Hit the Ice offers Game Boy gamers ice hockey with an emphasis on action. Gamers can challenge a computer-controlled team or go head-to-head with another human player using a link cable. There is an "over-the-top" style to the game's presentation and play. The ability to throw a good, dirty punch may often be as important as the ability to throw a nice, clean check. Although the game is fairly faithful to basic hockey rules and dynamics, there are No fouls or power plays in Hit the Ice, encouraging faster, rougher, More action-based gameplay.