ARE NHL VIDEO GAMES NOT AS FUN AS THEY USED TO BE? 

What's one feature you would add to the NHL series if you could?

They need GM Connected back, Be a Pro with a story or more involved in general, and probably World of Chem as part of Be a Pro

EA does the bare minimum to maximize profits, everyone knows this

They should put in ‘create a play’ I remember when we could make our own breakouts, power play, penalty kill tactics.

NHL 14 was the best game ever imo, everything was perfect

I have such low expectations for EA that even having my Be a Pro lift the cup during the cut scene would be a step forward...

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The EA game is just lazy. That’s basically the bottom line. Playing NHL 20, there were so many missed opportunities to just make the game more fun. This doesnt even have to come from the gameplay itself but just stuff that you can include in the game presentation wise for example, pregame warmups, player interviews, live score updates across the league in franchise mode during a game. It’s just lazy. The current franchise mode for NHL 20 has a tshirt promo and on the tshirt it has a team logo and 2017-2018 on it.... L A Z Y

The AI sucks, defenseman don’t play correctly in front of their own net. On a 2 on 1, the guy without the puck skates past the goal line. And, goalies make stupid unrealistic saves.

EA has been copy and pasting for most of the last 8-9 years. They may as well just release roster updates.

Oh whattabout the old nhl soundtracks...😔

It kinda just feels like a money grab now

That need to add winter classic mode again that mode was so fun

Things that I want NHL to be: On PC

they should add classic nhl teams, like how 2K has their recent, classic, and all time teams

my one thing would be CPU's that know position in hockey. Ex: dont skate away from a possible 2 on 1, or stand outside the blue line as the defenseman on a power play.

It seems like the old NHL games wouldn’t cut corners and now they throw the same game out year after year

Not gonna lie if San Diego Studios took over with how they do MLB, the NHL could be amazing

I think NHL should drop ones and bring back the winter classic​

Great vid. I loved the games back in the 90s and early 20s. Now the game doesn't change much and there are too many hardcores online so now I just enjoy playing offline Season mode

Really solid video essay, DZ - keep you the great work

We need GM Connected back. I would literally fund the development of it.

2k10 one of the most underrated sports games

NHL 15 was the last one i played and i used to get it every year

Y’all complaining about GM mode or GM connected but no one mentions how far the gameplay has fallen.

Thank you for talking about the ea nhl series

Give us a Switch or PC port already EA. I am dying out here man

I'd love to see some old gamemodes back like winter classic and such

NHL Hitz 2003 is the greatest hockey video game of all time. 3000+ hours later I still miss it.

I love to see a revamp of gm mode perhaps a story mode setting with cut scenes during negotiations

Ofc they're still fun who doesn't like: Ai teammates trying to score on their team Ai dmen throwing behind the net when there's an open pass Be a pro being the same thing every year Ai dumping the puck on the pk late in the game when they're losing Too many trolls in online play The most of the skill tree is useless But hey if weren't all masochist why would we buy and play the game every year

When talking about NHL I feel like almost everyone forgets how fun the gameplay is. That is the most single important thing in any game, specially sportsgame. I played FIFA from FIFA 10 to FIFA 18 and invested my soul in the series. I´m a massive football (soccer) fan so the choice was simple for me. But in the end it was boring gameplay the killed the hype of FIFA for me. Ultimate team was and is a great game mode, but in the end it didn´t matter because the games was too dull. I have a lot of friends who still play FIFA but almost any actual game, just grinds the market or open packs. But last I rediscovered NHL, and i fell instant in love, because the gameplay is so intense and fun. NHL also made me a big fan of Hockey again. Yes, the gamemodes can improve but the main focus should always be gameplay. Love the channel from Sweden!

Haven’t bought a game since NHL 17 for a reason

Story mode for be a pro, peewee to pro with a story line of some sorts

I would add the game on pc so we could mod the game and make it exactly what we want

Man. These hockey games are a blast to play.. By far the most intense video sports game. I don't know what else other than graphics can you change. Im digging it as is

Have the be a pro like 2k19 in NBA

Obligatory "NHL 94 is the best hockey game ever created" comment

I want a new shot aiming system that allows me to shoot for open spaces rather then what ever corner I tilt my stick into (usually upper as I'm skating forward).

