Software:ESPN NHL Hockey

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Short description: 2003 video game released by Sega
ESPN NHL Hockey
Developer(s)Kush Games
Publisher(s)Sega
Platform(s)PlayStation 2, Xbox
Release
Genre(s)Sports
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

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.

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
Review scores
PublicationScore
PS2Xbox
EGM8.83/10[8]8.83/10[8][lower-alpha 1]
Game Informer8.5/10[9]8.5/10[10]
GameRevolutionA−[11]A−[11]
GameSpot9/10[12]9/10[12]
GameZone9.5/10[13]9.4/10[14]
IGN9.3/10[15]9.3/10[15]
OPM (US)StarStarStarStarHalf star[16]N/A
OXM (US)N/A8.9/10[17]
TeamXboxN/A9.1/10[18]
X-PlayStarStarStar[19]StarStarStar[19]
The Village VoiceN/A8/10[20]
Aggregate score
Metacritic90/100[6]88/100[7]

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][lower-alpha 2]

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.

References

  1. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (December 1, 2003). "What Was New?!". Gamer Network. Archived from the original on December 13, 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20031213104418/http://eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=53986. Retrieved November 10, 2024. 
  2. ↑ "ESPN NHL Hockey". Archived from the original on November 16, 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20031116112840/http://www.gpstore.com.au/product.x?1457728. Retrieved July 3, 2024. 
  3. ↑ IGNPS2 staff (October 1, 2003). "Game of the Month: September 2003". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on June 30, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240630172336/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/10/01/game-of-the-month-september-2003. Retrieved November 10, 2024. 
  4. ↑ Xbox, Pure (2023-11-16). "Xbox Live 1.0 Replacement 'Insignia' Now Supports 150 Games" (in en-GB). https://www.purexbox.com/news/2023/11/xbox-live-1-0-replacement-insignia-now-supports-150-games. 
  5. ↑ "Insignia - ESPN NHL Hockey (NTSC)" (in en). https://insignia.live/games/53450026#. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "ESPN NHL Hockey critic reviews (PS2)". Fandom. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230419180427/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/espn-nhl-hockey. Retrieved November 10, 2024. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "ESPN NHL Hockey critic reviews (Xbox)". Fandom. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230419180430/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/espn-nhl-hockey. Retrieved November 10, 2024. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Linn, Demian; Sewart, Greg; Intihar, Bryan (October 2003). "ESPN NHL Hockey". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (171): 138. Archived from the original on January 1, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040101150810/http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0,4364,1304697,00.asp. Retrieved November 10, 2024. 
  9. ↑ Reiner, Andrew (October 2003). "ESPN NHL Hockey (PS2)". Game Informer (GameStop) (126): 121. https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-126-october-2003/page/120/mode/2up. Retrieved November 10, 2024. 
  10. ↑ Kato, Matthew (October 2003). "ESPN NHL Hockey (Xbox)". Game Informer (GameStop) (126): 138. Archived from the original on November 24, 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20031124112256/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200310/R03.1016.1219.05890.htm. Retrieved November 10, 2024. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 G-Wok (October 2003). "ESPN [NHL Hockey Review"]. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on October 9, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151009191437/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/espn-hockey. Retrieved November 11, 2024. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Navarro, Alex (September 11, 2003). "ESPN NHL Hockey Review". Fandom. Archived from the original on March 19, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230319105003/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/espn-nhl-hockey-review/1900-6074531/. Retrieved November 10, 2024. 
  13. ↑ Valentino, Nick (September 22, 2003). "ESPN NHL Hockey - PS2 - Review". Archived from the original on December 30, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081230030237/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r22558.htm. Retrieved November 11, 2024. 
  14. ↑ Surette, Tim (September 23, 2003). "ESPN NHL Hockey - XB - Review". Archived from the original on June 4, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090604155155/http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r22558.htm. Retrieved November 11, 2024. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Carle, Chris (September 9, 2003). "ESPN NHL Hockey". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on November 10, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20241110170702/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/09/09/espn-nhl-hockey. Retrieved November 10, 2024. 
  16. ↑ "HSPN NHL Hockey". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) (73): 120. October 2003. 
  17. ↑ "ESPN NHL Hockey". Official Xbox Magazine (Future US): 81. October 2003. 
  18. ↑ Guidi, Tony (September 12, 2003). "ESPN NHL Hockey Review (Xbox)". IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on January 12, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110112225621/http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox/568/ESPN-NHL-Hockey/p1/. Retrieved November 11, 2024. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Marriott, Scott Alan (November 6, 2003). "'ESPN NHL Hockey' (PS2, Xbox) Review". TechTV. Archived from the original on November 8, 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20031108070610/http://www.techtv.com/xplay/reviews/story/0,24330,3555937,00.html. Retrieved November 11, 2024. 
  20. ↑ Catucci, Nick (September 30, 2003). "Make like a toothless wonder and get the puck outta here". The Village Voice (Village Voice, LLC). https://www.villagevoice.com/joysticks/. 
  21. ↑ Air Hendrix (November 2003). "ESPN NHL Hockey 2K4 [sic"]. GamePro (IDG) (182): 152. Archived from the original on February 12, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050212142902/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/31014.shtml. Retrieved November 10, 2024. 
  22. ↑ "7th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards: Winners". Archived from the original on June 3, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040603030536/http://www.interactive.org/awards/IAA-7/winners.asp. Retrieved November 10, 2024. 
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628. 
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