IS NHL 2002 STILL A GOOD GAME?

In BarDown's newest segment, Game Capsule, DZ & Corwin throw it back to the PS2 days to play what many fans consider to be one of the greatest hockey video games of all-time...NHL 2002! But how does it hold up?

[@TSN_Sports]

What's the best song in NHL soundtrack history? 🤔

[@justinganz1173]

TSN Sweetness by Jimmy Eat World

[@hendawg7boss40]

TSN sweetness

[@bsinger51]

Either Sweetness by Jimmy Eat World from NHL 2003 or The Ghosts of You and Me by Less Than Jake (which was a hidden track on NHL 2004). Also, please review NHL 2004, it was the first time they did a Franchise Mode and it was one of the best for a good decade!

[@indydd]

Nhl 17 young and wild Nhl 20 the whole soundtrack

[@Leblock_James]

07 by far but 20 honestly is one of the best soundtracks in years

[@derailedwrasslin9687]

This was my Dad's favourite game ever. He played it from the year it came out until he passed away in 2015. He would win every single game by a massive margin, like 35-0 and never got bored of it. He tried briefly to upgrade to NHL 2003, but he couldn't keep up with the minor changes and updates, and was quick to go back to 2002 and never try to upgrade again. I still own the game today because it holds a very special place in my heart for that reason. Thanks for this video and the memories!

[@stuffandthingyoutube]

❤

[@teegs74]

God bless you

[@iBMcFly]

Best comment ever.

[@brooke-3615]

G. Backup was a legend. Don’t disrespect a legend.

[@humesspoon3176]

Brooke - you’re hot af

[@jakethejacketsfanYT]

Hume's Spoon SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMP

[@dripzy4932]

Nyquist The Horse 😂

[@eriklakeland3857]

He’s good but he’s no Sabrina Ladha.

[@mrgreekgm754]

@@eriklakeland3857 I don't care what tragic condition she had Sabrina Ladha ruined so many Dynasty and Be a Pro saves!

[@TSN_Sports]

Name a goalie currently better than G. Backup...

[@colinmurphy2552]

Ilya Bryzgalov

[@soupious]

Elvis Merzlikins

[@phroggie7626]

TSN DO NHL12

[@RyanSmuz]

First Team All Bench

[@Nick-sc5gr]

Scott Foster and David Ares

[@McComzee]

An underrated thing I wish future NHL games would bring back is the load screen with the arena/city in the background and then showing the best players and hot/cold players

[@JLTS76]

Exactly, like EA please just add some damn cutscenes to make the game at least seem more like a real hockey game.

[@sxrvsvct7911]

why not add some drama and spice too??? just like WWE right??

[@sxrvsvct7911]

@@JLTS76 what would they even do?? invite each other to drink after the game ends?? want a story too?

[@Sclzbot92]

“Richter SLAMS THE DOOR SHUT!!” always rings through my head

[@Lkease]

BIG SAVE BYYYY HEDBERG!

[@FrankJSelkeIV]

PASS TO SUNDIN!

[@jimrockqc]

OHH i spell hot coffee on my Legs...Hughson: IT WAS ON MY LEGS!!!

[@kyleo8276]

@@jimrockqc to maxim AFINOGENOV!

[@oilibhearbleinigh116]

Or the famous "JUMPS ON A LOOSE PUCK!"

[@jandroseef244]

13:30 Corwin: there was a surprising level of detail The fighting:

[@OilFan702]

I remember playing this game on PC. Bring back the game to PC EA.

[@jakenobleglube5387]

you can still play on pc if you go to play emulator.

[@imbored6724]

@@jakenobleglube5387 true but your going to need a more powerful pc , the last nhl game for pc was 09, your going to need a powerful pc to properly emulate the ps3 and xbox360. And good luck with ps4 and xbox 1 emulation.

[@jakenobleglube5387]

@@imbored6724 I have a crappy cromebook and it still works. but It only has up to nhl 02

[@CobraNahk]

They're probably scared of someone fixing stuff themselves on PC

[@MrGnarVar]

@@CobraNahk Am i the only one who would love to see ridiculous mods to an NHL game on PC?

[@treydill4099]

I miss the old gen when you’d watch your team come out of the tunnel and you’d see you special entrance tunnel head like the giant Shark for San Jose or the giant saber tooth tiger head for Nashville. I wish that was still in the game.

