Play NHL '97 Online

NHL '97 came out for the Super Nintendo in 1996, published by EA Sports. It was one of the later hockey games on the system, arriving when the 16-bit era was winding down, but it still offered a solid, fast-paced take on the sport. The graphics were a step up from earlier entries, with more detailed sprites and smoother animations that made the action feel a little closer to the real thing.

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 shot, which requires precise timing to unleash a quick, powerful attempt, and manual goalie control, letting you take direct command of the netminder to make desperate saves. The game moves at a brisk pace; checks are satisfyingly physical, and breakaways feel tense as you deke toward the crease. It feels responsive and immediate, like you're right in the middle of a quick, chaotic game on ice.