ARE NHL VIDEO GAMES NOT AS FUN AS THEY USED TO BE?

10 years ago the console gaming market was flooded with multiple NHL title. Today there is only one...NHL 20. DZ goes over what many fans consider to be the 'golden age' of hockey video games and how we got to the point where 2K, Sony and Midway all fled the market.

[@TSN_Sports]

What's one feature you would add to the NHL series if you could?

[@justinganz1173]

TSN add in goal horns and goals songs correctly

[@jake91x]

GM Connected

[@micahthegamer3770]

Winter classic

[@brandenstieduhar9067]

micahthegamer they need to bring winter classic back

[@Papadooley]

Add the all star weekend including the skills challenge.

[@danyheatley4153]

EA does the bare minimum to maximize profits, everyone knows this

[@noahbland9940]

Exactly

[@weakmite]

I have such low expectations for EA that even having my Be a Pro lift the cup during the cut scene would be a step forward...

[@arjunchand3742]

weakmite never heard such facts before

[@BlastinHash709]

weakmite what? I’ve only played be a pro long enough to get to Jan or feb in the season an now I find out your dude doesn’t even lift the cup unless you’re captain WOW

[@IceWarrior101]

Yup they always show third or 4th liners with the cup so the only way you do it is if you're a captain. My be a pro wasn't even in the player photo at the end either.

[@ECESW]

@@IceWarrior101 Not to mention those cinematics are all copy/paste from previous generation of PS/XBox.

[@DeltaLimaDelta]

My ass isn’t ever in the picture. Has anyone ever been in it?

[@Musicrecords10]

NHL 14 was the best game ever imo, everything was perfect

[@funtimes8296]

I thought the same until 20, it really is the best NHL game yet.

[@MasculineIdeal]

14 was good I loved 12

[@jonholland9042]

I still have a franchise I play with in nhl 14 on PS3 it’s great

[@Kurdem03]

NHL 11 was the best in my opinion

[@OutlawedOutlander]

Musicrecords10 you are a god, that is the comment I’ve been looking for. I also hated that they took out the choice options because I loved those.

[@mattbarth3205]

The AI sucks, defenseman don’t play correctly in front of their own net. On a 2 on 1, the guy without the puck skates past the goal line. And, goalies make stupid unrealistic saves.

[@sensfan7550]

Happens to me all the time, I score those goals as well

[@freakinxbox7363]

Matt Barth lmao your so right. Or it could have been a 2 on 1 but the AI skates away

[@Midnight.escape09]

Agree my defense on all star on nhl 17 literally just move out of the way and guys will go for a line change as your passing to them giving you an icing it’s horrible. It’s like if in madden the cpu threw a pass and before you could take control your corner would run the opposite direction

[@reaganharder1480]

Also, trying to actually play as the goalie is a lame experience. You either move so slow that one-timers are a death sentence, or so fast that you leave the crease with a single flick of the stick. Nevermind the fact that most of the actual save mechanics are done completely for you, and you share almost none of the same controls as a skater. Like, ok, when i'm a winger I press RB to poke check. What does RB do as a goalie? NOTHING! Why would you change that?! And there's input lag so when I call for a pass right when someone already decided to pass to me, I now just throw the puck away as soon as I get it.

[@sawyermichaelson771]

They need GM Connected back, Be a Pro with a story or more involved in general, and probably World of Chem as part of Be a Pro

[@Chemguy91]

Sawyer Michaelson Be a Pro was best in 14. Really liked the like/dislike system of the fans, coach, management, and team along with the post game interviews and random events. Bought 15 thinking it was going to expand in it and the guy at GameStop laughed when I had the game back to return in less than an hour. Still pull 14 out and play from time to time. Wouldn’t mind something more immersive though.

[@brooke-3615]

Better GM mode. I have no reason to play NHL until their’s is as good or almost as good as NBA 2K’s.

