The arenas are well done, and player animations are functional, although not terribly detailed. The name of the game here, as it was in NHL 2000, is speed, which RTR delivers plenty of. No frame rate bogging here, fans. This game moves very fast, and this delivers the arcade experience as it should be. So, while the graphics aren't exactly stellar, this does not in any way damage the caliber of the game.
Sound effects are crisp, such as pucks clanging off of goalposts and thwacks of slapshots.
As far as in-game commentary goes, RTR is downright funny. The bottom line is that EA has delivered another winner, although it may not get the attention that it deserves. NHL Rock the Rink is the best arcade hockey game released on ANY platform, including the arcade. Graphically, RTR isn't a powerhouse, but its tight gameplay and lightning-fast speeds more than make up for that. If you're a hockey fan to any degree, you owe it to yourself to at least rent this game.