Joystiq X08 interview: NHL 09 producer Andy Agostini

Now if there was only a wii version :(

07 was the best since 04. 08 was a steaming pile of shit. 09's demo will have to blow me away before I even play it, because 2k9's was awesome and has good achievements, while 09's achievements are total trash. Buying 2k9 day of release. Very real chance I won't go past the demo of 09. For the record, I've been an EA NHL fanboy since '96. The only years I've chosen one over EA was 1999 (2k on the Dreamcast), and 2004 (2k5). Both sucked ass last year. Good to see 2k has at least turned it around.

I couldn't stand the EA Trax in NHL08, but since I had it for PS3, I couldn't do much about that. However, gameplay/visuals wise, I liked EA's version more... which might continue into '09 because I tried the 2K9 demo and the player models looked like they were "sticker pasted" onto the rink. On the gameplay front, it just didn't feel refined enough. Passing wasn't very tight and shots on goal seemed more arcade like than simulation.

But hey, I'm reserving 'final judgment' after I rent'em.

Used to like the 2K games until EA came out with the skill stick. Now I can't even look at 2K games. Tried the 2K9 demo, and all I could say was wow, 2K has really lost it. The graphics were horrible compared to 08, the players looked super skinny, animations were clunky and the gameplay was pretty brutal. I'll have to say '08 was the best one in quite a while.

The EA NHL series is the one game I'm guaranteed to buy every year.

Be A Pro exists in Euro 2008. They use the game mode "Captain Your Country" where you can create your own player and compete in be a pro mode. Choose 3 other CPU controlled players and fight to earn the captaincy.

Really looking forward to FIFA 09!

Nice pic that was another win for the Sens, cause the Leafs can't win and will NOT make the playoffs for two more years. So that will be six years without a playoff run!!!! GO SENS GO!!!!!

haven't played a ea NHL game since 01 but NHL 08 got me hooked again, Im getting 09 on release day
but EA HAS to do something about there music. I dunno about anyone else but having Paramore as the NHL theme song bugged the shit out of me...

I have a love/hate relationship with the EA series right now.
I love the skill stick, graphics, and control offered. The game plays great overall.

What I absolutely hate is the A.I. I can't even begin to explain my disdain for the A.I. Instead of them being smarter in the harder difficulties, they just become more cheap and glitchy. They don't score on good plays and good passing, they score by glitching out the goalie. Short side shots over the shoulder, glitchy dekes that work 100% of the time, and the most horribly over effective poke check in the world.

And don't get me started on their ability to knock you off the puck. If they sneeze in your general direction, you lose it.
But if I slam them into the glass, they still manage to come away with it.

These things need to be fixed if I'm going to buy another EA hockey game.

Umh. EA's Wii sports titles have ALL sucked. They have been just PS2-imports with bad controls.

I really like what 2K Sports is doing with NHL 2K9. It has same features than X360/PS3 versions and 2K have done awesome work with the game.