The two controls schemes (classic face buttons vs. right stick) are back, and if you had a favorite last year there's nothing there to change your mind. What is different and extremely noticeable are some of the best animations you'll see in a sports game. There are clearly specific movement animations new to this year's game that make the flow of the action more realistic than ever. In fact, everything about the presentation is impressive - the crowds are loud when they're supposed to be and they seem to build with momentum. They definitely soar at the right moments, like breakaways. The only visuals that are off are the player's faces, which look terrible up close.

Compared to 2k8, the computer controlled defense is a lot better. No longer are is the perimeter of the zone yours to skate around at will. Defensemen will challenge the puck wherever it goes, as they're supposed to. But at the same time, passing is too easy. There aren't too many missed passes, so as long as you avoid defenders your players will all pass like all-stars. That might be the most unrealistic part of the game, but it makes the game fast and fun as a trade-off.

In addition to easy passing, the effect of checking has been toned down. In the past, it was relatively easy to knock a player off his feet. This time around the power of the check is a lot more muted. These two changes make 2k9 a much more offense-oriented affair than in the past without making it glaringly unlike real hockey. It's just free-wheeling enough to be more fun that a brutal simulation without offending serious puck heads.

Penalties, however, are the first glaring problem. There are a lot more tripping penalties called than anything else. In fact, there's a good chance you'll go a game or two without seeing any other penalty. The other killer is the franchise mode, which still leaves star players unsigned during the off season. That means you can stock up on talent while other teams go without. It's a huge bug that makes playing franchises beyond year one almost pointless.

Online, the game is great. Particularly interesting is getting an online game going with 12 players. That's right, each spot on the ice can be controlled by a real, live human. There's nothing like watching a swarm of players follow the puck like kiddies playing their first soccer game. There's also nothing like getting together a few friends to play the game right and hang 20 goals on them.

Without the franchise problem, NHL 2k9 would be recommendation with no qualifications. The other issues are easy to overlook because the game plays so smoothly and is so much fun. When deciding between hockey games this year, it looks like either choice is a safe bet.