[@BlastinHash709]

Sawyer Michaelson hut killed that bro that’s all they’re thinking about now

[@redbullsauberpetronas]

They won't add it cause they can't sell micro transactions

[@_Archerfranklin]

And if this is possible 1st person in be a pro

[@danielzakrzewski.bardown]

If you’re interested in seeing us cover more on sports video games, drop a like on the video 👍🏽

[@YasserUM]

One of the few TSN videos I clicked after seeing notification. Owned NHL 07 and NHL 2K8 Then Back to NHL 09, 2k was good but didn't have the graphics of EA. Good content, video liked.

[@MarissaRoberto]

Yes

[@danielzakrzewski.bardown]

Yasser Maniram thanks man, appreciate that!

[@noahpulaski6800]

Daniel Zakrzewski Why’d you have to take a shot at my Blue Jackets like that! We know the cabinet is empty... we’re working on it

[@danielzakrzewski.bardown]

Noah Pulaski lol sorry man, originally had the Wild in but I believe they have at least one division title. Nothing personal against them haha!

[@ptoedits5644]

The EA game is just lazy. That’s basically the bottom line. Playing NHL 20, there were so many missed opportunities to just make the game more fun. This doesnt even have to come from the gameplay itself but just stuff that you can include in the game presentation wise for example, pregame warmups, player interviews, live score updates across the league in franchise mode during a game. It’s just lazy. The current franchise mode for NHL 20 has a tshirt promo and on the tshirt it has a team logo and 2017-2018 on it.... L A Z Y

[@BJBlaskovichGaming]

Thank you for justifying my spending my game money on other titles!

[@bobber1165]

When u create a team u can put stuff for your intro but u don't have the chance to seen them lmao

[@reaganharder1480]

The gameplay is pretty much the only thing the game has going for it, and that hasn't really changed in years. Also, even then there are points in the gameplay i think could be executed much better

[@ptoedits5644]

Reagan Harder 100%, it’s pretty hard to make a hockey game in terms of mixing realism with fun. So I dont fault them for that, but there are so many elements of the sport that are missing from it

[@DrewMoneyFTW]

They should put in ‘create a play’ I remember when we could make our own breakouts, power play, penalty kill tactics.

[@fawgy3702]

sounds like it would be exploited especially online

[@reaganharder1480]

@@fawgy3702 i mean, can real life coaches exploit making a new play for a breakout or whatever? It's a strategic element to the game. No play is undefendable, so you just gotta make a counter play for the defensive side.

[@KneeJerkReactions13]

EA has been copy and pasting for most of the last 8-9 years. They may as well just release roster updates.

[@redbullsauberpetronas]

They only will add to HUT, every other mode doesn't make money so they don't want to make it any good

[@colelemay993]

Red Bull Sauber Petronas yea hut gets better every year

[@redbullsauberpetronas]

@@colelemay993 its a trash mode tbh, horrible concept

[@colelemay993]

Red Bull Sauber Petronas the only other game mode I can play competitively is hut and maybe eashl but that sucks unless you have good people to play with

[@redbullsauberpetronas]

@@colelemay993 how is it even competitive it's literally pay to win lmao

[@Y2JxxFIN]

Oh whattabout the old nhl soundtracks...😔

[@TheConspiratorist]

NHL 04’ has the best soundtrack out of all the NHL games.

[@Y2JxxFIN]

@@TheConspiratorist Oh hell yes! Memory by Sugarcult, Punk Rock 101 & Oh Ellen are still very much regulars on my playlists.

[@daniellenarduzzi3652]

Yes we NEED that. NHL 20 has the WORST soundtrack ever!

[@edwardburek1717]

Yeah the soundtrack. Preferably get tracks from bands that people HAVE HEARD OF. Or use in-house compositions - sometimes they're better than the licenced stuff. IMO, the NHL 2001 track Dwight The Goalie Pilot is the best track on any NHL soundtrack, a masterpiece of drum'n'bass if there ever was one.

[@curtisshreve6338]

@@TheConspiratorist NHL 02 was actually the best soundtrack in my opinion...