[@leftywith4strings201]

This was the first NHL game I played. I was like 5, and my dad was always destroying me because he had played for years. Great memories.

[@tjrogers4063]

Master of 4 Strings Awesome😂

[@Iangonzalezz22]

Master of 4 Strings yeessir

[@Lkease]

Same... I kind of want to break out the PS2 and see if the old man can still whoop me at it

[@hugh2hoob668]

Jesus I was 17 then

[@colemadonna6284]

I never noticed the light switch to the left of the BarDown logo before and now I can’t stop looking at it.

[@xavierhirsch5275]

You are now my least favorite person

[@doctorgrind9]

You didn’t just do that

[@jhutcheson1991]

Ur evil

[@Peqqy]

I think NHL 2004 was also a big game in the series. Introduction to the dynasty mode and foreign leagues as well as big improvements to the gameplay and graphics. Great game imo.

[@pappagamingpoo9766]

Yes

[@ZiggyValentine]

Agreed, and I know not everyone will agree on this, but it has my favorite soundtrack from any game in the series!

[@GamingCubeYT]

i think that's the game where they really improved the fighting as well.

[@Peqqy]

@@GamingCubeYT You are correct.

[@Peqqy]

@@ZiggyValentine The list of songs is very limited though. I remember it getting pretty annoying when i was simulating my way through the dynasty mode. For some reason they decided to put some of the songs available only to the match buildup intros which sucks. Its still a nice soundtrack though.

[@brendanbrown1204]

Do this with 2K5 Superior to almost any game Had EVERY stat recorded Had a rattle feature where you hit a specific player more than 3 times in a game and their attributes drop Original skill stick Great franchise mode

[@whitneysmiltank]

Yep, this. Gotta put your controller in "advanced mode" for the skill stick.

[@krisnarefaagusta16]

And ESPN NHL Hockey too.

[@e90.tristen]

I couldn’t stop laughing while I was watching the fights

[@SavouryLobster]

7:02 "say goodbye to your 2004 Stanley cup." They never had it. Sincerely, a flames fan.

[@zezoworld1330]

Isaac_ GELINAS SCORED!!!

[@jacked6]

Flames got owned.

[@kyleo8276]

10/10 would watch again, best finals ever. The C of Tears brings much joy

[@danielsarn3823]

NHL 2001 was a banger too "STONE COLD BY LALIME" Couldn't beat Jim Hughson and Bill Clement.

[@ninetailedfox579121]

Nah sorry man, gotta go with Don Taylor on this one. He's just too funny.

[@kylesomerton3236]

Brodeur: "it doesn't matter who backs me up, we're going to win atleast another 40 games this season.."

[@CodyChromeBand]

Kyle Somerton Brodeur, still looking for that first Vezina like...

[@Michael-hi7iu]

that intro to the game was amazing

[@DammitIvaldi]

See NHL 99

[@frankiemegandegrand460]

When they mention fireworks in arena, I just remembered that the Chicago Wolves, the Blues AHL team, did that for the pregame show, and whenever they scored

[@zachawks7034]

Whenever I go to a wolves game the fireworks are sick

[@tacocatstudios4388]

G. Backup is now a BarDown legend. He has earned my respect

[@logantheguitarhero]

5:14 I'm so far in my Be A Pro in NHL 18 that the backup goalie on my team is named "Derek Goalie" and he wears 36.

[@pandaqc6237]

What year are you on now? Cause that sounds like you're closer to your retirement

[@logantheguitarhero]

@@pandaqc6237 2022-23, I think. 5x Stanley Cup Champion with the Calgary Flames

[@jakethejacketsfanYT]

Logan Klein definitely playing on rookie

[@logantheguitarhero]

@@jakethejacketsfanYT Semi Pro actually lol

[@travisblackburn1677]

Logan Klein why tf you still playing 18

[@calebkewayosh4394]

Corwin: "We should pick base off of jerseys!" Both don't pick Anaheim Mighty Ducks. Anaheim: "Am I a joke to you?"

[@lobbytubes]

Is 06 not everyone's favourite?? I think we gotta do a deep dive there

[@patbl61]

Right!

