NHL 10 (Xbox 360, 2009)

Great new features!

Battle on the Boards: A new board play physics engine lets players shield the puck along the boards, kick-pass it to teammates, or pin an opponent.[2]
Intimidation Tactics: Players are able to fore-check defenders, pressure the puck, and finish checks to force your opposing skaters into making mistakes. Engaging the opposing team's star players will now instigate players and fans. Skaters who frequently harass star players will become antagonized by the opposing crowd and players.[2]
Post-Whistle Action: Players are able to finish checks, retaliate for late shots on goal, draw penalties, and pick fights after the referee blows the whistle.[2]
New First Person Fighting Engine: Players controlling the team's enforcer are able to engage instigators in a new first person fighting simulator.[2]
Spectacular Goals: Introducing spectacular new ways to score, like players one-timing loose pucks, stick-handling and shooting from their knees, batting pucks out of the air, and lifting a leg to fake a shot on goal.
New Precision Passing: A new 360° precision passing mechanic delivers control over the speed and direction of passes so players can bank passes off the boards or play the puck into space for teammates to skate on to it. Players take poor passes off their skates and kick the puck to their sticks.[2]
Improved Goalie Intelligence: Goaltenders will be able to position themselves more intelligently, react to shots more quickly, and recover from saves faster. NHL 10 features 250 new goalie animations, including swatting pucks out of the air, second and third saves, and desperation lunges.[2]
Interactive Atmosphere: Animations of fans within in the game have been rendered to appear more life-like and detailed. Playoff games will feature towel-waving fans and greater reactions from the crowds.[2]
Be A GM Mode: Players will now be able to control a team as if they were a general manager in the "Be A GM" mode. This feature enables players to build their own dynasty team through drafting, trading, and signing skaters. A player's success will be measured by the number of positive influences they have on their franchise.[2]
Battle for the Cup Mode: This mode allows players to choose two opposing teams and pit them against each other in the Stanley Cup Final. Players have the option to play a 1, 3, 5, or 7 game elimination round. The winning team will be presented with the Stanley Cup.

2K Sports brings the fun back to hockey video games with an intuitive control scheme and hard-hitting action in NHL 2K10. True hockey fans will respect the attention to detail, while the pick-up-and-shoot controls allow anyone to play. Improved controls deliver better puck handling, new defensive moves like stick lifts, plus stumble shots so you can always get the puck on net. Improved A.I., meanwhile, makes gameplay more authentic in the offensive and defensive zones. More accurate player looks and styles, brighter arenas and realistic pre-game introductions. And with 2K Sports' online gameplay, gamers can play in leagues and tournaments with players across the globe.

Making an arcade hockey game as superb as NHL 09 created one big problem for EA Sports: sky-high expectations. Last year's game was so good that it created an almost impossible act to follow. Good luck trying to top revolutionary improvements made to the on-ice action, controls, and modes of play. Still, NHL 10 sure tries. This is undoubtedly a better game than its predecessor, thanks to a handful of gameplay tweaks, first-person fighting, and a new Be the GM option, but in the grand scheme of things, this is more of a refinement than a full-blown sequel. Anybody who can name the Original Six without checking Google should still buy this outstanding hockey simulation, although owners of NHL 09 might not feel the need to put it at the very top of the shopping list.

EA Sports has been making hockey games for close to 20 years now and while they have garnered a reputation for making arcade sports games, they appear to be on the right track the last few versions. NHL 10 is their best effort yet. Of course, its nowhere near real NHL hockey but I suppose liberties must be taken to make the game fun along with being somewhat realistic. I like what they've done and while I dont go running out on release date anymore, I do acquire the games at a later date and a somewhat affordable price. This years version was a steal for what I paid...its a good game and most importantly its a fun game. Highly recommended!!!

NHL 10 brought some new much awaited key features that really brought the franchise to the next level. First, and probably most, is the Battle for the Cup mode which allows you to jump right into the Stanley Cup Finals atmosphere. EA Sports also added some key game play components like board play and more controlled dekes, etc. NHL 10 is significantly better than NHL 09 and it really makes hockey games that much more enjoyable to play.