Play NHL Hockey '96 Online

EA Sports released NHL Hockey '96 for the Game Boy in 1995, a time when handheld sports games were often simplified versions of their console counterparts. This one tried to pack a full hockey experience into that small green screen, with teams, seasons, and even fighting, all running on a system better known for platformers and puzzles.

You control all five skaters at once, cycling through them to pass, shoot, or check opponents. The main goal is to score more goals than the other team, navigating the condensed rink with surprisingly responsive controls for such a small game. Signature mechanics include one-timer shots, which require precise timing to connect, and body checks that send pixelated players sliding into the boards. The game moves quickly, and the AI can be punishing on higher difficulties, leading to a lot of frantic scrambling in your own zone. It feels scrappy and immediate, like a real pickup game squeezed into your pocket.