With the success of NFL Blitz and NBA Jam, it’s quite surprising that it took this long for ice hockey to get the same treatment. With the tackling and actual fighting that goes on in ice hockey, it really is the perfect sport to turn into an other-the top nature, and it works incredibly well here, making this a highly enjoyable ice hockey game.

One aspect that Hitz does extremely well are the unlockables. As you earn points for playing the game, you can unlock new crazy teams and stadiums to use, which meant I could set a village pond as the rink for Llaneron’s ice hockey team – they did well enough at American Football that they figured they’d try out other sports. Ice hockey did get a bit crazy, as they went up against pirates, woodmen and were even taken to the moon to compete against aliens.

Hitz is fast, fluid, controls well and is just all round fun. The fun stuff to unlock gives more reasons to continue playing and there’s a surprising amount of detail in all the silly ice rinks. It’s a great sports game with a lot of nice touches.

Great

In its favour, however, the multiplayer proves to be a great laugh, especially if there are four of you going at it. There’s also a comprehensive selection of modes, team and player editors, hidden extras and minigames to paly. But as we said, this will only hold your interest so long if you’re a solo player.

Geraint Evans, NGC Magazine #67

Remake or remaster?

Over-the-top sports games need a come back.

Official Ways to get the game

There’s no official way to play NHL Hitz 2002.