NHL 2002

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NHL 2002
Cover art featuring Mario Lemieux
Developer(s)EA Canada (PC, PS2, Xbox)
Budcat Creations (GBA)
Publisher(s)EA Sports
SeriesNHL series
Platform(s)PlayStation 2, Xbox, Windows, Game Boy Advance
Release
September 18, 2001
  • Windows
    • NA: September 18, 2001[1]
    • EU: October 5, 2001
    PlayStation 2
    • NA: September 25, 2001[2]
    • EU: October 19, 2001
    Xbox
    • NA: December 10, 2001
    • EU: March 14, 2002
    Game Boy Advance
    • NA: March 7, 2002
Genre(s)Sports
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

NHL 2002 is a video game released by EA Sports in 2001. It is the predecessor to NHL 2003. The game's cover man is Pittsburgh Penguins superstar and owner Mario Lemieux, who had just made a comeback after being retired for three and a half years. It was the first installment of the NHL series to be released on Xbox.

Features[edit]

Bill Clement is replaced by Don Taylor for NHL 2002. Taylor's quirky and often slapstick commentary style drew mixed reception from fans of the game.

GBA version[edit]

NHL 2002 was the only game in the series to be released on the Game Boy Advance. This version is an updated port of NHL 96 for the SNES,[3] and contains many features from that past title.

Reception[edit]

The PlayStation 2 version received "universal acclaim", while the rest of the console versions received "generally favorable reviews", according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[4][5][6][7] Jim Preston of NextGen's December 2001 issue said of the PS2 version, "Only frustrating defensive controls mar another brilliant effort from EA Sports."[25] The magazine later said of the Xbox version in its final issue, "the only real issue we have is that the game's defensive AI is rather flawed, somewhat marring an otherwise incredible experience."[26] In Japan, where the former console version was ported for release on February 7, 2002, Famitsu gave it a score of 29 out of 40.[33]

Kevin Krause of GameZone gave the PS2 version 9.1 out of 10, calling it "A landmark release in that it is the first PS2 game to support Dolby™ Pro Logic and DTS™ sound. These surround sound technologies allow for realistic environmental surround sound like you've never heard it before."[34] Kevin "Biff" Giacobbi gave the PC version 9 out of 10, calling it "A great game, but true hockey fans that buy the latest and greatest that EA gives us each year will not see a whole lot of changes."[35] Christopher Allen of AllGame gave the same PC version three-and-a-half stars out of five, however, saying, "Despite the unwise decision to hire Don Taylor, NHL 2002 will appeal more to the arcade action camp than the purist. While most of the new additions don't work as well as planned, it is encouraging to see fresh ideas implemented. NHL 2002 is fun to play, but isn't particularly true to the sport, which may disturb true hockey fans with its slip away from realism."[36] Will Abner of Computer Games Magazine gave the same PC version a similar score of three-and-a-half stars out of five, saying, "while some features are better, the most important part—the AI—has received little attention. While it's still a fun game, it's not much of an improvement over last year's edition."[37]

Air Hendrix of GamePro said of the PlayStation 2 version, "While the PS2 competition from 989 Sports and Konami won't hit the ice until November at the earliest, NHL 2002 plays so well that it's this year's front-running favorite. If you're interested in hockey in the slightest, this is the game to buy."[38][b] He later said of the Xbox version, "An excellent package of slick graphics and topnotch sound complete[s] NHL 2002's impressive outing."[39][c] He also said of the Game Boy Advance version, "If fast, playable hockey sounds appealing, you won’t go wrong with NHL 2002."[40][d]

The staff of Computer Games Magazine nominated the PC version as the best sports game of 2001, but ultimately gave the award to High Heat Baseball 2002.[41] The game was also a runner-up for the "Best Sports, Traditional Game" award at GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2001 Awards, which went to NBA 2K2.[42] The PC version also received a nomination for the "PC Sports" award at the 5th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, but ultimately lost to FIFA 2002.[43] The game was also nominated at The Electric Playground's 2001 Blister Awards for "Best Sports Game for PC" and "Best Canadian Console Game of the Year", but lost both to High Heat Baseball 2002 and NHL Hitz 2002.[44][45]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Two critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the PlayStation 2 version each a score of 9/10, and the other gave it 8.5/10.
  2. ^ GamePro gave the PlayStation 2 version two 4.5/5 scores for graphics and sound, and two 5/5 scores for control and fun factor.
  3. ^ GamePro gave the Xbox version two 4/5 scores for graphics and sound, 4.5/5 for control, and 5/5 for fun factor.
  4. ^ GamePro gave the Game Boy Advance version three 4/5 scores for graphics, control, and fun factor, and 3.5/5 for sound.

