21 reviews
Sales Rank: 25477

Platform: Playstation2
Genre: Action Games
ESRB: Everyone
Media: Video Game
Operating System: Playstation 2
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.6

UPC: 711719711025
EAN: 0711719711025
ASIN: B0000520JK

Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Accessories:

•	PlayStation: The Official Magazine (1-year)
•	Electronic Gaming Monthly
•	Play
•	Tips & Tricks Magazine

Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com Review
Though this game looks like nothing more than a souped-up version of its PS One cousin--there's very little that separates the visuals in this game from the previous PlayStation versions--NHL FaceOff 2001 does reliably score in most other categories.

The game has all of the usual bells and whistles associated with a big-time interactive hockey simulation, as well as a few new ones such as the puck halo, which makes the puck easier to see when it's in the corners or in front of the net. Gamers can take to the ice against a team of all-time hockey legends, including Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, Phil Esposito, and Marcel Dionne. They can also draft and build their own teams from scratch.

For those new to the series, FaceOff's all-new practice mode allows you to get a feel for the game in all aspects, including passing, checking, and scoring, before going up against any one of the NHL's 30 different teams.

To make up for the game's disappointing graphics, 989 made the gameplay blazingly fast, and its smooth animation is one area where the game surpasses its PlayStation cousin. The sounds of the game, like players' skates cutting through the ice as they stride toward the net or turn quickly to cut off another player, are perfectly represented. Even crowd noises above the action and hard hits against the boards are perfectly echoed. These little things help make this game a contender for the Interactive Stanley Cup.

EA Sports' NHL 2001 definitely has some competition this year, which is very good for everybody. Either way hockey fans choose, they can't lose! --Todd Mowatt

Pros:

A lightning-quick hockey simulation
Great control
Brings NHL legends back to the game

Cons:

Substandard graphics
Scoring is at times too easy

Customer Reviews: Read 16 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

GOOD GAME March 23, 2002
I cant beleive that people said this game [stunk]. I never liked sports games all i liked was games like GTA3 and soldier of fortune. but when i first played this game i was up till 3 am. who cares if it is easy winning kicks...!! and playing muti-player is a blast. The game has great control also.

1 out of 5 stars

NEVER get a 989 sports game November 26, 2001
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

The graphics could go on Xbox. (...)Their faces are all the same. The goalies don't even move until after the goal is scored. Get NHL 2001 or 2002. Oh yeah, and don't buy an Xbox. My friends and I added up all the money you would have to pay to buy an Xbox, a game, and a controller. (...)Why spend all this money when you could just get a PS2, and a game for the amount. (Since PS2 comes with a controller.) Sorry I'm going on and on about Xbox (...), but do yourself a favor and never get 989 sports game.

3 out of 5 stars

Great gameplay with PSONE graphics June 12, 2001
James C. Bowman (Dallas, TX United States)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful

This game plays very well, however that graphics are average at best. When you compare to NHL 2001 it looks a year behind. I bought the game for [$] and at that price it is a great buy.

1 out of 5 stars

Do not buy this game. May 4, 2001
Justin Ratcliff (S.Pasadena, Ca.)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

989 just wants your money, and so they put out a garbage title like this. This is a PSX rehash for PS2, because they have not yet commited to the new platform thinking they can get more money by staying with PSX, and merely releasing a product that has the PS2 packaging. I am very displeased with this company. I own NHL Faceoff 2000 for PSX, and there is almost no difference between it and 2001. The play-by-play is horrible, and only makes you wanna strangle Darren Pang. They say the same mundane garbage over and over and over. It's really quite annoying. The play it's self is weak, and there is not one single new feature on this disc that makes it worth buying. I purchased it on name alone, having owned several of their past titles. EA NHL 2001 is a product so superior to 989's insulting effort, that every time I see my friend playing his copy I get even more unhappy with 989 studios. EA's version actually fully utilizes the capabilities of the PS2 platform. So, trust a gamer who has owned at least 7 different hockey games on many different systems. NHL Faceoff 2001 is utter rubbish, and I will most likely never buy anything from 989 studios again.

2 out of 5 stars

Horrible game, worse season March 31, 2001
Bradley Abramczyk (Saint Louis, MO)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I just wanted to let everyone know that the season mode in NHL Faceoff is the worst. It is not interactive and there is no strong points to it. It is just horrible. The game is weak and to easy to score. The arenas however look are very lifelike they show great detail. Mario is in the game but the announcers do not say his name since he was a last minute add on.

My advice buy NHL 2001 and don't encourage 989 sports to make games like this one