NHL 2002
{{Short description|2001 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = NHL 2002
|image = NHL 2002 Coverart.png
|caption = Cover art featuring Mario Lemieux
|developer = EA Canada
Budcat Creations (GBA)
|publisher = EA Sports
|engine =
|released = {{collapsible list|title=September 18, 2001|Windows
{{vgrelease|NA|September 18, 2001{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/09/18/nhl-2002-ships |author=IGN staff |title=NHL 2002 Ships |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=September 18, 2001 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205164031/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/09/18/nhl-2002-ships |archivedate=February 5, 2024 |url-status=live |accessdate=February 5, 2024}}|EU|October 5, 2001}}PlayStation 2
{{vgrelease|NA|September 25, 2001{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/09/25/five-new-ps2-titles-ship |author=IGN staff |title=Five New PS2 Titles Ship |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=September 25, 2001 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323212042/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/09/25/five-new-ps2-titles-ship |archivedate=March 23, 2023 |url-status=live |accessdate=February 5, 2024}}|EU|October 19, 2001}}Xbox
{{vgrelease|NA|December 11, 2001{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/01/09/xbox-readers-vote-2001-sports |author=IGN staff |title=Xbox Reader's Vote 2001: Sports |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=January 8, 2002 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619153703/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/01/09/xbox-readers-vote-2001-sports |archivedate=June 19, 2024 |url-status=live |accessdate=February 16, 2025}}|EU|March 14, 2002}}Game Boy Advance
{{vgrelease|NA|March 6, 2002}}}}
|genre = Sports
|modes = Single-player, multiplayer
|series = NHL series
|platforms = PlayStation 2, Xbox, Windows, Game Boy Advance
}}
NHL 2002 is a video game released by EA Sports in 2001. It is the predecessor to NHL 2003. The game's cover man is Pittsburgh Penguins superstar and owner Mario Lemieux, who had just made a comeback after being retired for three and a half years. It was the first installment of the NHL series to be released on Xbox.
NHL 2002 was the only game in the series to be released on the Game Boy Advance. This version is an updated port of NHL 96 for the SNES,{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/03/18/nhl-2002 |author=Craig Harris |title=NHL 2002 (GBA) |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=March 18, 2002 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019165340/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/03/18/nhl-2002 |archivedate=October 19, 2021 |url-status=live |accessdate=February 5, 2024}} and contains many features from that past title.
Bill Clement is replaced by Don Taylor for NHL 2002. Taylor's quirky and often slapstick commentary style drew mixed reception from fans of the game.
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| align = left
| GBA = true
| PC = true
| PS2 = true
| XBOX = true
| na = true
| MC_GBA = 80/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/nhl-2002/critic-reviews/?platform=game-boy-advance |title=NHL 2002 critic reviews (GBA) |website=Metacritic |publisher=Fandom |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020151721/https://www.metacritic.com/game/game-boy-advance/nhl-2002 |archivedate=October 20, 2021 |url-status=live |accessdate=February 5, 2024}}
| CGW_PC = 4/5{{cite magazine |url=https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_209.pdf |author=Gord Goble |title=NHL 2002 |magazine=Computer Gaming World |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=209 |date=December 2001 |page=126 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918200236/https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_209.pdf |archivedate=September 18, 2023 |url-status=live |accessdate=February 5, 2024}}
| EGM_PS2 = 8.83/10{{cite magazine |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/c/c6/EGM_US_149.pdf |author1=Dan Leahy |author2=Kraig Kujawa |author3=Greg Sewart |title=NHL 2002 (PS2) |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=149 |date=December 2001 |page=244 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702235003/https://retrocdn.net/images/c/c6/EGM_US_149.pdf |archivedate=July 2, 2023 |url-status=live |accessdate=February 5, 2024}}{{efn|Two critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the PlayStation 2 version each a score of 9/10, and the other gave it 8.5/10.}}
