Top Shelf- NHL 10 Review

In my youth, three Genesis games received a disproportionate amount of play time- Sonic the Hedgehog, Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf, and NHL ’94. While the first two titles were typically solitary diversions, Electronic Art’s hockey game was the consistent focus for a burgeoning group of players. The NHL series displayed the power to unify hardcore gamers and sports fans, who all gathered around the television to participate in makeshift tournaments.  Both factions marveled at how the game was able to recreate the nuances of professional hockey, from the required finesse of a victorious one-timer to the frenzied puck-dumping during penalty killing.

Over the years, Electronic Art’s NHL titles have steadily improved, but have never matched the intensity nor finesse of their early hockey titles. While both the twin stick control scheme, and ‘Be a Pro’ modes were both substantial improvements to the franchise, nagging gameplay quirks have prohibited the NHL series from reaching superstar status. After spending a week with this year’s iteration of the game, it can be stated that NHL 10 represents a new pinnacle for the series.

One of the principal improvements is the ability for players to pin opponents against the boards. Although this may sound like a seemingly insignificant development, this addition means that gamers have the ability to slow down a play. Consequently, the oft-neglected corners are now active and more closely resemble actual play, as players attempt to trap the puck between their skates. Along with the increased physicality on the edge of the ice, fighting has been reintroduced to the game. Fisticuffs are presented in a dramatic, first-person perspective that subtly recalls Fight Night’s core mechanic. Players use the left stick to move their goon’s head, while a sweep of the right stick throws a standard or power punch.

Previous NHL titles utilized a makeshift physics model, which resulted in the sporadic peculiarity; pucks could rebound unrealistically, while skaters’ turning speeds and momentum were suspect. This year’s iteration of the game shines with authenticity. Slow motion replays of wrist shots behaved naturally, whereas the inertia of players was convincingly represented. Although the title’s goalies now display a myriad of animation routines and offer a remarkable improvement in artificial intelligence, they will still abandon the crease with precarious frequency. 

Beyond the game’s requisite single and multiplayer modes, NHL 10’s ‘Be a Pro’ and ‘Be a General Manager’ modes offers gamers the ability to try their hand at the respective vocations; each adds hours of depth to the already cavernous title. Playing a specific position in hockey offers more longevity than Madden 10’s similar football variation. Although the game’s online modes offered a multitude of competitive and cooperative variations for up to twelve players, the occasional burst of lag damped the overall experience.

NHL 10 captures the fluidity of hockey with a necessarily swift refresh rate. The game is locked to a steady sixty frames per second on the ice, while the enhanced detail of cut scenes display a palatable 30 FPS output.  Two aspects of NHL’s presentation greatly contribute to the title’s sense of authenticity. First, Gary Thorne and Bill Clements’ commentary is one of the strongest play-by-plays I’ve heard in a game; its speed and variety closely mimic a television broadcast. Secondly, the title marvelously models the intensity of a crowd as they cheer and bustle energetically.

For the last few years, the once legendary NHL franchise has flirted with excellence.  With NHL 10, the series has finally reached- and now surpassed its 16-bit zenith, offering a superlative recreation of the popular sport. With a near-faultless presentation, an abundance of content, and a variety of gameplay styles, both hockey fanatics and more casual enthusiasts will likely find NHL 10 to be best sport titles of the current hardware generation.

About Robert Allen

Since being a toddler, Robert Allen has been immersed in video games, anime, and tokusatsu. Currently, his days are spent teaching at two southern California colleges. But his evenings and weekends are filled with STGs, RPGs, and action titles and well at writing for Tech-Gaming since 2007.

73 comments

  1. Wow, another A?!?! Thats’ like three in a month.

  2. So this is better than this year’s Madden? WOW!

  3. My online matches have been pretty laggy, especially in the corners. Other than that the game is perfect.

  4. damn a hockey game got an A :X…Last NHL I played was 07 and it was pretty fun even for a non-hockey fan..Might check this out after all the big releases.

  5. I remember playing the NHL games. I always though 95 was the best, though. Great times.

  6. if I already have NHL 09, is it worth the money to upgrade?

  7. I heard from my buddies who isn’t crazy about hockey that this game is crazy-good.

  8. Is the two stick control hard to adjust to? I am one of the old-skool NHL players.

  9. 91 on metacritic means I’m getting this. Yeah, last I played was 07 too, so I’m due.

  10. I’d say yes. If you’ve a hockey nut.

  11. How come the crowd isn’t watching the action, but looking elsewhere?

  12. Billy Mitchells Mama

    DE, did you ever see that scene from Swingers were they are playing NHLPA 93?

