• ID = PS0634
• STYLE = Hockey
• DEV. = EA Canada
• PUB. = Electronic Arts
• R-DATE = Oct-02-2002
• ESRB = E / For Everyone
• PLAYERS = 1-2 players
• LIST PRICE = $29.99
  

This hockey sim has a number of detailed control features. User-activated dekes give you full control of the puck, for example, and when you build enough momentum, the action slows in key moments. A new graphics and animation engine means NHL action comes to life as never before. There are also new puck physics and goalie AI, so the players and puck respond more accurately to your actions. There are four game modes, a create-a-player feature, real on-ice sounds, and dynamic camera work.

Description 2:
This is what it feels like to be a superstar -- you've got complete control of the stick and puck, and you're rushing the net for the game-winning goal. With all the teams, all the stars, and all the speed, power and moves of pro hockey, NHL® 2003 puts you on the ice and lets you rule the rink!

• Dynamic Deke Control.
• User-activated dekes give you full control of the puck.
• Game Breaker: Build enough momentum and the action slows in key moments -- feel your heart pounding while you go for goal.
• New Graphics and Animation Engine.
• NHL® action comes to life with all-new animations and stunning graphics.
• New Puck Physics and Goalie AI.
• The players and puck respond more accurately to your actions.
• More Cool Features.
• 4 game modes, Create-A-Player, real on-ice sounds, and dynamic camera work bring the NHL to your fingertips.

Amazon.co.uk Review
Being huge hockey fans, we were excited about playing the latest in the long line of EA’s NHL series--but we must admit to being a little disappointed with this latest offering, as NHL 2003 in all truth is NHL 2002 plus a few shiny bits. The new features for 2003 are an improved franchise mode that has more of the hard-core managerial events to deal with, such as annual drafts, player waivers, more injuries and suspensions, and more Easter eggs and celebrations to unlock with the NHL cards rewards system.

One major gameplay change has been added: the Gamebreaker is simply a power bar that slowly energizes as you play, and once it's full a quick button press will allow you to pull off some pretty funky moves. Also improved are the in-game physics--the puck now rebounds off defenders and sticks with more realism. Our main criticisms (and perhaps this is nit-picking) are that the overly comic commentators have really dumbed the game down and that there are too many Matrix-style, slow-motion effects.

NHL 2003 plays fantastically and is one of the finest sports games to grace TV screens anywhere. The presentation is top-notch, and most of the stats are up-to-date (although yet again many of the minor international squads still have imaginary players). But the new tweaks aren't really enough to justify shelling out full price if you already own last year's version--a lesson we hoped EA had learned after finally getting FIFA right this time.

If you’re an NHL completist or a hockey fan, or have never played NHL before, then we recommend this game over any other. If you’ve already got NHL 2002 then you can do without this version's new features. --Laurent S. Hall