| EPD_PC = 9.5/10{{cite web |url=http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=6716&full=1 |author=Jason MacIsaac |title=NHL 2002 (PC) |website=The Electric Playground |publisher=Greedy Productions Ltd. |date=September 18, 2001 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20020622164739/http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=6716&full=1 |archivedate=June 22, 2002 |url-status=dead |accessdate=February 5, 2024}}
| EuroG_XBOX = 7/10{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/r-nhl2002-x |author=Tom Bramwell |title=NHL 2002 (Xbox) |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network |date=April 12, 2002 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20020429074451/http://www.eurogamer.net/content/r_nhl2002_x |archivedate=April 29, 2002 |url-status=live |accessdate=February 5, 2024}}
| GI_PS2 = 9.5/10{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-103-november-2001/page/104/mode/2up |author=Andrew Reiner |title=NHL 2002 (PS2) |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=FuncoLand |issue=103 |date=November 2001 |page=104 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050410143947/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200111/R03.0806.1019.15997.htm |archivedate=April 10, 2005 |url-status=live |accessdate=February 16, 2025}}
| GameRev_PS2 = A−{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/33725-nhl-2002-review |author=G-Wok |title=NHL 2002 Review (PS2) |website=GameRevolution |publisher=CraveOnline |date=October 2001 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150622220603/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/nhl-2002 |archivedate=June 22, 2015 |url-status=live |accessdate=October 17, 2021}}
| GSpot_PC = 9.2/10{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nhl-2002-review/1900-2813489/ |author=Michael E. Ryan |title=NHL 2002 Review (PC) |website=GameSpot |publisher=Fandom |date=September 19, 2001 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20011004055414/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/reviews/0,10867,2813489,00.html |archivedate=October 4, 2001 |url-status=live |accessdate=February 5, 2024}}
| GSpy_PS2 = 88%{{cite web |url=http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/october01/nhl2002/ |author=Ralph "Gizzo" Sparkes |title=NHL Hockey 2002 [sic] (PS2) |website=GameSpy |publisher=IGN Entertainment |date=October 20, 2001 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20041228114230/http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/october01/nhl2002/ |archivedate=December 28, 2004 |url-status=dead |accessdate=June 22, 2015}}
| NGen_PS2 = 4/5{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/NextGen84Dec2001/page/n109/mode/2up |author=Jim Preston |title=NHL 2002 (PS2) |magazine=NextGen |publisher=Imagine Media |issue=84 |date=December 2001 |page=108 |accessdate=October 17, 2021}}
| OPM_PS2 = 4.5/5{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/official-us-playstation-magazine-issue-50-november-2001/page/160/mode/2up |author=Todd Zuniga |title=NHL 2002 |magazine=Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=50 |date=November 2001 |page=160 |accessdate=February 5, 2024}}
| OXM_XBOX = 8.6/10{{cite magazine |title=NHL 2002 |magazine=Official Xbox Magazine |publisher=Imagine Media |date=January 2002}}
| PCGUS_PC = 83%{{cite magazine |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/review_2002-01-02u.html |author=Jim Preston |title=NHL 2002 |magazine=PC Gamer |publisher=Imagine Media |volume=8 |issue=12 |date=December 2001 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20020117204403/http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/review_2002-01-02u.html |archivedate=January 17, 2002 |url-status=dead |accessdate=June 22, 2015}}
| rev1 = BBC Sport
| rev1_XBOX = 90%{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/funny_old_game/1867365.stm |author=David Gibbon |title=Let's play: NHL 2002 (Xbox) |website=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=March 12, 2002 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610232338/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/funny_old_game/1867365.stm |archivedate=June 10, 2016 |url-status=live |accessdate=June 22, 2015}}
| rev2 = Maxim
| rev2_PC = 10/10{{cite magazine |url=http://www.maximonline.com/articles/review_videogames.asp?videogame_id=1193 |author=Ryan Boyce |title=NHL 2002 (PC) |magazine=Maxim |publisher=MaximNet, Inc. |date=September 22, 2001 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20011229013535/http://www.maximonline.com/articles/review_videogames.asp?videogame_id=1193 |archivedate=December 29, 2001 |url-status=dead |accessdate=June 22, 2015}}
}}