[@xrumich3896]

I used to stand in the middle and shoot it over the goalie

[@timothylarsen9752]

06 is 100% the best. I have so many memories playing that as a kid

[@BIGJSNAKE]

06 is the best for sure

[@jahahaprecis1238]

07 was also wery good

[@dudeguy2214]

This game really introduced me to the NHL and is one of the reasons I truly fell in love with hockey and the NHL. First played the game when I was 3 years old, my favorite color was red so I played as the Red Wings and they became my favorite team. I played hockey for 15 years of my life, and I still love the game today, and I really feel that this game really played a part in that. The soundtrack, the announcers, and the overall feeling of playing this game makes me want to bring it back out right now. This really brought back some great memories. Thank you guys for bringing back some nostalgia of my childhood, really great video.

[@spenceranderson2072]

This has to be one of the best videos I’ve seen from you guys. Please keep doing this!

[@dudeshamus1451]

This was the first game I got for PS2, I was 10 and it will forever hold a special place in my heart.

[@tylermcdonald5981]

The 3 NHL games for me were 2004, 2007, and 2014. Lots of nostalgia for those games and soundtracks.

[@centralhockey12]

Tyler McDonald nhl 2014 was the most fun I’ve had, online and single player. All the memories of club with my friends. But I do love the older nhl games mostly due to nostalgia and the soundtracks

[@Dalt21]

Dude that’s crazy. Those are the same 3 for me haha

[@someone2929]

I really hope they do a NHL 2000 version of this... 00' and 02' were my childhood. The intro in NHL 2000 is still the best to this day imo.

[@SonnyJones93]

Please keep making these lol the only thing I look forward too these days

[@oakley22610]

This game literally determined my music taste

[@icewyre]

My all time favorite! Jim Hughson and Don Taylor were the absolute best commentators... and I haven't played NHL20 but man I would get so tired of the commentary in 18 and 19. Also of course it's the best soundtrack. I hear you calling is one of the most memorable songs of my childhood because of this game. Plus I always loved the NHL Cards thing they had here. Plus it was my first NHL game since NHL98 back then (which had the best intro ever, but other than that I just played shootout mode cuz I found the game crazy difficult). So it helped that 2002 was the first time I really got into an NHL game.

[@Tymm403]

I hated the Bill Clement commentary before NHL 2002. After Hughson and Taylor, I was turning "Shut up Bill" into a catch phrase. I usually turn off commentary now.

[@tjrogers4063]

Legend has it Corwin is still trying to figure out why Lemieux is so slow🤷‍♂️

[@Everprod]

ya teej

[@sammogaming9732]

haha right! I'm sitting here thinking 2002 was one of his last years and he already played a career with crippling back pain and cancer. He still had the hands

[@chaosgreyblood]

The Hot/Cold Streak is still present on NHL 2002, which affects the player's performance. Did you notice how Bonvie had the Big Hitter and Big Shooter icons on the right of his name on the loading screen? That's because he had a Hot Streak going and he received a buff. Likewise, Lemieux is supposed to be a Sniper (represented by the Bullseye icon on the right of his name), but because he had a Cold Streak, his stats get a nerf, as he say it in the present age. On Exhibition games who gets hot and who's not is made at random; sometimes you get up to two guys on a hot streak and two more on a cold streak per team. In Season Mode, though, the Hot/Cold Streak comes and goes in accordance to general player performance throughout the season. The best way to get out of a cold streak with a player is scoring a goal, getting assists, or making some big hits on the ice. Benching them is an option, but they'll stay cold unless you snap them out of it. My guess is that these guys must have glossed it over when checking the teams on the loading screen.

[@soulcrusher807]

@@sammogaming9732 not really close to his last year, he was around until Crosby's rookie season.

[@MoSizzlac97]

Can’t wait to cop me a classic “G.Backup” nj jersey

[@VonOzbourne]

Damn... I always thought a Rangers "John Vanbiesbrk" jersey would be funny deep cut. But G.Backup jersey sounds pretty sweet. And I'm not even a Devils fan.

[@nicholasmedovich6729]

OH YEAH!!! Those were the days!! Don Taylor and Jim Houston. Classic.

[@HBKshowstopper]

I liked when EA had him and Darryl Reaugh were doing commentary in the late 90's. They worked well together. At the time, EA probably didn't give them much material to work with but they made the commentary pretty damn funny.

[@karltee7862]

I like this video. They need to do a series of this where they play old sports games. Make it a weekly series or every other couple of days!

