Gameplay
- NHL 2K6: 2K6 is more on the simulation end of the hockey spectrum. At the default settings it is noticeably slower than 06 and all of that other sim stuff (stricter enforcement of the rules, sharper defense, impenetrable brick wall for a goalie) result in games that play out far more realistically than any other hockey game to date. A nice touch in 2K6 is that you can adjust the game speed and a bunch of other stuff to make it play however you want.
- NHL 06: NHL 06 is fast and high scoring and definitely won’t be confused with a sim. It is undeniably fun, though, and even though it isn’t a hardcore hockey sim fans shouldn’t be turned away. It seems like the new rule changes have been better implemented in 06 (they actually make a difference as to how the game plays unlike 2K6 which feels just like 2K5) and the flow of the game is incredible. You’ll score more often than in 2K6 which isn’t exactly realistic, but it sure is fun.
- Winner: NHL 06
- Both games basically have the same features – exhibition, season, franchise, minigames, online play – and they function the same on both sides. 2K6 takes the crown for best features because playing air hockey and shuffleboard between real hockey games is a blast. This category is extremely close, otherwise.
- Winner: NHL 2K6
- NHL 2K6: The presentation is a weak area of 2K6 for a number of reasons. The players look decent, particularly their faces, and the animation is extremely smooth and great looking, but the arenas and ice don’t look all that great and the menus are downright ugly.
- NHL 06: Pretty much every aspect of 06 looks gorgeous. The animation isn’t as good as 2K6, but everything else is much better looking.
- Winner: NHL 06
- NHL 2K6: Another weak point for the game. The loss of the ESPN license snatched great commentators Bill Clement and Gary Thorne from ESPN away from us and replaced them with the bland and boring duo of Hockey Night in Canada announcers Bob Cole and Harry Neale. Also, the sound effects for the action on the ice are really subdued and just plain off in a few cases. They lack impact and make the game sound like you’re hitting slapshots with Nerf sticks.
- NHL 06: The commentary here isn’t spectacular, but it is better than 2K6 and on par with what we have come to expect from Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson in this series. What makes the sound in 06 stand out, however, is that the sound effects actually sound like they should. When you hit someone it makes a very satisfying crunch and when you take a shot you get a nice, clear, loud “smack”.
- Winner: NHL 06
- NHL 2K6: 2K6 is definitely the more feature-packed of the two hockey titles and all of the little details and fun extra modes really make you feel like you are getting your money’s worth. Even better, you get all of this at a bargain price of $20.
- NHL 06: If 06 was $50, this would be a no contest. But EA was smart enough to price it at $30 which makes comparing the value of both games much harder. In the end, though, 2K6 just has more features (not to mention the fact that the added bonus of NHL ’94 in 06 is exclusive to the PS2 version) so you don’t quite get as much bang for your buck here.
- Winner: NHL 2K6
Bottom Line
So which game wins? 06 easily wins for graphics and sound while 2K6 wins for value and features. I picked NHL 06 for best gameplay, but this section can really go either way depending on how much of a hockey sim you are looking for. Personally, I prefer the faster pace and higher scoring in NHL 06. Also, the presentation, particularly the sound, plays a pretty big role in the overall experience and I am not a fan of the sound effects in 2K6 – everything just sounds so soft and wimpy.
The bottom line is that both games are really, really great this year, but if I had to choose one it would be EA’s NHL 06.
The best part out of all of this is that for just $50 – the price of a regular game – you can get both of them and have the best of both worlds. Ah, good times.
Winner: Hockey Fans
