{{Short description|2002 video game}} {{More citations needed|date=June 2015}} {{Infobox video game | title = NHL 2003 | image = Nhl03ps2.jpg | caption = North American PS2 box art with Jarome Iginla | developer = EA Canada | publisher = EA Sports | released = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|October 3, 2002}}|'''GameCube''', '''Windows'''{{Video game release|NA|October 3, 2002<ref name="xbox">{{Cite web |title=EA ships ''NHL 2003'' |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ea-ships-nhl-2003/1100-2882399/ |access-date=March 8, 2023|first=Giancarlo|last=Varanini|website=GameSpot|language=en-US}}</ref>|AU|October 4, 2002<small> (PC)</small><ref>{{Cite web |title=''NHL 2003'' |url=http://www.gpstore.co.nz/product.x?1456986 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030713104145/http://www.gpstore.co.nz/product.x?1456986 |archive-date=July 13, 2003 |access-date=July 26, 2024 |website=Gameplanet}}</ref>|AU|October 21, 2002<small> (GC)</small><ref>{{Cite web |title=''NHL 2003'' |url=http://www.gpstore.com.au/product.x?1457038 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030529202921/http://www.gpstore.com.au/product.x?1457038 |archive-date=May 29, 2003 |access-date=July 26, 2024 |website=Gameplanet}}</ref>|EU|October 25, 2002<ref name="euro">{{Cite web |last=Bramwell |first=Tom |date=October 25, 2002 |title=What's New? |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/article-46888 |access-date=July 26, 2024 |website=Eurogamer |archive-date=April 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430205644/https://www.eurogamer.net/article-46888 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}'''PlayStation 2'''{{vgrelease|NA|October 3, 2002<ref name="xbox"/>|AU|October 14, 2002<ref>{{Cite web |title=''NHL 2003'' |url=http://www.gpstore.com.au/product.x?1456941 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030529201945/http://www.gpstore.com.au/product.x?1456941 |archive-date=May 29, 2003 |access-date=July 26, 2024 |website=Gameplanet}}</ref>|EU|October 18, 2002<ref>{{Cite web |title=Upcoming Releases |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/company_page.php?action=view&company_id=102 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021017054559/http://www.eurogamer.net/company_page.php?action=view&company_id=102 |archive-date=October 17, 2002 |access-date=July 26, 2024 |website=Eurogamer}}</ref>}}'''Xbox'''{{vgrelease|NA|October 8, 2002<ref name="xbox"/>|EU|October 25, 2002<ref name="euro"/>|AU|November 1, 2002<ref>{{Cite web |title=''NHL 2003'' |url=http://www.gpstore.com.au/product.x?1457068 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030529203345/http://www.gpstore.com.au/product.x?1457068 |archive-date=May 29, 2003 |access-date=July 26, 2024 |website=Gameplanet}}</ref>}}}} | genre = Sports | series = ''NHL'' series | modes = Single-player, multiplayer | platforms = PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Windows }}

'''''NHL 2003''''' is an ice hockey video game developed by EA Canada and published by EA Sports. It was released in 2002 as the successor to ''NHL 2002''. Jarome Iginla appears as the cover athlete and spokesperson of the game. Iginla appears in the Behind The Scenes video to show the player how the game was made. It was the first installment of the NHL series to be released on GameCube.

==Gameplay== ''NHL 2003'' introduced a new feature: the GameBreaker. It is activated once a player performs enough "dekes" and it is used to help change the momentum of the game, such as scoring a big goal, delivering a big hit or winning a big fight.

The commentary in ''NHL 2003'' is voiced by Jim Hughson and Don Taylor. Hughson has been the ''NHL'' series announcer since ''NHL '97'', while Taylor first appeared in the previous year's version.