The PlayStation 2 version received "universal acclaim", while the rest of the console versions received "generally favorable reviews", according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. Jim Preston of NextGen{{'}}s December 2001 issue said of the PS2 version, "Only frustrating defensive controls mar another brilliant effort from EA Sports." The magazine later said of the Xbox version in its final issue, "the only real issue we have is that the game's defensive AI is rather flawed, somewhat marring an otherwise incredible experience." In Japan, where the former console version was ported for release on February 7, 2002, Famitsu gave it a score of 29 out of 40.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=9239&redirect=no |title=NHL 2002 (PS2) |language=ja |magazine=Famitsu |publisher=Enterbrain |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019202551/https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=9239&redirect=no |archivedate=October 19, 2021 |url-status=dead |accessdate=February 5, 2024}}
Kevin Krause of GameZone gave the PS2 version 9.1 out of 10, calling it "A landmark release in that it is the first PS2 game to support Dolby™ Pro Logic and DTS™ sound. These surround sound technologies allow for realistic environmental surround sound like you've never heard it before."{{cite web |url=http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r18456.htm |author=Kevin Krause |title=NHL 2002 Review - PlayStation 2 |website=GameZone |date=October 7, 2001 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005040753/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r18456.htm |archivedate=October 5, 2008 |url-status=dead |accessdate=June 22, 2015}} Kevin "Biff" Giacobbi gave the PC version 9 out of 10, calling it "A great game, but true hockey fans that buy the latest and greatest that EA gives us each year will not see a whole lot of changes."{{cite web |url=http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r18456.htm |author=Kevin "BIFF" Giacobbi |title=NHL 2002 Review on PC |website=GameZone |date=October 11, 2001 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050426161520/http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r18456.htm |archivedate=April 26, 2005 |url-status=dead |accessdate=June 22, 2015}} Christopher Allen of AllGame gave the same PC version three-and-a-half stars out of five, however, saying, "Despite the unwise decision to hire Don Taylor, NHL 2002 will appeal more to the arcade action camp than the purist. While most of the new additions don't work as well as planned, it is encouraging to see fresh ideas implemented. NHL 2002 is fun to play, but isn't particularly true to the sport, which may disturb true hockey fans with its slip away from realism."{{cite web |last=Allen |first=Christopher |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=35181&tab=review |title=NHL 2002 (PC) - Review |website=AllGame |publisher=All Media Network |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141116032828/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=35181&tab=review |archivedate=November 16, 2014 |url-status=dead |accessdate=June 22, 2015}} Will Abner of Computer Games Magazine gave the same PC version a similar score of three-and-a-half stars out of five, saying, "while some features are better, the most important part—the AI—has received little attention. While it's still a fun game, it's not much of an improvement over last year's edition."{{cite magazine |url=http://www.cgonline.com/reviews/nhl2002-01-r1.html |author=William Abner |title=NHL 2002 |magazine=Computer Games Magazine |publisher=theGlobe.com |date=November 6, 2001 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20020421215457/http://www.cgonline.com/reviews/nhl2002-01-r1.html |archivedate=April 21, 2002 |url-status=dead |accessdate=October 17, 2021}}
Air Hendrix of GamePro said of the PlayStation 2 version, "While the PS2 competition from 989 Sports and Konami won't hit the ice until November at the earliest, NHL 2002 plays so well that it's this year's front-running favorite. If you're interested in hockey in the slightest, this is the game to buy."{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/16991.shtml |author=Air Hendrix |title=NHL 2002 Review for PS2 on GamePro.com |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG |date=September 27, 2001 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050214002112/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/16991.shtml |archivedate=February 14, 2005 |url-status=dead |accessdate=June 22, 2015}}{{efn|GamePro gave the PlayStation 2 version two 4.5/5 scores for graphics and sound, and two 5/5 scores for control and fun factor.}} He later said of the Xbox version, "An excellent package of slick graphics and topnotch sound complete[s] NHL 2002{{'}}s impressive outing."