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NHL 26

NHL 26 emerges as a solid, enjoyable entry in the long-running hockey franchise, praised by critics for its significantly revamped “Be A Pro” mode and noticeable on-ice improvements like smarter goalie AI and enhanced player authenticity driven by new technology. While these updates offer a more realistic and immersive experience, particularly for new players, the overall sentiment points to an incremental evolution rather than a groundbreaking revolution. Many reviewers found NHL 26 too similar to its immediate predecessor, suggesting that while it’s a good hockey game, it lacks enough innovation to be a must-buy for annual fans, leaving some feeling the series deserves more attention from EA Sports.

Game Info

Play like a superstar in EA SPORTS NHL® 26. That starts with ICE-Q 2.0, now powered by NHL EDGE data, so your favorite superstars think, move, and play like their on-ice selves. That includes data-informed Attributes and Tendencies which make star players perform in true-to-life fashion, with their playstyles and decision-making game-aware and impactful. A fine-tuned and enhanced arsenal of 28 X-Factors spans five different categories and is driven by unique animations, tactical gameplay outcomes, and tiers of impact, turning each into a formidable on-ice weapon. Superstars now truly feel like superstars. The all-new Goalie Crease Control System brings an upgraded awareness between the posts with new close-range and reflex saves that allow for readjustments in reaction to puck deflections, poke checks, and improved AI positioning, giving goalies increased control over the blue paint. In a redesigned Be A Pro mode, each choice you make impacts your career, as you live out the authentic hockey journey from rookie to superstar, with fresh storylines, characters, challenges, and cut scenes. It’s time to show out and tell the world to Check My Game.

Recommended

Average Score

Total Reviews: 20

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Ratings & Reviews

20

Critic Reviews

74

Average Critic Score

Where to Play

All reviews are from professional critics. Learn more about the critics VSG aggregates.

High Score

85%

Median Score

75%

Low Score

50%

What did you think of NHL 26?

Player Reviews0 Votes

Marc Deschamps (IGN)

September 13, 2025

6/10

NHL 26 is a fine take on the sport of hockey, but it largely fails to offer any significant jumps from last year’s game.

Bill Lavoy (Shacknews)

September 12, 2025

5/10

Reviews aren’t the place to weigh in on how to fix things, so I won’t do that here. Deep down I hope the developers who are making this are kicking down Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson’s door asking for more time, budget, or anything really. Developers tend to be super fans who love making amazing games. I believe that about EA Vancouver, but this is not good enough and hasn’t been good enough for years. The players who return year after year deserve better

Richard Seagrave (GameSpew)

September 8, 2025

7/10

With a number of improvements such as a new goalie crease system and NHL EDGE data being used to enhance player behaviour, NHL 26 is undoubtedly a great hockey game. Be A Pro mode still has some issues, though, and you can just tell that the series doesn’t get as much love as the likes of EA Sports FC.

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Score Ranges

Read the Reviews (20 total)

