Midway’s entry into the licensed hockey market for the 2003/2004 season was called NHL Hitz Pro. Midway issued a directive for its sports titles in 2004 to move away from over-the-top arcade-style gameplay and introduce a more simulation-like approach to the sport of playing sports. This directive was implemented for the 2004 sports season. In NHL Hitz Pro, this meant switching from a 3-on-3 hockey gameplay format to a 5-on-5 hockey gameplay format to meet the requirements of a sim hockey player and make the game feel more authentic. Even though many of the arcade-style elements that were a signature feature of the Hitz series have been carried over into NHL Hitz Pro, such as hits through glass and checks that go over the boards, the gameplay has been tuned to provide an experience that is accurate to the sport of hockey. The player has various options for customizing the gameplay to reflect a fast-paced arcade experience or a more deliberate, simulation-based play mode.
Like other games in its genre, Hitz Pro features a franchise mode, game modes based on seasons and exhibitions, and a game tutorial and practice mode. The game also includes a method called Pickup Hockey, which takes place in various environments modeled after playing hockey in real-life outdoor arenas.
