NHL 2K Series NHL 2K is a series of hockey games by 2K Sports for the Dreamcast , PlayStation 2 , Nintendo GameCube , Xbox , Xbox 360 , PlayStation 3 , and the Wii . Its main competitor is EA Sports ' NHL video games . The game is officially licensed from the National Hockey League and NHL Players Association . History . Series beginnings . The " NHL 2K " series first appeared on the Dreamcast on February 9 , 2000 as part of an exclusive lineup of Sega Sports titles . Its success led to it becoming one of the few Sega All Stars titles . A year later the developers did not release " NHL 2K1 " , and instead took a break , following up with " NHL 2K2 " ; the last game ever released for the Dreamcast in North America . Multi - platform and new license . " NHL 2K3 " was released on the Xbox , PlayStation2 , and Nintendo GameCube . It was the first in the series to feature a franchise mode , and the Xbox version was the first online console hockey game . It had many improvements over its predecessor , although players complained that goalies were too hard to score on . Even so , with this title the NHL 2K series was starting to form its own identity as a more ' simulation - like ' style of game , as opposed to EA ' s more ' arcade - like ' style . It addressed some issues like scoring , and presentation , and was acknowledged as an exceptional sports title . Even with the lockout looming , video game fans didn ' t have to worry about the series being put on hiatus , as " ESPN NHL 2K5 " was released on August 30 , 2004 . Because Sega had signed a deal with Take - Two Interactive in which Global Star Software ( Take - Two ' s low - price unit ) distributed and co - published all titles in Sega ' s ESPN franchise , " ESPN NHL 2K5 " was priced at US $ 19 . 99 the day it shipped — versus the typical new - release price of US $ 49 . 99 . This earned it a wide audience among more casual hockey fans on the PlayStation 2 and Xbox . However , EA soon signed an agreement with ESPN to become the sole licensee of ESPN ' s brand in sports games on all platforms . " NHL 2K6 " and beyond . Nevertheless , " NHL 2K6 " was soon released , again at US $ 19 . 99 , with a new deeper franchise mode , as well as other new extras ( such as Bob Cole and Harry Neale providing commentary ) . With the Xbox 360 coming out , " NHL 2K6 " was released as a launch title , with a new ' goalie control ' feature . NHL 2K7 ' s new features consist of all new animations , mainly geared towards skating , and ' Cinemotion ' which is designed to capture the intensity of hockey through close up angles and orchestral music . " NHL 2K8 " . NHL 2K8 was released in September 2007 . The game features an all new face - off system which includes tie - ups , warnings , jostling , and penalties . The game also includes a new goaltending engine with improved goalies that react according to the situation . Goalies will challenge the puck carrier when appropriate , perform spectacular butterfly saves , and guard the post . Other mini features include variable attendance , better graphics , a new skating engine , authentic player equipment , and more . Jason Spezza from the Ottawa Senators was on the cover . " NHL 2K9 " . " NHL 2K9 " was released in September 2008 . Columbus Blue Jackets ' captain Rick Nash is the cover athlete . NHL 2K9 was released on the Wii console in addition to the PlayStation 2 , Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 . This makes it the first NHL licensed game on the Wii . " NHL 2K10 " . " NHL 2K10 " was released on September 15 , 2009 with Washington Capitals left winger Alexander Ovechkin on the 10th Anniversary cover . It was released to lukewarm reviews on next gen consoles , but very solid scores on the much improved Wii version , which now sported online play , Mii Integration , and Wii Motion Plus . NHL 2K11 . " NHL 2K11 " will be released on September 7 , 2010 . This time , the game will be only available on the Nintendo Wii . On March 3rd , 2010 CEO Ben Feder explained " We have decided to reevaluate our NHL strategy and will only be releasing NHL 2K11 for the Wii in fiscal year 2010 . We want to become a stronger competitor in this category and taking a year off on PS3 and Xbox 360 , while focusing on making the best possible game for Wii , should allow us to accomplish that goal . " On March 8 , 2010 , it was revealed Vancouver Canucks forward Ryan Kesler will be the cover athlete for the upcoming game . [ 1 ]