With the last game in Midway's over-the-top, four-on-four ice hockey series, NHL Hitz 20-02, only being released back in March, we weren't exactly busting for an updated version. But life is full of nice surprises.

Instead of just altering the player roster and adding a couple of new cheat modes, Midway has put together a brilliant sequel which improves on the already fun original in so many wonderful ways.

First off, it looks better. The players are chunky, detailed and well animated. The arenas and rinks all have loads going on in and around them, even if they don't look quite so hot as the players themselves do. There are lots of special lighting effects and the like, and the overall presentation is lovely. Everything moves at a superbly slick pace, too, and the graphics keep their smoothness the whole time.

But it's the gameplay that's the real winner. The distilled version of NHL hockey has been fine-tuned to make it super-fast, super-simple, super-fun and super-skilful. Because of the lack of rules, you're allowed to smash into people at any time, knocking them over or even through the Plexiglas surrounding the rink. This means that you don't need to tackle the guy with the puck - if he's too far away from you but about to pass to a team-mate in space, just bash the bloke who's about to receive the puck instead.

Goals come thick and fast once you get into the flow of things, and getting your players into position becomes crucial. You've got to time your passes so that the receiver breaks into space, while making sure both players avoid getting a chunk of wood thumped into their faces. The gameplay may be simple, but there's real depth to it when you get properly stuck in.

Multiplayer-wise it's great fun - finish a game and you'll no doubt be setting up the rematch before you've even finished discussing the final goal. But Midway has also put together a fantastic one-player Franchise mode. You create a team from scratch then take it around the world, winning matches to earn extra teams and options and completing tasks for bonuses. There are 'boss' battles against themed teams in customised arenas, special kit with which to upgrade your team and extra players asking to join your squad when you're doing well.

Thankfully, the artificial intelligence of the computer players is excellent, so you're never cheated out of victories or shouting at your team mates for not getting into good enough positions. It all works, and it's blinding fun.

NHL Hitz 20-03 is a spot-on sequel, and certainly one of the best sports games on Xbox. It may not be realistic, but it's a darned sight more enjoyable than most simulations could ever hope to be.

Power
Looks nice and solid rather than spectacular, plus you can use your own tunes.

Style
Ridiculous, over-the-top, shouty and funny. It's just flashy flair all the way - great stuff.

Immersion
One match is never enough in multiplayer, and the single-player Franchise mode is super addictive.

Lifespan
Multiplayer will always be a buzz and collecting all the bonuses will take ages, too.

Summary
A big-laughs, high-adrenaline ice hockey game with enough depth and features to make it well worth your cash.

1. Will make you laugh out loud
2. Extremely fast gameplay
3. Lots of depth
4. Top bonus modes
5. A shedload of secrets to uncover

1. Too simple for some?