NHL (video game series)

The NHL series of U.S. software developer EA Sports is an ice hockey video game series, which is extended annually for a title with current data and features.

Features

Due to the complete licensing of the game contained by the league, primarily of its namesake, the National Hockey League, the series offers each year the complete number of NHL teams and national teams. Since 2004, the series also includes all the teams in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga, Sweden's Elitserien and the Finnish SM- liiga, 2007, the Czech Extraliga was added in 2008 is the first time the American Hockey League included in the game and since 2010 it is also with all teams play Swiss National League. In the latest installment of NHL 2011 is the Canadian Hockey League, a junior league, represented with their 60 teams.

The number of playable tournaments varies in each version. In addition to the friendly match, tournament or playoff and so-called Dynasty Mode, where you can begin a 20-year career as a manager at a particular club, were in each version again and again certain tournaments such as the World Cup of Hockey on the features of the NHL series. In addition, the individual parts have both a multiplayer mode as well as an included editor that allows you to modify changes in the game, such as player registration vision, tactics and team line-ups and can create completely new players or teams. In the newer parts of the player even has the ability to revive former NHL franchises and start with them a career.

In the different parts of different skill levels are available that allow the player to continuously increase from the simplest to the most serious difficulty. Authentic sounds, chants and the obligation known commentators such as Jim Hughson or Gary Thorne also contribute to the increased reality with every part of the series. Since 2000 every NHL game includes a soundtrack from various well-known rock bands such as Garbage, Sum 41, Ash, Bullet for My Valentine, Franz Ferdinand, Billy Talent, Barenaked Ladies, Jimmy Eat World, Queens of the Stone Age, anti- flag or Hurt.

Title

NHL Hockey ( 1991)

Similar to the FIFA series was still in the name of the first NHL game no date. It was sold under the name of NHL hockey and published in August 1991 for the Sega Mega Drive. NHL Hockey is considered the most realistic hockey game of its time, even if in addition to the NHL - NHLPA licenses currently no product and thus no players licenses were included. In Europe, the game was released under the name EA Hockey, NHL since the licenses were purchased for the American market.

NHLPA Hockey 93

Unlike NHL hockey were indeed get all NHLPA licenses in the successor from 1993, but this time had to be dispensed with some NHL licenses, so this time contained no original team name in the game. This problem was solved by stating the team name instead of the city name, so for example, the New York Islanders, the team was Long Iceland.

NHL Hockey ( 1993)

NHL Hockey ' for the PC for the first time contained all NHL and NHLPA licenses, that is, all 24 teams with original logos and players. The first time was also a complete season mode including play-offs included.

NHL 94

This version was released for the SNES, Mega Drive, Sega CD and DOS.

NHL 95

In the first part of the series with the current name players were the first to be created or transferred, also the gameplay has been improved again, so now being deceived shots or drop passes were possible. Critics, however, also warned of the partially emerging Unrealismus the series, as the program contained some errors that distorted statistics. On the cover were Alexei Kovalev of the New York Rangers and Kirk McLean, the keeper of the Vancouver Canucks, in a scene from the final series in 1994.

NHL 96

In NHL 96 different camera views were now possible, also the stadium technology had been greatly improved, so that now in addition to 2D and 3D elements were used. In addition, battles have been reintroduced on the ice, after they had been removed from the previous parts of the series. However, the game still contained the Quebec Nordiques and not the Colorado Avalanche, although the franchise was moved before the 1995/96 season. On the cover of Red Wings legend Steve Yzerman and Scott Stevens were mapped in this part. NHL 96 was thus the last game, on whose cover two players were shown.

NHL 97

NHL 97 was the first NHL game, which was completely released in 3D. Every goalkeeper has its own individual mask for the first time, also includes NHL 97 for the first time a so-called " play-by -play" commentary of the famous presenter Jim Hughson. Also for the first time were included national teams in a NHL game with Canada, the U.S. and Russia, two other teams contained a compilation of the rest of the top European players. On the cover of John Vanbiesbrouck was imaged by the Florida Panthers this year.

NHL 98

In the game of the season 1997/98 German commentators and many national teams were first included; EA however, it was not able to acquire the license for the Olympic Hockey Tournament. On the cover is Peter Forsberg of the Colorado Avalanche.

