- NHL 07
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NHL 07 
Alexander Ovechkin on the cover of NHL 07Developer(s) EA Canada (Xbox 360 and PSP)
EA Montreal (PS2, Xbox, PC)Publisher(s) EA Sports Platform(s) Xbox 360
Xbox
PS2
PC
PSPRelease date(s) - EU September 22, 2006
- AUS October 20, 2006 (PSP)
Genre(s) Sports - Ice Hockey Sim Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer, multiplayer online Rating(s) Media/distribution DVD NHL 07 is an ice hockey video game. It was released on September 12, 2006,[1] the successor to NHL 06. The game improved the series' gameplay with more realistic features, such as stickhandling and a wider variety of controller schemes. The Xbox 360 version features a completely revamped game and graphics engine from the predecessor, while the other versions are left behind with the old engine. It is the only game in the series to have a PSP version.
Contents
Features
- Tagline: "Win Every Battle"
- Covers: Alexander Ovechkin (main)
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- Teemu Selänne (Finland)
- Henrik Lundqvist (Sweden)
Improvements
The game features a newly designed control setup in some versions, eliminating the need to use the face buttons. The new Skill Stick Revolution feature produces different types of shots and dekes. This was a major selling point of the game and one of the biggest redesigns of the series. Unlike previous entries, NHL 07 allowed the player to use the analog stick to stickhandle and deke by moving the stick side to side. Special movements of the stick can make the player do a creative deke. The use of the stick and triggers on the console versions eliminated the need to use the face buttons; however a classic setup can be used so that the player can still use the face buttons and skill stick at the same time if so preferred. The convenience of this allows the player to play the classic controls before becoming comfortable using the skill stick.
Gameplay features
NHL 07 features 4 European leagues - Germany's Deutsche Eishockey Liga, Sweden's Elitserien, Finland's SM-liiga, and the Czech Republic's Tipsport Extraliga.
Commentary is provided by Gary Thorne and Bill Clement for the Xbox 360 version of the game, however, Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson return for the current generation and PSP versions. NHL 07 for the Xbox 360 features analog stick control and a brand new physics system which eliminates the magnetic type possession of the puck which have been used in past NHL games.
Demo
The Xbox 360 Demo was released through the Xbox Live Marketplace on September 7, 2006. The demo features a shootout between the Edmonton Oilers and Carolina Hurricanes. The settings allow the NHL shootout rules to be turned off, to allow the player the ability to easily learn the new control scheme. Washington Capitals' forward and 2006 Calder Trophy winner Alexander Ovechkin is featured on the cover.
Soundtrack
Reception Review scores Publication Score Electronic Gaming Monthly 8.25/10 Game Informer 7.2/10 GameSpot 8.2/10 IGN 8.7/10 NHL 2007 Soundtrack Artist Song Anti-Flag "This is the End (For You My Friend)" Bloodpit "Platitude" Cute Is What We Aim For "There's a Class for This" Gatsbys American Dream "Theatre" Good Riddance "Darkest Days" Goodnight Nurse "My Only" Hurt "Unkind" Inkwell "Ecuador is Lovely This Time of Year" Mashlin "The Shore" Mobile "Montreal Calling" NOFX "Wolves in Wolves' Clothing" Pilate "Barely Listening" Pistolita "Beni Accident" Priestess "Talk to Her" Protest the Hero "Divinity Within" Quietdrive "Rise from the Ashes" The Hellacopters "Bring it on Home" Stratton Whitaker
There is an ice hockey center in the game named Stratton Whitaker who was a child from the Make-A-Wish foundation who had muscular dystrophy whose last wish was to have his likeness in an NHL game. Whitaker died shortly before the game was made. In the game, he starts in the free agent pool with an 81 overall. However, as his potential is 99, his overall eventually rises to 99 after 3 years. The only other player in the game (who isn't user created) who is also like this is Raphael Couture.
References
External links
NHL series 1990s 2000s 2010s Categories:- 2006 video games
- Electronic Arts games
- PlayStation 2 games
- PlayStation Portable games
- Xbox games
- Xbox 360 games
- Windows games
- Electronic Arts NHL series
- EA Sports games
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