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Shoresy: Legends of the North is a hockey RPG built around the Shoresy universe, a story campaign, and local multiplayer. EA SPORTS NHL 26 is the current EA NHL game, focused on NHL players, career progression, and licensed competition. They are aimed at different kinds of hockey gaming: choose Shoresy for its characters and group-friendly Shinny mode; choose NHL 26 for its NHL-focused systems and modes.
How the games differ at a glance
| What you want | Better fit based on listed features | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A Shoresy-universe story and a created skater to develop | Shoresy: Legends of the North | Its Story Mode centers on a created player, progression, gear, travel, and a quest alongside Shoresy. Steam’s listing describes the mode. |
| Competitive or cooperative play in the same room | Shoresy: Legends of the North | Steam lists shared-screen PvP and co-op for Shinny Mode, along with controller support. Steam’s listing |
| NHL player-specific systems and a career mode | EA SPORTS NHL 26 | EA highlights NHL EDGE-informed gameplay features and Be A Pro. These are EA’s descriptions of the features, not independent assessments of their performance. EA’s ICE-Q 2.0 page · EA’s Be A Pro page |
| A particular console or PC | Depends on your system | Steam lists Shoresy for PC; the Xbox Store listing is for Xbox Series X|S. NHL 26 launched for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. See the Xbox Store Shoresy listing and EA’s NHL 26 launch announcement. |
What you play in Shoresy: Legends of the North
Story Mode: a hockey RPG campaign
Steam describes Shoresy: Legends of the North as a “pick-up-and-play hockey RPG.” In Story Mode, you create a skater, develop stats, unlock gear, travel, and face bosses in an original story alongside Shoresy. The official Shoresy game page frames it as a modern take on classic hockey video games, with the Blueberry Bulldogs, hits, goals, fights, and chirps; that is franchise marketing language, not a neutral review.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
NHL 24 - For Playstation 5 | $12.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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NHL 25 PlayStation 5 | $14.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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NHL 24 - PlayStation 5 | $12.10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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NBA 2K26 Standard Edition PlayStation 5 | $23.25 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
NHL 23 - PS5 | $9.00 | Buy on Amazon |
Steam lists the PC release date as November 22, 2025, after Early Access began July 24, 2025. The Xbox Store listing identifies Xbox Series X|S and displays an October 19, 2026 release date. That date is in the future as of October 7, 2026 only if the listing’s date has not changed; check the store for current availability and timing.
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Shinny is the game’s group-play option. Steam lists competitive and cooperative local multiplayer, with players drafting familiar characters and using a fight meter and power-ups. The listing also specifies shared/split-screen PvP and co-op, Steam Remote Play Together, and controller support. These listed features make Shoresy the more directly documented choice for a casual same-room session; they do not establish how the mode feels in practice.
#1 Best Overall
- With Exhaust Engine, sustained pressure in the attack zone leads to new game-changing effects, like goalie fatigue that slows the netminder’s reaction time the more they get worn down with offensive action
- Change the momentum with Physics-Based Contact as you break the glass and send players into the bench with big body checks
- Get unparalleled player command with the new Vision Passing System and Total Control Skill Moves
- Stay connected more than ever with cross-play in all online team play modes
- HUT Moments lets you recreate classic moments in hockey history and today’s biggest plays
What you play in NHL 26
NHL-focused gameplay systems
EA says NHL 26’s ICE-Q 2.0 uses NHL EDGE data to inform player attributes and tendencies, including skating and shooting traits, and describes an upgraded goalie crease control system. The feature is intended to distinguish NHL players through their on-ice characteristics. Those details come from EA’s own ICE-Q 2.0 gameplay description, not independent testing.
Be A Pro and HUT Seasons
EA describes Be A Pro as a career journey from rookie to superstar. Its NHL 26 feature page also highlights HUT Seasons and X-Factors. These give NHL 26 a broader NHL-series focus than Shoresy’s franchise-character story and Shinny setup. EA announced a worldwide launch on September 12, 2025, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Rank #2
- ICE-Q - This is true hockey intelligence. Built on an all-new logic-driven animation system, ICE-Q responds to contextual events on the ice with unprecedented authenticity and is the foundation of Chel’s gameplay overhaul.
- SKILL BASED ONE-TIMERS – Skill Based One-Timers create authentic gameplay tension as offensive excitement and expectation mix with defensive concern and anticipation, each pass creating unique moments and opportunities for high-scoring probability shots.
- GRUDGE MATCH - Hockey is at its best when the competition is fierce. The all-new Grudge Match System tracks the history of matchups between teams across all major online and offline modes in NHL 25 to add more context, stakes and heat to showdowns with your rivals.
- NEXT-GEN CHARACTERS - The next best thing to the real thing. Thanks to the introduction of Sapien Technology to the NHL franchise and the power of our Frostbite Engine on next-gen consoles, all of NHL 25’s in-game characters have received a serious visual overhaul.
Which game should you choose?
- Choose Shoresy if the Shoresy characters, original story, skater progression, or local co-op and PvP are the main draw.
- Choose NHL 26 if you want EA’s current NHL game, its NHL player-focused systems, Be A Pro, or HUT Seasons.
- Check your platform first: Shoresy is listed on Steam for PC and on the Xbox Store for Series X|S; NHL 26 launched on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Neither is simply a substitute for the other. Shoresy emphasizes a franchise-flavored hockey RPG and group Shinny; NHL 26 emphasizes NHL competition and career and team-building modes. This comparison reflects official descriptions and storefront listings, not hands-on testing.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Grab your friends, hit the ice, and make history in NHL 23
- Get the best players in the world on one lineup with the introduction of mixed women’s and men’s teams in HUT
- Last chance puck movement gameplay animations let you control how a play unfolds after any level of contact is taken
- Gear up and hit the ice for the most dynamic, connected, and visually rich Chel experience yet
Rank #4
- Bragging rights are on the line in NBA 2K26. Build your legend in MyCAREER, collect and compete with stars in MyTEAM, and make executive decisions in MyNBA on PS5.
- POWERED BY ProPLAY Dominate every possession with immersive technology that directly translates NBA footage into realistic gameplay on PS5. Feel more connected to every dribble and crossover, and move with freedom as you unleash dynamic playmaking using all-new features.
- SQUAD UP AND WIN Build a MyPLAYER that transcends the game in MyCAREER and rise from a budding prospect to a global superstar. Take over stunning environments where you can team up with friends and challenge rival squads for bragging rights.
- UNITE STARS IN MyTEAM Collect and compete with past and present legends of the game in MyTEAM. Assemble a star-studded roster, put your dream team to the test in single-player and multiplayer modes, and acquire new cards to make your MyTEAM fantasy a reality.
- YOUR TEAM, YOUR STORY Write the next chapter of an NBA franchise as a General Manager in MyLEAGUE, and add to its storied history by raising banners. Influence the future of the sport and leave an indelible mark on the league. *Internet connection and NBA 2K Account required to redeem and use bonus content. Terms apply.
Rank #3
- EA SPORTS NHL 24’s all-new gameplay features bring authentic on-ice action to life.
- Experience the rush and fatigue of a high-pressure game with the Exhaust Engine, where sustained pressure in the attack zone leads to new game-changing effects.
- Chel is more connected than ever with cross-play in all online team play modes, along with HUT Moments, which lets you recreate classic moments in hockey history and today’s biggest plays.
- Flex Moments introduces 75+ new goal celebrations, and a wholly refreshed presentation complements an enriched crowd atmosphere that makes playing the game feel like you’re at the game.
- Some features may require an internet connection and an online subscription.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