Outlet	Author	Score	Date	Quote	Read
But Why Tho?	Kyle Foley	8 / 10	09-11-2025	NHL 26 brings new gameplay changes that bring hockey to life in a way that is better than ever. There are still some things to be ironed out, a typical issue for yearly sports releases, but there is a lot of fun to be had for hockey fans everywhere.	Read review
COGconnected	Rhett Waselenchuk	70 / 100	09-15-2025	NHL 26 doesn’t come close to reaching the heights of the series, but it isn’t terrible by any means.	Read review
Console Creatures	Court LaLonde	Recommended	09-05-2025	NHL 26 takes what NHL fans have seen in real-life NHL broadcasts and lets you experience it on your console. You get to feel the intensity of a Stanley Cup final while playing as some of the game’s best.	Read review
Eurogamer.pt	Bruno Galvão	4 / 5 stars	09-08-2025	NHL 26 faces many of the same problems as EA Sports’ other two sports series, such as pleasing both hardcore and casual fans by dividing its focus across multiple modes, but with the expected greater emphasis on the most profitable ones. However, single-player fans are well served, the graphics quality is superb, and the gameplay is fun.	Read review
Evilgamerz	Jeroen Janssen	8 / 10	09-05-2025	NHL 26 is a game for ice hockey fans in particular. The slightly more arcade-like modes make the game accessible even for beginners, but you still have to sink your teeth into it to truly enjoy it. Shooting isn’t simply a matter of kicking something like in soccer games; no, you really have to use the triggers and aim reasonably well. Dribbling and passing also require a bit more skill. The franchise is no longer the arcade game of yesteryear. However, if you’re a fan, or if you really want to sink your teeth into it, this game will blow every other game away	Read review
GAMES.CH	Olaf Bleich	77 / 100	09-08-2025	If you already own “NHL 25,” you’ll get more of a fine-tuning here. Those who’ve taken a longer break, however, can look forward to a well-rounded, fun hockey experience. “NHL 26” is like a solid power-play goal: It’s fun, it scores points—but it’s no game-changer!	Read review
GameSpew	Richard Seagrave	7 / 10	09-08-2025	With a number of improvements such as a new goalie crease system and NHL EDGE data being used to enhance player behaviour, NHL 26 is undoubtedly a great hockey game. Be A Pro mode still has some issues, though, and you can just tell that the series doesn’t get as much love as the likes of EA Sports FC.	Read review
GamingBolt	Matthew Carmosino	8 / 10	09-08-2025	There’s a lot to love about this year’s NHL game. From the redesigned Be A Pro mode to the enhanced NHL EDGE authenticity, it’s a notable step up from previous years. NHL 26 has perhaps the best ‘superstar’ mode of EA’s current sports lineup, which is shocking considering how stuck in the mud it’s been prior to now. If you’ve been on the fence about EA’s pro hockey series, now’s the time to jump in.	Read review
Geeks & Com	Marc-Antoine Bergeron Cote	7.5 / 10	09-05-2025	NHL 26 continues what was started last year. Little by little, EA Sports developers are tackling the different modes while adjusting gameplay. This time around, it was Be a Pro mode’s turn for a makeover. It clearly stands out from the crowd and gives players a real reason to dive back in. The game itself is becoming more realistic, the goalies are finally more believable, and the X-Factors add a welcome layer of strategy. Not to mention that HUT mode offers a breath of fresh air. However, if you buy the game every year, it feels like the rest of the experience is stagnating without ever taking it to the next level.	Read review
IGN	Marc Deschamps	6 / 10	09-13-2025	NHL 26 is a fine take on the sport of hockey, but it largely fails to offer any significant jumps from last year’s game.	Read review
Impulsegamer	Unknown	3.9 / 5 stars	09-09-2025	Thanks to the next iteration of ICE-Q and massively overhauled X-Factor system, NHL 26 is a better version of NHL 25 that feels more player personalized. Everything looks and executes at a higher level, but improvements are subtle.	Read review
MKAU Gaming	Brad Thorsen	8 / 10	09-08-2025	As someone who’s taken a hiatus from sports titles in general the last few years, stepping back onto the virtual ice with ‘NHL 26’ was a daunting, yet great chance to find my love for the genre yet again.	Read review
MondoXbox	Luca Di Lullo	8.5 / 10	09-13-2025	NHL 26 marks a significant improvement over its predecessor, delivering a deeper and more realistic simulation. Thanks to the new ICE-Q 2.0 engine and the integration of real NHL data, gameplay feels more authentic. While minor technical issues persist, the revamped Be a Pro and richer online modes make it a must-have for hockey fans.	Read review
PSX Brasil	Thiago de Alencar Moura	80 / 100	09-13-2025	NHL 26 is a fun game that does enough to bring hockey titles in line with the advancements seen in EA’s latest sports games. Both on the rink and in the modes, everything works well.	Read review
Rectify Gaming	Tyler Nienburg	7 / 10	09-14-2025	While EA Sports NHL 26 successfully captures the realistic elements of the sport, there is still room for improvement. The game lacks arcade-style modes, and the overall gameplay feels monotonous. At times, it seems that the franchise gets overshadowed by other EA Sports series. NHL 26 has the potential to be even better, but aside from two improved game modes and minor gameplay adjustments, it resembles its predecessor.	Read review
SECTOR.sk	Matúš Štrba	7 / 10	09-15-2025	NHL 26 pushes authenticity forward with ICE-Q 2.0 and NHL EDGE data, offering more realistic player differentiation and broadcast-style presentation. While core modes like Be A Pro and HUT see meaningful refinements, the series still feels evolutionary rather than revolutionary.	Read review
Shacknews	Bill Lavoy	5 / 10	09-12-2025	Reviews aren’t the place to weigh in on how to fix things, so I won’t do that here. Deep down I hope the developers who are making this are kicking down Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson’s door asking for more time, budget, or anything really. Developers tend to be super fans who love making amazing games. I believe that about EA Vancouver, but this is not good enough and hasn’t been good enough for years. The players who return year after year deserve better.	Read review
SpazioGames	Unknown	7.5 / 10	09-05-2025	NHL 26 isn’t a perfect entry, let’s be clear, but it’s a true starting point to relaunch the brand toward new quality standards. There are solid improvements across all the main modes, while the gameplay-despite a few nuances-strives for realism at all costs and gives the overall experience an exceptionally genuine sense of immersion.	Read review
Stevivor	Unknown	6.5 / 10	09-05-2025	Hockey is family. Hockey is life. Hockey is a source of joy. NHL 26, less so. For all the good it does, this is an off year; this is certainly no NHL 17. I hoped for more.	Read review
The Games Machine	Marco Ravetto	7.2 / 10	09-11-2025	NHL 26 is a game of ups and downs. It has its moments and can rely on a certain charm derived from a good pace and a fair amount of spectacle, but it continues to suffer from a whole series of more or less marked flaws that, especially for those who plan to play hundreds of games between skates and sticks, can become quite annoying in the long run.	Read review

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NHL 26

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