NHL 2K
Strategy Guide
Version 1.0
7/8/01
Author: DreThug
E-Mail:
[email protected]
Sections:
1: Introduction
2: Update History
3: Basic Controls
4: Move Definations
5: Game Modes
6: Offensive Strategy
7: Defensive Strategy
8: Fighting
9: Replays
10: Frequently Asked Questions
11: Before You E-mail Me
12: Final Thoughts
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1: Introduction
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Welcome to my NHL 2K strategy guide for Dreamcast. NHL 2K packs extremely
fun gameplay that will make any hockey fan love it. With its great graphics,
fun gameplay, and lasting appeal this game is a sure buy. The only major
flaw in the game is a lack of options. While you can play a season mode and
playoffs they are very limited. You can only play a 82 game season and you
can't change much of the other options. Overall, this is a great hockey game
for Dreamcast. In my opinion, it ranks up with NBA 2K and NFL 2K. In this
strategy guide I will teach you all the basics of playing this game, plus my
personal strategy so you can beat almost anyone. If you have any comments,
questions, or suggestions feel free to e-mail me at
[email protected]
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2: Update History
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July 8th 2001 - The first and only version of my NHL 2K Strategy Guide. The
only way I would ever update this Strategy Guide is if I get some e-mail on
it asking for help or people sending in ideas for me to add.
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3: Basic Controls
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Here I have listed the offensive and defensive basic controls for NHL 2K.
Offensive Controls
Y................................Dump the Puck
A................................Pass
X................................Wrist Shot (Slap Shot if hold X Down)
B................................Speed Burst
L................................Change Coaching Strategy
R................................Change Lines
Defensive Controls
Y................................Block Shot
A................................Change Players
X................................Poke Check
B................................Speed Burst/Body Check
L................................Change Coaching Strategy
R................................Change Lines
Goalie Controls - With Puck
Y................................Nothing
X................................Smother the Puck
A................................Pass
B................................Nothing
L................................Change Coaching Strategy
R................................Change Lines
Goalie Controls - Without Puck
Y................................Nothing
X................................Nothing
A................................Change Players
B................................Slash
L................................Change Coaching Strategy
R................................Change Lines
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4: Move Definations
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In the Basic Controls Section I listed all of the controls and what they do.
Now I will tell you what each means.
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Offensive Controls
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Dump The Puck - This is a move that takes up a lot of time. If you have the
puck and there is like 10 seconds left in the game, dump the puck. This
will send the puck up in the air and far away. It doesn't help if you are
behind, but if you want to take some time off the clock its a good choice.
Pass - You should already know what this is if you bought a hockey game. By
pressing A you can pass to your other teammates. I suggest that you do this
because if you hold on to the puck too long, it will be harder to get a shot
off.
Wrist Shot - This is your basic shot. I always use wrist shots when I do one
timers. They are not as powerful and fast as slap shots but they get the job
done.
Slap Shot - Like to shoot hard? Then use a slap shot. The slap shot is
harder for the goalie to block. I personally don't use it that much, but
when I do it works.
Speed Burst - This is your basic turbo. I keep on tapping it whenever I have
the puck.
Change Coaching Strategy - I never use this. If you are down you can press L
and change your coaching strategy to aggresive or anything you want.
Presonally, I like to just play on the basic coaching strategy which is man
on man. I never mess with this.
Change Lines - If your players have been in the game too long you should
change lines. Personally, I never change lines because I never feel that my
players are tired. If you do change lines, make sure you dump the puck off
to the other side of the rink so your new players will have time to get on
the rink.
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Defensive Controls
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Block Shot - If your opponent is about to shoot a shot and he's right in
front of you make sure you try to block it. Pretty much this is just
sticking your hand up and trying to knock down the shot. It works sometimes
but I usually just try to block it with the goalie.
Change Players - If you are controlling someone way off the screen then make
sure you press A. By pressing A, you will control the closest guy to the
puck. If you never change players, you'll never win.
Poke Check - This is something I was unfamiliar with. I guess a poke check
is when you try to get the puck away from the guy by using your stick. I
never use this because I prefer the Body Check. Watch out if you use poke
check too much, because you may be called for hooking.
Speed Burst - This is your basic turbo. I keep on tapping it whenever I go
after the puck.
Body Check - This is my favorite move in the game. If your opponent is
coming up to you make sure you press B. This will not the guy over and free
the puck. Usually, you will need someone else by you to recover the puck.
This is an essential move.
Change Coaching Strategy - Look up above in the offensive section for a
defination on this.
Change Lines - Look up above in the offensive section for a defination on
this.
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Goalie Controls - With Puck
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Smother the Puck - If your opponent shoots at you and you block it and still
have the puck make sure you smother it. Smothering it will cause a face off.
The only problem with smothering it is the face off is right next to your
goal. I only smother it if there is a lot of people right next to my goal.
Pass - You should already know what this is if you bought a hockey game. By
pressing A you can pass to your other teammates. I suggest that you do this
because if you hold on to the puck too long, you will be called for
smothering the puck.
