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NHL 2K9 sticking it to Wii

2K Sports announces first licensed hockey game for Nintendo's system, promises Wii Remote stick control and full feature set.

While the NFL, NBA, MLB, PGA, and even the WWE have all seen their professional athletes and entertainers appear on Nintendo's Wii, there is at least one three-letter acronym in the world of sports that has yet to be converted for use with the motion-sensing Wii Remote. 2K Sports today announced that it will bring "the first and only" NHL- and NHLPA-licensed game to the Wii with NHL 2K9.

Already announced for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation 2, NHL 2K9 will retain the full feature set of those versions, while adding motion-sensitive controls. 2K Sports has said that players will be able to use the Wii Remote as a virtual hockey stick to mimic a variety of actions, including face-offs and slap shots.

To mark the occasion of the NHL arriving on Nintendo's latest system, Mario will make an appearance on the red carpet at tonight's awards for the 2008 NHL season. The mustachioed plumber is no stranger to hockey fans, as his "Super Mario" moniker has long been the nickname of Pittsburgh Penguins legend Mario Lemieux.

All four versions of the game are being developed by Visual Concepts, and will see release in the fall.

65 Comments

  • Bucharifique

    Posted Jul 15, 2008 10:57 pm GMT

    lol Cant wait too see what it looks like!

  • Braxen

    Posted Jun 24, 2008 2:39 pm GMT

    wow if they nail the controls it could be really awesome!

  • TheStranger

    Posted Jun 16, 2008 1:53 pm GMT

    About time, ive been waiting for hockey on the wii, well sicne i got a wii, it seemed like the most natural sports fit for motion sensing... I prefer EA to 2K but since EA isnt giving me a choice, screw'em...

  • Padrepride

    Posted Jun 16, 2008 10:37 am GMT

    YES! But this is the "first and only" nhl game for the wii? Really?

  • Domenico54

    Posted Jun 15, 2008 6:39 pm GMT

    WARNING: remember where your wrist band my christmas morning i got a wii AND a new T.V. for a younger siblings stupidity on wii sports. Who knows what a slapshot would do....

  • Otaku-RP-Gamer

    Posted Jun 14, 2008 8:25 pm GMT

    What about a DS NHL game?! I want my portable hockey when I go to hockey games!! j/k

  • guilhem_r

    Posted Jun 14, 2008 5:07 pm GMT

    Well if it's a port from the PS2 (like Wii games often are), trust me you can be thankful that the Wii's first NHL game comes from 2K: even if that's not be the case anymore on the 360/PS3, last gen 2K blew last gen EA out of the water.

  • KevComesRipping

    Posted Jun 14, 2008 2:48 pm GMT

    Urrrghhh I hope EA is taking notice right now, I don't like 2K brand hockey, but I may need to check this out.

  • necronaux

    Posted Jun 14, 2008 9:58 am GMT

    I'm sure there will be a hockey stick shaped holder for the remote, to buy seperately. The question is, will there be motion sensing boxing to simulate fights in the game?

  • MrLopezZ

    Posted Jun 14, 2008 9:37 am GMT

    Finally NHL for the Wii!!!

  • dAvIdguY349

    Posted Jun 14, 2008 6:53 am GMT

    I don't care if this ends up being the worst game on Wii, not saying it will be but for the last 2 years I've been stuck playing NHL 06 and I REALLY need a new NHL game

  • dulun19

    Posted Jun 13, 2008 11:55 pm GMT

    yes.. it's an interesting ideal.. but.. after swinging the remote for bout 100 times.. you will find it's not as fun..anymore..anyone here play dynasty warriors on the wii??.. then you will know what i mean..

