NHL 06 is the game that is to tie in with the new season that commenced early this month. The League has had a year out as there was no season last year due to a dispute between the players and the owners.

You can expect a lot from EA Sports titles, such as fully licensed teams, players likenesses and stadiums, as well as realistic game play. In this department NHL 06 does not disappoint.

If you like teams such as Calgary Flames, Detroit Red Wings or Toronto Maple Leafs, then you won't be disappointed as every team from the Eastern and Western Conferences are in the game. Each team in the game has their full roster of players, their stadium and even their fans that cheer them on if they're having a hard time.

The game modes exist as exhibition, season and online modes as well as Dynasty mode, EA Sports World Tournament and EA Sports Free For All.

Dynasty mode is the managerial side of the game allowing you to train your existing team or buy a completely different one. The main aspect of Dynasty mode is winning tournaments, which results in your teams profit allowing you to make offers for the best in the world.

EA Sports World Tournament is the World Cup of hockey; it is an international tournament consisting of up to 16 international teams.

EA Free For All is a One-on-one battle in different scenarios, you can go it against the goalie in search of goals or you can disadvantage yourself and give him up to 4 defenders.

There is also the editorial mode that has come to be expected from EA's latest titles, allowing you to create your own team consisting of anyone that takes your fancy, you can also design the teams logo, stadium and even the cheers that they receive from the crowd. If you are not interested in creating a full team then why not create yourself or your mates in the player create mode. Or, if you like, keep up with your teams by editing their roster or editing their players so that they have the current hairstyles or broken bones.

From the moment you switch your console on, you have to remember to pick up your jaw during the opening scene. This game is visually stunning. After watching the cut scene you realise that the graphics don't change an awful lot when you are playing the game.

The music in the game, the "EA TRAX," sounds somewhat as you would expect from the game of hockey. There are the entrance themes for the teams and then there is the heavy metal soundtrack you can expect from artists such as Billy Talent, The Kaiser Chiefs and Bullet for My Valentine.

The control of the game works amazingly and it almost feels as if you are really ice skating as you use the analog sticks to out manoeuvre and out perform your opponents. Simply tap select during any match and you can spark a fight between one of your players and an opponent's leaving the winner sin binned. Aiming shots and passes has never been easier because all you have to do is aim your target at the area of the goal you want to shoot.

Now For the Ratings: Graphics: 9/10 Absolutely amazing from aging hardware.

Sound: 8/10 A Great mix of music and sound effects.

Game play: 9/10 Awesome, the controls are so easy to get comfortable and the action is so involving.

Overall: 9/10 It's just as good as being in the action yourselve.

As a person that isn't a hockey fan I find this game highly addictive because of the easy controls and the depth of the game.

Another instant classic from EA Sports.

Well Done.

NHL 06
From: EA Sports
PEGI Rating: 16+
Review by Chris