NHL Hitz 2003 Preview

  Midway introduced PS2 owners last year to a new concept in hockey, one that involved a more extreme nature. This year, Midway's taking their drawing boards back to the ice in hopes of bettering last year's outing. 

  Aside from Hitz's conventional single-player modes, such as Exhibition, Tournament, Season, and Franchise, the game also features a bevy of minigame modes to help diversify the gameplay, and it'll also give players more incentive to play with friends. Among the modes are Keep Away, King of the Rink, Own the Ice, Tic-Tac-Toe, Shooting Gallery and Shootout. King of the Rink dons a similar name to the sport of wrestling, but the concept isn't as ironically similar. Here, you and three others will partake in a check-fest, if you will. There's no pucks here -- no mercy either. Since this minigame will transpire on a small glacier -- only to be surrounded by snowy pits -- making sure you don't get checked off the glacier will be the first thing on your agenda. 

  A new addition to the franchise is Hockey School, where your skills will be tested in the numerous facets of the sport. You'll control Jeremy Roenick, and your coach will be none other than Scotty Bowman, the former Red Wings coach. 

Here's what Midway has in store for future NHL Hitz players: 

• NEW Franchise Mode
• NEW Season Mode 
• NEW Full in-depth stat tracking 
• NEW International and All-Star Teams 
• NEW Fantasy Teams and Stadiums 
• NEW Hockey School and Mini-Games 
• NEW Hit soundtrack featuring Rob Zombie and Powerman 5000, plus all the things you loved about the original 

  Midway's latest extreme hockey title is heading on the right track so far. The game "hitz" stores later this year, so be on the lookout for media in the meantime.