The practice mode is essential for both masters and newcomers to prepare for the exhibition, tourney, challenge and quest parts of the game.

[13] X-Play gave the GameCube original four stars out of five, calling it "the perfect choice for anyone who is looking to have a grand time alone or with friends but doesn't want to play a more serious, realistic sporting game.

"[33] Pong Sifu of GamePro's May 2002 issue called the same console version "one of the worthiest additions to your GameCube library that you're going to find for a while.

"[34][b] Five issues later, Michael Weigand said, "Even punters of the GameCube version will find a host of new options in this Xbox incarnation—most notably extra players and multiplayer games.

"[35][c] Louis Bedigian of GameZone gave the same console version 7.6 out of 10, saying, "Its only real problem is the fact that it isn't a whole lot different from NHL Hitz.