NHL '96 on Game Boy is one of those old-school hockey games that somehow makes tiny pixels feel intense. You pick your team, jump into a game, and immediately notice how weirdly smooth the skating feels for a handheld this old. The controls are simple—pass, shoot, check—but the AI actually puts up a fight, especially on higher difficulties.

It’s got that classic 90s sports game vibe where the commentary is just text popping up, but somehow that adds to the charm. And yeah, the graphics are basic, but after a few minutes, you stop noticing because you’re too busy trying to sneak a slapshot past the goalie. If you’re into retro sports games, this one holds up better than you’d expect.