Change Coaching Strategy - Look up above in the offensive section for a
defination on this.
Change Lines - Look up above in the offensive section for a defination on
this.
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Goalie Controls - Without Puck
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Change Players - If you are controlling the goalie and want to control
someone else make sure you press A. This will change you to another person.
Slash - If you want to slash an offensive opponent make sure he's right next
to you and press B. This will knock him down.
Change Coaching Strategy - Look up above in the offensive section for a
defination on this.
Change Lines - Look up above in the offensive section for a defination on
this.
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5: Game Modes
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Sadly, NHL 2K doesn't pack many modes of play. The stuff it packs, I listed
with a brief description.
Exhibition Mode
For one or two players, choose two teams a begin to play some hockey.
Season Mode
Go through a 82 game season with little statistics.
Playoffs
Don't want to play a season? Then hop right over to the playoffs.
Create-A-Player
Want to pretend you are on the San Jose Sharks? Then create yourself.
Choose Uniforms
Change your uniforms. Enough said.
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6: Offensive Strategy
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In my opinion, offense is pretty much everything in hockey. Yes, there is
some defense, but it's mostly on the goalie. If you don't have offense, the
best you can do is tie in a game. First off, I use three types shots. I use
the slap shot, the wrist shot, and the one-timer. I mostly use the one-timer
because I feel it's more effective. The slapshot is more of the one on one
with the goalie type of thing and the wrist shot is when I'm right next to
the goalie. Each of these three kinds of shots are easy to do, once you get
the hang of them.
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One-timer
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Quite possible the best thing to use to score a goal in NHL 2K. The simple
pressing of two buttons will let you do a one-timer. First off, have a guy
in your passing range. Pass to him by pressing A. While the puck is sliding
on the ice, take your other guy and press X. Do not hold down X, because
then it will become a slap shot. Just tap X real fast and it should work.
Now you are probably asking yourself where should the guy you pass to be?
Try to keep the guy you are controlling (the guy who passes the puck) on the
left side of the goalie. Have him about halfway to the goal from the middle
of the rink. Set your other guy up (the guy who shoots) on the far right
side of the goalie. Make sure you have just a little closer to the goalie
then you are. Skate up to the goalie so he positions himself to block your
shot. Instead, pass it over to the guy on the far right of you to shoot in
the easy shot. The first time I started doing this it worked about 33
percent of the time. Now, I can score over half the time using this method.
I find this is the best way to score a goal using a one-timer. If you are
having trouble understanding what I am talking about, feel free to look at
this picture.
Setting yourself in position
^--Goalie
0-Guy Who shoots
0-Guy who Passes
About to pass
^--Goalie (Goalie moves over thinking you might shoot)
0-Guy Who shoots
0-Guy who Passes
Shot
^--Goalie (Right Side of Net)
.(puck)
0-Guy Who shoots
0-Guy who Passes
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Slap Shot
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The slap shot is another good shooting technique to score in NHL 2K. While
it may not be as effective, in my opinion, as the one-timer it sure does the
job. To get a goal using a slap shot I usually stand on the left or right
side of the goal. I am usually about 10 feet from the goal when I charge up
my slap shot. I try to position the puck to go to the left side of the goal
if I'm standing on the right. If you do the slap shot fast enough, the
goalie probably won't react that quick. Also, if the goalie get's hit by the
puck, he will usually fall down, and then you just have to skate over with
another guy and tap it in. I feel that the slap shot is much harder to score
with, therefore I only attempt it around five times a game. On a one on one
breakaway, it's good too because even if you mess, the goalie will usually
fall down. Another good thing the slap shot is good for is wasting time.
Say there's only a couple of seconds left in the game. Instead of dumping
off the puck, just power your slap shot to the fullest and let it go. You'll
be surprised how long it takes the opposite team to get control of the puck.
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Wrist Shot
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The wrist shot is a basic shot. Most likely, you will be using the wrist
shot for a one-timer but sometimes you can use it for different things. Say
you are skating up behind the goal. There are people coming after you so you
don't have enough time to try to get around the goal and do a slap shot.
Instead, you go next to the goalie and try to get a wrist shot around him.
How many times does this work? Not a lot for me. It's still useful to know
how to use because sometimes it may work.
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A Cheap Way To Score
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I have only attempted this about 5 times and it worked 2 times. Say your
opponent gets called for icing. When you face off right next to his goal
hold the controller so your hand is touching the A and X buttons. Keep on
tapping A so you can get the puck when it is dropped. Right when you see
that you passed it, press X to shoot. If your guy passed it to the right guy
(the guy behind and to the left of him) you should be able to score each
time with a one-timer. The goalie has no time to react to the shot,
especially because he is guarding the far right/left side of the goal and
your shot ends up on the opposite side. It's a great way to score and you
pretty much have nothing to lose by doing it.
