This is a must have for hockey fans but you must have a dual analog joypad.
This game features the 2006 NHL season with great everything, except keyboard controls. They are nearly impossible to calibrate and once you can remember them they feel awkward. After i got my joypad it became my number one played game. Once you can actually play it it is just plain fun. It is smooth, sleek, and relatively low on bugs. And at this date with a $10 price tag, its a must have.
The gameplay is basically the same as that for NHL 06 except they did a major debug on the entire system. There is the occasional graphical glitch or catch in the scenery but those a few and far apart. Plus the ones that do occur arent bothersome, they are just funny. The biggest one i had was where the opposing goalie passed the puck straight down the middle of the ice but i checked the reciever. My goalie got stuck in the goal and the puck went it. That may be annoying but i was on the floor in stitches.
The controls (once you get a controller) are easy and fun. There are body checks, two kinds of shots on goal (slapshot and flick shot), and two ways to pass. The first way is that you hit the pass button and your player passes to the nearest open person. The second way is where you use the second analog stick to pass it in a direction where the computer takes hold of the reciever and picks it up. It adds an extra dimension to passing and makes those wrap around attacks on goal much more fun.
The game looks and sounds great. The players are all rendered well and just about any computer can handle the modest graphics recommendations. The sound occasionally repeats but its just something that happens in sports games, nothing to get mad about.
The ultimate highlight of the game is the dynasty mode where you take you team through the season as you sign free agents and try to get the best record. The stanley cup isnt always your ultimate goal though as you can play in a large variety of leagues from around the world.
I say go get this game if you want to shell out the $30 for it ($10 for the game and about $20 for a controller). I also say you should have a controller anyways because as i played this i also learned that a controller is necissary for Madden on PC and any NBA games on PC.