Play Espn National Hocket Night Online

I picked up ESPN National Hockey Night for the Sega Genesis back in 1994, a game Sony Imagesoft published during that console's crowded sports library era. It was one of several hockey titles competing for attention, offering a straightforward take on the sport without the licensing power of some bigger names. You slid the cartridge in expecting a basic hockey sim, and that's largely what you got.

You control a five man hockey team, switching between players to carry the puck up the ice, pass, and take shots on goal. The main objective is simple: outscore the opposing team. A couple of its defining mechanics were the one timer pass and shot, which you could execute for a quick scoring chance, and the ability to check opponents off the puck with a body slam. The game moved at a decent clip, though the computer goalies could be tough to beat on higher difficulties, making breakaways and well placed shots crucial. It feels like a solid, no frills arcade hockey game from that period.