NHL 2K9 for the Wii...

[SunnyD]

September 9th will be a day to remember for Wii Owners

2K Sports makes dreams comes true: NHL 2K9 hits the Wii

By Frank Caron | Published: July 28, 2008 - 12:02PM CT

With the way that things have been going lately, to say I lack enthusiasm for the Wii would be putting it lightly. Thankfully, someone has skated to the crease and finally has me excited about my otherwise-stagnant white wonder: 2K Games has announced that NHL 2K9 will mark the first fully-licensed, big-name hockey game on Nintendo's console. As well as the standard simulation stuff (and a Zamboni mini-game!), the Wii-specific version benefits from some neat additions:

* Wii Remote Shooting ? Execute wrist shots with the flick of the Wii Remote or put some power into shots by holding the B button while flicking the Wii Remote to blast a slapper
* Wii Remote Fighting ? Adding a never-before-seen layer of fun to hockey video games, NHL 2K9 features on-ice showdowns. When two players have raised their aggression enough to fight, pointing the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controller downward drops the gloves. Once a fight has started, punch with the Nunchuk and balance with the Wii Remote to get your opponent off their feet
* Precision Passing / Chain Passing ? Exclusive to Wii, take the guesswork out of which player is going to receive a pass by selecting players with the Wii Remote cursor. One-timers, give-and-go and tic-tac-toe passing are executed by selecting multiple players prior to pressing the pass or A button
* Wii Remote Goaltending ? Gesture-based goaltending allows fans to get between the pipes and flash the leather. Even take control when it counts the most -- in shootouts!

EA should have done this right alongside its Madden and Tiger Woods games, but 2K appears to have beaten it to the punch. And some of the Wii-specific features actually sound great; precision passing will be a boon if done well. Expect a full review, from a toque-wearing, Molson-drinking, Habs-loving Canadian when the game launches on September 9.

 

[R Nilla]

That sounds awesome. This could be a lot of fun if they get the controls right. I will be keeping my eye on this...

 

[oznerol]

Simulation sports game on the Wii (bowling aside), are good for bouts of frustration. Motion controls just aren't responsive enough for fast-paced play. I'm sure it will be a dumbed-down version of the 360/PS3 version - as it is with EA's sports offerings.

And NHL 2k8 was pathetic compared to NHL 08 - I am guessing 2K is realizing there's an untapped market in the Wii so they want to capitalize on it with a rehashing of their crappy game. 2k7 was good, though.

 

[Baked]

I wonder if it'll be compatible w/ MotionPlus?

 

[AstroManLuca]

Sounds like Pro Evolution Soccer 08.

I've never liked the pointer controls, though. They're always a bit laggy and imprecise.

 

[nismotigerwvu]

Originally posted by: Baked
I wonder if it'll be compatible w/ MotionPlus?

My thoughts exactly....If so I can really see this working out....if not...I really hope the devs know what they are doing