The Coolest Game on Earth is back again for another year, which is good for all you hockey fans. Graphics wise, NHL 2001 is just as good as year's previous, if not better. The player models have been enhanced and look realistic, like always for this particular series. And the arenas just look awesome, according to my hockey nut roommate. In fact, he was lucky enough to go see a game in the Minnesota Wild's new Xcel Energy Arena, and he testifies that it looks exactly like it. So how can you go wrong?

The sound effects also contribute to this game's impressiveness. The bone-crushing checks scream "Pain," while the play-by-play stays with the game throughout all three periods (plus overtime if needed).

It has been a couple years since I played one of the past games of EA's NHL series, but it was like I never put it down. Plenty of features are the same, along with some new ones that I found to just rock! For instance, EA Sports decided to bring back the Hot and Cold players, like they had back in '94. And the other In-Game feature that has been added is a Momentum Meter, which is based off the big plays that occur throughout the game.

All 30 NHL teams are in the game with complete rosters, including the newest expansion clubs, the Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild! There are also 18 international teams, just in case you get bored with the regular teams. And the Game Modes in NHL 2001 are of the EA standard, such as Exhibition, Season (complete with actual rookie drafting and signing free agents in the off-season), Playoffs, Tournament, and their ever-so-classic Shootout.

But of course, all of this would mean nothing without the awesome gameplay that is recreated year after year. Every one-timer, hip check, slap shot, and one-handed stab that happens is better than the one before it. My one complaint is the fighting. My feeling is that it looked like the old toy game we all had as kids with the Bopping Heads, or whatever it was called. All that happens in the fights are a couple of arms get raised and apparently hit each other. This is the one flaw I saw. Oh, and one more thing... you can change in the Options menu the number of Big Hits throughout the game, from a little to a lot. Hell yeah!!!

As always with the NHL series, the difficulty lies within the capabilities of one’s self. There are four different levels of competition, Beginner, Rookie, Pro, and All Star. But it also comes down to what teams you play with and against. Being a Minnesotan myself, I love the Wild, but I know damn well that they'd get creamed by Dallas or New Jersey. Also, it comes down to what rules you enforce, and which you leave alone, like Icing, Two-Line Passes, and Off Sides. All of these different variables add up to how difficult the game is.

Controller configuration for NHL 2001 is just the same as it has been in the past, which means less time to figure out controls. Plus, only 1-6 blocks of memory are used, so that's another good thing to consider. The loading time is quick and easy throughout the game, and it never misses a beat of speed, regardless of how many people you have playing the game. Go out and get this game, because it's a definite winner in my eyes.