Midway Sports, the sports brand of leading software industry publisher and developer Midway Games Inc., announced that NHL Hitz 20-03, the next iteration in the NHL Hitz franchise, is on store shelves for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox video game system from Microsoft and Nintendo GameCube, with the Game Boy Advance to follow in October.
Officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA, this year’s new version of Midway Sports’ hit franchise caters to hockey and action game fans by delivering a total hockey experience that combines even more realistic NHL hockey attributes, without leaving behind Hitz signature hard-checking adrenaline-style sports highlight reel action.
As the only dedicated adrenaline-style hockey videogame franchise for next-generation platforms, NHL Hitz 20-03 showcases over-the-top 3-on-3 (plus goalies) gameplay with players who leap, glide, check, pass and score on would-be defenders. This newest version of Hitz runs up the score on the hockey videogame category with new features such as the all-new franchise mode, which enhances the single gamer experience by giving users the power to create a team from infancy, grow that team through international competition, earn a franchise, and eventually compete for the Stanley Cup.
“NHL Hitz 20-03 gives sports and action fans more of what they love about the Hitz franchise, plus substantial improvements like numerous all-new gameplay modes, enhanced artificial intelligence and bigger and better animations,” said Helene Sheeler, vice president of marketing, Midway. “This mix of authentic teams and players with over-the-top action will definitely get people riled up for the season.”
Going for the gold, Midway signed an exclusive deal with Canadian 2002 Olympic Gold Medalist Chris Pronger. Known for his powerful skating and intimidating defense, the St. Louis Blues defenseman and former league MVP (1999-2000 season) will appear on the package cover and in the NHL Hitz 20-03 advertising materials. Exclusive DVD content in NHL Hitz 20-03 includes an interview with Pronger, as well as behind-the-scenes footage of on-ice two-man motion capture.
Additionally, NHL Hitz 20-03 includes a cranking new soundtrack. Available for play on the game’s jukebox, players have the option to listen to popular tunes from top musical acts including Moby, Incubus and Rob Zombie while battling it out in the rink.
All-new game modes add challenge and depth to the gameplay experience, including a Multi-Player Tournament mode that allows up to 16 players to compete against each other. NHL Hitz 20-03’s Hockey School features a tutorial from retired Hall of Fame coach and nine-time Stanley Cup champion Scotty Bowman. Veteran fans will also appreciate even more mini-games and an in-depth New Season mode that enables detailed statistic tracking, player trades using trade logic, a playoff tree, and official NHL awards. NHL Hitz 20-03 also suits up with bigger, stronger and faster players, as well as improved goalie logic, behavior, animations and control, which make it tougher to score.
To add to the gameplay, NHL teams take on the same playing style as their real-life counterparts, while two-man motion capture animations provide gamers a more realistic view of the action. NHL Hitz 20-03 delivers enhancements to its signature, over-the-top play with more than 80 adjustable options for a truly customizable experience, plus secret arenas presented in a unique fantasy setting as well as hidden teams and special players to unlock along the way.
NHL Hitz 20-03 PlayStation 2, Xbox and Nintendo GameCube Key Features:
-Officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA and featuring real NHL teams and athletes
-New Franchise Mode — Pick teams and equipment to compete for the top ranking in the world
-New Hockey School Mode with Scotty Bowman — A tutorial to familiarize players with controls and gameplay mechanics led by the retired Hall of Fame coach and nine-time Stanley Cup champion
-New Enhanced Season Mode — In-depth statistic tracking, player drafts and trades, full NHL calendar and playoff tree
-New Multi-Player Tournament Mode — Allows up to 16 players to battle it out on the ice and structure their own playoff trees to determine the overall champion
-New Hockey Shop — Featuring real NHL equipment from the best manufacturers like The Hockey Company, Easton Sports, ITECH Sports Products Inc., Bauer Nike Hockey, Sherwood Drolet and Louisville Hockey
-New Mini-Games — Includes six games with multi-player skill competitions
-New Fully 3-D-Modeled Crowd — Now more than 10 times larger
-Improved Goalie Logic, Behavior, Animations and Control — Goalies can now square off on the ice
-Bigger and Better Animations — More outrageous checking, fighting, shooting, and passing
-New Team Play Styles — NHL teams take on the playing style of their real-life counterparts
-New Motion Capture Animations — Two-man motion capture animations for more realistic checking
-Enhanced Arenas — Choose from 30 rinks that are bigger with benches
-New Fantasy Stadiums, Hidden Teams and Players — More than 120 hidden features to unlock including secret arenas in unique fantasy settings as well as hidden teams, players and jerseys
-Create-a-Player — Design the ultimate ice warrior
-New Color Commentary — A second sportscaster joins the game to describe all of the outrageous action
-New Referee — Officials tough enough to handle face-offs, fights and escorting players off the ice
-More than 80 Adjustable Options — Control details like puck friction, glass brittleness and AI difficulty
-Multi-Player Hockey — One to six players (PlayStation 2); one to four players (Xbox, Nintendo GameCube)
– Exclusive DVD Content — Featuring an interview with St. Louis Blues defenseman and cover athlete Chris Pronger and on-ice two-man motion capture footage
-New Jukebox — Featuring a soundtrack with hit music from alternative rock bands
