With fast and fun action, NHL 2K11 looks good on the Wii

2K Sports may have a winner on their hands with NHL 2K—this time. Time will tell if gamers at large agree; NHL 2K11 goes on sale August 24.

I got some hands-on time with the game, when the NHL 2K11 coast-to-coast tour rolled through Vancouver yesterday and today (July 22 and 23), and found that it plays well, and at least in casual play modes, features the wide-open, back-and-forth style of hockey found in early NHL video games, which I loved growing up.

I brought video gear, too. Below is an interview with 2K Sports director of marketing Chris Snyder and NHL player Kyle Turris, of the Phoenix Coyotes, conducted by the lovely and talented Loara Holmes:

For the first time, NHL 2K is a Wii exclusive for 2011. 2K Sports opted to focus on squeezing more fun out of Wii MotionPlus, rather than try to compete with EA Sports hockey releases on the HD consoles. 1:1 puck control will allow players to flick, slap, and maneuver the puck by using the Wiimote like a hockey stick, and it’s more refined and much better integrated than last year.

All in all, I’m liking it so far. The action was fast and fun, and the graphics were better than I expected out of the Wii.

Want to try it out yourself? The NHL 2K11 RV may show up in your area this summer. Check the schedule for dates and locations of tour stops, and here’s a regional breakdown:

July 17-18: Calgary
July 22-23: Vancouver
July 26-27: Edmonton
July 30-31: Winnipeg
August 2-3: Minneapolis
August 7-8: Chicago
August 10-11: Detroit
August 14-15: Pittsburgh
August 17-18: Toronto
August 22-23: Ottawa
August 27-28: Boston
August 30-31: Philadelphia
September 3-4: Washington, D.C.
September 7-8: New York

Chris Vandergaag is a Vancouver-based freelancer. When he's not gaming, writing, or forwarding links of questionable moral repute, he's asleep.