NHL 2003

A classic since the Genesis days, NHL 2003 looks ready for another sharp but less than revolutionary season.

If you've enjoyed EA Sports' hockey series, NHL 2003 should please you as much as a big free-agent signing on your favorite team. While the now-classic formula looked largely unchanged in the preview versions, a roster of sharp tweaks and refinements should give fans enough reason to return to the rink this season. One of the bigger new features will be the upgrade of Season mode to Franchise mode: Along with multi-season play, you'll also now draft rookies and sign free agents in the off-season. The love-it-or-hate-it smart-ass commentary will be back with a vengeance, but you'll also have the option of going for just the on-ice sounds.

The fast, arcade-like feel to the gameplay will remain, augmented by new features like a game-breaker shot and the cool "dynamic deke" moves. As long as the feel of the skating and other controls is properly tuned up before the new season starts, NHL 2003 should be the high-scorer that fans have grown to expect...at least until?and if?NHL 2K3 shows up later this fall to turn up the heat.

NOTE: The first five shots are from the PlayStation 2 version. The remaining screens are from the Xbox version.

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