NHL '98 on the Sega Genesis is that perfect mix of arcade-y hockey chaos and just enough realism to make you feel like you're actually playing. The first thing you notice is how smooth the skating feels—players glide across the ice with this satisfying weight, and checking someone into the boards never gets old. The pixelated crowds and that classic organ music? Pure nostalgia.

It’s not super deep strategy-wise, but that’s kind of the charm. You pick a team (obviously I go for the Red Wings), mash some buttons for slapshots, and suddenly you’re in a brawl because the AI gets weirdly aggressive after the whistle. The controls are simple enough that you can jump right in, but there’s a surprising amount of little moves—fake shots, dekes—that actually matter if you want to break past defense.

Honestly, the best part is how fast the games are. No endless menus or cutscenes, just straight to the action. You’ll lose hours to "just one more match." Still holds up if you’re into that old-school sports game vibe.