NHL 2K9 (PLAYSTATION 2 PS2)

NHL 2K9 is 2K Sports' entry into hockey gaming for the 2008-2009 season. The game is built on the same engine as most previous 2K hockey games, and features include Season, Franchise, 2-on-2 Mini Rink, 4-on-4 Pond Hockey, and Shootout modes. Season mode lets you take basic control of an NHL team and guide it through a full 82-game schedule, plus (if you're good enough) the playoffs. Franchise is like season mode, but much deeper. In it, you guide a team through multiple hockey seasons and control options such as drafting, signing contracts, free agency, and hiring staff. 2v2 and 4v4 modes allow you and a friend to choose a team of players (3 or 5, depending on the mode) and compete against each other in an arcade-style open hockey game. The shootout works just like a shootout in real hockey: three skaters on each side take alternate shots at the goaltender, and most goals are winners. Apart from game modes, you also have the option to create your own player or team from scratch, as well as edit the existing roster (i.e. make trades, change line combination) as you like.