NHL2002 Review
By: Bernie Yee
Contents:
1. Introduction
2. Gameplay
3. Graphics
4. Sound
5. Replay
6. Conclusion
Introduction
Ah, hockey… a beloved sport all over the world. So exciting to watch, and also just as fun to play with a couple of friends… and now it arrives on your beloved Gameboy Advance presented to you by EA Sports!
As one of the only few hockey games to be on the GBA, it is definitely an excellent game and keeper. It is sort of like a straight port of NHL 96’ for the SNES/Genesis with updates, but that isn’t a bad thing! If you’re looking for the best hockey game for the GBA, look no further than NHL2002!
Gameplay - 10
If you have never played an NHL game ever, don’t worry! The control scheme of NHL2002 is plain simple and is easy to play for even beginners to video games.
EA’s controls have always been easy and solid. For offense, A is shoot, B is pass, L to stop and R to deke. Meanwhile, on defense, A is to check, B is to poke check, R to block a shot and L is to hold another player.
As usual, both teams have a team consisting of 5 players, 2 defense and 3 forwards. Once the pop drops, you have to keep pressing B in hopes of winning the face off. After that, it’s pretty simple, all you have to do is try to score! If you get really good and want to tackle on even harder AI, you can always jack up the difficult =D
There are plenty modes as well to keep you entertained for hours, especially the season mode (you get to play as any team from a list)
Graphics – 7
The graphics are pretty good for a GBA game, but it’s nothing spectacular. The crowd is animated and every so often, you see camera flashes.
Sound – 6
The sound department was mediocre. There is menu music, but it’s the same tune over and over again. There is no music or commentator during the in-game session, but the referee does say things like “2 minutes, slashing,” or “5 minutes, fighting.” The crowd also chants and gives the usual “oh” when you shoot the puck.
Replay – 10
NHL2002 has quite a lot of replay value and I find myself playing it for a while every day to relieve me of the feeling of having to wait for another 2 weeks before the NHL season starts.
You can never get bored of hockey especially if you are a huge hockey fan. There’s just so much to do, and you can even make a team of your whole family if you wanted to!
Conclusion
This is the only good simulation hockey game out there and the only other two (NHL2002/2003 Hitz and Backyard Hockey) are certainly not up to par with this one.
If you are looking for a great NHL game for your Nintendo handheld, then this is one you should definitely be getting.
SCORE = 8/10
By: Bernie Yee
Contents:
1. Introduction
2. Gameplay
3. Graphics
4. Sound
5. Replay
6. Conclusion
Introduction
Ah, hockey… a beloved sport all over the world. So exciting to watch, and also just as fun to play with a couple of friends… and now it arrives on your beloved Gameboy Advance presented to you by EA Sports!
As one of the only few hockey games to be on the GBA, it is definitely an excellent game and keeper. It is sort of like a straight port of NHL 96’ for the SNES/Genesis with updates, but that isn’t a bad thing! If you’re looking for the best hockey game for the GBA, look no further than NHL2002!
Gameplay - 10
If you have never played an NHL game ever, don’t worry! The control scheme of NHL2002 is plain simple and is easy to play for even beginners to video games.
EA’s controls have always been easy and solid. For offense, A is shoot, B is pass, L to stop and R to deke. Meanwhile, on defense, A is to check, B is to poke check, R to block a shot and L is to hold another player.
As usual, both teams have a team consisting of 5 players, 2 defense and 3 forwards. Once the pop drops, you have to keep pressing B in hopes of winning the face off. After that, it’s pretty simple, all you have to do is try to score! If you get really good and want to tackle on even harder AI, you can always jack up the difficult =D
There are plenty modes as well to keep you entertained for hours, especially the season mode (you get to play as any team from a list)
Graphics – 7
The graphics are pretty good for a GBA game, but it’s nothing spectacular. The crowd is animated and every so often, you see camera flashes.
Sound – 6
The sound department was mediocre. There is menu music, but it’s the same tune over and over again. There is no music or commentator during the in-game session, but the referee does say things like “2 minutes, slashing,” or “5 minutes, fighting.” The crowd also chants and gives the usual “oh” when you shoot the puck.
Replay – 10
NHL2002 has quite a lot of replay value and I find myself playing it for a while every day to relieve me of the feeling of having to wait for another 2 weeks before the NHL season starts.
You can never get bored of hockey especially if you are a huge hockey fan. There’s just so much to do, and you can even make a team of your whole family if you wanted to!
Conclusion
This is the only good simulation hockey game out there and the only other two (NHL2002/2003 Hitz and Backyard Hockey) are certainly not up to par with this one.
If you are looking for a great NHL game for your Nintendo handheld, then this is one you should definitely be getting.
SCORE = 8/10