NHL 1999

Re contained the game in addition to the national teams all data of the NHL season 1998/99 as well as improvements in the playful and graphic area. The cover adorns Eric Lindros of the Philadelphia Flyers.

NHL 2000

For the first time two different covers were released. In the U.S. and Canadian version was located defender Chris Pronger of the St. Louis Blues, on the cover for the European market Markus Naslund was imaged by the Vancouver Canucks.

NHL 2001

In the North American cover Owen Nolan was imaged by the San Jose Sharks, the European Cover adorned Jere Lehtinen of the Dallas Stars. As a German commentator Marc Hindelang was heard.

NHL 2002

NHL 2002 was the only game in the series, released for the Game Boy Advance. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, a patch was also released, which replaced the previous loading screen of the New York Rangers, because there was a picture of the World Trade Center. The new version showed the Statue of Liberty. On the cover was Mario Lemieux of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

NHL 2003

On the cover of the game with the data of the 2002/ 03 Jarome Iginla is, at this time Forwards in the Calgary Flames. German commentators were not included this time.

NHL 2004

In addition to the graphical improvements have been added this year, three of the best European leagues ( DEL, Elitserien, SM- liiga ). Also new is the ability to determine when a player starts a fight. Stylistically was also improves the Dynasty mode, so a hidden song ( Shatterday of Vendetta Red ) is played, for example, at the awards ceremony for a title challenge, while the individual player statistics are presented on the basis of the winning photos. The then introduced new graphic templates, such as jerseys are also used in NHL 2007.

On the cover of the 2004 version is Dany Heatley of the Atlanta Thrashers, before publishing Joe Sakic of the Colorado Avalanche.

NHL 2005

NHL 2005 contains numerous gameplay and graphics enhancements for the first time an IIHF license and a German announcer, so that the World Cup of Hockey is first included as a tournament in the game. This also has the consequence that original National jerseys are first included in the game. On the cover was once again ready to Markus Naslund of the Vancouver Canucks.

NHL 06

NHL 06 was released in September 2005, international licenses were not included this time. In the PlayStation 2 version of NHL 1994 was also hidden as a bonus game. On the cover is Vincent Lecavalier of the Tampa Bay Lightning, in Scandinavia Chicago's Tuomo Ruutu striker was pictured.

NHL 07

With the Czech Extraliga, the fourth European top league is included in this part of the series, also clear graphical and playful improvements have been made again. On the cover is Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals.

NHL 08

In the 17th installment of the series is at stake Cover Eric Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes and the American Hockey League is included as a new league. On the Swedish cover is Henrik Zetterberg of the Detroit Red Wings and on the Swiss cover to see Mark Streit of the Montreal Canadiens.

For the first time it is possible to control the goalkeeper in the " Goalie Mode".

NHL 09

At the 2009 -ies version was taken again to a higher level of realism. Has yet been taken in the 08 -seater version to an improved offensive gameplay, so this year special attention was paid on the defensive. It is, for example, for the first time possible to raise the floor as a defender and beat against the floor of the opponent. The game speed was generally somewhat reduced, which gives a smoother feel and movement animations can be deployed more effectively. This year the DEL Even with the console version has been implemented. For the first time, you can also play the Russian Super League.

On the cover of Dion Phaneuf is imaged by the Calgary Flames. NHL 09 was also the last title, which was published by EA Sports Europe for the PC.

NHL 10

In the version of 2010, the band game has been improved. Thus, a player who has the puck and is held against the boards, freeing better or continue playing the puck with skates. Other players who stand around outside, can conquer the puck with their hockey sticks. The goalkeepers were also revised with new moves and react more realistically than in its predecessor. Many game modes have been revised.

On the cover is Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks to see.

The game first appeared only for the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3 and not for the computer.

NHL 11

In the 2011 version he was especially careful to create more realism. To score goals from all possible positions and with various variants, a better game engine with realistic movements of players and clubs as well as the possibility that bats can also break this show. First of all, it is also possible to go with the teams of the Canadian Hockey League to the ice.

On the cover of Jonathan Toews is imaged by the Chicago Blackhawks.

Find out more

For several years, there are internet sites where you can download as an "add -ons " Player Squad, jerseys, arenas, etc., which improve the graphics contained in the game or the teams of the Finnish, Swedish and Czech leagues teams in the German 2 Bundesliga and Oberliga change, but this is only possible on the PC.