References[edit]

  1. ^ IGN staff (September 18, 2001). "NHL 2002 Ships". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on February 5, 2024. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  2. ^ IGN staff (September 25, 2001). "Five New PS2 Titles Ship". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Craig Harris (March 18, 2002). "NHL 2002 (GBA)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "NHL 2002 critic reviews (GBA)". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "NHL 2002 critic reviews (PC)". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on July 29, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  6. ^ a b "NHL 2002 critic reviews (PS2)". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on August 7, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "NHL 2002 critic reviews (Xbox)". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on July 29, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  8. ^ Gord Goble (December 2001). "NHL 2002" (PDF). Computer Gaming World. No. 209. Ziff Davis. p. 126. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 18, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  9. ^ Dan Leahy; Kraig Kujawa; Greg Sewart (December 2001). "NHL 2002 (PS2)" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 149. Ziff Davis. p. 244. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 2, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  10. ^ Jason MacIsaac (September 18, 2001). "NHL 2002 (PC)". The Electric Playground. Greedy Productions Inc. Archived from the original on June 22, 2002. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  11. ^ Todd Mowatt (September 19, 2001). "NHL 2002 (PS2)". The Electric Playground. Greedy Productions Ltd. Archived from the original on June 22, 2002. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  12. ^ Todd Mowatt (December 21, 2001). "NHL 2002 (Xbox)". The Electric Playground. Greedy Productions Ltd. Archived from the original on June 22, 2002. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  13. ^ Tom Bramwell (April 12, 2002). "NHL 2002 (Xbox)". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on April 29, 2002. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  14. ^ Andrew Reiner (November 2001). "NHL 2002 (PS2)". Game Informer. No. 103. FuncoLand. p. 104. Archived from the original on April 10, 2005. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  15. ^ "NHL 2002 (Xbox)". Game Informer. No. 104. FuncoLand. December 2001. p. 109.
  16. ^ G-Wok (October 2001). "NHL 2002 Review (PS2)". GameRevolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on June 22, 2015. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  17. ^ G-Wok (December 2001). "NHL 2002 - Xbox Review". GameRevolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on February 16, 2004. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  18. ^ Michael E. Ryan (September 19, 2001). "NHL 2002 Review (PC)". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on October 4, 2001. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  19. ^ Shane Satterfield (September 25, 2001). "NHL 2002 Review (PS2)". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on December 17, 2001. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  20. ^ Shane Satterfield (December 17, 2001). "NHL 2002 Review (Xbox)". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on March 7, 2005. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  21. ^ Ralph "Gizzo" Sparkes (October 20, 2001). "NHL Hockey 2002 [sic] (PS2)". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 28, 2004. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  22. ^ Tal Blevins (September 18, 2001). "NHL 2002 (PC)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  23. ^ David Zdyrko (September 24, 2001). "NHL 2002 (PS2)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on October 28, 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  24. ^ Aaron Boulding (December 11, 2001). "NHL 2002 (Xbox)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  25. ^ a b Jim Preston (December 2001). "NHL 2002 (PS2)". NextGen. No. 84. Imagine Media. p. 108. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  26. ^ a b "NHL 2002 (Xbox)". NextGen. No. 85. Imagine Media. January 2002. p. 28. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  27. ^ Mike Orlando (March 21, 2002). "NHL 2002 GBA". Nintendo World Report. NINWR, LLC. Archived from the original on September 1, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  28. ^ Todd Zuniga (November 2001). "NHL 2002". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. No. 50. Ziff Davis. p. 160. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  29. ^ "NHL 2002". Official Xbox Magazine. Imagine Media. January 2002.
  30. ^ Jim Preston (December 2001). "NHL 2002". PC Gamer. Vol. 8, no. 12. Imagine Media. Archived from the original on January 17, 2002. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  31. ^ David Gibbon (March 12, 2002). "Let's play: NHL 2002 (Xbox)". BBC Sport. BBC. Archived from the original on June 10, 2016. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  32. ^ Ryan Boyce (September 22, 2001). "NHL 2002 (PC)". Maxim. MaximNet, Inc. Archived from the original on December 29, 2001. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  33. ^ "NHL 2002 (PS2)". Famitsu (in Japanese). Enterbrain. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  34. ^ Kevin Krause (October 7, 2001). "NHL 2002 Review - PlayStation 2". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 5, 2008. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  35. ^ Kevin "BIFF" Giacobbi (October 11, 2001). "NHL 2002 Review on PC". GameZone. Archived from the original on April 26, 2005. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  36. ^ Allen, Christopher. "NHL 2002 (PC) - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 16, 2014. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  37. ^ William Abner (November 6, 2001). "NHL 2002". Computer Games Magazine. theGlobe.com. Archived from the original on April 21, 2002. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  38. ^ Air Hendrix (September 27, 2001). "NHL 2002 Review for PS2 on GamePro.com". GamePro. IDG. Archived from the original on February 14, 2005. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  39. ^ Air Hendrix (December 6, 2001). "NHL 2002 Review for Xbox on GamePro.com". GamePro. IDG. Archived from the original on February 9, 2005. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  40. ^ Air Hendrix (June 10, 2002). "NHL 2002 Review for Game Boy Advance on GamePro.com". GamePro. IDG. Archived from the original on December 13, 2004. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  41. ^ CGM staff (March 2002). "11th Annual Computer Games Awards". Computer Games Magazine. No. 136. theGlobe.com. pp. 50–56.
  42. ^ GameSpot staff (2002). "The Best and Worst of 2001 (Best Sports, Traditional Game Nominees)". GameSpot. CNET. Archived from the original on June 9, 2002. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  43. ^ "5th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards: Winners". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on June 3, 2004. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  44. ^ EP staff (2002). "Blister Awards 2001 (PC Games 2)". The Electric Playground. Greedy Productions Ltd. Archived from the original on July 13, 2003. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  45. ^ EP staff (2002). "Blister Awards 2001 (Special Awards)". The Electric Playground. Greedy Productions Ltd. Archived from the original on July 13, 2003. Retrieved February 6, 2024.

External links[edit]

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