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NHL 2K11 To Be Wii Exclusive

by Andy Goergen - March 3, 2010, 3:19 pm EST
Total comments: 25 Source: Joystiq

NHL Hockey returns to Wii in a big way.

NHL 2K11 will be coming to Wii as an exclusive title, according to Take-Two chairman Strauss Zelnick. The series, which debuted on Wii in 2008 with NHL 2K9, has seen reduced sales as of late, and many thought that the series had potentially been cancelled. The series wasn't even listed in a December financial report.

During an earnings report today, however, Zelnick confirmed the title was in development, and as a Wii exclusive. He also confirmed that the HD console versions of the franchise were going back to the drawing board, stating: "As far as NHL, we're taking a year off on PS3 and Xbox 360 to refine, redesign and re-think."

The series had seen greater critical success with NHL 2K10 on Wii than on the other platforms, earning a 78% average on GameRankings.com, compared to 70% on PS3 and Xbox 360. The Wii version included Mii support, online play, and support for Wii MotionPlus.

Although no release date has been confirmed for NHL 2K11, the series traditionally releases in September.

Talkback

TJ SpykeMarch 03, 2010

This is big news, especially in Canada .

Ian SaneMarch 03, 2010

I'm not sure what to think.  On one hand, hey, it's an exclusive.  But on the other the fact that they're going back to the drawing board with the other version suggests that THAT is the real focus.  It suggests that with the Wii they can just crank out another sequel but with the PS360 they have to make more of an effort.

But then it also suggests that they got the Wii version right and it sold for a reason and thus does not require re-tuning.  It's so hard to guess what third parties are thinking these days.

Did anyone play NHL 2K10? I always interested in it and I heard really good things.

BlackNMild2k1March 03, 2010

I was sorta thinking the same thing Ian, but I'd like to believe that it's because they found something that works in M+ for hockey and they think they can refine that experience making it even better than before.

What I initially thought was that they didn't make much money with the last version and decided to slash the budget tremendously only allowing for a Wii version this year as resources are already thin and to invest in all 3 could lead to lots of lay-offs if it performs the same as last year.

Truth is that it could a combination of both and that really only works into Wii owning T2 NHL2k11 fans favor.

BeautifulShyMarch 03, 2010

Neal I haven't played it because typically I don't like Sim Sports that much I don't really like hockey that much.It has been on my backlog of games I need to get. Online play,Motion + and Wii Speak support are the main reasons to get it.

As far as if this exclusiveness is because they got the Wii version right and the rest they need to work on. Well who knows.

I just had a wild though...Maybe 2K12 for 360 and PS3 will use Natal and ARC and they need extra time to wrap their heads around it.

BlackNMild2k1March 03, 2010

I find it weird that they wouldn't revamp the PS3 version to be a HD version of the Wii version only using Arc.

I can understand needing some time with Natal to figure out a way to play, but Arc is like the HD version of Wiimote. The only reason I can see for not doing what I suggested is that Arc isn't proven to have a market yet and a HD version would just be too expensive without a guaranteed market to sell it to.

TJ SpykeMarch 03, 2010

The PlayStation Motion Controller (I am not using that fan-made rumored name) won't be out until after the game normally releases, and I doubt they would want to delay the PS3/360 versions a few months.

Considering EA's NHL games over the past few years have been so phenomenally good (I would argue that NHL 10 is the best sports video game ever made) it makes sense that they'd want to regroup on the HD version to give them any semblance of a hope of catching EA. Since EA doesn't release a Wii NHL game, and since 2K10 got pretty good reviews it's probably a good idea to keep going with the Wii version. I haven't played it, but a friend of mine owns it and loves it.

BlackNMild2k1March 03, 2010

Quote from: TJ

The PlayStation Motion Controller (I am not using that fan-made rumored name) won't be out until after the game normally releases, and I doubt they would want to delay the PS3/360 versions a few months.

it wasn't fan made, but believe what you want.
It as the rumored code name for the project that leaked from a sony insider, but since this is like the 3rd time you won't take my word for it
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/forums/index.php?topic=29445.msg578870#msg578870
read it for yourself.

TJ SpykeMarch 03, 2010

Quote from: BlackNMild2k1

Quote from: TJ

The PlayStation Motion Controller (I am not using that fan-made rumored name) won't be out until after the game normally releases, and I doubt they would want to delay the PS3/360 versions a few months.

it wasn't fan made, but believe what you want.

