Game Details
Price
  • $59.99
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NHL 09 (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, Windows)

common sense media says

Rich hockey simulation with clever career options.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this hockey sim closely mirrors real professional hockey, right down to the violent hits and fighting, and the ads displayed all around the rink. While engaging in mid-game scraps is pretty easy to pull off, you're always punished by a 5-minute penalty. The game is playable online, a feature Common Sense Media doesn't recommend for kids under age 12.

Educational value: Great way to learn the game of hockey, including rules and strategy.
Positive messages: As in real hockey, players misbehave by taking their frustration out by hitting other players.
Violence: The game itself is rather physical. You can check opponents for big hits, and even get into fights. No blood is involved, and players earn stiff penalties.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Most ads are visible along the boards of the ice rink. The majority of sponsors are hockey-related, including Koho.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on NHL 09

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about how the game compares to its real-life counterpart. How close is this to the real thing? In terms of the fun factor, how does hockey compare to other sports like football or baseball?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Electronic Arts drops the puck on another hockey season with the release of NHL 09, a great sports simulation with an inventive approach to career modes. The two biggest advances this season are Be a Pro and the EA Sports Hockey League.

In Be a Pro, you can create your own hockey player and guide him to stardom in the National Hockey League. The type of player you select determines the experience traits he will inherit. For example, playmakers tend to have high ratings for passing and stickhandling, but may rate lower on strength of power. As you navigate the minor leagues, your player is tasked with specific statistical goals he must achieve before entering the next level of experience. The better you perform, the more experience points you earn toward upgrading ratings. During games, you'll only control your created player. Be a Pro is not only available offline. You can create players for use in the EA Sports Hockey League, an MMO-style career mode where you play on teams and complete seasons with human players. As your skills improve, your player's experience level increases. You can sign contracts, scout players and even demand trades.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

In terms of on-ice gameplay, NHL 09 feels very similar to previous releases. Stickhandling has been tweaked for better control on defense. Players can now use their stick to block shots or passes. If the controls prove too complex, players can now use a simpler layout consisting of only two buttons and the analog stick.

As usual, the presentation is phenomenal. Lights reflect off the ice, while the surface gradually dulls as players zip back and forth around the rink. Players move so fluidly you could swear you were watching a real game of hockey. NHL 09 is an impressive simulation that uses creative career options to take a big leap in authenticity.

Game themes & details

Game Details
Available on: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, Windows
Available online
Genre: Sports
Developer: EA Sports
Released on: September 9, 2008
Price: 59.99
ESRB Rating: E10+ for Mild Violence

This review was written by Brett Molina
 
 

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Worth every penny!
NHL 09 is an excellent game. The graphics are unbelievable and the gameplay is realistic.

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About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age