[@ryanb6679]

It kinda just feels like a money grab now

[@redbullsauberpetronas]

It is, they just wanna sell HUT packd

[@figo7ronaldo]

That's how EA has been operating for years

[@TayR0C]

It has been since EA got exclusivity in 2006 or somewhere around there

[@dman5527x]

And you think this is bad, just try madden lol its a complete joke on there

[@dman5527x]

@@TayR0C nah man ultimate team was first in madden in 2011 and that was the first year of it existing in any ea game. They slowly fleshed it out and made it more and more anti consumer as the years went on so the core fanbase wouldn't notice it happening and it worked really well because the madden fanbase is legit blind to the garbage their playing right now

[@benlarsen5812]

Not gonna lie if San Diego Studios took over with how they do MLB, the NHL could be amazing

[@Aebischer1984]

Ben Larsen 100%! Been saying that for years.

[@melissa2603]

I agree

[@sammyj.d6101]

SDS would just the same thing they've done to The Show series: ignore franchise/other offline modes and orient everything around Diamond Dynasty.

[@chrispybkn]

Things that I want NHL to be: On PC

[@charlestiparent]

Nhl Ray Tracing 144fps the dream

[@kyled6882]

this on so many damn levels!!!, i would probably go looking for a new controller to break in on a solid nhl story mode on pc!

[@StonedSpagooter]

I dont fucking get why they dont do it. Someone needs to be fired for this decision.

[@RyanStalloneable]

@@StonedSpagooter Because the PC market is almost non-existent. It's not like they haven't thought about it, I am sure they evaluate it every year based on several metrics and it simply would not make a return

[@tg4414]

NHL 04 Reloaded if you can deal with outdated graphics

[@josephspano7041]

That need to add winter classic mode again that mode was so fun

[@gervantesummers7135]

It seems like the old NHL games wouldn’t cut corners and now they throw the same game out year after year

[@stribs311]

They still cut corners. Just enough to be better than 2K.

[@mrvaultguy1118]

my one thing would be CPU's that know position in hockey. Ex: dont skate away from a possible 2 on 1, or stand outside the blue line as the defenseman on a power play.

[@quinlanb7193]

Yesss that would be amazing...always get so frustrated with that

[@goosepants3695]

they should add classic nhl teams, like how 2K has their recent, classic, and all time teams

[@mikem5424]

2k10 one of the most underrated sports games

[@nyrgaming3091]

mike M yes

[@blakeference6646]

Yes it is

[@udimhead2142]

This is facts. Remember grinding this game

[@fatkidinc.3058]

Not gonna lie, nhl 19 is underrated. It only gets shit, no praise. Everyone says the want it to go back to the old days, but 19 was really good (although it was the only good next gen game)

[@Vilgotczky]

Yup

[@thedumbta153]

NHL 15 was the last one i played and i used to get it every year

[@melissa2603]

Same but i recently bought nhl 20

[@BJBlaskovichGaming]

NHL19 for me.

[@stillfree1133]

You missed out on 17 man... that was the best one

[@zeked4200]

I used to buy every year, now I wait every couple years. I used to look up the release date and get so excited at the end of August when it was getting close. I jumped from 18 to 20 this year, and probably won't get another until the PS5 generation. Its depressing how far the quality has dropped...

[@RickyJSports]

Great vid. I loved the games back in the 90s and early 20s. Now the game doesn't change much and there are too many hardcores online so now I just enjoy playing offline Season mode

[@jetzzfan]

Obligatory "NHL 94 is the best hockey game ever created" comment

[@ShaFnZAM]

EA should do an NHL 94/95 style game with all the modern arenas/audio/play by play. It would sell a ton.

[@jaythompson5102]

I liked 95 a bit better, they added trading. I think 96 had crested a player so you could play with Gretzky and Lemieux. After that it was a bit of a drop.

[@iconofsin4578]

I always liked nhl 93 more

[@figo7ronaldo]

Nhl 96!

[@TayR0C]

Nah. NHL HITZ 20-03

[@whatupdude4576]

I think NHL should drop ones and bring back the winter classic​

[@spenne3542]

9544 Senator or drop pro am

[@mikes7446]

Nobody played that crap that’s why it’s no longer there.

