: The game removes offsides, icing, and most penalties. Players are encouraged to body check opponents through the glass , creating temporary power plays.
: Matches aren't limited to standard rinks; you can play on the moon, in a disco with rollerblades, or in a graveyard. Depth & Modes
: Scoring multiple goals or performing big hits allows players to literally "catch fire," granting significant boosts to speed and checking power.
Despite its arcade nature, reviewers at IGN and Nintendo World Report noted the game's surprising depth: NHL HITZ 2003 - THE BEST HOCKEY GAME EVER?!
: Beyond all 30 NHL teams from the 2002-03 season, you can play as pirates, aliens, sharks, or snowmen .