For anyone interested in this type of stuff...I picked up NHL 2K9 this week. Excellent game. Although it doesn't have the minor league systems on it, the graphics are great, you can play pond hockey, and even drive the Zamboni at intermission. If you have a Wii, its an even better game. Hard to learn and pick up on some of the moves at the start, but very fun once you've got the hang of it. Normally I'm an EA Sports guy, but 2K came out with a hockey gmae for the Wii first. Try it out, a must have for hockey/video game fans.

I have NHL 09 (EA) for the 360 coming. People have said it's REALLY good this year. I like the fact that I can take a shot of myself and put myself in the game. Very cool. You can do a 6 on 6 via Live.

Does the Wii game use the Wii remote for control or something?

I would have preffered NHL 09, but thay didn't market it for Wii.

Yes, you use the Wii Remote and the Nunchuck. You swing the remote to shoot, check, and fight. The fighting is pretty hard. YOu have to balance with the Nunchuck and punch with the Remote. Its a blast though.

the gameplay of the 2k games is superior. I have both 08 games and haven't finished either one. I barely played nhl 08 though. I should have sold it right away used. oh well.

my son's friend, whom we take to many games, makes his own covers... He has NHL'09 with Hensick and one with Jones he had them sign at an event... He gave each one a copy of it

nhl '09 is better.

This year's NHL 09 is great. They reworked the controls, and in my opinion, have reinvented hockey on the consoles. It's fast, fun, and easy to pick up. (On the 360) Only problem is there is a bug in the game that affects older consoles where if you're on the main-menu for more than 15 seconds it crashes out. Which sucks, because the game is fun. If I hurry though, I can start a game without having the crash. I was playing the LEMs against the Bears last night. Great stuff. Even though they need the new roster, just like we do.

I went through the tutorials last night for 2 hours on 2K9. Makes it even better than teaching yourself. HaHa. I got looking into the rosters and they have what appears to be an entire minor league roster for every team. You can't play as the Monsters, but on league news it lists the players as being "Called up from Lake Erie." I don't know how accurate the rosters are, none of us do, but we've gone over that already in another post.

I rented NHL 09 for a one night rental from this place by my school and it is about 3 weeks overdue. I probably won't take it back until they come looking for me. My buddies and I on the baseball team play it all the time. I wouldn't waste my time on 2k.