NHL Hitz 2003 - Gameplay

Gameplay

Players have the option of playing three periods in one, two, or three minutes in length. To begin the game, a center, a winger, a defenceman, and a goalie are picked for each team. Prior to each period, substituting the players or simply leaving them in the game is an option.

There is an option for a mercy rule that will end the game as soon as the team reaches the limit of goal differential. As an example, if the mercy rule is set to five, as soon as you lead the game by five goals, you automatically win. It can also be set to one goal, similar to overtime. Another nuance to the game is the option to make players who lose fights leave the game.

The game is also meant to mainly be hard-hitting arcade-style game with wildly exaggerated player movements and actions. For example, you can routinely check people through the glass and into the stands, but won't stop play. Also, goalies can actually stick-handle the puck around, and take a shot on the other net, sometimes scoring.

Also, the rosters are shortened to mainly starters and fan favorites (such as Tie Domi and Bob Probert), with far fewer free agents.

There are also many mini-games to play.