When the US hosted the World Cup, a rumour went around that the Americans wanted to change the rules of our beloved game. They wanted wider goal mouths, allowing more goals to be scored. Apparently, the Yanks don't like games where there's a possibility that by full-time it could well be 0-0. They like their sports fast, with a scoreline always in double figures. Take NHL 2002, an attractive ice-hockey game that's so fast you need your eye on the puck every micro-second. To almost score at your opponents goal, fail and have them race up to your goal and score takes less time than it takes to say, 'shi...' Although you can tussle a bit in this version (in ice hockey, to smack into someone is a 'check'), it doesn't have the excellent scraps of NHL Hitz. But if you've never considered this type of sport on your console before and you're into multiplay matches, this is a cracking game. With four people, NHL really comes alive. (NP)