This review was originally published on Gaming Horizon, GameBump's predecessor. Its format does not match our own but we support its content. It was written by Brian Mohr.

After a year off the ice the NHL is back and along with it is another batch of hockey games on the market. Sony is bringing their latest version, Gretzky NHL 06, to the PlayStation Portable. The game has seen a remarkable improvement since the previous Gretzky NHL released at the handheld’s launch, but it still isn’t quite where it needs to be and probably can’t compete yet with 2K Sports’ or EA Sports’ versions if and when they come out for the PSP.

The first thing you’ll notice in Gretzky NHL 06 is that the game has very impressive visuals. This goes throughout the game; the menus are crystal clear and the cutscenes heading onto the ice are incredible. The crowd isn’t very well done graphically as they are just repetitive sticks in the stands, but everything on the ice is great. Specifically the opening sequence makes it look like you’re watching a professional game: smoke comes off the ice before the game starts, a lightshow begins as the team exists the locker room, and then the players skate by the team mascot as they approach the ring. After that occasionally the players stand for the American or Canadian anthem. The opening sequence is a wonderful display that many may just bypass through if they’re impatient, but Sony obviously put a lot of work into it.

Once the puck drops you’ll see that the in-game graphics are just as well done. For how small the screen is the players look very detailed and move realistically. It certainly looks like this game could have been a late PSOne or early PS2 title.

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This review was originally published on Gaming Horizon, GameBump's predecessor. Its format does not match our own but we support its content. It was written by Sean Kearney.

After a year of waiting, NHL hockey is finally back in stadiums and on televisions across America and Canada, and though the sport never took a break from the consoles, now is as good a time as any to pick up a Dual Shock 2 controller and hit the ice, as Gretzky NHL 06 has just been released exclusively on the PlayStation 2, with new features, new game modes, and the chance to play as “The Great One” himself.

The first thing that stands out about this game is its presentation. Gretzky NHL 06 looks and sounds like a television broadcast. Each game begins with the last few bars of the National Anthem of the respective home team’s country, then follows both teams onto the ice during introductions, and finally passes over the screaming crowd as the game’s two commentators, Mike Emrick and Darren Pang, discuss the match up of the two teams. If you are patient enough to hold out for a few seconds longer, the commentary goes on to highlight the goalies from each team while a graphic appears on the screen showing the stats for each goalie. This opening sequence lasts about a minute and a half, but is well worth sitting through, as it proves to be a very entertaining way to open each game. Once the game begins, the presentation remains just as stylized and interesting to watch, as automatic replays appear after the stop of play, introduced by a motion graphic containing the name of the team and the player involved, and feature commentary specific to the replay. The replays aren’t limited to just goals, but follow big hits and outstanding saves as well. All in all, the presentation of this game is nearly flawless.

The sound in the game is also nearly flawless, from the excited screams of the crowd to the voice of announcer Mike Carlucci; the sound of the game really keeps you involved. The sound of every slapshot, body check and save is strikingly realistic, and really lends itself to the strength of the games presentation, keeping you in the game from beginning to end. Even during practice, the sound stands out every time the puck hits the side of the net. And just try and contain your grin when the crowd goes absolutely nuts when you score a goal in a playoff game. The sound in Gretzky NHL 06 is solid.

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