{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/18900.shtml |author=Air Hendrix |title=NHL 2002 Review for Xbox on GamePro.com |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG |date=December 6, 2001 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050209090706/http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/18900.shtml |archivedate=February 9, 2005 |url-status=dead |accessdate=June 22, 2015}}{{efn|GamePro gave the Xbox version two 4/5 scores for graphics and sound, 4.5/5 for control, and 5/5 for fun factor.}} He also said of the Game Boy Advance version, "If fast, playable hockey sounds appealing, you won't go wrong with NHL 2002."{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gameboy_advance/games/reviews/24121.shtml |author=Air Hendrix |title=NHL 2002 Review for Game Boy Advance on GamePro.com |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG |date=June 10, 2002 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20041213035936/http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gameboy_advance/games/reviews/24121.shtml |archivedate=December 13, 2004 |url-status=dead |accessdate=June 22, 2015}}{{efn|GamePro gave the Game Boy Advance version three 4/5 scores for graphics, control, and fun factor, and 3.5/5 for sound.}}
The staff of Computer Games Magazine nominated the PC version as the best sports game of 2001, but ultimately gave the award to High Heat Major League Baseball 2002.{{cite magazine |author=CGM staff |title=11th Annual Computer Games Awards |magazine=Computer Games Magazine |publisher=theGlobe.com |issue=136 |date=March 2002 |pages=50–56}} The game was also nominated for the "Best Sports Game" (PC version) and "Best Sports, Traditional Game" (console versions) awards at GameSpot{{'}}s Best and Worst of 2001 Awards, both of which went to FIFA 2002 and NBA 2K2, respectively.{{cite web |url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/pc/bestof_2001/p3_19.html |author=GameSpot staff |title=GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2001 (PC: Best Sports Game Nominees) |website=GameSpot |publisher=CNET |year=2001 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20020604055611/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/pc/bestof_2001/p3_19.html |archivedate=June 4, 2002 |url-status=dead |accessdate=February 16, 2025}}{{cite web |url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/bestof_2001/p3_11.html |author=GameSpot staff |title=The Best and Worst of 2001 (Best Sports, Traditional Game Nominees) |website=GameSpot |publisher=CNET |year=2001 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20020609023748/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/bestof_2001/p3_11.html |archivedate=June 9, 2002 |url-status=dead |accessdate=October 17, 2021}} The PC version also received a nomination for the "PC Sports" award at the 5th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, but ultimately lost to FIFA 2002.{{cite web |url=http://www.interactive.org/awards/IAA-5/winners.asp |title=5th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards: Winners |website=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040603022924/http://www.interactive.org/awards/IAA-5/winners.asp |archivedate=June 3, 2004 |url-status=dead |accessdate=February 5, 2024}} The game was also nominated at The Electric Playground{{'}}s 2001 Blister Awards for "Best Sports Game for PC" and "Best Canadian Console Game of the Year", but lost both to High Heat Major League Baseball 2002 and NHL Hitz 2002.{{cite web |url=http://www.elecplay.com/feature.html?id=8152&page=3 |author=EP staff |title=Blister Awards 2001 (PC Games 2) |website=The Electric Playground |publisher=Greedy Productions Ltd. |year=2002 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030713061431/http://www.elecplay.com/feature.html?id=8152&page=3 |archivedate=July 13, 2003 |url-status=dead |accessdate=February 6, 2024}}{{cite web |url=http://www.elecplay.com/feature.html?id=8152&page=7 |author=EP staff |title=Blister Awards 2001 (Special Awards) |website=The Electric Playground |publisher=Greedy Productions Ltd. |year=2002 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030713062509/http://www.elecplay.com/feature.html?id=8152&page=7 |archivedate=July 13, 2003 |url-status=dead |accessdate=February 6, 2024}}
{{clear}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{moby game|id=/5541/nhl-2002/}}
- {{moby game|id=/45524/nhl-2002/|name=NHL 2002 (Game Boy Advance)}}
{{NHL series}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Budcat Creations games
Category:Electronic Arts games
Category:Game Boy Advance games
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:NHL (video game series)
Category:Video games developed in Canada
Category:Video games scored by Rom Di Prisco
Category:Video games scored by Saki Kaskas
Category:Video games scored by Stuart Chatwood
Category:Video games set in 2001
Category:Video games set in 2002
Category:Video games set in Canada