed-down ports for the Wii are getting really old, and in light of the console’s mammoth success, it’s time for its adopters to get some reward for their dollars. The absence of any online multiplayer is just sad. If Visual Concepts can work to build a title from the ground up that employs some of the graphic muscle the hardware provides while including an online mode, this could be a winning franchise.

As the one and only hockey title available for the Wii, NHL 2K9 is a welcome sight; it’s just too bad that it looks so darned ugly. The controls are a breath of fresh air, though, so long as you give them a chance (which we have a feeling too many people won’t). Here’s hoping this is just a foundation for a franchise that will grow into its own and not just be a one-hit wonder.

NHL 2K9 has fun controls, but the average presentation and missing extras drag it down. It's decent if you need a quick shoot-around with friends. Those looking for something with more substance, however, will have to wait and see what skates onto the Wii next year.

It's hard to categorize NHL 2K9 as anything but a disappointment. Even though it will give you a tough game on the ice, the gameplay just isn't very realistic. All the Wii version seems to add to the mix is slightly different (not better) controls that can lead to a monotonously simple-minded offense and defense. You can sit this one out and see what next year brings.