[@melissa2603]

@@spenne3542 Yeah

[@steph4569]

Oh ya that was fun

[@globalhockeyleague1491]

@@mikes7446 I guess I'm nobody then. I played that mode all the time. The only thing that sucked about it was that it was NHL teams only.

[@bl8976]

Really solid video essay, DZ - keep you the great work

[@danielzakrzewski.bardown]

Ben L 🙏🏽

[@godofwar2k6reborn]

NHL Hitz 2003 is the greatest hockey video game of all time. 3000+ hours later I still miss it.

[@scottlambo170]

Thank you for talking about the ea nhl series

[@MrAlittleofeverythin]

Ofc they're still fun who doesn't like: Ai teammates trying to score on their team Ai dmen throwing behind the net when there's an open pass Be a pro being the same thing every year Ai dumping the puck on the pk late in the game when they're losing Too many trolls in online play The most of the skill tree is useless But hey if weren't all masochist why would we buy and play the game every year

[@austinperrucci391]

bUT wHat AbOut the sKiLl trEe? 🤔🤔🤔

[@redbullsauberpetronas]

They won't make non HUT modes better cause they don't make money, they only want you to play HUT and buy packs

[@Lekcots11]

You have to change the strategy for the AI to not dump the puck during a PK. If it's on Standard, Conservative or Defend, they'll always dump it no matter the situation. If it's on Aggressive or Full Attack, they'll hang on to it and bring it up ice

[@doitytoothtony5656]

@@Lekcots11 glad yours works for you, i press the button to be aggressive and after about 5 seconds, it gets automatically switched back to conservative

[@sensfan7550]

@@Lekcots11 the goalies always makes unrealistic saves, or the puck goes through the goaltender if someone touches the goalie. Nhl was better back then.

[@george540]

Y’all complaining about GM mode or GM connected but no one mentions how far the gameplay has fallen.

[@Zenkka]

But in real life players skate through the neutral zone backwards all the time what you mean bruh

[@TheUnusedCrayon]

@Preston Ruttan there's half the aspects that are realistic and the other half are horrendously unrealistic. People would love true realism but when you have things like backskating and having full puck control, dangles for days, etc. and super poor ai it ruins the experience of some of the great realism touches they do have.

[@Skumtomten1]

@Preston Ruttan I played NHL 11 to death and had a blast, then I was busy in life for a while but decided to buy NHL 18. Yea, game is incredibly boring to play, sure the presentation and graphics are nice, but the gameplay is just not fun in any way. The AI is in some way heavily improved in that their passing in the offensive zone is much better, but they are also incredibly frustrating to play against due to OBVIOUS cheating from their part. The worst part is how awful your own player's AI is. Whenever I play NHL 18 I feel like I could be doing something else more fun with my time, and i'm right, game isn't fun. I don't touch online btw.

[@Skumtomten1]

@Preston Ruttan In fact, this isn't true to just the NHL games. I don't play many games these days, but from the few new games I have tried it feels like it is a current trend in gaming, realism over fun gameplay. I don't care how good the game looks, I don't care how realistic the animations are, I don't care how much content the game has, if it isn't fun there is no point. Everything else is secondary, and I feel like the prioritizations these days are awful, gaming used to be much more fun honestly. Sure you can't measure fun, it is subjective, but I could argue for days on why games aren't as fun as they used to be, in general obviously, there are exceptions.

[@Baby_boodle]

Yeah you're right. NHL 18 was just a lot less fun for me, even with all of the tweaking to the sliders. It was a chore.

[@N0TRyan_]

I'd love to see some old gamemodes back like winter classic and such

[@Jamaleum]

Give us a Switch or PC port already EA. I am dying out here man

[@PGHsports89]

If you were dying you could spend a little on a pre owned console smh

[@puckinstonerdad]

I love to see a revamp of gm mode perhaps a story mode setting with cut scenes during negotiations

[@redbullsauberpetronas]

All that shit is pointless it does nothing

[@theosundblad7687]

When talking about NHL I feel like almost everyone forgets how fun the gameplay is. That is the most single important thing in any game, specially sportsgame. I played FIFA from FIFA 10 to FIFA 18 and invested my soul in the series. I´m a massive football (soccer) fan so the choice was simple for me. But in the end it was boring gameplay the killed the hype of FIFA for me. Ultimate team was and is a great game mode, but in the end it didn´t matter because the games was too dull. I have a lot of friends who still play FIFA but almost any actual game, just grinds the market or open packs. But last I rediscovered NHL, and i fell instant in love, because the gameplay is so intense and fun. NHL also made me a big fan of Hockey again. Yes, the gamemodes can improve but the main focus should always be gameplay. Love the channel from Sweden!

