Underplayed Gems

NHL 96 (1995)

NHL 96 cover
Developer
EA Canada, EA Orlando, High Score Productions
Publisher
EA Sports
Platforms
Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, 3DO Interactive Multiplayer, DOS, PlayStation
Genres
Sport
Rating
4.8 of 5, 22 player ratings

More by Electronic Arts

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

More games like this

How it feels

A breezy, pick-up-and-play hockey experience that balances arcade accessibility with authentic NHL presentation, letting you dial up or down the realism as you chase the cup.

competitiveaccessiblefast-pacedauthenticarcade-likenostalgiccustomizablestraightforward

About

NHL 96 was the first EA Sports game to feature Virtual Stadium technology, which resulted in a 3D feel and multiple camera angles. The NHL license ensures that real teams and players of the era are included, with a full league and playoff system. Many game options can be toggled - the infamous fighting is option, as are the penalties and offsides. The control system makes it possible to execute one-touch passes, and several special trick moves to quickly advance the ball. As a bonus feature, it included 'Hockey Card' profiles of every player on CD, and interviews with the stars of the game.

What players say

Part of EA's beloved 16-bit hockey run, remembered as fast, smooth, and responsive arcade-style hockey with tougher AI than its predecessor; fans say it simply feels like hockey. (Note: the PlayStation port was reportedly cancelled, so community memory centers on the Genesis/SNES versions.)

More games like this

More by Electronic Arts

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.