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7: Defensive Strategy
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In my opinion, defensive is not as important as offense in hockey. If you
have a good offense and a decent goalie you should win each time. That's why
my defensive strategy is a lot more basic then my offensive. In defense, I
use two moves. First off, I use turbo whenever I am skating to get the puck
or when I am chasing after someone. I feel that when I am using turbo, it's
much easier to catch up to the guy. If you don't use turbo, then your
opponent will take a lot more shots because there will be no one guarding
him. The other move I use is the Body Check. I use the body check always
when my opponent has the puck. The body check is great because you rarely
get a penalty and it usually knocks your opponent down and puck free. It's
kind of cool to see what kind of dumps your opponent is going to take
because sometimes he just falls to the ground and other's he slides on the
ice for a while. The Poke Check sucks in my opinion because you get called
for hooking a lot. Also, the puck doesn't always come free and if it does,
your opponent still has a chance of getting it. The block shot is a decent
move but I don't use it that much. I find it easier just to skate right next
to the guy who is shooting the puck and stand right in his way. Usually the
puck will bounce off you and go no where near the goal. The only bad thing
about that is your guy you are controlling gets knocked down. It's kind of
funny though.
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8: Fighting
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Fighting is an important detail in a hockey game. What is more fun then
duking it out with a fellow hockey player until one guy is knocked down?
Then seeing your guy get pissed off and go to the penalty box for five
minutes to cool down. NHL 2K is no exception. Although fighting doesn't
happen much, when it does happen it is fun.
Fighting Controls
A................................Duck
B................................Grab
X................................Jab
Y................................Hard Punch
There is actually some strategy in fighting. First off, for all the people
who don't like fighting you can get out of a fight. By getting out of a
fight all you have to do is press A three times. The cool thing about that
is if the person who you were going to fight drops his gloves and you don't
he still gets a five minute penalty. If you are a figher, like me, you will
drop your gloves. When you are in a fight you should do two things. Duck and
Jab. When I think a punch is coming I usually try to duck and then follow up
with a couple of jabs. I don't usually do a hard punch because it takes too
long to execute. In my opinion, a couple little jabs add up to one hard
punch. When fighting, try to always have your power ahead of his. If you are
kicking his ass, then just go out with jabs without even ducking. If it's a
close match, then make sure you duck and jab a lot. If you just go out
punching you won't win because you will always keep yourself open. Don't get
discourage if you can't get into a fight, it usually happens around every
seven games.
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9: Replays
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I was a bit disappointed with NHL 2K when it came with replays. In NHL 2K,
there are two kinds of replays. If you score a goal, they show the replay
automatically. The other kind of replay is your basic replay where you get
to control the camera. Sadly, NHL 2K is lacking options that we take for
granted in NBA 2K and NFL 2K.
Replay Controls
B................................Zoom Out
X................................Zoom In
L................................Rewind
R................................Forward
D-pad............................Move Aim Indicator
Analog...........................Tilt Camera Angle
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10: Frequently Asked Questions
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Question: Does this game have as good as graphics as NFL 2K?
Answer: Well yes and no. While the players don't look as detailed as they
do in NFL 2K the crowd looks exactly the same. The rink looks nice also, and
the stadiums are designed great.
Question: I read somewhere that if you don't do line changes it will make
your players tired and you will lose.
Answer: I don't believe in that. I play 5 minute quarters in my season mode
and never have to change lines. Do I lose? What do you think? I have the
most points in the whole league on All-Star mode.
Question: Does Visual Concepts make this game?
Answer: Unfortuanly no. I was a little skeptic about this game because I
heard that BlackBox was making this game. I would have rather seen Visual
Concepts make it, but Blackbox did a good job on making this game good.
Question: I already own NHL 2000 for Playstation. Is there any point in
getting this game?
Answer: Make sure you pick up NHL 2K because it's the best game on the
market. The gameplay is great and the graphics are the best you have seen in
any hockey game.
Question: I read that this game has out-dated gameplay. Does it?
Answer: Not at all. The gameplay is great. Remember those really fun NHL
games on the Genesis. Well NHL 2K is that but with better graphics and a lot
more real.
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11: Before You E-mail Me
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Please don't e-mail me asking stupid questions or I won't respond. When I
use to write strategy guides under a different name I would get 100's of
e-mails asking the same question which I already answered in my FAQ. Don't
think I'm being mean if I don't respond to your e-mail, it's just that I
have many other FAQs and I get tons of e-mail a day. Also, if you want to
e-mail me about the game please put in the Subject of the email NHL 2K so I
know what game I'm getting e-mailed about. If I just see hey or something
like that, I might think it's porn and just delete it. Now if you write an
educated e-mail to me, then for sure you will get a response. Thanks.
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12: Final Thoughts
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Wow! What a lot of typing for me and a lot of reading for you. I hope you
like this strategy guide as much as I do. If you have any suggestions or
questions feel free to e-mail me at
[email protected]. I will respond to
your e-mail as soon as I can. Thanks for reading this strategy guide, it was
a pleasure writing it.
