Play NHL 96 Online Free for Super Nintendo.
NHL 96 hits different when it boots instantly in your browser. Released in 1995 on the Super Nintendo, this retro classic from EA Sports, THQ is ready the second you press start — no downloads, no setup.
EA Sports published all versions of the game except the Game Boy version, which was published by THQ. The game is based on the sport of ice hockey and puts the player in control of a hockey team in modes of play such as exhibitions, seasons and playoffs.
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| Action | Keyboard | Controller |
|---|---|---|
| D-Pad Up | ↑ | D-Pad up |
| D-Pad Down | ↓ | D-Pad down |
| D-Pad Left | ← | D-Pad left |
| D-Pad Right | → | D-Pad right |
| B (bottom) | X | Bottom face |
| A (right) | Z | Right face |
| Y (left) | S | Left face |
| X (top) | A | Top face |
| L | Q | Left shoulder |
| R | E | Right shoulder |
| Start | Enter | Start |
| Select | V | Select |
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The Story Behind NHL 96
The Genesis version was programmed by Mark Lesser, who had previously programmed John Madden Football '93, NHL '94 and NHL 95. NHL 96 is the first entry in the series to include physical fights between players following an absence of the feature in previous installments that was enforced by the NHL to promote a more wholesome image of the sport. The Genesis, SNES and DOS versions of NHL 96 were shipped to stores in North America on September 30, 1995 and released on October 6, 1995 to coincide with the opening of the 1995–96 NHL season.
The cover of the game features Steve Yzerman and Scott Stevens, then team captains of 1995 Stanley Cup finalists the Detroit Red Wings and New Jersey Devils respectively. A coaching feature was planned for the game, but was dropped late in the development cycle. The DOS version includes 668 printable high-resolution color photographs of the game's players made in collaboration with sports card manufacturer Donruss, as well as video interviews of NHL players and video highlights from the 1994–95 NHL season.
How NHL 96 Plays
The game's scoreboard is displayed between periods and any time the game is paused. The player takes control of their goalie if they have saved the puck regardless of the manual or auto setting. Among these infractions is fighting; the players are capable of getting into physical fights during heated moments in the game, and this feature can be toggled on or off in the main menu.
Players who get involved in a fight are given five-minute major penalties. When on the offensive, the player can dump the puck into the opposing team's zone, pass the puck to another player, take or fake shots, and execute a spin-o-rama. Penalties can be toggled on or off in the main menu.
Why Players Still Load It Up
Reviewing the DOS version, Todd Vaughn of PC Gamer praised the game's detailed graphics (particularly when higher resolutions are enabled), realistic and challenging gameplay, and modem-enabled multiplayer capability, though noted that not all of the game's camera angles were optimal for gameplay, and that the system requirements were steep. In GamePros "1995 Readers' Choice Awards", the Genesis version was ranked the fourth Best Sports Game (16-Bit Games), taking 11% of the vote. The Genesis version of NHL 96 received highly positive reviews and is widely considered to be the best installment in the franchise.
Next Generation noted that the SNES version has sharper graphics and more animation than the Genesis version, but determined it to be slightly inferior overall due to the rougher gameplay and AI. Video Cowboy and the Iceman of Electronic Gaming Monthly also gave their approval of the Genesis version, particularly praising the improved opponent AI. NPD Group analyst Mat Piscatella reported that the SNES version of NHL 96 was the third highest-selling retro title of April 2018.
NHL 96 — Frequently Asked Questions
Who developed NHL 96?
NHL 96 was developed by EA Tiburon, High Score Entertainment, EA Canada, Probe Entertainment and published by EA Sports, THQ.
Where can I buy the original NHL 96?
Scroll to "Other Places You Can Get This Game" beneath the write-up — it lists trusted stores selling official copies.
What console was NHL 96 released on?
NHL 96 was released for the Super Nintendo in 1995.
Can I save my progress in NHL 96?
It does — with a free account you can snapshot the game at any point using save states, then pick it up later from exactly that spot.