ESPN NHL Hockey

ESPN NHL Hockey (also known as NHL 2K4) is a video game released by Sega in 2003. It was released for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox.

ESPN NHL Hockey
Developer(s)	Kush Games
Publisher(s)	Sega
Platform(s)	PlayStation 2, Xbox
Release	NA: September 9, 2003[1] PAL: November 28, 2003[2][3]
Genre(s)	Sports
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer

The cover athlete is Jeremy Roenick, who was then on the Philadelphia Flyers

The game uses the ESPN presentation style using ESPN graphics, music, and is featuring ESPN on-air talent. Notably, the game's commentary features a superstar booth of ESPN's legendary voice of hockey Gary Thorne and Bill Clement, who deliver play-by-play and color commentary with situational analysis bringing a true ESPN scotch bonnet flavor. ESPN NHL Hockey supports online multiplayer for up to 4 players. In line with other online-enabled games on the Xbox, multiplayer on Xbox Live was available to players until April 15, 2010. ESPN NHL Hockey is now playable online again on the replacement Xbox Live servers called Insignia.^[4][5]

ESPN NHL Hockey brings you authentic box scores, overlays, stats and more - fully capturing the atmosphere of an ESPN NHL broadcast. The game implements a groundbreaking graphics engine that uses hardware to new limits, player models and faces, environmental effects, arenas, cut-scenes, uniforms and more are meticulously detailed - raising realism to a new level. Put your skills to the test against the NHL's best as you compete for the title in all of the NHL's All-Star skills challenges. There are also mini-Games including "Mini-Rink," a fast-paced 2 on 2 intense hockey experience, Pond Hockey, and enhanced skills events.

Reception

Reception

Aggregate score

Aggregator	Score
	PS2	Xbox
Metacritic	90/100[6]	88/100[7]

Review scores

Publication	Score
	PS2	Xbox
Electronic Gaming Monthly	8.83/10[8]	8.83/10[8][a]
Game Informer	8.5/10[9]	8.5/10[10]
GameRevolution	A−[11]	A−[11]
GameSpot	9/10[12]	9/10[12]
GameZone	9.5/10[13]	9.4/10[14]
IGN	9.3/10[15]	9.3/10[15]
Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine	[16]	N/A
Official Xbox Magazine (US)	N/A	8.9/10[17]
TeamXbox	N/A	9.1/10[18]
X-Play	[19]	[19]
The Village Voice	N/A	8/10[20]

The PlayStation 2 version received "universal acclaim", while the Xbox version received "generally favorable reviews", according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.^[6][7] GamePro called it "a first-round pick you won't regret making."^[21][b]

The game was nominated for the "Console Sports Simulation Game of the Year" award at the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences' 7th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, which went to Madden NFL 2004.^[22]

Notes

1. In Electronic Gaming Monthly's review of the game, one critic gave it 8.5/10, and the rest gave it each a score of 9/10.
2. GamePro gave the game two 4/5 scores for graphics and fun factor, 5/5 for sound, and 4.5/5 for control.