First off if you want to get the most out of this game and don't have 30 blocks spare on your memory card we suggest you either empty some space or invest in a new Memory Card 251. Not only can you not create a character without a save slot, you also have no chance of turning the machine back on to find the settings how you last had them. NHL 2003 starts with a round up of 5 or 6 NHL stars telling you quite frankly that "It's in the game", the motto that is synonymous with EA Sports. Want to get into it straight away with absolutely no fuss then it's on to Play Now. Want to put your team through a 10 year career then jump into franchise and choose your team.

As with any sports simulation the controls can be as basic as using the A and B button and then onto more complex things that require every button on the controller. In this instance A is your pass button and B is your shoot button, without the puck its A for change player and B for poke check/hook. Pretty straight forward, but its when you need to sprint your players down the ice (X button), slam an opponent into the wall (Y button), deke around numerous players (Y button, or C Stick for manual deke) or finish off with a one-timer (A followed by B) you realise there is a lot more to this game than previously imagined.

There are four different modes of play, the standard Play Now feature, Franchise, Playoffs and International. Play Now is exactly what it sounds like, pick two teams -- placing the team you want to control on the home side so the crowd actually cares when you score -- and go for gold. You still have full control of offensive and defensive strategies as well as full coaching strategies -- which comes with full FMV explaining what each strategy is -- so you don't just blindly choose with no knowledge of what does what and what is going to help out the way you play.

Franchise mode is a no holds barred game mode that sees you putting your team through 10 years worth of challenges. Team management, watching players retire after seasons finish and drafting, signing and creating players to keep your team on the top - this mode has it all. Franchise mode not only let's you take full control of what happens outside the ice rink -- as alone that could bore many people -- it also keeps you in full control of in-game action. So if your team loses you have no-one but yourself to blame. Was it the signing on of the wrong player or was it the fact that you sent half your team off for penalties including the much adored cross-checking from behind?