==Reception== {{Video game reviews | NGC = true | PC = true | PS2 = true | XBOX = true | na = true | EGM_PS2 = 7.5/10<ref>{{cite magazine |author=EGM staff |url=http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0,2053,1490287,00.asp |title=NHL 2003 (PS2) |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |issue=161 |date=December 2002 |page=212 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040514064620/http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0,2053,1490287,00.asp |archivedate=May 14, 2004 |url-status=dead |accessdate=June 23, 2015}}</ref> | EuroG_PS2 = 8/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Bramwell |first=Tom |date=October 31, 2002 |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_hitzvsnhl2003_ps2 |title=NHL Hitz 20-03 versus NHL 2003 (PS2) |website=Eurogamer |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20021123090931/http://eurogamer.net/content/r_hitzvsnhl2003_ps2 |archivedate=November 23, 2002 |url-status=live |accessdate=June 23, 2015}}</ref> | GI_PS2 = 7.75/10<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Reiner |first=Andrew |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200211/R03.0731.1208.49563.htm |title=NHL 2003 (PS2) |magazine=Game Informer |issue=115 |date=November 2002 |page=120 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041114011230/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200211/R03.0731.1208.49563.htm |archive-date=November 14, 2004 |url-status=dead |access-date=June 22, 2015}}</ref> | GI_XBOX = 7.75/10<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Kato |first=Matthew |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200211/R03.0807.1144.37582.htm |title=NHL 2003 (Xbox) |magazine=Game Informer |issue=115 |date=November 2002 |page=142 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041113165003/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200211/R03.0807.1144.37582.htm |archive-date=November 13, 2004 |url-status=dead |access-date=June 23, 2015}}</ref> | GamePro_NGC = 4.5/5<ref name=GamePro>{{cite magazine |author=Air Hendrix |date=October 1, 2002 |url=http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gamecube/games/reviews/26441.shtml |title=NHL 2003 (GC, PS2, Xbox) |magazine=GamePro |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20041029005026/http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gamecube/games/reviews/26441.shtml |archivedate=October 29, 2004 |url-status=dead |accessdate=June 23, 2015}}</ref> | GamePro_PS2 = 4.5/5<ref name=GamePro/> | GamePro_XBOX = 4.5/5<ref name=GamePro/> | GSpot_NGC = 8.2/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Beers |first=Craig |date=October 14, 2002 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nhl-2003-review/1900-2886758/ |title=NHL 2003 Review (GC) |website=GameSpot |accessdate=June 23, 2015}}</ref> | GSpot_PC = 8.4/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Goble |first=Gord |date=October 9, 2002 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nhl-2003-review/1900-2885036/ |title=NHL 2003 Review (PC) |website=GameSpot |accessdate=June 23, 2015}}</ref> | GSpot_PS2 = 8.3/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Beers |first=Craig |date=October 14, 2002 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nhl-2003-review/1900-2886866/ |title=NHL 2003 Review (PS2) |website=GameSpot |accessdate=June 23, 2015}}</ref> | GSpot_XBOX = 8.3/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Beers |first=Craig |date=November 6, 2002 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nhl-2003-review/1900-2896886/ |title=NHL 2003 Review (Xbox) |website=GameSpot |accessdate=June 23, 2015}}</ref> | GSpy_NGC = 4/5<ref>{{cite web |last=Satterfield |first=Shane |date=November 11, 2002 |url=http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/nhl-2003/573318p1.html |title=GameSpy: NHL 2003 (GCN) |publisher=GameSpy |accessdate=June 23, 2015 |archive-date=June 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623233318/http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/nhl-2003/573318p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> | GSpy_PC = 3.5/5<ref>{{cite web |last=Abner |first=William |date=October 8, 2002 |url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/nhl-2003/600465p1.html |title=GameSpy: NHL 2003 (PC) |publisher=GameSpy |accessdate=June 23, 2015}}</ref> | GSpy_PS2 = 4/5<ref>{{cite web |last=Satterfield |first=Shane |date=October 19, 2002 |url=http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/nhl-2003/595051p1.html |title=GameSpy: NHL 2003 (PS2) |publisher=GameSpy |accessdate=June 23, 2015 |archive-date=June 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623233415/http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/nhl-2003/595051p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> | GameZone_NGC = 8.5/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Krause |first=Kevin |date=October 19, 2002 |url=http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/nhl_2003_gc_review |title=NHL 2003 - GC - Review |publisher=GameZone |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604125407/http://gamecube.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r20327.htm |archivedate=June 4, 2009 |url-status=live |accessdate=June 23, 2015}}</ref> | GameZone_PC = 9.1/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Lafferty |first=Michael |date=October 17, 2002 |url=http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/nhl_2003_pc_review |title=NHL 2003 - PC - Review |publisher=GameZone |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222184942/http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r20327.htm |archivedate=December 22, 2008 |url-status=live |accessdate=May 12, 2016}}</ref> | GameZone_PS2 = 9/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Krause |first=Kevin |date=October 21, 2002 |url=http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/nhl_2003_ps2_review |title=NHL 2003 - PS2 - Review |publisher=GameZone |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081231050331/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r20327.htm |archivedate=December 31, 2008 |url-status=live |accessdate=June 23, 2015}}</ref> | GameZone_XBOX = 9/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Zacarias |first=Eduardo |date=October 26, 2002 |url=http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/nhl_2003_xb_review |title=NHL 2003 - XB - Review |publisher=GameZone |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081228030042/http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r20327.htm |archivedate=December 28, 2008 |url-status=live |accessdate=May 12, 2016}}</ref> | IGN_NGC = 8.7/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Carle |first=Chris |date=October 3, 2002 |url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/373/373274p1.html |title=NHL 2003 (GCN) |website=IGN |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080120204529/http://cube.ign.com/articles/373/373274p1.html |archivedate=January 20, 2008 |url-status=dead |accessdate=June 23, 2015}}</ref> | IGN_PC = 8.8/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Butts |first=Steve |date=October 3, 2002 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/10/03/nhl-2003-review |title=NHL 2003 Review (PC) |website=IGN |accessdate=June 23, 2015 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924125923/http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/10/03/nhl-2003-review |url-status=live }}</ref> | IGN_PS2 = 8.6/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Carle |first=Chris |date=October 3, 2002 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/10/03/nhl-2003 |title=NHL 2003 (PS2) |website=IGN |accessdate=June 23, 2015 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924125921/http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/10/03/nhl-2003 |url-status=live }}</ref> | IGN_XBOX = 8.7/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Goldstein |first=Hilary |date=October 3, 2002 |url=http://xbox.ign.com/articles/373/373225p1.html |title=NHL 2003 Review (Xbox) |website=IGN |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060821223644/http://xbox.ign.com/articles/373/373225p1.html |archivedate=August 21, 2006 |url-status=dead |accessdate=June 23, 2015}}</ref> | NP_NGC = 3.5/5<ref>{{cite magazine |title=NHL 2003 |magazine=Nintendo Power |volume=163 |date=December 2002 |page=216}}</ref> | OPM_PS2 = 3.5/5<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Zuniga |first=Todd |url=http://www.playstationmagazine.com/article2/0,2053,1494425,00.asp |title=NHL 2003 |magazine=Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine |date=December 2002 |page=164 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040329071025/http://www.playstationmagazine.com/article2/0,2053,1494425,00.asp |archivedate=March 29, 2004 |url-status=dead |accessdate=June 23, 2015}}</ref> | OXM_XBOX = 7.9/10<ref>{{cite magazine |title=NHL 2003 |magazine=Official Xbox Magazine |date=December 2002 |page=133}}</ref> | PCGUS_PC = 72%<ref>{{cite journal |last=Morris |first=Dan |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/07/nhl_2003.html |title=NHL 2003 |journal=PC Gamer |date=December 2002 |page=114 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060315135306/http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/07/nhl_2003.html |archivedate=March 15, 2006 |url-status=dead |accessdate=June 23, 2015}}</ref> | rev1 = ''BBC Sport'' | rev1_PS2 = 90%<ref>{{cite news |last=Gibbon |first=David |date=October 23, 2002 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/funny_old_game/2352939.stm |title=Let's play: NHL 2003 (PS2) |work=BBC Sport |accessdate=June 23, 2015 |archive-date=October 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004010343/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/funny_old_game/2352939.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> | MC_NGC = 79/100<ref name=MCGC>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/nhl-2003/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube |title=NHL 2003 for GameCube Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=June 22, 2015 |archive-date=February 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250224214457/https://www.metacritic.com/game/nhl-2003/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube |url-status=live }}</ref> | MC_PC = 75/100<ref name=MCPC>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/nhl-2003/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=NHL 2003 for PC Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=June 22, 2015}}</ref> | MC_PS2 = 79/100<ref name=MCPS2>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/nhl-2003/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=NHL 2003 for PlayStation 2 Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=June 22, 2015 |archive-date=February 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250224214502/https://www.metacritic.com/game/nhl-2003/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |url-status=live }}</ref> | MC_XBOX = 80/100<ref name=MCXB>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/nhl-2003/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |title=NHL 2003 for Xbox Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=June 22, 2015 |archive-date=February 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250224214509/https://www.metacritic.com/game/nhl-2003/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |url-status=live }}</ref> }}

The game received "generally favorable reviews" on all platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.<ref name=MCGC/><ref name=MCPC/><ref name=MCPS2/><ref name=MCXB/>

{{clear}}

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==External links== * {{moby game|id=/nhl-2003}}

{{NHL series}} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nhl 2003}} Category:2002 video games Category:EA Sports games Category:Electronic Arts games Category:GameCube games Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games Category:NHL (video game series) Category:PlayStation 2 games Category:Video games developed in Canada Category:Video games set in 2002 Category:Video games set in 2003 Category:Video games set in Canada Category:Video games set in the United States Category:Windows games Category:Xbox games