It's the time of year when the best new sports games flood the market. Gaming editor Hayden Meikle spends some time with the latest football and ice hockey titles to judge whether your hard-earned cash will be well spent.
Electronic Arts
All platforms
Tell me about it: They just call it hockey but we New Zealand gamers have to put "ice" in front of it to distinguish it from that funny game played on turf.
NHL is one of EA Sports' five big franchises (Fifa, Madden NFL, Tiger Woods and NBA Live are the others).
What's new: The Be A Pro mode from other EA games is included in NHL 09 for the first time.
It allows you to either create your own player or use a current NHL star, control that one player on the ice, and progress through a career.
New controls include the ability to one-hand deke and toss in a loop dump.
And eventually I will find out what that means.
Who you can play as: All the NHL teams, from the mighty Detroit Red Wings to the lowly Atlanta Thrashers.
Plus European league teams, AHL teams and nations.
Who's that on the cover?: I had to look this one up.
He's Dion Phaneuf, a leading defenceman who plays for the Calgary Flames.
Online options: Extensive.
Normal versus play, but also leagues and 6-on-6 play for the first time.
What they said about it: "With barely a visual hitch, exceptional presentation, engaging online, improved controls and an unmatched level of realism, there's almost nothing to prevent a full recommendation to any fan of hockey or sports games in general. Even if you aren't a fan of sports games, the game is so good it could turn you into one." - Gamervision.
Should I buy it?: Yes. It's really very good.
Electronic Arts
All platforms
Tell me about it: It's football, it's Fifa, it's the 2009 version of one of the world's most popular video games.
What's new: Nothing earth-shattering, more a lot of touch-up stuff.
Improved physics, animation and player modelling; visible referees, linesman and dugouts; even more licensed teams; interactive celebrations.
Who you can play as: Pretty much any team you like.
Try 500 teams from 30 leagues, plus 40 national sides.
Both the All Whites and the Wellington Phoenix are playable and acceptably accurate.
Who's that on the cover?: The one on the left with the buck teeth is fading Brazilian star Ronaldinho.
The other one with the British bulldog looks is Manchester United super-duper-star Wayne Rooney.
Online options: Leagues, tournaments, 10-on-10 play and Live Season, which changes players' performance based on their real-life form.
What they said about it: "A truly spectacular football title with exceptional player animations, ball handling and gameplay to boot. The AI will provide a significant challenge, but the implementation of one of the most advanced and complete online modes will mean that this game will truly last you a long time." - Gameplanet.
Should I buy it?: Yes, if you collect football games. Yes, if you haven't played Fifa since 2006. Possibly not if you've got Fifa 08.
