NHL 06

Hit the ice with EA Sports' NHL 06 for XBOX. This installment of the NHL series builds on the 2005 version by including new rules and an updated lineup that includes nearly all the big names in the National Hockey League. NHL 06 includes everything from NHL 05, including revamped shooting controls. New in the 2006 version is the use of the left analog stick for deking, which in field hockey terms means dodging defenders and tricking them. The right analog stick lets you perform fancy moves like a spin or a pass between the legs. These fancy moves distract goalkeepers and give the player a chance to shoot. The disadvantage of these moves is that only superstars can perform them regularly. The game includes many of the traditional field hockey game modes, including dynasty mode. In Dynasty mode, the player controls their own hockey team and must deal with outside pressures, sponsors, and more while trying to fulfill the team philosophy, which is different for each team. Other modes include single season, leagues and tournaments, quick play and online play. The graphics of NHL 06 are first-rate. This time it has been optimized to accurately show the size differences between the players. The defensemen and goalies, who are traditionally bigger players, actually look bigger, while the smaller and faster goal scorers are actually a bit thinner and smaller. This is just a small change that makes the gameplay of NHL 06 even better.