NHL 26

Last updated

NHL 26
Developer EA Vancouver
Publisher EA Sports
Series NHL
Engine Frostbite
Platforms PlayStation 5
Xbox Series X/S
ReleaseSeptember 12, 2025
Genre Sports (ice hockey)
Modes Single-player, multiplayer

NHL 26 is an ice hockey simulation video game developed by EA Vancouver and published by EA Sports. [1] It is the 35th installment in the NHL video game series and was released for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on September 12, 2025. [1] [2]

Contents

Gameplay

The gameplay of NHL 26 uses ICE-Q 2.0 technology, an evolution of the ICE-Q technology first implemented in NHL 25 . ICE-Q 2.0 incorporates NHL EDGE tracking data to inform player attributes such as skating acceleration, top speed, slap shot power, and wrist shot power. These data-driven attribute adjustments are applied to both user-controlled and AI-controlled players, with the intent of producing in-game behaviors and performance profiles that more closely resemble those of the corresponding real-world NHL players. [1] [3] [4] [5]

NHL 26 also revamps the Be A Pro game mode for the first time since NHL 21 , allowing players to start their Be A Pro career in the semi-finals of the IIHF World Junior Championship, which will then determine the player's position in the NHL draft. [3] The option to play in the Memorial Cup tournament or the Champions Hockey League tournament also still exists. [6] Once drafted, the player can build up to an NHL superstar or get demoted to the AHL. The game mode introduces voice acting by other NHL players, as well as new cutscenes, such as seeing your player in the NHL draft, tunnel walkouts, and a Stanley Cup celebration in the locker room. [7]

Reception

NHL 26 received "mixed or average" reviews from critics, according to review aggregator Metacritic, [8] and 44% of critics recommended the game, according to OpenCritic. [10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Passey, Taven (September 3, 2025). "When Can You Play NHL 26? Full Early Access Guide". Esports Illustrated On SI. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
  2. ↑ "EA SPORTS NHL 26 Home". Electronic Arts. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
  3. 1 2 Bengel, Chris (September 8, 2025). "NHL 26 review: Goalie crease control, 'Be a Pro' mode helps EA Sports franchise remain as enjoyable as ever". CBS Sports. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
  4. ↑ Dator, James (September 10, 2025). "NHL 26 review: Is this year's game worth buying?". SB Nation. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
  5. ↑ "NHL 26 Gameplay". EA SPORTS. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  6. ↑ @Thrash94Gaming (August 20, 2025). "EA confirming what I was getting hounded for saying yesterday
    World Juniors is an additional, not a replacement for the memorial cup
    #NHL26"     (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  7. ↑ "NHL 26 Be A Pro Deep Dive". www.ea.com (Press release). August 19, 2025. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  8. 1 2 "NHL 26 (PlayStation 5 Critic Reviews)". Metacritic . Retrieved October 25, 2025.
  9. ↑ "NHL 26 (Xbox Series X Critic Reviews)". Metacritic . Retrieved October 25, 2025.
  10. 1 2 "NHL 26 Reviews". OpenCritic . Retrieved October 25, 2025.
  11. ↑ Deschamps, Marc (September 12, 2025). "NHL 26 Review". IGN. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
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