  13. Maybe now I can pick up 09 for cheap! Times are hard, man.

  14. Man, those graphics are insane. Looks are the creases on the jerseys, and the goalies pad.

  15. I’m sure if you wait you will be able to save a bit. I think it’ll be $49 before Xmas.

  16. Great score. Awesome review.

  17. Yep, I’ve heard a lot of talk that this is the sports game on the year.

  18. I was playing NHL 94 on my Retro Pocket Game Emulator today.

  19. Great review Desert! Hopefully I can get this soon.

  20. With the univerally great reviews, I may have to get this. How is the fighting? fun or just ok?

  21. Picked this up and launch day. It’s worth $60 easy, I’ve put at lest 35 hours into the game.

  22. Never thought I’d see a sports game get a “A” here, a RPG maybe…

  23. I played the demo so many times it’s crazy. The game really captures the feel of the cup. Got to get this.

  24. Deagle, I didn’t know you liked sports games, too. I thought it was just FPSs and RPGs.

  25. Well you shouldn’t get the game just for the fighting, but if you like hockey the fights are done well.

  26. Glad to hear this turned out so well. Good review.

  27. I cant imagine how they are going to make this game any better next year.

  28. Great review. NHL is always one of my favorite games.

  29. What can I say? Its a good month for gaming. And trust me, NHL deserves it: one of the best sports games out there…also GO DUCKS!

  30. The demo was really good, I didn’t have an interest in the game until I plated it today.

  31. Let me know if this has tons of product placement. EA seems to be getting out of hand.

  32. How are the player ratings? Last year Teemu Selanne seemed way overpowered.

  33. You guys are all Ducks fans?!?!

  34. Is Vladimir Konstantinov an unlockable player? If not, I’m not playing.

  35. I’m assuming they cant model everything. Besides when you go to a sports event people are always looking around randomly.

  36. What’s that- a game machine?

  37. I think it’s for realism. As long as they don’t put something that’s not part of the broadcast, I’m ok with it.

  38. Who is that?

  39. Well, I can’t speak for DEagle and Tide, but I am a WildWing through and through!

  40. Uh, fix the online lag would be a great start, and fix the goalies like the review said.

  41. I cant wait to pick this one up. Will you guys review NHL 2K10?

  42. Great review. How’s the AI for SP games, tho?

  43. I’ve been a Los Angeles Kings fan since growing up in NORTHERN California. I faintly recall seeing a Golden Seals game as a kid, and like any good hockey fan, I probably wore diapers to the game.

  44. Nope, but we’ll be covering NBA 2K10, if that’s any consolation 😉

  45. Haha, that’s golden!!!

  46. Wow, that demo was great. Wish I had more money.

  47. Fully adjustable from ‘not much challenge’ to ‘a goal is a miracle’

  48. On the cover it says nine reviewers have said the same.

  49. Go Ducks!!!

    My BF would love this game, but he’d probably never let me use the TV. Decisions.

  50. This game is incredible. The amount of stuff included is amazing. I’m working my way through the Be a Pro part and really haven’t started a season yet.

  51. Game looks awesome!!

  52. Played the demo on 360 – the feel of moving on the ice is incredibly accurate. Deep game, but still fun like the old Sega hockey games. I definitely want to pick this one up.

  53. I played the demo for this, I have to say that all of that hype is true

  54. The game really took me but surprise. You’re right on the best sports game of the year call.

  55. Sweet. Sounds really fun.

  56. Billy Mitchells Mama

    I’m not sure how much better a game could be over Madden 10. I guess it depends of which sport you like more really.

  57. I’m looking forward to getting this. Enjoyed NHL 09 so I’m assuming this is just going to be more of the same, which I really can’t argue about.

  58. Funny, even though I love hockey, I haven’t got a new game since NHL 08. Could be time to upgrade!

  59. Great review. Deagle are shipwreck are some of my favorite reviewers these days 😉

  60. I really want to try this game out, looks great.

  61. Sweet review, love the detail.

  62. I am looking forward to this game. It might be the last time I get to use my team (Phoenix Coyotes). /tear

  63. I may need to get this game. All I have for a hockey game is NHL 2k7, and it makes me depressed when I play it.

  64. Very nice review, the game looks excellent. I’m not usually one to be interested much in sports titles, but with all the positive light surrounding this title, I’ve actually been considering buying a sports game for once.

  65. Great review. NHL is always one of my favorite games.

  66. NHL 2009 was one of the best SPORTS games ever. 2010 looks like they have taken the solid foundation and added some nice feautes. Again probably the best sports game this year, although fighting still looks like it kinda sucks.

  67. I loved NHL 2009, and based off of your review, it looks like I’d enjoy this years as well. Good luck with the site!

  68. Quite simply, the EA NHL series is light years beyond any other sports games, and this includes Sony’s MLB the Show series.

  69. NHL 09 was awesome and this one looks better, so I hope I can get it soon!

  70. It sounds like they expanded a bit on 09. Really looking forward to playing it eventually.
    Great review.

  71. I can’t wait to play this. Go Avs!

  72. Sound so super….lolx….