[@GiveMeHotPocket]

Seeing NHL on the switch would be cool IMO. It would be nice if they could add more to Be A Pro mode and Franchise Mode. I personally don't care about setting the price of a hot dog or a bottle of water, that just seems pretty useless. And last but not least, I know everyone says it but GM Connected. That was one of the most fun modes they ever had. I got people into hockey because of that game mode and now watch the NHL to this day because of it. Doesn't mean HUT would have to die off, just gives the fans a mode everyone wants, and could draw in new fans as well to the NHL video game series/NHL. Just my opinions. BTW, perfectly put together video Z, keep it up!

[@foxboi327]

We need GM Connected back. I would literally fund the development of it.

[@thebosniangaming4425]

I would add the game on pc so we could mod the game and make it exactly what we want

[@AaaAaa-qu4se]

NHL needs a personalized Be A Pro mode with some effort out into it. It’s unacceptable to enter free agency as the Hart Trophy and Conn Smythe winner as a playmaking center and only draw two 2-year contracts from 2 teams as your agent tells you the market is dried up.

[@zachary_shankman]

Have the be a pro like 2k19 in NBA

[@zachmalcolm1380]

Zachockey 57 you that would make be a pro way better

[@granthowes5659]

A little story line and the attribute system like 2K would be sick. Then have threes and drop in and pro am where you use your pro. I think it would be sweet.

[@ms.felonystrutter2472]

NO I hate that....what kind of car or house or apartment I buy. That is 12 yr old shit. i want the KHL...i want to be able to build Jr teams...

[@granthowes5659]

Felony Strutter You clearly have never played 2K. There’s none of that.

[@ms.felonystrutter2472]

@@granthowes5659 Correct I only had NfL ESPN and that crap was on there. BTW if you can't help me with the question I asked then fuck off...I play football and hockey..at times baseaball other than that I am nota gamer. On ESPN football there is this "build your crib.' WTF??? Yeah I can't wait to build my home on a computer...where is the option to fuck groupies?? Sorry I want to play hockey not to build my cottage.

[@MoneyHeo]

2k sports needs to start making nhl games ASAP

[@gerryp3628]

2K ruined NBA games with gambling and micro transactions so I'd opt for a company who doesn't suck.

[@LaFllamme]

Gerry P NBA 2k is the best sports game out there, it’s miles ahead of NHL

[@gerryp3628]

@@LaFllamme That isn't saying much considering how EA has ruined the rest. I own 2K18 and it's heavily pushing microtransactions. I pay $80 bucks for a rehashed 2K17 (16/15) and all 2K wants from me is more money? Nah they are just as much a cancer on sports gaming.

[@TOSportsKid]

We need an updated version of Slapshot

[@handzus19]

The 90s NHL games were amazing. More arcade style and focused! Even people who didn't like hockey would play those games. I also agree with a previous comment about NHL games needing to make a return to PC, as well.

[@Ryan-0413]

Haven’t bought a game since NHL 17 for a reason

[@ryanp7782]

Story mode for be a pro, peewee to pro with a story line of some sorts

[@grantmacdonald641]

3:50 oh snap.

[@sensfan7550]

Look how better it was. I miss Nhl 14

[@NiteCrawler80]

In order to make the series fun again, it requires only a few minor upgrades: AllStar weekend (skills + games), scrap the HUT, EASHL or whatever useless modes the game is full of now, focus on OFFLINE modes such as BAGM, BAP. EA, there you go, you can have that advice for free.

[@greginglis5924]

They need to bring back the All star skills contests.

