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Forget Mike, play like Wayne
By Robert Picarello | Special to NHL.com
At one time or another, every hockey fan wanted to either be Wayne Gretzky or skate on a line with him. Well, thanks to Gretzky NHL '06, exclusively for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, the wait is over.
Sony's signature hockey franchise not only offers gamers from Alberta to Wilkes Barre an opportunity to skate with "The Great One", it also is jam-packed with the new NHL rules, an exclusive AHL license, online gaming and tons of totally new gameplay features like Wayne vs. Wayne.
The Wayne vs. Wayne mode has an arcade feel, where users have a chance to play the game at a blinding pace and activate Wayne Gretzky to play alongside them. By executing general tasks such as scoring goals, throwing checks and connecting on passes, gamers earn their team "99 Time." Once enough "99 Time" is earned, Gretzky temporarily becomes your teammate, but gamers have to play smart hockey, as they not only can lose "99 Time" by playing poorly, their opponents can also activate "The Great One" by playing solid hockey. So from the opening faceoff in the Wayne vs. Wayne mode, you're not only battling to get on the scoreboard, you're also playing for the right to have Wayne Gretzky on your team.
During the course of play, when your "99 Time" total reaches what else, 99, Gretzky will join your squad for a limited amount of time, giving your team a 6-on-5 edge. In this mode, Gretzky is truly larger than life, as he not only brings his all-time great scoring touch to the ice, he also is 15% larger than the other players in the game. As if one Gretzky on your team wasn't enough, Gretzky NHL '06, also gives you the opportunity to have five No. 99s on the ice at once for your team. All you have to do is activate Gretzky five times during play and you'll be granted the ultimate power play, which should make it an unpleasant experience for your opponent and the opposing goaltender.
But if arcade hockey is not your thing, don't worry because Gretzky NHL '06 also has you covered. Gretzky NHL '06 has something for every hockey lover. The brand-spanking new Franchise Mode for this year's game gives hockey purists an opportunity to build a team from the ground up, controlling every major decision an NHL club has make on and off the ice, like picking your team name, city, minor league affiliate, hiring coaches, drafting players, signing free agents, trading players and negotiating contracts. In this mode, you'll also have to monitor your team's chemistry, making sure each and every player is pulling in the same direction during the course of the season.
Gretzky NHL '06 also offers an expanded Rivalry Mode, where gamers can choose between two types of rivalries and play up to 101 games and track every stat imaginable. Rivalry stats from every game are stored and visible every time a rivalry is revisited. Gamers will also have a chance to put themselves in the game by using the Create-a-Player function. Not only will you be able to type in attributes like your height, weight and position, if you have an EyeToy for your PS2, you'll also be able to put your mug on any player you create from scratch. With the Create-a-Team function, you can add a new franchise to the NHL, giving you and your city of choice a chance to bring the Stanley Cup home to your fans.
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And if that isn't enough for you, try your luck at the Gretzky Challenge, where you'll have a chance to earn points attempting to break some of Gretzky's scoring records. The Gretzky Challenge allows you to view which challenges are available to you and how many times you've achieved this feat and the number of points you have accumulated. You can then use the points to unlock hidden objects, such as jerseys, teams and even versions of "The Great One" himself during different stages of his Hall of Fame playing career.
"Gretzky NHL '06 offers hockey fans unique opportunities to get in and mix it up with the greatest player to ever take to the ice," Sharon Shapiro, senior director, promotions and sports product marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment America, said. "Combine that with all the finer details and nuances of the game, along with multiple gameplay options, Gretzky NHL '06 will provide users with the ultimate hockey experience."
Gretzky NHL '06 is officially licensed by the NHL, NHLPA, AHL and NHLCA. It boasts computer-generated arenas, which are mirror images of the real ones. The broadcast presentation is also top-notch, with the legendary Mike "Doc" Emrick and former Chicago Blackhawks goalie Darren Pang calling the shots.
So don't miss out on the opportunity Gretzky NHL '06 gives you. Get your copy of the only game on the market today where everyone has a chance to be Wayne Gretzky.
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