It as the rumored code name for the project that leaked from a sony insider, but since this is like the 3rd time you won't take my word for it
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/forums/index.php?topic=29445.msg578870#msg578870
read it for yourself.

RUMORED code name (from an anonymous person claiming it). The OFFICIAL codename is PlayStation Motion Controller. There is no "Arc". You can continue using a rumored name, I will use the correct and official name.

BlackNMild2k1March 03, 2010

But you keep calling it fan made as if some forum person made it up and it spread. I keep telling you that it as the rumored "code" name from an inside source (just like "gem" which was a horrible code name btw)and you keep blowing that off like it wasn't said.

I just wanted to make sure that fact was known. And I don't think Arc sounds all that bad, so I wouldn't be surprised if they go with that name in the end.

Guitar SmasherMarch 03, 2010

Do we have to have this argument more than once?  Just call it whatever you want, it's not like there's any confusion.

On the subject of NHL 2K10, it was the only Wii game I saw a commercial for all of last year (excluding holidays).  And I saw it a lot.

BeautifulShyMarch 03, 2010

Did you buy it Guitar Smasher?

Guitar SmasherMarch 03, 2010

No, although I did strongly consider it.  I haven't bought many games in the last couple years.

As much as I like the Wii getting an exclusive, I'd much prefer EA also have their game coming out on Wii as well if only to push 2K to make the Wii game better.

Then again, the last hockey game I regularly played was NHL Stanley Cup on the SNES so I'm probably not much of a judge.

BlackNMild2k1March 03, 2010

EA doesn't make a NHL game on Wii?

TJ SpykeMarch 03, 2010

Quote from: BlackNMild2k1

EA doesn't make a NHL game on Wii?

Nope, the only NHL games on Wii are NHL 2K9 and NHL 2K10.

BlackNMild2k1March 04, 2010

Well I hope NHL 2k11 being Wii exclusive makes EA jump at the chance to push a Wii version that supports M+ (& BB support? would anyone want that? :D).
I'm also hoping that EA steps up with a NBA(besides Jam), MLB and a NFL Madden game to join Tiger Woods and a sequel to Grand Slam Tennis so that they have a well rounded and very full Motion Plus Sports lineup.

TJ SpykeMarch 04, 2010

EA can't make a MLB game, Take-Two Interactive has the exclusive third-party MLB game (meaning the only companies that can make MLB games are Take-Two, Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft); although this doesn't apply to Japan, where Konami makes the MLB Power Pro series (although they needed Take-Two to co-publish it in North America).

StratosMarch 04, 2010

I too am curious how 2K11 will turn out. Sports games always take a back burner to other games but I may rent it to see how M+ works with it. I'll have to rent it at some point.

vuduMarch 04, 2010

Quote from: TJ

RUMORED code name (from an anonymous person claiming it). The OFFICIAL codename is PlayStation Motion Controller. There is no "Arc". You can continue using a rumored name, I will use the correct and official name.

http://kotaku.com/5483969/sony--konami-both-file-arc-trademarks-new-gradius-coming

BlackNMild2k1March 04, 2010

Quote from: vudu

Quote from: TJ

RUMORED code name (from an anonymous person claiming it). The OFFICIAL codename is PlayStation Motion Controller. There is no "Arc". You can continue using a rumored name, I will use the correct and official name.

http://kotaku.com/5483969/sony--konami-both-file-arc-trademarks-new-gradius-coming

you also forgot this story:
http://kotaku.com/5463619/thq-ceo-names-sonys-motion-controller-as-arc

TJ SpykeMarch 04, 2010

So? Officially it is still PlayStation Motion Controller, so that is what I will call it.

BeautifulShyMarch 04, 2010

Guys this is a topic about NHL 2K11 being on Wii and other systems. If you feel like talking about about Sonys name for its Motion controller take it to one of the numerious Sony topics we have.

Anyway I think this is good news for the Wii having 2K11 on it.

TJ SpykeMarch 04, 2010

I'm not a big fan of hockey games (the last one I actually played was NHL Hitz 20-02), but I am encouraged by this. I think it is possible that hardcore hockey video game fans may buy a Wii (if they don't have one already) to buy the new NHL 2K. EA Sports has to be happy too though since they won't have competition on Xbox 360 or PlayStation this year for hockey fans.

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