NHL needs a personalized Be A Pro mode with some effort out into it. It’s unacceptable to enter free agency as the Hart Trophy and Conn Smythe winner as a playmaking center and only draw two 2-year contracts from 2 teams as your agent tells you the market is dried up.

the skill stick was created out of competition with 2k

Id wanna se something like fifas the Journey but in Nhl if that made any sence

In order to make the series fun again, it requires only a few minor upgrades: AllStar weekend (skills + games), scrap the HUT, EASHL or whatever useless modes the game is full of now, focus on OFFLINE modes such as BAGM, BAP. EA, there you go, you can have that advice for free.

Seeing NHL on the switch would be cool IMO. It would be nice if they could add more to Be A Pro mode and Franchise Mode. I personally don't care about setting the price of a hot dog or a bottle of water, that just seems pretty useless. And last but not least, I know everyone says it but GM Connected. That was one of the most fun modes they ever had. I got people into hockey because of that game mode and now watch the NHL to this day because of it. Doesn't mean HUT would have to die off, just gives the fans a mode everyone wants, and could draw in new fans as well to the NHL video game series/NHL. Just my opinions. BTW, perfectly put together video Z, keep it up!

we need the ability to import teams and other data from old nhl games into the new ones

NHL 04 and NHL 06 are still my favorites. EA needs competition. Also Be a Pro desperately needs to be updated. Make it more like 2K's.

The 90s NHL games were amazing. More arcade style and focused! Even people who didn't like hockey would play those games. I also agree with a previous comment about NHL games needing to make a return to PC, as well.

Make "Be a Pro" start at childhood learning to skate (tutorial mode), key milestones like high school and college championships and tryouts, playing street for a bit, all working your way towards the pros. Then it's all about the cup

2k sports needs to start making nhl games ASAP

3:50 oh snap.

I miss NHL 94 through 98. I loved NHL 2002 for the GBA because it followed the same style as those games.

They need to bring back the All star skills contests.

a be a pro mode with an actual story

At this point I’d take NHL 14 with a roster and graphics update

Props the Metal gear sound fx!

I just started playing nhl 19 and now I’m really interested in hockey and watch the games here and now

Maybe if you couldn’t hold the back skate button to avoid being hit game play would be fair

The career mode needs to be upgraded, its literally been the same since NHL 11. It needs to be like NBA 2k where there’s a deep story mode, a my park and you can upgrade your player through offline and play as them in online too. They also need to add Gm connected and add the frostbite engine

I miss being able to play outdoor Winter Classic games! Wish they allowed you to play outdoor stadiums again

I would like to see the ease of the one-timer come back, just like in NHL 2004, and realistic puck physics

They Need To Make Be A Pro More Invaded

The fact that every team only has like 5 players with their faces in the game is embarassing. Just playing with a bunch of default faces.

I stopped playing Ea's NHL series in 2009 when they stopped releasing on the PC.

Story mode for Be A Pro for sure - it’s something that’s actually watchable for someone else to play on RU-vid which was a big push for NBA 2K. Also, the game needs to be more in depth offline which creates more interest in online modes.

Ea needs a story mode I’ve been saying this for forever!!!

Sadly, Live The Life was the last time Be A Pro was good. They could expand on that with a story driven mode where you actually “Live The Life”

My friends and still play Nhl Hitz to this day. It's so much fun.

The Slapshot motion controls. It made it so I can't go back to traditional ea hockey games. Actually having to wind up and shoot, cross check to hit, and so on, made it something I still play almost daily. I can't get out to a rink, and growing up, there was only one other hockey fan I knew. This was/is a decent substitute. I would love to see a better version of this return.

DZ, this is brilliant.

