NHL 2K3

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Sega
  • Release Date: Nov 10, 2002
NHL 2K3 Image
Metascore
89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 18 Ratings

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  • Summary: More than just familiar faces and numbers, Sega Sports NHL 2K3 delivers player realism down to size, skill, and behavior, resulting in individuals that exhibit accurate styles of play. Now grinders battle for pucks in the corners, elite players see the ice and create opportunities, and fastMore than just familiar faces and numbers, Sega Sports NHL 2K3 delivers player realism down to size, skill, and behavior, resulting in individuals that exhibit accurate styles of play. Now grinders battle for pucks in the corners, elite players see the ice and create opportunities, and fast skaters exploit their speed. The all-new Franchise Mode lets you capitalize on player accuracy to develop a team that plays your brand of hockey. Now you can draft hotshot rookies, trade for players who compliment your team, compensate for injured players, and more. Then put that precision to work on the ice by anchoring lines with key players and rotating those lines to create the match-ups you want. Bringing it all together is a new ESPN broadcast system where scores, highlights, and more are presented in the network's famous style. [Sega]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. GamePro
    100
    If you’re looking to play hockey of the NHL variety, to tackle pro challenges and use real-life strategies, NHL 2K3 will thrill you as much as watching your team heroically survive a five-on-three penalty kill.
  2. GameNow
    100
    Speaking of realistic, the checking and board play in 2K3 is light-years beyond anything else on the market. [Jan 2003, p.54]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Gaming Age
    91
    With AI that is light years ahead of EA Sports, a simulation experience that's second to none, and a fun - if somewhat fickle - online experience with Xbox, the serious hockey gamer should only look at one title this year.
  4. GamingWorld X
    89
    Even with the mediocre visuals and sub-par sound, NHL 2K3’s gameplay has enough depth to it that it deserves the best hockey game of the year award. In fact, it could be one of the best ever created in the last decade, rivaling some Genesis greats.
  5. TotalGames.net
    87
    The visuals are excellent, commentary exciting and convincing, and overall enjoyment is top-notch. Highly recommended.
  6. Game Revolution
    83
    Does an excellent job on the ice, providing the best all around control that I've ever seen. Good physics and a solid presentation add to the show.
  7. PSX Nation
    80
    Everything that NHL 2003 does “NHL 2K3” can perform just as well, except for the fancy presentation aspects that EA Sports has polished to near-perfection (and which Sega Sports is still learning to implement properly).

See all 25 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 13
  3. Negative: 3 out of 13
  1. $GMoney$GIrdham
    Apr 26, 2007
    10
    This is the best hockey game i have ever played. It has excellent graphics, fabulous commentary, hard checking, and great sound. GO WINGS!
  2. JoeC.
    Jan 11, 2003
    10
    Best hockey game of the year. Graphics are great as well as the gameplay. great features. this game passes all other competition.
  4. mr.420bliz-blunt
    May 5, 2003
    10
    By far the best damn hockey game period. It blow's all others out the bong water,even that want to be nhl 2k3, nhl 2003 by ea sports.By far the best damn hockey game period. It blow's all others out the bong water,even that want to be nhl 2k3, nhl 2003 by ea sports. 2003 is a above average game, but that d-chase nuts guy is sucking off mr. madden. who would want a game where you score 10 goals a game on the hardest settings,and the sped players don't know how to pick up a rebound, i think the makers of this ea sport's nhl2003 rode the really short bus if you know what i mean d- nut chaser.The people who won't like 2k3 are not real hockey fans and either watch hockey for the fight's or sit next to the ea sport flamers on the bus. Your vagina's all sandy about some sound problem,but ea sports forgot to master the gameplay before moving on to the sweet soundtrack and extra's they do set up.So stick to 2k3 because i wouldn't have gave it a ten if it wasn't the best hockey game ever put together.The big boy's are 2k3ing it up, while the tot's are stroking of to nhl2003. 2k3 smokes the rest like a tightly rolled up dooby of dizity danks. Oh yeah big ed i think the ed stands for (easily deceived)because simple minds are ed. stl .blues don't forget it ,peace … Expand
  5. Sean
    Dec 2, 2002
    9
    This game is really good. The only problem I have is the menus. Overall, this is a great game and any hockey fan should pick it up.
  6. EvanK.
    Mar 13, 2003
    9
    As a Canadian I'm a pretty big fan of hockey. I played every game of the 2003 variety..cept for Hitz cuz ppl told me that game was just As a Canadian I'm a pretty big fan of hockey. I played every game of the 2003 variety..cept for Hitz cuz ppl told me that game was just useless LoL. 2K3 is the first game where you can do pretty much everything in franchise mode. Players get better according to how they play, not how high their potential rating is like in EA's 2003. Which is kinda stupid when you have a 50 goal scorer with a lower rating the next year than a player who scored 2 goals and sat out 50 games. So buy this game..you'll get yer bang for the buck.… Expand
  7. AndrewD.
    Feb 24, 2003
    9
    This is the first hockey game I have played extensively since NHL 94! I have played NHL 2003, and NHL Hitz 20 03, and Faceoff 2003, as well This is the first hockey game I have played extensively since NHL 94! I have played NHL 2003, and NHL Hitz 20 03, and Faceoff 2003, as well as other past editions, and NHL 2K3 delivers! You can block shots, either only on your knees, or dropping completely, pin against the boards, deke, hook from behind, body check, shoot slap shots, wrist shots, one timers, fight, and more! The franchise mode isn't quite as extensive as NBA 2K3, but it is still really good, trading players, and so on. You even have access to the players still in the Juniors if you lose players to injuries. And if that's not enough, there's tons of sliders and options to adjust the game the way you like it. Definitely the best hockey game on the planet right now! A MUST for the avid hockey gamer!… Expand
  8. D-Chase
    Dec 7, 2002
    0
    TWO WORDS FOR THIS GAME. SUCKS ASS... This was the worst game i ever played. what were the critics smoking when they reviewed this game. it TWO WORDS FOR THIS GAME. SUCKS ASS... This was the worst game i ever played. what were the critics smoking when they reviewed this game. it is one of the worst games ever. i've seen better hockey in NHL 93. Come on now. Someone once told me, "YOU CAN'T GO WRONG WITH EA SPORTS." That person was right. The camera view is horrible. Commentary is terrible, and gameplay is just plain bad.. Oh yea, the sound in this game sucks ass as well.. you can't hear anything, and their is no major checking. You cant even tell if they scored if it wasnt for that red light in the backround. I would not recommend this game to anyone.. YOU CANT GO WRONG WITH EA SPORTS!!!!!… Expand

See all 13 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Best PS2 Game of 2002
64
#64 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2002