[@melissa2603]

YESS AGREEE

[@NiteCrawler80]

This x 1000000000

[@LadyDragonborn]

YES!

[@burntpato9760]

And put it in be a pro

[@MrFlamesFan12]

NHL 04 and NHL 06 are still my favorites. EA needs competition. Also Be a Pro desperately needs to be updated. Make it more like 2K's.

[@scottlambo170]

the skill stick was created out of competition with 2k

[@vincentjack735]

Man. These hockey games are a blast to play.. By far the most intense video sports game. I don't know what else other than graphics can you change. Im digging it as is

[@garymatycich7668]

I want a new shot aiming system that allows me to shoot for open spaces rather then what ever corner I tilt my stick into (usually upper as I'm skating forward).

[@letsgooilers]

Id wanna se something like fifas the Journey but in Nhl if that made any sence

[@theosundblad7687]

don´t know if you have played fifa, but the Journey was boring af and died in like a week

[@livingroomset2084]

we need the ability to import teams and other data from old nhl games into the new ones

[@curtisshreve6338]

Yes. Get this man a job.

[@Speirs248]

Make "Be a Pro" start at childhood learning to skate (tutorial mode), key milestones like high school and college championships and tryouts, playing street for a bit, all working your way towards the pros. Then it's all about the cup

[@johnathankorkie4984]

The problem is that would require ea to put in effort

[@zeked4200]

@@johnathankorkie4984 ...which would cut into their profits. EA will put out the effort, if they can make money off it (see HUT).

[@metalupyourass9]

Props the Metal gear sound fx!

[@zaniak8643]

a be a pro mode with an actual story

[@redbullsauberpetronas]

It doesn't sell packs so they won't

[@williamrichie2636]

At this point I’d take NHL 14 with a roster and graphics update

[@davenunya]

I would like to see the ease of the one-timer come back, just like in NHL 2004, and realistic puck physics

[@edwardbrowne918]

Correct! The game hasnt changed anything in years. I want a MyLife storyline. Interviews, negotiating contracts. More or less i just want substance.

[@sharpie74YT]

They Need To Make Be A Pro More Invaded

[@isaiahcarlen2831]

I think you mean Innovated 🤔😂

[@sharpie74YT]

Isaiah Carlen yep

[@ryanclark7322]

I thought he meant like in dark souls where other people can just pop in and be the enemy

[@etankcam5406]

@@ryanclark7322 lmfao

[@korbendallas7181]

*Involved

[@zainery]

The fact that every team only has like 5 players with their faces in the game is embarassing. Just playing with a bunch of default faces.

[@jimb.7523]

I miss NHL 94 through 98. I loved NHL 2002 for the GBA because it followed the same style as those games.

[@tylerross4866]

Ea needs a story mode I’ve been saying this for forever!!!

[@BJBlaskovichGaming]

Sadly, Live The Life was the last time Be A Pro was good. They could expand on that with a story driven mode where you actually “Live The Life”

[@zachary43211234]

Yeah, like start in high school or something

[@MarissaRoberto]

DZ, this is brilliant.

[@stribs311]

Pretty unoriginal to be brilliant. Plenty about this already on YT.

[@Carolean_Vergil]

I'm disappointed about many things with today's NHL games, but one thing I'm quite pissed off about is EA's obvious lack of care for the European leagues. The older games didn't have too much either, but for such a long lasting franchise we should expect better for the modern games. I can really only speak from a Swedish standpoint, but from what I've seen the other leagues basically have the same issues. As for Sweden, yeah they added the Swedish second league not to long ago, but nothing else has improved or been added: *We've had the same kits since '16 (if not longer) +there are no classic kits to choose from *Some players don't have the correct numbers *Some players who've left in real life are still at their clubs *Sometimes the captain hierarchy isn't right *There are no longer retired numbers *There are no real life arenas. We had the Ericsson Globe a few years back (which wasn't authentic in itself but it was something at least), however it was taken out and replaced with the generic EA Sports Arena... *The players don't even remotely resemble their real life counterparts, some players with beard don't have it in the game etc. *The ratings are all messed up and wrong most of the time *Some player types are wrong, an offensive minded defender was classed as defensive by the game for instance There are probably a lot of other things as well, but it doesn't really matter since EA are too lazy to do anything about it. Still, nobody seems to care anyway...

