Play NHL 96 (USA, Europe) Online

NHL 96 came out for the Sega Genesis in 1995, developed by EA Sports. It was one of the later hockey games on the system, arriving when the 16-bit era was still going strong but newer consoles were on the horizon. The game featured updated rosters from the 1995-96 NHL season, and for many players, it was the hockey title they spent the most time with that year.

You control a team of five skaters and a goalie, working to outscore your opponent. The main objective is simple: get the puck in the net. Signature mechanics include the one-timer, which lets you fire an immediate shot off a pass, and manual goalie control, allowing you to take direct command of the netminder to make desperation saves. The pacing is quick, with fluid skating and responsive checks, though higher difficulty levels demand precise positioning and smarter puck movement. It feels fast, physical, and deeply satisfying when a well-executed play results in a goal.