I watched the round up video and it is very informative and helpful if you have difficulties in choosing your hockey game this year. The guys do a great job here explaining everything in both the games and i have definitely made up my mind which game is going to be mine next (NHL 08 PS 3) so thank you guys so much. You did excellent...

Alex Navarro and Brian Ekberg rock! Great Video that really helped me make my choice, so I have NHL 08 coming tomorrow, can't wait. As for NBA Live 08 I cancelled my order, not a big fan of 2k8 either so will give Basketball a miss

NHL 08> NHL2K8 for sure

I used to be a die-hard 2K fan, but the past two years EA has had the better hockey game. As much as EA annoys me, I have to give credit where it's due and acknowledge their innovation with the skill stick control. It has really redefined video game hockey.

Play the demos if you aren't a believer, NHL 08 is a superior game. I hate EA as much as the next guy but they outclass 2k8 in almost every category.

NHL 2K8 rocks. That game is the best!

nice I want that game!!!!...this game wil be amazing!!!

Alex Navarro - EA Employee.

NHL 08 is certainly the better hockey game this year as NHL 2k8 feels controls feel awkward and when you do manage to learn the controls, it doesn't feel right at all.

In response to saintsrowCS, the superstar moves while certainly look cool, don't really offer much in terms of gameplay. As for ohjtbehaaave, I agree that Bill Clement and Gary Thorne are an excellent commentary duo, however they were with 2K up till NHL 2k5. As a side note, if you didn't already know Bill Clement is from Buckingham, Quebec, Canada.

EA's not only made one of the best Hockey games ever; it's made one of the best, most true-to-the-sport sports games. I haven't bought an EA NHL product since NHL 2002, simply because every 2k iteration had been better. I even waited out last year, because I figured EA wouldn't have the skill stick just right, a 30 fps sports game wasn't good enough and there wouldn't be enough features. This year, they've got it right. A bullseye of a game that has made many strides. I mean, Not since Fight Night have I had to "rethink" the way I play a sports title! NHL 08 has definitely done a fantastic job of making the game more than just "Break out through the middle, turbo past and one time for the win" or "go for the big hit, get the big hit, have a 2-on-one the other way" every time. Too bad I just had to send off my red-lighted 360

was this an NHL 08 AD no mention of the superstar moves, new Goaltending or even the Face-Off System wow

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The funny thing is though VeNOM3099, that every reviewer has praised EA and wished 2K just "stole" the control scheme. NHL 08 is just simply better this year so Alex is right.

I've played BOTH games on BOTH 360 and PS3. NHL 08 is the better game imo for many reasons.... and the 360 version is better than the PS3 version. You can really see the difference in the 60fps on the 360 version... and the game just looks and plays much better. 2K8 isn't a bad game... it's just kind of stuck in the mud now. Sure the new deke stuff is nice... but the amount of button combo's you need to press to play this game is exhausting. Sports games controls need to be SIMPLE! The easier and more innovative the control... the more fun it is and you can just concentrate on GAMEPLAY... not worry about some button combo's etc... I would say I get the same feeling playing FN3. I hate the analog controls because I'm so concentrating on how to throw a certain punch... where half the time it doesn't work... and the other half of the time i'm getting my @$$ kicked because I'm not boxing... but I'm fighting with the controls. I feel the same way with NHL 2K8. I'm more focused on how to perform a shot... than on setting up a play. That's BS! On one crazy button press combo for a slap shot... I shot out a Ryu fireball and killed the Goalie. Hadouken!!! Anyways... 2K8 is a decent game... but it's getting stale to me. NHL 08 is taking hockey games up a notch and in a direction I like on the Ice. Plus it just feels NATURAL with it's control. If a games control sucks... you can pretty much bet the game will too.
The NHL 08 dev team needs to be applauded for taking hockey games in this direction with the R stick stuff. It just makes perfect sense. NHL 08 also looks better and sounds better. Quite frankly... you could use the announcers from each game as a comparision to each game. NHL 08 with Thorne and Clement are a fun listen... exciting... and quite possibly the best announcing in a sports game outside of 'MLB 07: The show's' 3 man booth. NHL 2K8 still has the same old farts from Canada who are just a sleeping pill. I know they are beloved in Canada... but they are HORRIBLE for a video game. They sound like two old crows reading off a script. Sucks! 2K really should go get Mike Emerick who does NBC, 'VS' and the Devils games. He could make a 15 hour chess match sound exciting. In the end... NHL 08 is going places... and feels like the game is being made by hockey fans/players. While 2K8 is stuck in the mud and really doesn't have much direction. 2K is now pulling a 'Madden' with the NHL 2K series... where they add a few gimmicks and ship the game with the same engine. It's stale now. Get to work 2K!

nhl 08 all the way. i've tried both games and the 2k8 pro stick is slow and jerky and has slow reaction time. i feel i have much more control with the 08 skill stick even though it's only side to side opposed to 2k8's "360, but only a few inches in any direction" degree control.

also in nhl 2k8 120 checks in ONE game by ONE team.. and that's on the lower setting. that's just ridiculous.

2K has gone downhill. i bought 2K hockey games till last year.

