Overview and Gameplay
EA’s SNES hockey series keeps its fast rink action while adding fighting, new moves, and updated season features. NHL 96 uses NHL teams and 1994-95 roster data, with Exhibition, Season, and Practice modes, plus saved records, transactions, created players, penalties, injuries, and selectable skill levels.
Controls And Mechanics
- Offense includes passing, wrist shots, slap shots, dump-ins, fake shots, drop passes, quick stops, Spin-o-Rama moves, and one-timers.
- Defense uses body checks, poke checks, hooks, trips, shot blocks, player switching, and optional manual goalie control.
- Games use three periods, penalties, offsides, line changes, overtime, and selectable period lengths.
- Two-player play supports versus games and same-team cooperative hockey.
Version Notes
This is the European PAL SNES release of NHL 96, also styled as NHL ’96. It includes battery-backed saving for season and roster data.
Release And Credits
- Release year: 1995
- Developer: Tiburon Entertainment
- Publisher: Electronic Arts
- Original platform context: multi-platform EA Sports hockey release, not an arcade port
