Only hockey game available, it's... not great... yet not... horrible..
This game isn't the greatest hockey game you'll ever play in your lives, but it's passable. Fast pace hockey game, although the gameplay itself may have some flaws here and there... it's still a game that a true hockey fan should enjoy at least to some type of degree.
It's got 4 gameplay modes which is very disappointing... the usual exhibition and season, then you have Wayne VS Wayne and 3-on-3. No, there's no franchise, there's no playoffs, or World Hockey Championships. That's disappointing, but I guess overall playing of the game isnt all that bad. Wayne VS Wayne mode is basic hockey, but you when you score goals, and do things that Gretzky would do, you gather "99 Time". Then when you get enough, you can "summon" the great one to ahve a 6 on 5 for however long your 99-time was. Depending on how much Gretzky means to you as a hockey fan, this mode will get its mixed opinions. 3-on-3 is basically a replica of the kind of street basketball we play. Theres no rules whatsoever, and you just try and score the projected amount of goals... so its like "Up to 11" on the streets, but its jus like "Up to 3 goals". Season mode is basic, you're typical season.
The graphics aren't amazing, I've seen a lot better on PSP. The sound is ok, the tracks on menu screens are plain BORING though. The commentary is ok, but it sometimes lags behind the actual action on the ice. The deking in this game is very basic and also very boring, same moves, same boring moves. The basic left to right stick handling and u have the wrap around the leg move. The penalities are random, you have to press the body check square button and hope ur guy does a proper body check insted of an elbow, cross-check and etc, the poke-check button also activates the hook & spear that you can't control.
But the Wayne VS Wayne is pretty fun, and 3-on-3 is pretty crazy becuz you can randomly check people without penalties. Even having a franchsie wouldn't make this game any better, i think it's got a lot of things to improve on such the season mode, by the way.. the salary cap does not apply in season mode therefore, when you unlock the Gretzkys.. you can sign them and sign everyone available no matter how big their contract is
Overall, Gretzky 06 is prolly for a very hardcore hockey fan that is just dieing to play a hockey game on their PSP or those who have dreamed of a hockey game with Gretzky in it available. Lastly, this game has a lot of things to improve on.