Man, the 2K fans really spaz out, don't they??

GO LEAFS GO
EKBERG BEING LEAFS FAN MAKES IT EVEN BETTER

I was an Ea fan, then 2k fan, NHL07 won me back and 08 just follows suit. NHL08 is just much better in my opinion

NHL 08 is just a great sports game. I'm totally hooked on it and I'm not even a big hockey fan. You really have to play a smart game against the CPU because it will take advantage of your mistakes if you give up the puck in your zone or don't cover the passing and shooting lanes. And you really do have to vary your strategies because the CPU does adjust to what you're doing. It's one of the best sports games I've ever played.

i just bought nhl 08... game's awesome

I'd have to go with 2k8 mainly for the added features. The games play pretty similarly in a lot of respects but I LOVE 2k8s featureset with all the addons they mentioned in this review. It may seem like a small difference between the multi season modes for the 2 games but 2K8 is just SO much better in a lot of ways if you prefer realism and play for the long haul not just for a few quick play games.

NHL 08 kills anything 2K8 had to offer. NHL 08 FTW.

I'm a fan of the 08, but i havent tried the any 2K hockey games, so idk, but 08 is awesome

I've always been a 2K fan. From NFL 2K back in the day to NBA 2K by far every year. But EA really stepped it up with NHL 08 this year. IMO they win easily with probably the most real hockey game ever.

I believe 2K first introduced the "skill/pro" stick concept back in nhl2k5 when it was known as the GOALIE DEKE. More so the fans at 2khockey.net than 2K but 2K regardless.

Nhl 08 wins this round hands down

Go Canucks!!!

....Luongo is GOD!

Sorry Alex... I used to believe you were the one videogame reviewer who could do a hockey videogame justice. But you have lost all credibility with your stance on both NHL games this year. To say that a game who's defensive controls are almost non-existant, who's animations (while smoother than last year) are not even capable of transitioning properly from one to the other and has bugs equal or greater than it's rival is "better" is actually quite laughable.

The proof is your comment that 2K should've "stolen" EA's control scheme. Funny, I thought it was 2K that first implemented Right Analog inputs in their NHL games before EA, although not necessarily for puck handling. And BTW, you can do much more than "just bat the puck side to side" with the PRO STICK. You must be thinking of EA's controls, but then, that's hardly surprising considering your stance on which game is "better". Wasn't it YOU who last year urged people to not dismiss NHL 07's "tough new controls" and give it a chance? How things change when hands are greased, eh?

Both games bring alot to the table this year, and it's a great year to be a hockey videogame fan. But to say that NHL 2K8 has brought NO innovation this year when nearly EVERY aspect of it was changed and improved...

As I said, no credibility. Sorry...

@RFOM: For sure. BOLTS FTW.

Oh, and skill stick FTW too. 2k is garbagio.

go lightning

NHL 08 seems like it is an awesome game, i think i'll be going with that one. Or maybe NHL 07 for $15 instead of $60.
Go Hawks!!

dude, if you haven't decided on which to play, download the nhl 08 demo on marketplacem mits awesome

Haven't tried either, but I'll probably try NHL 08 first.

Go Leafs Go.

NHL 08 has no challenge.It rocks.Go THRASHERS.WOO Stanley Cup

I love the EA series, And no doubt this year there sports games are awesome. But I have to say even if I was a complete newbie re-guarding both 2K and EA id defiantly back NHL 08.

Love hockey but the new jerseys suck ass. I agree with Alex... Hockey Jerseys are meant to be about 3 sizes too big, baggy and like these new ones just aren't.

Oh yeah... NHL 08 Rulez, 2K8 Droolz. NYI for the Stanley cup.

NHL08 all the way
just a few bugs online ive encountered but the dynasty mode and creation features are amazing.
Go Ducks!

If NHL 2k games would never freeze and ruin my seasons, I may still buy them. But NHL 08 so far has everything I need: realism, fun, great graphics, tons of features online and off and... the best feature of all, I can finish my seasons.

Ek is a Leafs fan? No way!

So what sports game does 2K do better now anyways... Basketball, is the only one left.

i just bought nhl 08... game's awesome DUDE!!!!!

NHL 08 all the way !

I used to be a 2k fan, until the last couple years. NHL 08 is vastly superior. It is far more realistic, it looks better, and it plays better. You might not be able to do as many moves but you can actually move the puck around and the skill stick allows you to put the puck where you want every time.

Trust me, NHL 08 is a much better game. Go Avs Go.

I like that Dallas was shown for most of the 2K footage. GO STARS!

Lambo is right. NHL 2K8 beats NHL 2008 in realism no doubt. Its just the way they skate, pass shoot n check.

uh lambo do u even watch hockey? I think NHL 08 is the most realestic hockey game i have ever played.

08 Plays like basketball with skates on. No team can come down the ice and setup their perfect offence everytime. 2K8 has the fast pace and hard hits of real NHL action.

Alex is bald.......on another note hockey is the best sport out there!!!
NHL 08 Is the superior one, the "pro stick" in 2k8 is a complete crappy rip-off

yay hockey