NHL Hitz 20-02

 GameCube
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. TotalGames.net
    91
    The fact that NHL Hitz is so easy to pick up and then so playable once you're hooked is the thing that makes the game a total success in our book – there are so few sports games around these days that manage to do the job so well.
  2. GameCube Europe
    90
    An incredibly fast paced sports game with the intention of causing as many broken bones as possible. A great laugh on your own but with 2-3 friends it becomes an absolute hoot!
  3. GamePro
    90
    Might not be real NHL hockey, but it might be all the hockey you really need.
  5. GamerWeb Nintendo
    83
    This game is great for a quickie, when you’re in the mood for this style of game, but if you want something that draws you to your controller day in and day out, then you need something with more depth.
  6. Gamezilla!
    81
    A hard hitting, fast paced game. Unfortunately, like most things that burn at high temperatures, its life span is short.
  7. Game Informer
    80
    Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think Midway could create a game that competes on EA’s level, yet Hitz does it. [Feb 2002, p.87]
    All this publication's reviews
  8. Media and Games Online Network
    80
    If your looking for a good ole fashioned arcade, hockey check fest, or an alternative multiplayer game to Super Smash Brothers Melee then look no further – NHL Hitz is here.
  9. Hot Games
    80
    Looking for the mot realistic hockey game ever? Look elsewhere. NHL Hitz is about adrenaline and ass-whuppin' - in that order.
  10. GameSpy
    78
    Like the other games in their series, Hitz is easy to pick up, fun to play, and not at all representative of the sport that it's based on.
  11. IGN
    74
    It's so arcade-like that it suffers from the same drawbacks that so many arcade titles do: it's shallow. It's a great pick-up-and-play title, but only hardcore hockey fans will want to spend more than a couple of hours at a time with it.
  12. GameSpot
    72
    Always frantic, NHL Hitz 2002 provides some high-level entertainment for the first couple of days and works best as a multiplayer game, but the handicapping AI makes the gameplay unbalanced.
  13. Nintendo Power
    70
    Midway has taken the most violent aspects of ice hockey and adrenalized them. The resulting mayhem is a blast. [Dec 2001, p.170]
    All this publication's reviews
  14. Yahoo!
    60
    The game will be exciting right up until you realize that the game itself is controlling how close the games will be, and your skill seems to have no bearing on the outcome in the long run unless you get a lucky shot at the end.

Awards & Rankings

11
#11 Best GameCube Game of 2001
17
#17 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2001
11
#11 Most Shared GameCube Game of 2001

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. neojotic
    Aug 26, 2020
    9
    Arcade meets sports! Amazing game and the arcade elements compliment the sport perfectly. Fast play and hard hits!

    Blackbox was the    Arcade meets sports! Amazing game and the arcade elements compliment the sport perfectly. Fast play and hard hits!

    Blackbox was the developer, they were the development team that made 2K for the Dreamcast and it shows in the graphics and gameplay of Hitz.

    This is a multi player gold mine especially on Gamecube with the 4 controller ports. You can make your own team and fill the roster with all of your friends.

    Only downside is the developers got some players' numbers wrong. As a huge hockey fan it sucked to see Gary Roberts as #10 when he was #7. Roberts was a top player that year as well and had made a huge comeback after breaking his neck (most players never recover from that at all).

    Difficulty is good and there's a ton of unlockables. It's do-able as a single player run but I recommend playing with your full team.    … Full Review »
  2. A.
    Jul 9, 2002
    9
    Well done graphics with fast-paced, loose teeth hockey action. The franchise mode where I made an entire custom team and took them on the Well done graphics with fast-paced, loose teeth hockey action. The franchise mode where I made an entire custom team and took them on the road was my choice for playing through all the teams, and I could do so with 2 friends against the cpu's. 4 player is a blast with easy controls, nice one-timers, and fist fights to knock out your friends players. Graphics-9 Gameplay-8 Controls-9 Multiplay-9 Buy it and have some friends over!… Full Review »
  3. [Anonymous]
    Dec 27, 2001
    10
    I think it is a good game because the graphics and game play action. I also like that there are no refs so you can be as bad as you want.
See all user reviews »