NHL 96

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a game by Electronic Arts, High Score Productions, Tiburon Entertainment, and EA Games
Genre: Sports
Platforms: Sega GenesisGenesis, SNESSNES, Playstation, GameBoy
Editor Rating: 8/10, based on 9 reviews, 10 reviews are shown
User Rating: 8.0/10 - 2 votes
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See also: Sport Games, Hockey Games, NHL Games, NHL Games
NHL 96
NHL 96
NHL 96
NHL 96

For those of you who think that ice can be used for something other than keeping your favorite drink cool, jump on the Our Team Zamboni and let us take you on a guided tour of the next ice age: EA Sports' NHL '96 for the Genesis and the Super NES.

Fighting is back in this newest version. Now you will be able to drop the gloves 1.6 times per game.

That's all the fighting that the commissioner of the NHL, Gary Bettman, and his minions will allow.

If you're a hockey fan or just enjoy putting a version of NHL action in your Genesis or Super NES and knocking the snot out of one of your friends, this game's for you.

All-new player animations give this year's version a new look and feel.

This year's goalies wield their sticks with authority, and they are even more difficult to beat than last year. The scores reflect actual NHL scores, no 15-12 blowouts unless you are really good.

The goalies stand on their heads in addition to making butterfly saves. This year they can execute double goalie pad stacks and top-shelf glove saves.

Injuries are a big part of this year's game. NHL '96 allows you to execute trades and create new players.

User records lets you input your name for tracking your win-loss records, goals and saves.

This year's version also features five free-wheeling camera angles, including an all-new, behind-the-player view and side view. Instant replay is back and you can relive plays from existing camera angles or use the all-new iso-cam. Place this camera anywhere you want, even inside the net to have a view of the play from that point.

As in past years, all of your favorite players on your favorite teams have returned, and they all want to win the Stanley Cup.

Download NHL 96

Genesis

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
  • Game modes: Single game mode

Player controls:

  • Up, Down, Left, Right - Arrow keys
  • Start - Enter (Pause, Menu select, Skip intro, Inventory)
  • "A" Gamepad button - Ctrl (usually Jump or Change weapon)
  • "B" button - Space (Jump, Fire, Menu select)
  • "C" button - Left Shift (Item select)

Use the F12 key to toggle mouse capture / release when using the mouse as a controller.

SNES

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
  • Pentium II (or equivalent) 266MHz (500MHz recommended), RAM: 64MB (128MB recommended), DirectX v8.0a or later must be installed
Playstation

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
Gameboy

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP

Game Reviews

Just when you thought it was safe to go back out on the ice, EA comes up with another average NHL title for the SNES. The fifth time isn't a charm as this game slightly lags behind the Genesis once again.

Melting Ice

Although '96 is relatively similar to last year's version, it has a few new tricks that previously were only available on the Genesis version. It does have Exhibition, Season, Practice, Trade, and Create Player modes, but direct playoffs and shootouts were left out once again.

ProTip: Circle the opposing net and look for a teammate crossing the crease for a one-timer.

What are Mark Messier and Scott Stevens gonna do without playoffs? But at least these guys are in the game, along with all the other pros and their respective teams.

And finally, after listening to the cries of fans everywhere, fighting is back on the menu. The only problem is the fights are dull and hard to control. If you want great fighting, step back in time to the days of NHL'93.

Nothing but Net

Above-average controls make NHL '96 easy for most pros, even when set on the expert skill level. New moves like a quick stop and a 360-degree spin add to the game-play, and one-timer passing has been implemented to complement one-timer shots. But why pass when you can zip right past your opponents and put one straight through the goalie's pads?

  • Be careful near the crease. Get in the goalie's way, and you'll wind up in the box with an Interference call.
  • Checking a player into the penalty box or benches takes him out of the play.

The graphics measure up to this year's Genesis version, but they're not as sharp. With detailed sprites and several new animations, it's not that big a leap from last year's colorful look. However, the fights look more like wrestling matches as the players smother each other.

The sounds of NHL '95 were like listening to the game from the locker room, and in '96, it's more like the parking lot. A snappy new opening tune and voice feature try to cover for the weak Pong-like sound effects that include muffled groans and gunshot checks.

Fights go quickly and are hard to control, so know your moves ahead of time.

Back in the Freezer Followers of the NHL series will debate whether the '93 and '95 versions are better than the '94 and '96 versions. If you already own '95, keep skating past '96.

Every year EA Sports' hockey games innovate and improve, and this year is no exception. NHL '96 retains its iron grip on the Stanley Cup with meteoric game- play and stellar new features -- though it doesn't revolutionize the game the way previous editions did.

