#2 of 2008: NHL 09
by 
Top to bottom NHL 09 was probably the highest quality sports game released this year. Excellent gameplay, a great secondary mode in Be a Pro, and an amazing online play experience that expanded past anything offered in the past. EA Canada really delivered with both NHL and FIFA this year and it is hard to imagine how they’ll top them with the 2010 releases.
Much of what I explained with FIFA 09 fits with NHL 09. It is a very realistic and clean representation of the sport that has a level of accessibility lacking from most sports titles. Be a Pro plays a big part in this again as focusing on one individual allows for the game to be more simple to play for someone who isn’t as familiar with the sport. It also presents the ability for natural growth in both how to play but also knowledge of the sport. It is a fascinating thing how some of these games have the ability to teach in that regard. We know the NFL feels that Madden is successful in doing so, and we’ll see if interest in hockey and soccer will increase in the US due to how well their respective games are doing.
The big thing though with NHL 09 was the introduction of the EA Sports Hockey League. This took Online Team Play a step further with the addition of not only a Club system but by turning the game into more of an MMORPG. Having your own player, with your own name on the jersey and the ability to improve them brought in this personal feel that is unmatched and had much more draw than taking over a real life player.
I really can’t remember having as much fun in a concentrated amount of time as I did with the first couple weeks participating in the EASHL. It didn’t matter that we were losing, or that I wasn’t any good. It was just an amazing experience. The MMO look and feel was so unique in that setting. And checking after the whistle was always good for a laugh. It should also be mentioned that the online performance, just as with NBA Live 09 and FIFA 09 was flawless. With some tweaks and additions next year the EASHL could be even better.
Though NHL 09 presented the most enjoyable and innovative mode with the EASHL, it wasn’t able to grab the #1 spot. The longevity wasn’t as strong given that even the appeal of the EASHL wore off over time. Still NHL 09 was a fantastic game and deserves all the praise it has gotten. The franchise now dominates the market and is growing it by bringing in the more casual crowd and even those who don’t follow the sport. NHL 09 isn’t just a great game but has significance reaching beyond that.
#2 NHL 09
#3 MLB 08: The Show
#4 FIFA 09
#5 NBA Live 09
#6 NBA 2K9
#7 Madden 09
#8 Blitz: The League II
#9 NFL Tour
#10 Tiger Woods 09
December 26, 2008 at 6:30 am
I agree Pasta, this game was great. You mentioned longevity being the reason it wasn't number 1. Seeing how much I've been addicted to NCAA Football's Online Dynasy, I don't think we need to guess that much on who gets the top spot.
December 26, 2008 at 6:49 am
Pasta,
You better not have Facebreaker at #1. hehe.
December 26, 2008 at 7:24 am
Facebreaker was my #1 most disliked game. It was literally painful to play. I listed that and FIFA Street as the two worst sports games of the year.
December 26, 2008 at 7:26 am
Tack on NBA Ballers Chosen One as one of the worst of the year.
December 26, 2008 at 8:19 am
Hey Pasta,
Do you remember that one time when I knocked you THE FUG OUT? Remember me dude?
December 26, 2008 at 6:54 am
NCAA Football 09 is deserving of the #1 spot. Its not perfect but it has everything you want if you love football…
December 27, 2008 at 6:07 am
100 correct
December 26, 2008 at 7:50 am
NBA 2k9>>NCAA Football 09 but by a slim margin. And I love both of those games. I dont care if NBA 2K9 has crappy online issues- it's prolly the best NBA game ever created.
December 27, 2008 at 12:36 pm
exactly!
December 26, 2008 at 8:01 am
Excellent choice for number 2!
December 26, 2008 at 8:02 am
Ohhhhh so close. I would switch this with NCAA, which I'm guessing will grab the number one spot. The thing about this game is if you are a fan of hockey this game doesn't get old. If you bought it just to have fun I could see it getting old, but not if you love hockey like I do. It's like having two games in one because the EA Sports Hockey League is so much different than the versus play. This is the best sports game that I have ever played.
December 26, 2008 at 11:00 am
I agree 100% and could not have said it better!
-MERACE
December 28, 2008 at 4:08 am
I agree with what you have to say. I don't follow hockey at all and the game was great, but you're right if you don't follow the sport there won't be much longetivity, but that's not the fault of the developers. I'm a basketball fan and I tend to play basketball video games year round.
December 28, 2008 at 5:10 am
I agree with you man as I play hockey as well this game is amaizing
December 26, 2008 at 8:05 am
Oh and Pasta have you heard anything back from EA Sports regarding a patch coming out for the "99 glitch"?…Where you can make your EA Sports Hockey League player an overall 99 in every attribute…I really hope they take that out soon.
December 26, 2008 at 8:46 am
I know they're supposedly going to address it within the next few weeks. What they plan to do to fix they aren't saying.
December 26, 2008 at 10:37 am
dis iz da worse #2 pic cents RICK MIRER
STUPID STUPID
pasta U let me down son
December 26, 2008 at 11:29 am
nhl 09 is cool…….but i hope ncaa 09 is numero uno!!
December 28, 2008 at 2:48 am
Agreed. NCAA 09 is a great game, and just imagine how good it will be when the line and interception issues are fixed!
December 29, 2008 at 1:00 am
Thank you!!! once interception issues is corrected and better player models a great game will be upon us!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 27, 2008 at 1:42 am
So i'm guessing Ncaa Football is #1 since that''s what I see you play the most
December 27, 2008 at 4:48 am
I would've switched NCAA and NHL. NHLK was such a great game this year from offline to online, top EASHL, and leagues, it was such a great game.
December 27, 2008 at 5:40 am
Pasta just juked us out. I was sure NHL 09 was going to get #1 on his list. Your top 4 could easily be switched around, a lot of quality games this year.
December 27, 2008 at 6:31 am
I don't think the EASHL gets old if your team is good.
December 28, 2008 at 1:05 am
to bad hockey sucks
January 21, 2009 at 10:30 pm
too bad you suck. hockey rules. you can't even spell. TOO not TO.
December 29, 2008 at 12:58 pm
I love fifa and a big fan of soccer. From bayern munich to man u but this sport will never catch on in the usa. SEE DAVID BECKHAM BACK TO A.C. MILAN) .Hockey is dying out and even in canada hockey is not as popular as it once was they are trying to save the game with young stars like ovechkin and Crosby but who really cares. Football will always be king is usa. (please ea sports canada make a damn good madden for once in your life!) But the point is I can't say much about nhl 09 cause i dont like hockey and i havent played the game and dont have any intent to play the game.