NHL 10

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Excellent, authentic pro hockey sim includes brawls.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

Find out more

Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

Find out more

Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is a straightforward simulation of professional hockey. With that, of course, comes some physical play such as checking players into boards or even starting brawls. When a fight occurs, the camera shifts into a first-person perspective, making it feel more immersive. However, the game doesn't show blood. The game is also playable online with open chat, a feature Common Sense Media does not recommend to children under the age of 12.

  • Players can engage in brawls that give your team an emotional boost. But this combative behavior often come at a hefty price.  Players fighting are assessed big penalties, and can even leave their team shorthanded, putting them at greater risk of giving up goals and losing the game.
  • As in real hockey, players can start fights or attempt to rough up opponents whenever they choose. But again, the penalties for doing so can be stiff.
  • The game is built to accomodate any type of play style.  Players can opt for a more arcade feel through the casual game setting and the use of classic, three-button controls. The more complex layout requires players to control and shoot the puck using the right analog stick, while the right trigger delivers passes.  Learning these controls is tricky at first, but there is enough flexibility in difficulty to make the process rewarding. There's also a tutorial that pops up when you first start the game to learn the basics.
  • Players can initiate brawls with opponents at any point in the game. If the opponent chooses to fight, the camera shifts to a first-person perspective as players throw punches at each other. However, no blood is shown during these fights.
  • Not applicable.
  • Not applicable.
  • Players can see various logos throughout arenas from either hockey-related companies (Bauer) or general sports firms (Upper Deck, Reebok).

What's it about?

NFL 10 is a simulation of the National Hockey League, with multiple approaches to playing. Players can guide any one of the NHL teams throughout a season or career in Be A GM Mode. Players can also create their own player and lead them to superstar status through the individual Be a Pro mode or in online hockey leagues. If you want the exhiliaration of a Stanley Cup playoff series, there's a mode for that as well.


Is it any good?

 

NHL 10 is perhaps the best, most realistic representation of pro hockey available.  This year's game adds only a couple new but key features to an already fantastic experience. The most notable change is the fighting, which feels far more immersive from a first-person perspective. Initiating fights is also easier, but just like the real sport, there's a penalty for choosing to start a brawl.

Fighting isn't the only key change. Players can now pin opponents more easily against the boards to trap the puck better, while passing feels slightly more precise. Developers have also done more to make the game accessible to novices. Not only can they set the difficulty and simplify the controls, but they can change the play style ranging from a casual, fast-paced game to a more authentic experience. The new modes, such as Battle for the Stanley Cup, help to add a bit more variety to what is an already astounding franchise.

Online interaction: Players are able to chat with each other online during games. These interactions can contain language that parents would prefer their kids not hear. Players can also create their own player for use in online hockey leagues.


Explore, discuss, enjoy

  • How does hockey compare to some of the other professional sports, such as football or baseball?  What makes it better, or worse?

  • The game uses fighting sometimes as a motivator for your team. What do you think of that method of encouragement?


This review of NHL 10 was written by
Kid, 12 years old
March 11, 2010
 
i love it nothing is inopropeiet.

Flag as inappropriate 

This review of NHL 10 was written by
Topics:sports and martial arts
Platforms:Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Available online?Available online
Genre:Sports
Developer:Electronic Arts
Release date:September 15, 2009
Price:$59.99
ESRB rating:E10+ for Mild Violence (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)

This review of NHL 10 was written by

Contact us to give us more feedback on our learning ratings.

 

Review It

Share your review with others

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.

Screenshots


Learning Products Quick Finder

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors