NHL 96

NHL 96
Developer(s)	EA Tiburon (SNES) Score Entertainment (MD) Pioneer Productions (DOS) Probe Entertainment (GB)
Publisher(s)	EA Sports (SMD, SNES, DOS) Black Pearl (GB)
Platform(s)	DOS, Mega Drive/Genesis, SNES, Game Boy
Release date(s)	October 26, 1995
Genre(s)	Sports - Ice Hockey Sim
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer
Rating(s)	ESRB: Kids to Adults
Media/distribution	CD, Game cartridge

NHL 96 is an ice hockey video game developed by Electronic Arts Canada. It was released on October 26, 1995 and was the successor to NHL 95.

Game cover

For the first time in the NHL series, two players are on the front cover.

Features

Fighting is reintroduced in NHL 96, as are major and double minor penalties. The PC version is the first game in the series to have multiple cameras, using EA's Virtual Stadium technology, which uses 2D sprites on a 3D environment. The cover of the game features Steve Yzerman and Scott Stevens, and Get Ready For This by 2 Unlimited is used as the game's main theme (for the PC version, the game music is done by game composer Jeff van Dyck). The game includes the Quebec Nordiques, even though the team had moved and become the Colorado Avalanche before the start of the 1995–96 season. NHL 96 was the last game in the series that included two players on the cover in North America. Since NHL 97, the games' covers have single players. Fighting was also brought back which included three new animations for a fight ending; knocking the losing player on his back, injuring him to cause him to squirm on the ice, and by pulling the losing player to the ice with the jersey over his head while being able to still throw punches. Game modes include: exhibition, season and playoffs.

The game offered two options for season length: 48 or 82 games. The actual 1994-95 NHL season was shortened to 48 games due to the 1994–95 NHL lockout.

Online Play

The PC version of NHL 96 was the first to have an ability to play online with a modem.

Information

• Covers: Steve Yzerman/Scott Stevens (Main)
• Released for:

• DOS
• Sega Mega Drive/Genesis
• Super Nintendo Entertainment System
• Game Boy

Soundtrack

NHL 1996 Soundtrack
Artist	Song
2 Unlimited	"Get Ready for This"

Reception
Review scores
Publication	Score
Electronic Gaming Monthly	75.5%
GameSpot	79%
Nintendo Power	68%