Play NHL 98 Online Free for Super Nintendo.
NHL 98 hits different when it boots instantly in your browser. Released in 1997 on the Super Nintendo, this retro classic from EA Sports, THQ is ready the second you press start — no downloads, no setup.
It was released in 1997 and was the successor to NHL 97. It was the last installment of the NHL series to be released on the SNES, Sega Genesis, or Sega Saturn.
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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 98
During the planning stages of development, EA Sports consulted with Marc Crawford (then coach of the Stanley Cup-winning Colorado Avalanche) on how to improve the realism and strategy of the gameplay. The Saturn version was developed by MBL Research. NHL 98 is an ice hockey video game developed by EA Canada.
It was released in 1997 and was the successor to NHL 97. It was the last installment of the NHL series to be released on the SNES, Sega Genesis, or Sega Saturn.
How NHL 98 Plays
NHL 98 took the NHL series ahead by introducing full national teams, although EA could not get the Nagano Olympic Tournament license due to lack of IIHF license, which Gremlin Interactive acquired. Jim Hughson returns for play-by-play, this time joined by Daryl Reaugh, who provided color commentary. The Sega Saturn version also has Mario Lemieux in it.
EA Sports also introduces 3Dfx Glide support for the first time in the NHL series. It was the last installment of the NHL series to be released on the SNES, Sega Genesis, or Sega Saturn. NHL 98 is an ice hockey video game developed by EA Canada.
Why Players Still Load It Up
While some criticized that the controls are a bit loose, most critics praised the controls, with Next Generation arguing that "since the players are on ice, EA's slippery control is actually quite accurate." Later console versions received comparatively little attention. NHL 98 was a runner-up for Computer Gaming Worlds 1997 "Sports Game of the Year" award, which ultimately went to Baseball Mogul and CART Precision Racing (tie). The PlayStation version met with resoundingly positive reviews, with critics hailing it as a return to dominance for the NHL series after the '96 PlayStation edition was cancelled and the '97 edition was average.
Lee Nutter of Sega Saturn Magazine and Dan Hsu of Electronic Gaming Monthly both razed the Saturn port as a slipshod conversion which lacks the elements that made the PlayStation and PC versions so highly regarded. With his sole praise being for the play-by-play commentary and sound effects, Nutter dubbed the port "A shambling mockery of its former self" and recommended Saturn owners get NHL All-Star Hockey '98 instead. John Ricciardi of Electronic Gaming Monthly went so far as to call it "the greatest hockey game ever made." While IGN and GamePro both cautioned that NHL 98 could not be called the best hockey of the year until NHL FaceOff 98 was complete, they assessed it as "[EA Sports'] best hockey title since its 16-bit glory days" and "a board-battering good time", respectively.
NHL 98 — Frequently Asked Questions
Can I save my progress in NHL 98?
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.
How many players does NHL 98 support?
NHL 98 supports 1 player(s) in this browser version.
Can I play NHL 98 online for free?
Absolutely. The full game loads in the player at the top of this page and runs right in your browser — no installs, no plugins, no waiting.
Do I need a controller to play NHL 98?
No. Keyboard controls work out of the box (see the controls panel), and any USB or Bluetooth gamepad is detected automatically.