  • Thug_Life

    Posted Jun 13, 2008 7:08 pm GMT

    About time someone is making a hockey game. Of all sports, motion control works best with hockey. Here's hoping EA gets it together and brings 09 to the wii as well

  • bucanero05

    Posted Jun 13, 2008 6:58 pm GMT

    I definitely will be looking what's gonna happen whit this game

  • Merl57

    Posted Jun 13, 2008 3:09 pm GMT

    cool idea but lacking achievements

  • Chief_Kuuni

    Posted Jun 13, 2008 11:50 am GMT

    I'm no hockey fan but if made right, could be a ton of fun

  • KingsofQueens

    Posted Jun 13, 2008 11:17 am GMT

    @habstown

    The NHL2K series, for the past couple of years since 2003 (NHL2K3), have always been the BETTER sim hockey game. Before that, with Dreamcast, NHL2K series slowly evolved into the better hockey sim. It wasn't until 08, that EA's NHL 08 have gotten better than 2K8. VG Hockey purists, like brainwashed Madden Football purists, will and always defend EA's sports.....simply because they've been out far too long since around 1989 -1990. EA's last best (or decent) Hockey game was NHL 2000, if memory serves. Before that, it was NHL '94. In between NHL94 and 2000, have been pretty mediorce at best. Between NHL2000 and 2008, the same can be said, although NHL2004 was at the point where things were beginning to get better.

  • IamMyOwnGod

    Posted Jun 13, 2008 11:02 am GMT

    @comelstr give it time it took the sharks about 9 years to get in the playoffs. CB time will come. I'm a Pens fan born and raised. This definatly sounds cool. I never thought I'd be playing the Wii more then my 360 or PS3.

  • mhder

    Posted Jun 13, 2008 10:56 am GMT

    don't know about the shooting.. except pointing upwards for higher shots etc? I wouldn't want swing to shoot. Face off sounds like a good plan. And maybe switch to wii sports boxing for a fight? I only fear they will do too much and it will be too difficult to play. Sometimes just the few added touches are all you need. Maybe full hands on control for penalty shots might be okay.

  • comelstr

    Posted Jun 13, 2008 10:15 am GMT

    I have to get this. Rick Nash is on the cover. Even thought the Blue Jackets never got to the post seasion i always watch them on tv or going to whare they play and watch.

  • BaraChat

    Posted Jun 13, 2008 9:06 am GMT

    Hope it'll be good. At last, a hockey game for Wii.

  • guilhem_r

    Posted Jun 13, 2008 8:04 am GMT

    This anouncement comes out of nowhere in June, which makes one wonder if they won't just take the PS2 version and tack on a few motion sensitive controls. Was it a late decision?
    But of course, we know that developers take the Wii seriously and would never release a half baked product on Nintendo's system... Right?
    The PR (http://2ksports.com/news/nhl2k9/99) says "NHL 2K9 for Wii includes the full feature set as available on other platforms", but we'll see what it means.

    Still, after a pretty bad year where it lost its critical duel with EA for the first time in years, I guess its good that 2K is taking advantage of EA's disinterest and positioning itself on the Wii market.
    Finally, especially after this year's hyped finals, it's good to see the NHL appear on the world's most popular console.

    It will be interesting to see how the sim-like elements of the NHL 2K franchise will be translated onto the Wii.
    The good news is that even if its a last gen port, the old NHL 2Ks remain fundamentally sound games from a gameplay standpoint.
    Technically, it could be very bad though, because last gen 2K Hockey was really starting to show its age, so on a newer console like the Wii it might just not cut it.
    Also, will they be able to perpetuate one of the franchise's perenial strength - online options - on the Wii?

  • Tony-Harrison

    Posted Jun 13, 2008 6:38 am GMT

    I wish I had spidee sense.

  • prodtek posted Jun 13, 2008 4:35 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    prodtek

    Posted Jun 13, 2008 4:35 am GMT (hide)

    Hi Guys! I never played this game before, and I don't have a Wii, and I never watched a hockey game. But this game is going to blow so hard! LololoL!!1!O)lol!! Sorry, pass, no thanks, pass, fail sorry, no hi def, wherearetheachievements, voice chat, gwhaha ps2 grafx, negativity, pimples, fail, lacksplasmarifle.

    Edit: I love getting minuses on this post. Its sarcasm! Relax!

  • jonzilla_basic

    Posted Jun 13, 2008 4:21 am GMT

    My Spidee Sense tells me that this will be another Crap game for the WII!!!!

  • kavadias1981

    Posted Jun 13, 2008 12:50 am GMT

    My spideee sense tells me that this game has some awesome potential.