[@alexandremalenfant2016]

Loved that soundtrack so much. About once a year I listen to those Treble Charger songs because of that game!

[@banjoplayingbison2275]

The GBA version of NHL 2002 is also really fun and I still play it regularly! I was born in 2001, but since I grew up with the GBA and DS i played it a lot because it was one of the only few hockey games on the GBA (and probably the most complete) It’s basically a port of the classic 2d NHL games from the 90s on the SNES! The 90s NHL games are honestly some of the most fun sports games ever made!

[@TytoMobile]

Funnily enough though, the name Satan comes from the Hebrew word for "adversary" or "accuser" and is actually pronounced like Miroslav Satan's last name.

[@dsambernardo]

2 of the 3 tracks you showed, where my best. Thanks for the video.

[@jakelancaster3433]

Spent hours and hours and hours playing this with my dad. This is the game that got me loving hockey. Even now playing NHL games I always try to get Detroit throwbacks from this game. McCarty, Shanahan, Yzerman....best childhood experience

[@SupplementalSense]

I remember thinking how awesome it was in franchise mode when one of your guys got a milestone point and they'd put it up on the scoreboard or something. Just that alone seemed revolutionary to me.

[@heavymonster1501]

I remember G. Backup from the past😀 that was funny then and stil funny today

[@TheMendosa14]

I'd love seeing you guys play NHL Hitz in one of these. Such a classic

[@Nuka0420]

This is THE FIRST NHL game i have ever played... And that PS2 start up... Brings a tear to my eye

[@chiefen2443]

Absolutely love this game, even though I managed to break it 😁 my favourite thing is the color commentary, cracks me up everytime 😂

[@krisnarefaagusta16]

Of course, it's the EA Sports' NHL 2002 PS2 test.

[@philipmarcello7420]

The sabres being played here is the biggest win we’ve had in years

[@markkane8857]

This video just certified tsn as my favorite channel

[@BowzKnows]

I used to go to my cousins place to play 2002 on the PC. Loved it. The fireworks after goals!

[@GoBirds808]

I was a sophomore in college in 2003. we smoked weed and played this non stop.

[@WestSide1207]

How badly did you fry your brain?

[@calebloring8018]

@@WestSide1207 probably a lot lmao

[@zachwebster4051]

What emo guy worked at EA is my question

[@indydd]

Hey guys. Just saying that lately your content has been really interesting and I think it's getting much better.

[@danielzakrzewski.bardown]

sponge boy why thank you Sponge Boy 👦

[@bone_krusher5474]

I live in Kentucky so I was the only person I knew that played this game. Glad to see others appreciated and the soundtrack like I do!

[@davinanderson3745]

Social distancing: Ight ima head out

[@indydd]

Go back to playing minecraft

[@davinanderson3745]

@sponge boy ?

[@highground3403]

Pre-recorded

[@ontariomotorsport7038]

It must be pre recorded. They even mentioned how the PS2 "just" turned 20 years old. And that was over a month ago

[@goat9295]

12:10 I can't stop laughing😂😂😂

[@smittyjr_1591]

I so happy you finally did did something with the Sabre’s

[@TheCanadianWifier]

I actually played this a few weeks ago with my buddy as we were just going through the old nhl games, and the fighting animations absolutely killed us too 😂

[@wqxd8845]

96 rated Hasek tho 🔥

[@Zarkucb]

That summit ice shirt! Thanks for the holocaust awareness Corwin

[@messenjah9106]

I love this! keep 'em coming

[@sensfan7550]

Ya it's so cool looking back at the old soundtracks and players in older games

[@manonthemoon1998]

play nhl espn 2k5 next i played the everliving hell out of it when i was little one of my faves

[@Antonio25668]

i played NHL 2002 alot when i had it, i thought the game was great.

[@zachawks7034]

Great video Daniel ur really good snipes

[@harlem5329]

This was my first NHL I ever played on old computer of my uncle and it's still my favourite. When I'm hearing that songs I feel so nostalgic and calm 😍🥅

[@guybrisebois]

I still play nhl 94 on my sega 🤣🤣🤣

[@jrferg17]

Mario Lemiuex is on the cover....all you need to know...