[@charlesolivierbedard7488]

My friends and still play Nhl Hitz to this day. It's so much fun.

[@justinbelinfante9089]

Maybe if you couldn’t hold the back skate button to avoid being hit game play would be fair

[@LaFllamme]

The career mode needs to be upgraded, its literally been the same since NHL 11. It needs to be like NBA 2k where there’s a deep story mode, a my park and you can upgrade your player through offline and play as them in online too. They also need to add Gm connected and add the frostbite engine

[@everetth-top4760]

93-98ish were the greatest years for hockey video games.

[@onesamquanch]

my cousin and I were ranked #1 online in NHL 2004 multiplayer... if we lost we would pause the game, go play outside and wait for the opponent to quit

[@smhop2037]

I’lil suggest this one last time: revisit nhl slapshot on the Nintendo wii

[@jonesy7425]

Yes. Totally under appreciated game. It's the reason I still play on a Wii. It is probably my most played game of all of my 30 years gaming. It is just that great.

[@Goz_Klahaz]

playing online is absolutely scripted and there ain't no doubt about it

[@HTHTHTHTHTHTHTHTHTHTHTHTH]

what do you mean?

[@patientmental875]

@@HTHTHTHTHTHTHTHTHTHTHTHTH Look up the EA swing & the user controlled goalie is a brick wall one game & swiss cheese the next

[@bryantanderson430]

You just suck at online

[@jeremiahsays9623]

I miss being able to play outdoor Winter Classic games! Wish they allowed you to play outdoor stadiums again

[@tvremotefoutainpen3995]

I just started playing nhl 19 and now I’m really interested in hockey and watch the games here and now

[@chughater]

It feels like the same game every year

[@vilz1]

They should combine be a pro and franchise mode like how madden is

[@discodavid26]

1. Winter classic 2. 11 vs 11 brandy mode (nhl meets FIFA) 3. Street mode with 3-6 players per team with option of in-line or quad skates and option of street puck or ball.

[@jonesy7425]

The Slapshot motion controls. It made it so I can't go back to traditional ea hockey games. Actually having to wind up and shoot, cross check to hit, and so on, made it something I still play almost daily. I can't get out to a rink, and growing up, there was only one other hockey fan I knew. This was/is a decent substitute. I would love to see a better version of this return.

[@danmacq94]

Bring back derpy in game glitches. They were always good for a long laugh

[@25jballer]

EASHL list of needs: -Bring back hits after the whistle -More accurate poke checks -Choosing what type of Player your CPU goalie or player is .....but that would all make too much sense and this is an EA title....

[@mattzayka5160]

The poke checking is brutal, tripping 9/10 times

[@chickenpotpie6335]

I’m glad I’m not the only one about hits after the whistle lol

[@sensfan7550]

@@mattzayka5160 I agree, i rage because of that lol trip the players like 10 times

[@jamesbennett5189]

I still play nhl95 on snes and a whike back my buddies and I had some beers and fired up nhl 99 for n64 and had a downright blast.....cant say that for alot of the new stuff. I also miss the first person fights

[@korbendallas7181]

Its been the same game since like 09... no market competition... no ground breaking or new modes, no good story line in career. The same gm/franchise mode for the last 3 years.... changes menu layout/color every year and calls it a day. Same (NON world of chel) equipment/customize options... remember when you could run the goalie depending on speed? that was fun! Take a page out of NHL hits and bring come CRAZY arenas and scenarios?

[@Ruuku1]

if I could add one thing, bring the series to switch and PC

[@JaysFan2024]

Hasn’t really been good since NHL 12, I stopped buying them a few years back

[@wayne9287]

same for me..except i bought 14 and was very disapointed. On 12 i had good online stats and for some reasons i was very bad on 14. I was more of a defensive player who rely on ai and strategies but ai in 14 really sucked...didn't bought nhl games since

[@ShawnyHill]

Story mode for Be A Pro for sure - it’s something that’s actually watchable for someone else to play on KZbin which was a big push for NBA 2K. Also, the game needs to be more in depth offline which creates more interest in online modes.

