NHL Hitz 20-03

 Xbox
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
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  1. Gaming Age
    91
    The shortcomings in the PS2 version have been ironed out on the Xbox, leaving hockey gamers everywhere with the best arcade style hockey game to date.
  2. Armchair Empire
    90
    It looks great, plays great, and with the addition of a franchise and season mode, gives you plenty of incentive to keep playing.
  3. GamerWeb Xbox
    90
    Easily the most enjoyable hockey game I have played in ages.
  5. Game Informer
    88
    You can spend your hard-earned cash on EA's "NHL 2003" and find yourself developing a nervous tick as you try to master the new deke moves - or, you can do the smart thing and pick up NHL Hitz 20-03 instead. [Nov 2002, p.144]
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  6. Official Xbox Magazine
    88
    This will surely upset some hardcore hockey fans, but there's no denying that NHL Hitz 20-03 is a better hockey videogame this year than "NHL 2003." [Dec 2002, p.133]
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  7. GameZone
    87
    With over a hundred goodies to unlock, a franchise mode to die for and plenty of raw action, sports fans will not be disappointed.
  8. Media and Games Online Network
    85
    An amazing step forward for the Hitz franchise, as Black Box did an incredible job with the visuals and audio to make this the best game Midway has to offer.
  9. IGN
    84
    It's still just smack-you-down arcade hockey, but the new additions are fantastic.
  10. XenGamers
    83
    A very solid and entertainingly violent approximation of hockey that has its weak points (sound, fighting) but overall hits the spot just right.
  11. TotalGames.net
    80
    There are enough changes and additions to NHL Hitz 20-03 to justify a purchase and if you are a fan of the game you won’t be disappointed.
  12. GamePro
    80
    If you’re looking for rowdy, raucous action backed by unusual staying power and that familiar Midway gameplay, you’ll savor the smell of what Hitz is cooking.
  13. G4 TV
    80
    The bottom line is that Hitz, the fun fast-paced and frantic arcade-style hockey game, made itself deeper. The result is a more satisfying game overall.
  14. Play Magazine
    80
    Midway has taken an already proven formula for hard-hitting action and added cool new gameplay elements that give this Hitz incredible replay value. [Nov 2002, p.88]
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  15. GameSpot
    78
    Great multiplayer gaming and added single-player depth make Hitz 2003 a pretty easy game to recommend.
  16. TeamXbox
    78
    The graphics continue to sizzle with eye-catching particle effects, excellent crowds and decent player models.
  17. Electric Playground
    75
    While some of the changes might be puzzling, they don't do any serious damage.
  18. Xbox Nation Magazine
    70
    Unless you have some pals to play with, Hitz will wear out its welcome due to a lack of strategic depth. [Winter 2002, p.105]
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  19. All Game Guide
    70
    Like other arcade sports games, the single-player experience will become repetitive after playing for a week or two. For this reason, the game is best played with a group of buddies.
  20. Yahoo!
    60
    Unfortunately, there's no true career mode where you can create a player and take him through multiple seasons.

Awards & Rankings

33
#33 Best Xbox Game of 2002
65
#65 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2002

User Reviews

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User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 15 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 15
  3. Negative: 2 out of 15
  1. maquegyver
    Apr 10, 2014
    9
    This is without a doubt the best arcade hockey game made to date. It runs smoothly and has a ton of fun and goofy unlockables. In addition theThis is without a doubt the best arcade hockey game made to date. It runs smoothly and has a ton of fun and goofy unlockables. In addition the variety of game modes leaves the replay value very high. Given what EA and 2k sports did with their hockey franchises in the last decade it could be argued this might be the best hockey game period in the last decade or so.… Full Review »
  2. Jobadkins
    Sep 22, 2011
    10
    Fast,crazy,spot on perfect,funny,really the best arcade hockey game ever created and at the time its so good that it beats out the simulationFast,crazy,spot on perfect,funny,really the best arcade hockey game ever created and at the time its so good that it beats out the simulation arcade games except for Nhl 2k3.That's how good it is and the kinda game that will be popped in there console for years to come,I'm talking probably 10 plus years.Look it's 9-2011 and I still love it 8 years later.… Full Review »
  3. Thad
    Mar 18, 2005
    9
    Great game.
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