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NHL 2K9 to be first hockey sim on Wii photo

Attention, bleep: your prayers (see eighth comment) have been answered. Today, 2K Sports announced that they will be releasing NHL 2K9 on the Wii this year. It will be the first officially licensed hockey videogame on the Wii, so all you Wii owners who have been waiting so patiently for this can stop complaining (not that the complaints weren’t warranted, of course).

The press release (after the jump) mentions that you’ll be able to “play like the pros using the Wii Remote™ controller as a hockey stick,” and that certainly sounds exciting. Apparently, the Wiimote will be used to control face-offs and shots. The most heartening news of all is that the Wii version won’t be dumbed down; 2K President Christoph Hartmann promises that the game will have “the full feature set as available on other platforms.”

I just feel sad for Wii owners because EA isn’t putting out NHL 09 on the Wii (at least, they haven’t said anything about a Wii version yet). The general consensus last year was that EA’s game blew 2K’s effort out of the water, so if that trend continues this year, Wii owners will be stuck with an inferior game as their only hockey option. Of course, that’s something like the Sony-exclusive baseball game MLB 08: The Show -- I feel so bad that people who don’t own a PS3, PS2, or PSP are forced to play MLB 2K8.

Anyway 2K has sent along the cover artwork (featuring Rick Nash) for the game’s four platforms (PS3, 360, Wii, PS2); you can view them in the gallery below. NHL 2K9 will be out this fall.

2K Sports Announces NHL® 2K9 as First Official NHL and NHLPA Licensed Hockey Video Game for the Wii Console

Exciting NHL hockey action pairs up with fun new features and Wii Remote™ controls

New York, NY – June 12, 2008 – 2K Sports, the sports publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), today announced that the next iteration of the popular hockey franchise, NHL 2K9, will be coming to the Wii™ console from Nintendo this fall. As the first and only officially licensed NHL and NHLPA video game for Wii, NHL 2K9 will offer fans the fun opportunity to play like the pros using the Wii Remote™ controller as a hockey stick, and enjoy playing hockey in a wholly unique and entertaining experience like never before.

“Nintendo is thrilled to have 2K Sports’ NHL 2K9 on the Wii platform this season,” said Steve Singer, VP of Licensing at Nintendo of America Inc. “This title has been highly anticipated by our Wii consumers who will now be able to use the Wii Remote to face-off, play hockey, and fire a slap shot in their living rooms.”

In celebration of NHL 2K9 for Wii, Nintendo’s most iconic video game character, Mario™, will be walking down the red carpet during the 2008 NHL Awards tonight at the Elgin Theatre, 6:15 p.m. ET in Toronto. Fans in attendance will also have the special opportunity to meet and greet Mario and have their picture taken with him.

“It’s our goal this year to bring the fun back to hockey video games,” said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. “NHL 2K9 for Wii includes the full feature set as available on other platforms, and added Wii Remote controls and other exciting features specific for the Wii console will allow dedicated fans the opportunity to fully enjoy and embrace NHL hockey in a brand new experience.”

NHL 2K9, being developed by Visual Concepts, is not yet rated by the ESRB, and will be available this fall for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Wii console from Nintendo, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system.


LAUNCH GALLERY (4 IMAGES)
Photo Photo Photo Photo
 

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17 comments | showing # 1 to 17

Rockvillian's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/12/2008 17:14
Rockvillian
I'll take a fun hockey game.

Also, Nintendo should really consider doing a remake of Ice Hockey. And maybe I'll go back in time to play NHL 98 on my PC for the first time. "OHHHHHh a TRUCK hit him!"
CelicaCrazed's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/12/2008 17:15
CelicaCrazed
YAY!!! While I would prefer EA's, I'm more than happy for this announcement.
DaedHead8's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/12/2008 17:19
DaedHead8
I agree with RockVilian when it comes to remake of Ice Hockey. Someone needs to get it done.
bhive01's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/12/2008 17:29
bhive01
Is that a screenshot?

The graphics on the Wii have come a long way eh?
Rockvillian's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/12/2008 17:36
Rockvillian
@DaedHead

In case Nintendo is listening, let's make sure our enthusiasm is for a remake of Ice Hockey without Mario or... Birdo. Just fat dudes, skinny dudes, and all around AWESOME dudes.
NihonTiger90's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/12/2008 17:39
NihonTiger90
I want to see the graphics first. It better not look loike NHL 08 on the PS2, which looked exactly like NHL 04 on the PS2.
thunderleg's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/12/2008 17:51
thunderleg
I doubt it would be naerly accurate enough to work.

Aim a wrist-shot for the top-left corner, your guy passes it behind him...

STRONGLY pessimistic about this....
fishcanon's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/12/2008 18:02
fishcanon
see the community blog i just posted, dude breaks his neck playing wii hockey
Too Much Coffee Man's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/12/2008 18:06
Too Much Coffee Man
I'd rather see a cleaner more toony style simlar to Wii sports. But maybe not using Wiis, just more old school toony art.
tripled153's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/12/2008 18:20
tripled153
Finally for fuck sakes.
Tug Your God Out's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/12/2008 19:47
Tug Your God Out
Yeah...the only PC gaming I do is EA's series. I have a copy of every single one since the series begining...actually I have two copies of 00 and 04 for some reason.

It's just easier to edit and update the rosters yourself than it is on the consoles. And I'm sure I'd just fill up the Wii's "hard drive" with just created players.

Just not sure how this is going to work without a traditional scheme -- so hopefully I can just use my GameCube controler....though I'll probably just wind up getting it on another console.

Now can we get NHL Head Coach/GM 09? I'd kill for that.
Milkman519's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/12/2008 20:15
Milkman519
@bhive01
*facepalm*
godkow's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/12/2008 21:12
godkow
@Milkman519
*facepalm*
CSampson's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/13/2008 00:13
CSampson
I'm gonna be really skeptical on this one. While I have been interested in this concept for a long time, and it certainly sounds innovated, I just can't see it being successful. I like EAs innovation a lot more with the analog sticks. Maybe this is where the two series will differentiate from here on in? EA for the more hardcore, and 2K for the more casual?
Tug Your God Out's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/13/2008 08:32
Tug Your God Out
I also want a "Pull Out Harvey Hound" mini-game, and "Whack-a-Don-Cherry" if you make it more casual. Or a game where Stamkos strokes Barry Melrose's mullet and goes into hyper-Stamkos mode.

How about for negotiations you spin the wheel to get Jaromir Jagr's next whacky claim. I'D LOVE TO STAY IN NEW YORK!! I'M RETIRING!!! I'M TESTING THE MARKET!!! I'M PLAYING FOR THE RUSSIAN MAFIA IN OMSK!!!

Despite the fact that you'd think Jagr would be reminded every time he looks at his jersey number about what the Soviets did to his homeland and family.

And a Duck Hunt-esque FIRE Don Waddell game. Hartsburg's now Ottawa's coach. There goes your only decent situation in all of this. Poor Thrasher fans.

Casual gaming and hockey have a shit ton more amazing possibilities.
Qwikstreet's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/13/2008 12:45
Qwikstreet
I can't wait for the Wii version. Wow, so many EA Sports titles I want this year for the Wii. That makes me feel dirty.
bleep's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/18/2008 01:23
bleep
HEAD ASPLODE
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