NHL 2005
NHL 2005 brings EA Sports’ early-2000s NHL package to Nintendo GameCube with a fast, physical approach built around controlling more than the puck carrier. This North American standard edition includes all 30 NHL clubs, an expanded international and European team selection, season-scale management in Dynasty, tournament play, and same-console competition for up to four players.
Build plays away from the puck
The defining system is Open Ice Control. Instead of waiting for the puck carrier to create every opening, you can switch to a teammate away from the puck, move into space, call for a pass or shot, set a pick, or bring a second defender into a double-team. Separate wrist-shot and slap-shot commands give shooting situations a clearer purpose, while the face-off playbook lets you choose whether to pressure the offensive zone or protect your own net before the puck drops.
That off-puck emphasis makes positioning matter at both ends. Quick passes and breakaway setups can pull a defense apart, while checking, line balance, and defensive support reward reading the developing play rather than chasing the puck. Player tendencies also help stars and role players feel different: finesse scorers, physical enforcers, and other player types contribute in ways that affect how a line fits together.
Run the club in Dynasty
Dynasty mode combines games on the ice with front-office decisions. You manage the roster through trades and free agency, respond to injuries and performance streaks, and receive communication from ownership and players. The goal is not only to win the next matchup, but to maintain a competitive club as team chemistry, roster needs, and organizational expectations change over time.
World Cup, Free4All, and flexible match options
The World Cup of Hockey mode features eight leading national teams competing in European and North American venues. EA Sports Free4All changes the rhythm completely: up to four skaters share one net and one goalie in an every-player-for-themselves scoring contest. Standard exhibition play, tournament options, and Dynasty provide more traditional routes through the roster. Rule settings include options such as no-touch icing, delayed offsides, and shootouts for tied games.
Teams, presentation, and GameCube play
The roster reaches beyond the NHL with Swedish, Finnish, and German elite-league clubs plus international teams. Commentary from Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson accompanies the action, and the GameCube release supports Dolby Pro Logic II audio. This edition is designed for local play: one to four players can compete simultaneously on the same console with Nintendo GameCube Controllers. No online mode is documented for the GameCube version.
A Nintendo GameCube Memory Card is required for saved progress, with the North American packaging specifying 59 blocks. This listing is for the North American release identified by product code DOL-GN5E-USA and UPC 014633147872. Condition options may vary, so choose the available copy type that matches the case, artwork, and disc components you want.
Quick Specs
| Game | NHL 2005 |
|---|---|
| Platform | Nintendo GameCube |
| Region / Edition | North America / Standard Edition |
| Release date | September 20, 2004 |
| Developer | Electronic Arts Black Box |
| Publisher | Electronic Arts / EA Sports |
| Genre | Ice hockey sports simulation |
| ESRB rating | Everyone — Violence |
| Players | 1–4 players |
| Multiplayer | Local simultaneous multiplayer |
| Online play | Not documented for the GameCube release |
| Controller | Nintendo GameCube Controller |
| Save requirement | Memory Card — 59 blocks |
| Audio | Dolby Pro Logic II |
| Physical format | Nintendo GameCube Game Disc |
| UPC | 014633147872 |
Physical game copy for Nintendo GameCube. Included components depend on the selected condition; see the condition choice for the exact configuration.
More game data: releases, identifiers & technical details
Regional release records and identifiers for NHL 2005 | Nintendo GameCube.
Release and technical facts
| Fact | Value | Release / platform | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Published by | Electronic Arts, Inc. | United States | MobyGames |
| Developed by | Electronic Arts Black Box | United States | MobyGames |
| Publishing label | EA Sports | United States | MobyGames |
| Published by | Electronic Arts, Inc. | Germany | MobyGames |
| Developed by | Electronic Arts Black Box | Germany | MobyGames |
| Publishing label | EA Sports | Germany | MobyGames |
| Distributed by | Electronic Arts Deutschland GmbH | Germany | MobyGames |
| Published by | Electronic Arts, Inc. | France | MobyGames |
| Developed by | Electronic Arts Black Box | France | MobyGames |
| Publishing label | EA Sports | France | MobyGames |
| Distributed by | Electronic Arts Publishing SARL | France | MobyGames |
| Sound Capabilities | Dolby Pro Logic II | GameCube | MobyGames |
| Multiplayer Options | Same/Split-Screen | GameCube | MobyGames |
| Number of Offline Players | 1-4 Players | GameCube | MobyGames |
| Genre | Sports | North America | PriceCharting |
| Also compatible on | Wii | North America | PriceCharting |
| Developer | Electronic Arts | North America | PriceCharting |
| Disc count (PriceCharting) | 1 game disc | North America | PriceCharting |
| ESRB rating | Everyone | North America | PriceCharting |
| Player count | 1-4 Players Local | North America | PriceCharting |
| Publisher | Electronic Arts | North America | PriceCharting |
| Also compatible on | PAL Wii | PAL | PriceCharting |
| Disc count (PriceCharting) | 1 game disc | PAL | PriceCharting |
| Genre | Sports | PAL | PriceCharting |
| Player count | 1 player | PAL | PriceCharting |
Regional releases
| Release date | Region / edition | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2004-09-20 | United States | MobyGames |
| 2004-09-30 | Germany | MobyGames |
| 2004-10-07 | France | MobyGames |
| 2004-09-20 | North America | PriceCharting |
| 2004-10-08 | PAL | PriceCharting |
| September 20, 2004 | North America | PriceCharting |
| October 8, 2004 | PAL | PriceCharting |
Catalog identifiers by release
| Identifier | Code | Region / edition | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPC-A | 014633147872 | United States | MobyGames |
| Nintendo Media PN | DL-DOL-GN5E-USA | United States | MobyGames |
| ASIN | B0002I9RRW | United States | MobyGames |
| eBay Product ID | 30753126 | United States | MobyGames |
| EAN-13 | 5030931038846 | France | MobyGames |
| asin | B0002I9RRW | North America | PriceCharting |
| epid | 30753126 | North America | PriceCharting |
| upc | 014633147872 | North America | PriceCharting |
Data by MobyGames.com · Catalog data: PriceCharting
