I reviewed NHL 2K7 on Xbox 360 last year and NHL 2K8 on Xbox 360 this year and came to the conclusion that the best version between the two was last year’s NHL title from 2K Sports on the 360, because this year’s game was so severely lacking in presentation and a pleasant, natural-feeling control scheme. Is the PS3 version markedly better than the 360 version of this year’s game?

Not really.

Last year, I was deeply impressed by the dynamic presentation style NHL 2K7 offered. A far more cinematic style of game, during ice time as well as in between, the game seemed to promise great things to come from developer Kush Games and publisher 2KSports. So this year’s edition should have been even better, right?

Right?

Anyone?

Bueller?

Unfortunately for hockey fans, improvements on last year’s game are nowhere to be found, and in fact the dynamic presentation that made me love 2K7 so much isn’t anywhere in this season’s game. It’s like they took last year’s game, bundled it up in some sturdy Samsonite luggage, and locked it away in storage for no apparent reason. That’s weird as hell, if you ask me.

Instead, NHL 2K8 seems to have ignored the 2K7 iteration in the series altogether and seems to be built from the 2K6 version instead. Although it was released quite late, at least PS3 owners have a native version of last year’s NHL 2K7 to retreat back to; it may not be quite as HD-polished and it may not make as much use of the SixAxis controls, but from every important standpoint, it’s a better hockey game. Of course, that’s not to say there haven’t been changes. As a matter of fact, there are plenty.

This year, 2KSports includes an analog-stick based control system on PS3 similar to the one that flopped so heavily on the 360. That’s the bad news. The good news is that there’s also nascent motion-based Six-Axis control scheme to choose, as well, a feature not found on the 360 version. However, it’s not as solid and reliable as one might hope and ultimately just seems distracting and awkward. Neither of the new control systems clicked for me. My hands were used to the old-style controls and, fortunately, Kush did put the 2K7-style control scheme back into the game. (So they DO know the 2K7 version exists! Could’a fooled me.)

Even with the 2K7 style controls restored, the game didn’t play like it LIKED being played that way, and seemed a bit sluggish. Until they get this new SixAxis thing smooth, intuitive, and ironed out, there is no need to reinvent the wheel if the wheel you have already works.

Sonically, the game is just fine if a bit of a staid effort. The standard ice arena music is present in full force, but the playlist is shallow and seems too familiar. Online play is solid, and unlike the 360 version I reviewed earlier, I was able to find some folks to compete against, which was nice.

The dynasty mode is sufficient but – despite ad-copy claims – is essentially unchanged and still has some serious trading AI flaws that ought to be addressed sometime this century. While I enjoy playing my Minnesota Wild, the dynasty mode here is all a bit too invisible; it’s too easy to have plenty of actionable emails come into your GM desk from the coach, the owner and so forth, and never even be notified by the game that “You’ve got mail!”

Ultimately, NHL 2K8 isn’t a terrible game, but it does mark a long step back for the series. Kush Games needs to get back on the horse and, when working on NHL 2K9, use 2K7 as the basis from which to build a decent follow-up in the series. 2K8 is, at best, a step sideways, kind of like stopping for a great time at Branson Missouri on your way to Nashville.