Round 4: Gameplay

This is a very difficult one to call and it’s mainly down to the control systems for each title. NHL ‘09 has changed the way we play on the ice by giving us the skill stick, allowing for a much more natural game of hockey, providing of course you can use it. For those unable to follow the ways of the analogue there is also a much easier option, which uses the system from NHL’94 and has you using only 2 buttons, one to pass and the other to shoot. For me on a personal basis, I find the skill stick too hard and the Mega Drive/Genesis controls too easy, but what I will say about EA Sports’ offering is the speed of it, which can be tilted up to a respectable pace and it does help to immerse you in the match when it’s just a little bit faster than default, I can tell you.

The way NHL 2K9 delivers its control system to you is in an unaltered, “ain’t broke don’t fix it” style, with the major buttons doing the same things they’ve done for years and I have to say it still allows for a really good game on the ice. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a similar option in there to use the right analogue instead as your hockey stick, as well as a hybrid of the two, but it really all boils down to what you’ve been used to. Again it has a game speed selector to allow for a really fast paced three periods, so there’s plenty of fun to be had for the fan of all things quick.

Tough one to call, but if I base it on personal preference, I’d have to award it to 2K9, mainly because I’d much rather have a good button layout over the right analogue stick, but I know there are many people who would say otherwise.

EA: 2
2K: 2