They should combine be a pro and franchise mode like how madden is

I still play nhl95 on snes and a whike back my buddies and I had some beers and fired up nhl 99 for n64 and had a downright blast.....cant say that for alot of the new stuff. I also miss the first person fights

my cousin and I were ranked #1 online in NHL 2004 multiplayer... if we lost we would pause the game, go play outside and wait for the opponent to quit

if I could add one thing, bring the series to switch and PC

I’lil suggest this one last time: revisit nhl slapshot on the Nintendo wii

great video.. I used to play a lot of hockey & football games when I was younger.. I fell off around the time ESPN football & hockey were cancelled, I just always thought them better than EA games..i still play those games today from time to time on original xbox

1. Winter classic 2. 11 vs 11 brandy mode (nhl meets FIFA) 3. Street mode with 3-6 players per team with option of in-line or quad skates and option of street puck or ball.

Bring back derpy in game glitches. They were always good for a long laugh

EASHL list of needs: -Bring back hits after the whistle -More accurate poke checks -Choosing what type of Player your CPU goalie or player is .....but that would all make too much sense and this is an EA title....

93-98ish were the greatest years for hockey video games.

What I would do is have a quick time event mode or kind of story mode. It recaps legendary moments in hockey history and puts them into a game. Examples: Leafs vs Bruins Game 7 2013, Blackhawks vs Flyers Game 6 2010 and many other amazing moments. It would tell the story throughout the “Episode” and when you needed to step in to make history it would give you a quick time event. If you fail you lose that part of the “Episode” and have to restart. Get it right, you complete that task. I would enjoy it personally but I would understand why some people wouldn’t.

It feels like the same game every year

Remember when you could break the glass with a slap shot or a hard hit? Yeah where'd that go???

I've always hoped one day an NHL game would be made where in the Be A Pro mode (or its equivalent) you also control your player off ice. Where you have to attend practices, manage fitness in the offseason, but also enjoy your money by buying cars, properties and such and actually be able to use them in the city you are playing in (unless you are on the road obviously). I want a full on NHL player experience as much detail as possible, I realize it would be a huge undertaking and probably quite niche but it would be a really interesting game mode, would probably require next gen consoles to operate.

Correct! The game hasnt changed anything in years. I want a MyLife storyline. Interviews, negotiating contracts. More or less i just want substance.

playing online is absolutely scripted and there ain't no doubt about it

I literally can't believe gm connected isn't in the game

Haven't bought an NHL game new since NHL 15 and routinely log time into NHL Hitz 2003's franchise mode still to this day

You already said Be A Pro - Story Mode. I haven't played Madden in years, but if it follows your entire career, that'll be great. Also, improving the soundtrack to have more songs.

Hasn’t really been good since NHL 12, I stopped buying them a few years back

Just want a compelling story mode like the Journey and The Longshot. Integrate some of the modes together. It would be interesting to start as a player on World of CHEL circuit, and catching the attention of your favourite team in the NHL.

story mode like madden!! i stopped playing NHL games because i got so hooked on the madden 20 FOF, its an amazing game mode and id love to see it in NHL 21.

Big up Z for the Mercedes F1 hat!!!!👍🏽

I always loved the "one timer from anywhere" goals on Breakaway 98. We had to make a no one timer rule because it was so broken.

I wouldn't know. I haven't been able to play an NHL game on PC for over 10 years now. :(

Lol I looked at the channel name to see who did this and was shocked to see "TSN"

I remember in 2K9 you could control the cup celebration after you won. If you took to long the announcers would even comment on it.

My suggestion, which I've even tried writing to EA about is bring the old looks of equipment, old great teams over many years, from Bobby Orr ( with 70's look) to Mario an Gretzky ..

NHL07 - NHL15 or so the Capitals goalie masks don't change and I'm pretty sure the others dont either, and it takes 3-4 releases for anything new to be added and make it worth buying. Making it so you can customize your pro and his equipment more (or just have more than 5 options) would be amazing, as would customizing goalie masks. Making a be a pro story of some sort or just more involved behind the scenes would be great. The 3's thing with the mascots can stay, it's really fun when a friend and I sitting in the same room play as the fridge raiders together and it becomes a silly check everything contest.

I've always wanted and thought that the introduction of the Olympic Tournament every 4 years would be cool, see how different countries would develop as new and up coming players arise as the years go on

I stopped in NHL 11 when my stick kept breaking every time I tried to take a shot from the point. When my teammates suggested practice more I quit. Will practice make my stick stop breaking? I will never know...