NHL '96

NHL '96 Review

But having said all that, NHL '96 is still fun to play, both on the ice and off. The graphics are superb, from the on-ice reflections to the numbers on the back of the player jerseys, with graceful player movement and fluid animation. (You will need a very powerful machine to see all this in hi-res mode.) After a few games, you'll be able to pass with relative precision and disable your opponents in any number of ways, from simple body checks to full-on fist fights. Your ability to trade players and immediately jump into exhibition, regular season, or playoff mode allows you to play with the team you want in the game you want, and the head-to-head option is almost fun enough to make you forget what a bore the single player game can sometimes be.

EA has built the foundations of a terrific title with NHL '96. Let's hope they finish the job with NHL '97.

Gamespot