[@audriccherrey1499]

What I would do is have a quick time event mode or kind of story mode. It recaps legendary moments in hockey history and puts them into a game. Examples: Leafs vs Bruins Game 7 2013, Blackhawks vs Flyers Game 6 2010 and many other amazing moments. It would tell the story throughout the “Episode” and when you needed to step in to make history it would give you a quick time event. If you fail you lose that part of the “Episode” and have to restart. Get it right, you complete that task. I would enjoy it personally but I would understand why some people wouldn’t.

[@phillyjax]

Remember when you could break the glass with a slap shot or a hard hit? Yeah where'd that go???

[@BlastinHash709]

Philly Jax they’re waiting to recycle it as a new feature just give it a year or so

[@BlastinHash709]

Philly Jax like they do with basically every feature they take out ffs

[@coltonmorris4352]

Or hitting players over the boards

[@brandonyankees1]

I literally can't believe gm connected isn't in the game

[@thecanadiandefender1451]

NHL 13 was the peak of the Chel games, and there's nothing you can do to change my mind. GM Connected was the best game mode they ever added and then just they scrapped it for no reason. Oh wait no there was a reason *_BECAUSE IT DIDN'T MAKE THEM ANY MONEY_* EA doesn't care about how good or bad their game is. As long as it keeps making them money, which it does cuz people keep buying the same recycled garbage each year, whether it's Chel, FIFA or Madden

[@kahnzilla]

I stopped playing Ea's NHL series in 2009 when they stopped releasing on the PC.

[@TayR0C]

NHL Hitz is the best sports game ever. They need to bring that back

[@simoncaton1226]

Big up Z for the Mercedes F1 hat!!!!👍🏽

[@tristanormsby8352]

03 was my favorite nhl game

[@Sbenjamin1781]

great video.. I used to play a lot of hockey & football games when I was younger.. I fell off around the time ESPN football & hockey were cancelled, I just always thought them better than EA games..i still play those games today from time to time on original xbox

[@keeperofthebonessean2872]

Does anyone have any thoughts about the NHL EA Legacy edition? Ive been considering buying it as it covers many years of the different versions EA has put out. Is it worth it? And if you have played it please tell me your experience with it and what if offers. Thanks.

[@DaveJackson7777]

story mode like madden!! i stopped playing NHL games because i got so hooked on the madden 20 FOF, its an amazing game mode and id love to see it in NHL 21.

[@rockthered8706]

I've always hoped one day an NHL game would be made where in the Be A Pro mode (or its equivalent) you also control your player off ice. Where you have to attend practices, manage fitness in the offseason, but also enjoy your money by buying cars, properties and such and actually be able to use them in the city you are playing in (unless you are on the road obviously). I want a full on NHL player experience as much detail as possible, I realize it would be a huge undertaking and probably quite niche but it would be a really interesting game mode, would probably require next gen consoles to operate.

[@EckonicMaster]

You already said Be A Pro - Story Mode. I haven't played Madden in years, but if it follows your entire career, that'll be great. Also, improving the soundtrack to have more songs.

[@brendanbrown1204]

How do you get rid of a page down button when selecting a name for your player??

[@jfturner73]

Do something retro like a NHL-Greatest Teams of All Time format, with like the 81 Islanders, 84 Oilers, 1970 Bruins, 1974 Flyers, 95 NY Rangers, 79 Canadiens etc. Like what Madden 94 once did. It would be cool to play as Bobby Orr or Wayne Gretzky.

[@kalkella8822]

The last good game was NHL 2004. You could customize your GM's office (I had a bear statue in mine), and his wardrobe. It also had the best fighting and the widest variety of goalie saves, and lastly a soundtrack that puts any current sports game to shame. NHL 06 and 07 get honourable mentions for actually presenting your players with all of the different trophies

[@devontreleaven534]

NHL 15 is where it died for me!.. annd my friends as well