ESPN NHL 2K5

In addition to the e-mail system that was introduced, you have the ability to hire several coaches.

You can choose a head coach, offensive coach, defense coach, scouting coach, a goaltending coach and more.

When it comes time to hire and fire players, you use actual money, and not points to negotiate contracts.

There are a few special game modes as well.

You have access to the skills mode, which was also found in last year's game.

You can choose accuracy shooting, puck control, hardest shot, fastest skater, and a few more.

There is also a Party Mode, which is set up for one to four players (you and friends or you and the computer), which pits you in fast action games.

An example is a free-for-all, where you have to get the puck and score it in the net while the constantly moving cinder wall, which blocks the net, is down.

Like last year's game, 2K5 features multiplayer hockey over Xbox Live (Xbox) and PlayStation 2's network service.

You can jump into a game, or create or join a league of friends and foes.

The Skybox is back, and it's been slightly improved.

Like in ESPN NFL 2K5 , you earn points by completing tasks, such as scoring five goals in a single period, winning ten faceoffs, etc.

You then use these points to purchase unlockables which will adorn your Skybox or allow you to play as special teams.

You can also unlock retro jerseys.

Once you win a trophy, it's added to your Skybox, with the Stanley Cup being the center of attention.

There are three mini-games you can play from your Skybox; air hockey, shuffleboard, and a trivia machine.

For those who have an Xbox, you will have the ability to import the music on your harddrive and set songs (or bits of songs) to play for various events.

You can choose to play something like Ozzy Osbou

ESPN NHL 2K5 for Xbox is currently worth €6.35 loose, €6.93 complete in box, and €16.62 factory sealed. Prices are based on real sales and update regularly on Gamevaro.

ESPN NHL 2K5 has a steady sales history on the tracked marketplaces, meaning it trades hands regularly and isn't considered particularly rare.

Loose means cartridge or disc only, CIB (complete in box) includes the original box and manual, and sealed means factory-sealed and never opened. For ESPN NHL 2K5, loose is €6.35 and CIB is €6.93 — CIB commands a premium because original boxes and manuals are fragile and often don't survive.

The PAL version of ESPN NHL 2K5 is currently worth €6.35 loose, versus €6.12 for NTSC-U. Regional price differences usually come down to print run size and regional collector demand.