Lord Stanley Would Be Proud

In previous years, the battle between the two hockey console titles--NHL 2005 and ESPN NHL 2K5--has been a pretty even contest. One game typically had better gameplay on the ice, while the other usually did a better job with extras. This hockey push, to borrow a gambling term, has resulted in some confused hockey gamers, wondering which title to pick up to meet their NHL needs. This year, however, I want to make it easy for you.

If you're looking for the best-playing hockey game of this year's duo, you'll be happy with ESPN NHL 2K5. As we said in our review of the game, despite it's flaws, ESPN plays a tremendous game of realistic hockey right out of the box, requiring few if any slider tweaks to get a good game of puck going. EA's effort NHL 2005, while by no means a bad game, feels more like an arcade style of hockey and seems to place too many restrictions on the player with its franchise mode.

In the end, both games have a lot going for them; ESPN NHL 2K5 with it's simulation-style gameplay and madcap party mode, NHL 2005 with its exciting World Cup of Hockey feature and blindingly fast action. For fans looking for the most realistic game on ice, however, the choice is clear: ESPN NHL 2K5.