  • DC_Baller

    Posted Jun 12, 2008 11:00 pm GMT

    This sounds good...I don't follow hockey much but I've had fun with some hockey video games in the past. Now if only 2K Sports can finally bring NBA 2K (or any kind of basketball) to the Wii already!!!

  • habstown

    Posted Jun 12, 2008 10:57 pm GMT

    @ KingsofQueens Are you even a fan of hockey games, how can you possibly say that 2k beats out the ea NHL hockey series, thats a joke. Hockey is the one thing ea sports has going for them atm.

  • Karjah

    Posted Jun 12, 2008 8:33 pm GMT

    awesome. Frankly after wii sports I was amazed more sports games didnt' try to make it on the wii. If there's one thing the wii has proven itself perfect for it's sports games.

  • KingsofQueens

    Posted Jun 12, 2008 7:42 pm GMT

    NHL2K series OBLITERATES >>>>>> EA overprice NHL series.
    Finally, an actualy Hockey Game for Wii owners!!
    (this is coming from a non-Wii fan)

  • darknferno12

    Posted Jun 12, 2008 7:34 pm GMT

    new to the sport jjgator or just not very savvy?

  • peeweeshift

    Posted Jun 12, 2008 7:11 pm GMT

    mario in a hockey game....oh man why cant they make a basketball or soccer game starring mario...oh wait that was done already

  • benjaminjoel

    Posted Jun 12, 2008 7:02 pm GMT

    YES!!! Finally! I can't wait to lead my beloved Tampa Bay Lightning to Title #2!

  • wiz4ha

    Posted Jun 12, 2008 6:40 pm GMT

    I didn't care if it was NHL 09 or NHL 2K9 - I'm just utterly pumped that one was announced on the Wii finally.

    Go Flyers!

  • Ryodude

    Posted Jun 12, 2008 6:28 pm GMT

    I work in a retail store that sells games and I've heard a lot of people ask for a hockey game for Wii. I'm very glad to hear one is on the way. A lot of people in my area will be pleased.

  • balanekk posted Jun 12, 2008 6:21 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    balanekk

    Posted Jun 12, 2008 6:21 pm GMT (hide)

    too bad ea nhl > 2k series

    have fun with your wii game that that looks and plays alot like ps2.

    should have gotten a different system.

  • -CheeseEater-

    Posted Jun 12, 2008 6:07 pm GMT

    You see, the fact of the matter is that this is, plain and simple, going to be a PS2 carbon copy of the game. Due to the fact that NHL 2K9 is now also being developed for the PS2. What a surprise.

  • Super-Mario-Fan

    Posted Jun 12, 2008 5:29 pm GMT

    Mario, eh? Good way to promote both this game and the Wii.

  • speedjunkie4

    Posted Jun 12, 2008 5:21 pm GMT

    That is awesome. Good way to get more sports games onto the Wii.

  • jjgator

    Posted Jun 12, 2008 5:06 pm GMT

    The 49ers will probably never be good again.

  • darknferno12

    Posted Jun 12, 2008 5:03 pm GMT

    Sweet as long as they make the motion sensitive controls good it looks like it will be a pretty cool game

  • strudel420

    Posted Jun 12, 2008 5:01 pm GMT

    Alright! Glad one of them is doing this.

  • SonicRaptor

    Posted Jun 12, 2008 4:17 pm GMT

    Well, it's about freaking time!

  • POkemonfreak101

    Posted Jun 12, 2008 4:08 pm GMT

    finally!!!!!!!

  • Sajo7

    Posted Jun 12, 2008 4:07 pm GMT

    Sweet, it's nice to finally see a hockey game on the Wii.

  • Hoennhyruleguy

    Posted Jun 12, 2008 4:01 pm GMT

    Why isn't NBA 2K9 coming to the Wii but the other 2K Sports series are???

  • jazzy_47

    Posted Jun 12, 2008 3:55 pm GMT

    "Interesting idea, but why do I get the feeling that someone's going to pull their joystick wire out of their wiimote when doing a slapshot motion? lol" CJL182

    There are wire less nunchuks available for people to buy they are like 20 - 30 dollars. i wont mind buying it to enjoy the game even more

  • PhantomPhoot

    Posted Jun 12, 2008 3:53 pm GMT

    Let's hope 2K can give 3rd party sports games a good name on Wii.

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