The Great One

NHL always leads the pack in dazzling new moves. With a give-and-go pass, one-timer pass, and 360-degree spin, this version continues that streak. Other standard moves -- one-timer shot, drop pass, and so on -- remain in the lineup.

ProTip:

  • Catch passes by switching to the receiving player as soon as possible and twisting his stick toward the puck.
  • Use the new spin move to roil around checks.

The usual Season, Playoff, Regular, and Shootout modes provide more than enough action, and you can make trades and create players for all 26 NHL teams, which are equipped with the real '95 players. In a disappointing but realistic touch, no All-Star teams were included because of the strike.

Don't despair, though -- fighting's back! This NHL wisely corrects the biggest shortcoming of the previous versions: If the competition overheats, you can pound your opponent into the ice! Unfortunately, the view doesn't zoom in on the fisticuffs, and the subsequently muddled action won't entirely quench your bloodlust.

When things get hot in front of your net, have one man lay down in front of the goalie, then switch to a defenseman and gun for the puck.

Quick Stick

The action rockets along at a much faster pace, and the tough computer players now cut off one-timer shots and play tighter defense, which makes for rich, strategic hockey. If you conquered earlier versions of NHL, the '96 edition will pose new challenges, especially with three new difficulty levels.

Use the new one-timer pass to quickly move the puck up the ice and create breakaways.

Realistic refinements to the gameplay also deepen the action. You won't automatically snare every pass that touches your sprite, but the familiar, acutely responsive controls let you easily pull off every move that your player is capable of in real life.

Hat Trick

The graphics return to the style of NHL '94 with smaller, less detailed sprites that move with greater fluidity and grace. Fun animations (players grab different body parts for different injuries) strengthen the visual appeal. Solid new sound effects, such as the dungeonlike creak of the penalty-box door and the crushing thumps of checks, enhance the audio appeal.

To deck another player, repeatedly grab his shirt and pummel him in the head.

NHL '96 stands tall as the top hockey game, and it beats the pads off its SNES counterpart. If you own the '95 version, though, rent before you buy to make sure the improvements in NHL '96 are worth the green.

  • When a weak-shooting defensive player has the puck on a breakaway, crank a slap shot from the blue line and try for the rebound.
  • Pass from one side of the net to a player on the other (which should cause the goalie to move after the puck), to crank in a one-timer.

Time to hit the ice with what should be to hockey what FIFA '95 was to soccer: a landmark game that all others are measured against.

EA Sports has created a 32-Bit wonder. Although the version we saw was not anywhere near complete, it was playable. It was on display for all who ventured into the EA Sports booth, and it looked very impressive. All of your favorite NHL teams, actual players and logos have been included to add to the realism of the game.

EA Sports' popular slogan is, "If it's in the game, it's in the game." They aren't kidding! NHL '96 has everything a hockey fan could want. It is EA Sports' first 32-Bit hockey title and if it is any indication of what hockey fans and sports gamers can expect,

EA has a bright future in hockey games. The realistic sound effects and a great perspective of the rink almost make you feel as if you are actually on the ice with the players.

In this version sprite dropout was a problem, but that will be cleared up as the game nears completion. We'll let you know when EA Sports launches this game. Look for more coverage in the future.

EA Sports drops the puck on another season of NHL hockey. Although training camp has just begun for this year's season, the folks at EA Sports are ready to take it to the net with NHL Hockey '96 for the Super NES.

One of the biggest surprises is that fighting is back. The goaltenders are harder to beat, and once again, the game features an official NHL and NHL Player's Association license.

The producers of the game have been on-line reading your comments on what you thought about NHL '95. They've made some positive changes this time around based on your concerns. This year's version plays more like 1993 and 1994 NHL hockey, which is a good thing.

The only gripe I have so far with this year's game is that the player animations are 20 percent smaller. They said they did it to make the game feel more realistic. However, they also put the fisticuffs in this year's version.

So get ready to take it to the ice on the Super NES with NHL '96!

  • MANUFACTURER - Hi Score Entertainment
  • DIFFICULTY - MODERATE
  • THEME - Sports
  • NUMBER OF PLAYERS - 1 to 4
  • EA for Genesis Sports

With sharper graphics, new moves, more scoring and FIGHTS, this game is gonna rock yer socks off! Grab a stick and kick some serious ass!

  • System: Genesis
  • Publisher: EA
  • Developer: High Score

The Genesis version of NHL '95 was arguably the best sports simulation product ever. I was just hoping and praying that EA wouldn't change too much. Well, my dreams came true. EA added many new features and changed the look a bit, but the superb gameplay of the '95 version has only gotten better with time.

