NHL 2K2 - Sega Dreamcast

The key word is simulation. There are no arcade trappings to be found here. The pace is toned down to match the speed of the real sport, goals are infrequent and hard-won, and the offensive and defensive strategies come straight from the hockey textbooks. The graphics are excellent, and special note must be made of the phenomenal animation for everything from the players to the spinning puck (which flips end-over-end after particularly aggressive slap shots and careens realistically off any object it encounters). Beginners will have an easy enough time warming up to the controls in the default mode, but much more depth is offered by switching to the advanced control layout. Here, button combos make nearly any trick possible, from dekes and precise shot control to hooks and side steps. The more you put into the game, the more it rewards you, and the enhanced AI makes single-player games nearly as challenging as a multiplayer match.

Everything from an exhibition mode to a full-blown career mode is offered, and plenty of options exist for adjusting penalties, toggling rules, and setting the overall speed of the game. There's no way to turn it into an over-the-top arcade experience like NHL Hitz, but as the focus here is strictly on simulation, that's not really a problem. As it stands, NHL 2K2 is among the best sports games ever released, and we can think of no more fitting swan song for the Dreamcast. --T. Byrl Baker

Pros: Lifelike animations, realistic physics, and a focus on simulation bring the game of hockey right into your home Incredibly tough AI offers a consistent challenge Advanced control mode gives expert players more options than ever Cons: Graphics overall are not as sharp as those found on Xbox or GameCube Sound--especially crowd noise--is lackluster

Amazon.com Product Description
NHL 2K2 for Dreamcast features all-new gameplay modes, a revamped graphics engine, and an improved player and team AI. You will have tighter and more detailed control than ever before: control whether you use your finesse skater to avoid the crushing checks of the defense or bring in your own intimidating checking line to loosen up the opposition. Shadow the other team's best player with your defensive specialist and protect your star with your enforcer. Fight along the boards to dig out the puck or fight against the other team's enforcer man-to-man. Use franchise mode to take a struggling team to the Stanley Cup finals by building up slowly through the draft or choose to win right away through crafty trades and free-agent signings. International teams allow you to have your own tournament to see which country rules the hockey roost.