Play Nhl 96 (usa, Europe) Online

NHL 96 came out for the Sega Genesis in 1995, published by EA Sports. It was part of that wave of mid-90s sports games where the graphics and sound took a noticeable step up from earlier titles on the system. You could see the players looked a bit more defined, and the organ music in the arena felt more authentic.

You control a five-man hockey team, switching between players to chase the puck, pass, and take shots on goal. The main objective is to outscore your opponent, of course. A couple of its signature mechanics were the one-timer, where you could fire off a quick shot directly from a pass, and the new defensive controls that made checking and poke checking more responsive. The game moved at a fast pace, and the difficulty ramped up quickly against the computer, demanding quick reflexes and smart positioning. It feels fluid and aggressive when you get a clean breakaway and slip the puck past the goalie.