| NHL 96 | |
|---|---|
 Cover art featuring Scott Stevens and Steve Yzerman | |
| Developer(s) | EA Tiburon (SNES) High Score Productions (GEN) EA Canada (DOS) Probe Entertainment (GB) |
| Publisher(s) | EA Sports (GEN, SNES, DOS) THQ (GB) |
| Producer(s) | Rob Martyn (GEN, SNES) |
| Designer(s) | Scott Probin (GEN, SNES) |
| Programmer(s) | Mark Lesser (GEN) Jason Andersen (SNES) |
| Composer(s) | Jeff van Dyck (DOS) David Whittaker (GEN) Brian L. Schmidt (SNES) |
| Series | NHL series |
| Engine | Virtual Stadium |
| Platform(s) | DOS, Sega Genesis, SNES, Game Boy |
| Release | Genesis, SNES, DOS: Game Boy:
|
| Genre(s) | Sports (ice hockey) |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
NHL 96 is a 1995 sports video game developed by EA Tiburon for the SNES, High Score Productions for the Sega Genesis, EA Canada for DOS, and Probe Entertainment for the Game Boy. EA Sports published all versions of the game except the Game Boy version, which was published by THQ. The game is based on the sport of ice hockey and puts the player in control of a hockey team in modes of play such as exhibitions, seasons and playoffs. It is the fifth installment in the NHL game series.
NHL 96 is the first entry in the series to feature real-time three-dimensional graphics through the DOS version's "Virtual Stadium" technology. The game also features improved and adjustable opponent artificial intelligence, a previously-barred ability to engage in physical fights, new moves such as the spin-o-rama, and general enhancements to the visual animations and audio. NHL 96 was met with critical acclaim, with reviewers commending the game's improved opponent AI, fluid graphics, and added gameplay features.