The players have a new sharper look and are starting to resemble humans as opposed to blocks of pixels. The sound has been enhanced with more effects like the slamming door of the penalty box. The computer opponent is a bit tougher, so that winning every game isn't as easy as last year. There are now three difficulty levels to choose from, although only the toughest is any challenge to veterans of the series. The goalies are tougher to score on. New moves and more ways to score, including one-time touch passes and a Spin-O-Rama add to the strategy. Completely updated rosters, season stats, trades, creating players, and four-player play are all here as well, making NHL '96 the new benchmark for hockey games.

And the fights are back! Missing from the EA hockey series since '93, the brawling goons have now returned. The fights have never been an integral part of gameplay, but they're a nice break in the action and good fun. However, EA has even managed to work the fights into the gameplay. When two players square off, the fight doesn't start until the gloves drop. If your top scorer is locked up with a big goon, you can hold onto your gloves and let the other guy pummel you. He'll receive an extra penalty for instigating. They've also added pulling the jersey over the other fighters head as an option. That's one humiliating way to lose a fight. Another great thing about the fights is that they don't happen often enough to get in the way of the game and only happen when two aggressive players confront each other.

The only thing wrong with this game is that every sport isn't captured this great. Buy this game now or I'll be forced to send a squid to your door.

  • System: Super NES
  • Publisher: EA
  • Developer: High Score/Tiburon

As everyone knows by now, the Super NES version of the NHL series has been appreciably weaker than the Genesis every time. As a matter of fact, the Super NES version hasn't even been close once. That is, until this year. NHL '96 for the Super NES has all the features of the Genesis, plus a slightly sharper look and gameplay that almost matches up.

One plus on the Super NES side is the use of the L and R buttons, making it much easier to slam on the brakes and pull off a Spin-O-Rama. However, the computer Al just isn't solid enough to give the kind of challenge the Genesis does.

  • Manufacturer: EA
  • Machine: Genesis, Super NES

The greatest hockey game ever made, NHL '95, is back for another year on the 16-bit platforms. And at first glance, the '96 version appears to be even better. What's new? The fights are back! After a couple years absence, the fights have returned to the NHL series. What's more, is that the fighting is the best yet. You can even pull the opposing players jersey over his head, then pummel him.

The players' license, the stats, the one-timers, and the fast-paced action have all returned. Plus, the players have a sharper look, there's one-time touch passes, and the players can now stop on a dime. The computer goalies and defense are tougher, which is sure to make the season mode even better.

With all the new 32-bit games coming up, it's been hard to get excited about 16-bit games, but EA's NHL '96 is definitely an exception to the rule.

It was Frost who said, "Let us weep for the little things that make them happy. That pretty much sums up how I feel about the introduction of NHL '96 into my life.

I've been working myself into a frenzy over this game for months. The funny thing is, I hadn't seen any pictures of the Genesis or SNES versions; only the 3DO. Needless to say, I felt a little trepidation when Chris B. handed me these two games. Would they live up to my expectations? Has my tenure at this magazine mad me a jaded gameplayer like my friend Frank? Hell, no! This game was every bit as satisfying as I thought it would be. I was also correct in my assumption that the SNES version would suck compared to the Genesis one. Don't fret though, you SNES owners, because NHL 96 is infinitely better than the other NHL titles for the Super Nintendo.

Graphically, compared to the others, the players are smaller and look crisper. With some new animations (watch a player writhe in agony when he's injured) including a sweet spin maneuver that's useful when deeking lone........ defensemen, NHL '96 looks the most realistic. Also, the Al of the computer has been increased, making it more difficult to beat. This is always a welcome change for NHL players, who tend to master the games quite quickly.

All the same cool features that were added into last year's version are still here. At the end of a season you'll be able to see the trophies awarded and the MVP picked. What has been added is an elaborate Stanley Cup presentation for the victor, as well as three skill levels to choose from.

Also, get this: Fighting is BACK! Cross a goon's path and the gloves come off. The animation of the fights is great, too. No more of that stiff punch-throwing. Now you can do It the Canadian way and go for the shirt-over-the-head trick while grappling your opponent.

One disappointment is the fact that the goalie is still indestructible out of the crease. If you're going to add fighting, let the goalie become a target away from the net. Now, if a player chooses to cream him, there's a reason for a fight. As I mentioned earlier, the SNES version takes a back seat. The graphics don't look quite as nice (although they're pretty close) and the gameplay isn't on the same level. Also surprising is the fact that the sound on the Genesis version is superior too. Granted, the talking that's found in the SNES cart is missing in the Genesis version, but the organ music and ice sounds are better.

Snapshots and Media

Playstation Screenshots

Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Screenshots

SNES/Super Nintendo/Super Famicom Screenshots

GameBoy Screenshots

See Also

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