The Game Dame™

I am definitely not the most educated when it comes to sports – real or virtual. The only sports video game I really ever got into was a handheld from the 70’s that took about 27 DD batteries and used red dots for players. Because of my limited knowledge of hockey, I was worried NHL 06 wouldn’t float my boat. Much to my surprise, I was addicted to EA Sports’ September release within the first 20 minutes of playing.

NHL 06 offers several different game modes to choose from. If you’re like me, and had to look up the definition of deke, you should just choose from an existing team and get out on the ice. It’ll only take you about 10 minutes to get used to the controls and once you do, you won’t want to stop. The play-by-play voice-overs are so accurate, you’ll wonder if commentators are living in your TV.

You may not realize just how much sports games have advanced over the last decade, but if you want a quick comparison, take a swing at NHL 04 – also included as a game option. Those pixelated players are no match for the ‘06 set but the old-school fonts and cheesy sounds will help you take that trip down gaming memory lane.

More advanced players may prefer to start with Dynasty mode where you can customize, create and manage the ultimate dream team. Design the ultimate hockey-playing Sim in the Creation Zone. Not only can you decide how he’ll play, you can also determine how he looks. Make him intimidating with black eyes and scars before you test his skills on the ice.