[@4billii20]

It was Gob - Oh Ellin from NHL 2004. When you could choose your favorite team (mine was Avs) and a player from that team would skate around in the background while this song jammed during the menus... It was always Joe Sakic for me just skating around... while that song jammed away. Always my coolest moment in nhl game history, having my favorite player skate around to such an amazing track while I played hours and hours of different game modes with buddies... Definately Gob - Oh Ellin

[@andrewsurowiec80]

My first NHL game when I was a kid. Back in like 04. Played it every time I went to my grandparents house. Absolutely love this game

[@loganbreedon3973]

Imagine if tsn hearted my comment

[@TSN_Sports]

Imagine if we didn't!

[@loganbreedon3973]

TSN omg no way!

[@Reyrocksall]

Bardown gonna be useful for views with everything suspended. But I've been watching them always 😂

[@sebastienbourgaultlive]

Amazing souvenir thanks for sharing 🏒🥅🏒

[@ninetailedfox579121]

This and 2003 were the NHL games I've played the most. They were super arcadey but they were hella fun. Hell I even liked the announcers and to this day I still remember some of their little one-liners ("stopped like a jaywalking rhino" is still my favorite thing I've heard in a video game).

[@mxamiss5]

How do you guys feel about the Leafs actually having a chance to play past April?

[@notdfue1987]

12:10 funniest shit I’ve seen all year

[@bnclips3352]

You are my favorite hockey channel

[@warrenstroud7074]

I remember my parents getting me my PS2 for Christmas and NHL 2002 was in the box. I had to wait a whole day to play it because we had guests over. As a kid that was one of the hardest things ever. This game was a huge part of my youth 😭

[@austinmillar6532]

Last time I was this early Corwin was addicted to smelling salts

[@tammysupermomsaxida]

10:12 FUNNIEST THING OF MY LIFE LOL!!!!!

[@tammysupermomsaxida]

12:10 Also so funny!!!

[@friedhockeyboogieman3215]

I almost peed myself, those fights are hilarious.

[@TheFosseArmy]

ayy never expected to see vardy in this! much love from Leicester

[@timtheeagle1]

My first and fondest remembered NHL game, my dad bought this one for me in 2003 or 2004 cause the Leafs still had CUJO on the roster! I loved every minute of it! I still have it somewhere on the good old PS2!

[@treydill4099]

Play NHL HITZ

[@TeamoJr]

I love how they are bashing it but the whole time they’re laughing and having a blast. Newer NHL games are too boring, I can’t stand hearing “its a realistic sports simulation bro” from people who have never played hockey a day in theirs life.

[@dannyreising]

Def the best chel thansk for sharing this, super nostalgic

[@sirbradfordofhousejones]

One of my favorite video games ever and I’m not even a hockey fan. The game just oozes comedy and a good player experience

[@bansheesioux5569]

Please explain

[@ljf1963]

This was the best NHL, definitely remember it from the soundtrack 👌🏽

[@Ubigo]

Corwin is a legend for rocking Summit Ice apparel.

[@CourtneyGazda]

Thanks Z for giving the Sabres some love!

[@nomonoodle]

This is the first NHL game I ever played, it was AWESOME!

[@celinedelgado243]

Broooooo bring back so much memories....

[@danielfarkas1764]

this made me tear up with nostalgia

[@mil182]

Respect to Jesse’s aka YOUR Atlanta Thrashers with that crisp 75 rating

[@josephsmith4077]

Gosh this was my childhood. First NHL game and definitely the best soundtrack of any game!

[@firebird200]

All the NHL video games you should do: NHL 07 NHL 11 NHL 94 NHL Hitz 2002 NHL 3 on 3 Arcade and NHL 2004

[@SuperTugz]

Those Pens jerseys were sweet, I have a Matthew Barnaby one hahaha

[@Maxthethird3]

“Shoutout Patrick Stefan ... you guys were the same apparently”. 😂😂😂😂😂

[@seanbrennan1100]

I loved the play-by-play in this game!

[@steveciancone8941]

Love how Brett Hall is still on the Stars in this game (in real life this was his Frist year in Detroit) and he is rated an 80 overall, and this is a guy who had beyond 60 points that season. Please explain this rating system to me 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@notoriouspug8546]

I like the first episode of game capsule good job guys

[@eddoerring9274]

I luv this game, it's my favorite nhl game and the first one I ever played.

[@ajstevens31]

Great soundtrack, hilarious commentary. This was an awesome PC game.