Here's how to get NHL 2002(PC) running on a modern PC with Windows 10/11:

1. Extract the attached zip file to your PC
2. Right-click the Setup.exe file in the Setup folder, go to the Compatibility tab and disable the Windows 98 compatibility, then click Apply.
3. Right click the Setup.exe file again and run as administrator. Go through the various setup screens. When prompted, add the registry key found in the attached zip file in this post.
4. Move the patched dx7z.dll from the website below into the main NHL 2002 directory you installed the game onto (i.e. C:\Program Files (x86)\EA SPORTS\NHL 2002). Don't try to move it to the zipped file directory. When asked to override the existing file click yes.
5. You may also need to move the NHL 2002 Fixed Executable from the website below into the main NHL 2002 directory and override the existing one.
6. Lastly, right-click on the NHL 2002 application and run as administrator

Here's a helpful site that contains some needed patch files to fix graphics glitches/crashes:

https://classicgamefixes.wixsite.com/home/nhl-2002#:~:text=First%2C download the official EA SPORTS patch for the game.&text=Then%2C unzip this fixed executable,your NHL 2002 game directory.&text=This combination should allow you,and Run as Administrator modes.

 

If you want to use a gamepad like a snes one you would just need to plug it in before loading the game.

Within the game itself you can click on Play Now and at the bottom you'll see a controller icon. Click that and you should see Keyboard and Gamepad. Click Gamepad and you can map the controls to whatever buttons you want. When done click Save Layout/Settings)

NHL 2002.zip

Edited April 26, 20242 yr by kidswasted

What if you’re like me, and get a crash trying to play a game, and the faulting module is ntdll.dll?

2 hours ago, Jlsegafan2001 said:

What if you’re like me, and get a crash trying to play a game, and the faulting module is ntdll.dll?

This might fix it even though it's a different game:

Or this:

https://www.partitionwizard.com/partitionmanager/ntdll-dll-crash.html

9 hours ago, kidswasted said:

This might fix it even though it's a different game:

Or this:

https://www.partitionwizard.com/partitionmanager/ntdll-dll-crash.html

1) If you know me, you'll know that the solution is never this easy.

2a) The command shown is incomplete.

2b) The troubleshooter will always tell me that the game isn't supported.

2c) NHL 2001 wants me to insert the game into a nonexistent drive and run it from there, and if I cancel, see 2b).

3) That worked once... then when I ran the game again, the issue came right back.

4) Windows opens Edge instead, because of IE being retired.

5) I only have one computer with Win10 on it, and even if I did have another one, Windows would prevent me from replacing the dll.

Btw, NHL 2001 was the game I used as an example. NHL 2002 has the exact same crash.

Unfortunately it's way above my head. It took me awhile to piece together a working version for my own PC. From what I gather it may have to do with one of the Windows Updates. I think I played a handful of games and am over it for the time being lol.

I feel like it was because of a Windows update as well.

Hello there, have you tried running nhl 2002 on nglide? Google Nglide, follow the instructions and the game will work.  With it, it works flawlessly on my 2 computers. 

NGLIDE

nGlide - Glide wrapper | Zeus Software (zeus-software.com)

follow especially the instructions on the Game compatibility list on the site for nhl 2002 and you should be set.

14 minutes ago, I got the puck said:

Hello there, have you tried running nhl 2002 on nglide? Google Nglide, follow the instructions and the game will work.  With it, it works flawlessly on my 2 computers. 

NGLIDE

nGlide - Glide wrapper | Zeus Software (zeus-software.com)

follow especially the instructions on the Game compatibility list on the site for nhl 2002 and you should be set.

Brave of you to assume this changes anything.

It works for me, why wouldn't it work for you?

 

Because the faulting module is ntdll.dll, a system file.

hello everyone!

i got nhl 2002 to work on win 11 25h2 version and i was wondering if there are any widescreen and graphics enhancement patches for this great game?

I don’t know, but are you able to get the game to go into a matchup screen without a crash that Event Viewer reveals was caused by the previously mentioned module?

8 hours ago, Jlsegafan2001 said:

I don’t know, but are you able to get the game to go into a matchup screen without a crash that Event Viewer reveals was caused by the previously mentioned module?

i'm able to play the game normally.

Interesting. I have to use a virtual machine to do such a thing.