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Turco net gain for NHL 2K6
By Robert Picarello | Special to NHL.com
With Marty Turco on board as the cover athlete for NHL 2K6, the puck stops here when it comes to new and exciting hockey video games.
Turco is a true gamer in every sense of the word. The Stars' netminder not only holds his own when he has a goalie stick in his hand, he is also pretty impressive when he has a video game controller in his grasp. The talented NHL goaltender grew up playing Konami's Blades of Steel on his Nintendo system, but nowadays he splits his video game time between his PS2 and XBOX systems, trying to master the games from the NHL 2K series.
"As both a professional hockey player and gamer, I am thrilled to tie two of my favorite activities together," Turco said. "My experience with NHL 2K6 and 2K Sports has been fantastic and it is an honor to represent the most cutting edge and best hockey video game series."
Before being drafted by Dallas in 1994 in the fifth round with the 124th overall pick, Turco won two NCAA Championships (1996 and 1998) and set NCAA the record for most career victories with 127. The Ontario native made his NHL debut in 2000 and in 2001 he led the NHL with the lowest GAA (1.90) and best save percentage (.925). In his first two full seasons as the starting goalie for the Stars, Turco was selected to play in the NHL All-Star Game twice.
"Marty Turco is one of the most exciting goalies in the NHL," Erik Whiteford, vice president of marketing for 2K Sports, said. "Turco has proven that great discipline, hard work, and a winning approach leads to great success and he looks to make a bigger splash on the ice this season. Turco has contributed a great deal of his wisdom and knowledge to the development team, ensuring the most authentic video game hockey experience."
One of the areas of NHL 2K6 Turco lent his expertise and likeness to is the Maximum Goaltending feature, where he was used as the model for the motion captures for the goalies in the game. 2K Sports also used Turco's playing style as a model for the Maximum Goaltending system. So, as you load NHL 2K6 into your game system, you'll notice Turco's input and likeness definitely come into play, as the goaltenders move, react and look like real NHL goalies. By moving the right analog stick in different directions during play, gamers can put the goalie into a butterfly stance, poke the puck off opposing player's sticks, or have them dive to right or left to stone the opposition.
But the Maximum Goaltending feature isn't the only attribute gamers will enjoy when it comes to NHL 2K6. This year's version of the game also contains ProControl, On-The-Fly Coaching, an Enforcer System, PureMotion Animations, all-new Commentary and an improved Franchise mode, as well as online play capability.
With ProControl, gamers have a chance to really play like the pros, as NHL 2K6 has a revolutionary icon-based passing system, which allows players to set things up behind the net or queue up a give-and-go at the touch of a button. On-The-Fly Coaching allows you to play your style of hockey at both ends of the ice. Gamers now have a chance to bark out plays - like crashing the net or screening the goalie - on the fly during gameplay. On defense, you'll now have the chance to tell your defensemen to clear your crease or start the play going the other way with a breakout pass.
The Enforcer System is really unique, as it allows your third and/or fourth line players to become more involved in the outcome of the game. Just like in the NHL, these grinders play a huge role every game in terms of teams winning and losing. In NHL 2K6, you'll now have the chance to let your enforcers play an aggressive style of hockey, which usually results in throwing your opponents off their game. But be careful not to overdue it with these bundles of energy, as the referees won't hesitate to throw you in the box. The PureMotion Animations gives you hundreds of new NHL-caliber graphics to feast your eyes on, including spectacular saves in goal by Turco and the other netminders.
The Franchise mode is new and improved, as it now allows you be more in tune with your team by giving you the ability to schedule workouts, scrimmages and manage your team's chemistry. The all-new play-by-play and color commentary from Bob Cole and Harry Neale and innovative camera angles also allows gamers to feel like they're right in on the action. With their online experience, 2K Sports continues to give gamers top-notch play. NHL 2K6 is jammed-packed with online goodies such as stat tracking, buddy lists, leagues, leaderboards, tournaments, and downloadable rosters.
But of all the features NHL 2K6 sports, the option where you can play with or against one of hockey's historic teams is the best. You no longer have to imagine what it would be like to play on the 1980 US Olympic team that won the gold medal or the 1972 Team Canada team that won the Summit Series. NHL 2K6 takes you back in time and puts you right in the middle of the action, which is all any gamer could ever ask for.
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