NHL 2003

 PlayStation 2
NHL 2003 Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 18 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: 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 andDynamic 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. [EA Sports]… Expand
Buy Now
Buy on

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. BBC Sport
    90
    True purists may prefer to look elsewhere for their hockey action, but those seeking a fast-paced, action-packed game are in for a real treat.
  2. GamePro
    90
    You know this gameplay: There’s been a lot of excellent tuning but no mammoth overhauls.
  3. IGN
    86
    Those expecting a sim-style game, beware. NHL 2003, like last year's edition, slants more toward arcade-style hockey... Another good installment.
  4. Eurogamer
    80
    There’s more fluency to the [Hitz] gameplay, and the “on fire” element is handier than EA’s aptly named “gamebreaker”.
  5. Game Informer
    78
    It's a little different, but if you dissect every little detail, it's actually a step down from last year's release. [Nov 2002, p.120]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    75
    A better-playing, all-around more realistic game than 2002 with a level of control that puts all past EA NHL games to shame. [Dec 2002, p.212]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Play Magazine
    60
    As always, the graphics in NHL 2003 are exceptional... There were times when I thought I was watching an actual hockey game. [Nov 2002, p.88]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 20 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 9
  3. Negative: 2 out of 9
  1. BradC.
    Mar 23, 2003
    10
    This game is probably one of the best games i own, bsides nba 2k3 and nfl 2k3....and i own all the newest games, whoever says this game is aThis game is probably one of the best games i own, bsides nba 2k3 and nfl 2k3....and i own all the newest games, whoever says this game is a less then 7 is crazy, if you do say that then you havent played it that much or your not a hockey fan....the graphics are amazing, and so is everything else....maybe try using the rangers, they have all expierenced players, and they have kovo, and bure....or the reason you didnt like it is because you couldnt beat the computer, keep tryin..… Expand
  2. RafaelA.
    Dec 17, 2002
    10
    I think this game is amazing. All the guyz that rated this game under 5 are dumbasses. ea sports gets better every year hopefully they will doI think this game is amazing. All the guyz that rated this game under 5 are dumbasses. ea sports gets better every year hopefully they will do better next year.… Expand
  4. AnthonyS.
    Dec 19, 2002
    9
    NHL 2003 has the most realistic gameplay. Most of the aspects of this game are excellent so I will only list the things I don't like: NHL 2003 has the most realistic gameplay. Most of the aspects of this game are excellent so I will only list the things I don't like: The player's faces looked more realistic in NHL 2001. The repetitive, between whistle, views of the crowd's actions and corny dancing are annoying. The game also shows the players pushing, shoving and taunting each other after every single whistle. This does not happen that frequently in real hockey. I liked the momentum meter better instead of the game breaker. I don't like the player cards option. To me, this is cheating and is not realisitc to hockey. (I guess I don't have to use it, right!) The only exception to the above are the celebrations and easter eggs which are kind of neat. Again, the above citicisms are minor. The game has the most realisitc gameply that I have ever seen. I have read reviews that the game is high scoring and not defense oriented. This is simply not true. The game forces the player to pay more attention to his defense than previous NHL games. … Expand
  5. BlancoA.
    Oct 5, 2002
    7
    A solid game, but I still prefer the elegant simplicity of NHL '94 on the Genesis.
  6. davey16
    Sep 1, 2021
    6
    I do miss the energy of these games. They leaning into the arcade feels fine. It also helped that they actually had competition in the hockeyI do miss the energy of these games. They leaning into the arcade feels fine. It also helped that they actually had competition in the hockey game market back then.… Expand
  7. RickG.
    Oct 6, 2002
    6
    Seems to be a step or two back from last years edition. No online support this year either, drag... Let's all hope Sega's return Seems to be a step or two back from last years edition. No online support this year either, drag... Let's all hope Sega's return next month with NHL 2k3 brings out the best in both companies as it has in the football videogame world...… Expand
  8. JoshH.
    Jun 5, 2003
    0
    If anyone has played any of the previous NHL series games and liked them, DO NOT GET THIS GAME!!!!!! I got this the day it was released, and If anyone has played any of the previous NHL series games and liked them, DO NOT GET THIS GAME!!!!!! I got this the day it was released, and I was so excited, yet when I started to play, I had turned the game off within ten minutes, and put NHL 2001 in. The gameplay is horrendous compared to the previous NHL games, and the charecters and their respective animations look like puffy disney characters. The worst game I have bought in years, only surpassed by any of the WWF/WWE games.… Expand

See all 9 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

57
#57 Best PS2 Game of 2002
92
#92 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2002