NHL 26 Review (PS5 & Xbox Series X|S)

For years now, NHL games have been stuck in a cycle. EA would tweak some visuals, polish animations, and adjust AI logic here and there, but the overall feel never changed much. Fans have wanted a shakeup for a while, especially with Be a Pro mode feeling ancient and uninspired. That’s why NHL 26 is such a surprise. It doesn’t reinvent hockey games entirely, but it finally makes enough meaningful changes to stand out from the pack and keep things fresh. From the new data-driven gameplay to the revamped Be a Pro career, this year’s entry feels like the series is moving forward instead of just tweaking yearly updates. Now, let’s check out this NHL 26 review to find out more.

Skating Feels Better Than Ever

When you first hop onto the ice in NHL 26, you’ll notice something small but important: it just feels better. The flow of skating, passing, and shooting has a subtle polish that makes every game smoother than NHL 25. It’s not a night-and-day difference, but after a few hours, you can really tell the game has gained a bit of depth.

Now, the biggest reason for this improvement is EA’s use of NHL Edge data. For years, the NHL has been tracking player tendencies and performance with this system, and EA decided to bring it into the game. That means players now act and feel more like their real-world counterparts. A sniper who loves shooting from tight angles actually feels that way in-game. A scrappy forward who thrives near the net has few habits that make him more effective in those moments.

For casual players, this isn’t something you’ll pick up on immediately. You can just grab the puck, fly down the wing, and fire a shot like always. It keeps things fresh, especially when you’re facing different teams with different tendencies. Ultimately, NHL 26 feels less like a copy-paste hockey game and more like a living version of the sport. Sure, not every change is noticeable to the average fan, but hardcore players will definitely appreciate the effort.

Goalies Got Smarter

One of the biggest overhauls this year is goaltending. EA has revamped animations, added around 80 new saves, and given goalies the ability to cancel animations mid-action. That makes a massive difference in this sports game. No longer are you stuck watching your goalie finish a long, drawn-out save motion while the puck slides right back in front of the net. Now, goalies can react faster and make back-to-back saves without looking robotic.

From an AI standpoint, goalies are also much sharper. They read plays better, they cut off angles earlier, and they anticipate where shots might go. This makes games feel more authentic, especially during tense moments, such as overtime scrambles. But here’s the catch: the system might be too automated. If you play as a goalie, you’ll quickly notice that the AI will often make saves for you even if you aren’t pressing buttons. That takes away a lot of the skill and satisfaction of playing the position. Standing there while the computer bails you out with a flashy glove save just doesn’t feel rewarding.

Ultimately, goalies are better this year, more fluid, more responsive, more fun to watch. But controlling them still lacks depth. If EA wants this to feel like an actual improvement, they’ll need to strike a better balance between AI assistance and player control.

Be a Pro Finally Feels Like a Career

The biggest surprise in NHL 26 is the huge upgrade to Be a Pro mode. For years, it felt outdated compared to career modes in FIFA, Madden, or NBA 2K. Dialogue was flat, storylines were shallow, and the journey from rookie to superstar felt rushed. This year, EA finally gave it the attention it needed.

Press conferences and interviews are now voice-acted, and shockingly, they sound good. The interviewers don’t just read lines robotically; they pause, stumble, and sound like real people asking questions. While your player and coaches aren’t voiced, this small addition makes the game world feel more alive.

Your dialogue choices finally matter too, at least in small ways. Answers can affect locker room chemistry, social media buzz, and even unlock unique abilities. It’s not full-on RPG depth, but it makes conversations feel meaningful.

Another big change is the journey to the NHL. Instead of starting in the big leagues right away, you can work your way up through the minors, proving yourself before making the jump. If you perform poorly, you can even get demoted back to the AHL. That added risk makes every game feel more meaningful. 

Now here is another cool addition. For players short on time, there’s a new chapter skip system. You can fast-forward to the next key moment in your career, whether that’s the draft, playoffs, or a new season. Combine that with the form score tracker, which shows your progress game by game, and you’ve got the best Be a Pro mode in the series.

Broadcast Magic

NHL games have always tried to capture the look and feel of real broadcasts, and NHL 26 nails it better than ever. EA has clearly made presentation a priority this year, and it shows right from kickoff. The game now comes loaded with new broadcast packages, fresh overlays, and smoother camera transitions that make every snap feel more like a televised game. Stadium introductions also received an upgrade, with unique player runouts and team-specific traditions adding a distinct personality to each matchup.

Crowd energy has also been dialled up. Fans roar louder during rivalry games or when a big play swings the momentum. It’s not NHL-level intensity yet, but it’s a noticeable step forward. Even the mascots and sideline details bring some fun to the overall presentation.

The commentary team of James Cybulski and Cheryl Pounder returns with sharper delivery and smoother chemistry. Beyond the typical play-by-play, their dialogue now adapts to the player’s journey. Additionally, crowd dynamics are another highlight. Reactions surge and dip with the action, reaching an electric pitch during overtime or game-deciding moments. The intensity is so authentic that it sometimes overwhelms, but that’s precisely what hockey energy should feel. Of course, it’s not flawless, but NHL 26 finally nails the excitement of hockey’s sights and sounds, delivering a presentation package worthy of the sport itself.

The Ultimate Team

Hockey Ultimate Team is still EA’s big moneymaker, and this year, they’ve given it some meaningful updates. Offline players now have the new Cup Chase mode, which lets you test your roster-building skills across multiple seasons with rewards tied to your performance. It finally gives solo players more to do without being forced into online competition.

There’s also a new ranked system for online play, which adds structure to competitive matches. It’s something fans have wanted for a while, and it helps give the mode a stronger sense of progression. Additionally, player combinations are another new addition. Pairing players who share certain traits, such as nationality or real-life team chemistry, unlocks bonuses. It’s a clever idea, but it can also lead to one-sided team-building where you’re forced to prioritize certain combos instead of experimenting freely.

One addition that will impress players is the inclusion of hero and icon players. Dropping legends like Sergey Fedorov into your lineup alongside modern stars adds a nostalgic vibe that makes team building more enjoyable. On the flip side, the problem is that once you step online. Competitive play continues to favor players willing to open their wallets, leaving those who grind at a disadvantage. It’s the same pay-to-win formula that has defined the mode for years in this sports game. While the core gameplay loop is addictive, the imbalance is impossible to ignore.

At this point, anyone who has ever touched Ultimate Team knows the deal. It’s flashy and rewarding. However, in the long run, it still feels like EA’s money-printing machine is more than a fair playing field.

Verdict

NHL 26 is easily the best entry in the series in years. The gameplay feels sharper, the data-driven AI adds authenticity, and the goalie overhaul makes matches more exciting. The real winner, though, is Be a Pro mode, which finally feels like a proper career journey instead of an afterthought. 

However, despite being significantly improved compared to recent years, NHL 26 is not flawless. The goalie automation issue remains frustrating for anyone who enjoys playing that position. Be a Pro mode, while vastly improved, still doesn’t offer the branching storylines or dramatic career arcs you’d find in other sports games. 

Franchise mode, on the other hand, is basically untouched from last year. That isn’t very reassuring, because franchise is still a fan-favourite mode, and it deserves the same kind of attention Be a Pro just received. Menus also load faster than before, but there’s still a noticeable slowdown when checking ratings or browsing online content. Ultimately, NHL 26 isn’t perfect, but its flaws don’t ruin the gameplay. The improved presentation, atmosphere, and smoother on-field action make it the most enjoyable NHL game in years.