What's the best version of NHL Hockey on Genesis?

[Anthony1]

I have heard alot of different recommendations as to which version of NHL Hockey was the best on the Genesis.

Some people swear by NHL 94. Others swear by NHL 96. Some say the Sega CD version of NHL 94 is the best.

Which one do you think is the best?



Also, on a side note, I was reading an old video game magazine the other day that was talking about NHL 97 or something coming out on the 3DO. Did that ever come out?

[Drexel923]

I can never remember which one I liked the best so I just bundle 94, 95, and 96 together as my favorites.

[digitalpress]

Well my favorite for any Genesis hardware is NHL '94 for Sega CD, but the cartridge version does a good job. The most noticeable difference between the two is the organ music (and the intro). I LOVE. THIS. GAME.

This was the perfect NHL game - the physics were exactly right, after tinkering with it for a few years, and then having it completely botched the following year when they tried to do an overhead view ('95 is my LEAST favorite). In '96 they didn't quite get back to '94 and by '97 I had lost interest, although I've played '97 and '98 recently and they're not bad.

I played a ton of the Genesis version when the X-Band network was active, and the battery on my original cart STILL works. You should see some of the records we've put up!

[digitalpress]

Also, on a side note, I was reading an old video game magazine the other day that was talking about NHL 97 or something coming out on the 3DO. Did that ever come out?

No.

see http://www.digitpress.com/lists.htm for the complete released (and rumor mill) 3DO list.

[Gamereviewgod]

'93. Still kept the fighting and the blood which were taken out of 94. Didn't quite have the features, but it played almost the same. Though that kick ass Sega CD version ranks up there......

Side Note: NHL '95 on the PC is IMPECCABLE! It kept the gameplay of '94 but it's presentation and control is flawless. NBA Live that year on the PC also rocked...

[IGotTheDot]

94

[norkusa]

I know everyone swears by the '94 version, but '98 is my favorite. I really dig the skills challenge mode plus the Red Wings have the Russian 5 on their roster.

[Sega Hitman]

NHL '94 is my favorite. '96-'98 are all good, but they're just not the same. The players move too fast and it's too easy to score. I used to have the Sega CD version of '94 years ago, and I remember it being better than the Genesis version. The Genesis version is common as dirt and can be had for a quarter though, so defintely keep an eye out for it.

-Hitman-

[The Manimal]

All the games are easy as dirt, unfortunately.


The made the AI a bit better for '98, but after about 20 games I figured it out, and won nearly every game since.



I remember NHLPA '93 being really good, but all these games are virtually the same, only adding features as the years progressed, and updated rosters.


So in closing...my favorites are:


NHL '95 just for the fact that it is based on the season in which my favorite team (Vancouver) went to the Stanley Cup Finals. Sure they lost, but that was THEIR season.


and

NHL '98. Final 16-bit'er. Most up to date, most options. I'd say go with this one above all others if I had to choose one.

[den68]

my favorite is NHL 96. I may be biased by the fact that my favorite all-time player Steve Yzerman is on the box but I can play the hell out of this game. I actually wore out a controller, I haven't done that since my C-64 days.

I've got the Red Wings current roster set up in the game (well, still need to add Derian Hatcher and drop Sergei Fedorov) and created a player of myself. Yeah it's easy and I win most games in a blowout but I still can't get enough of it.

I've also got 94 for the Sega CD, looks like I need to check it out.

[tynstar]

I would say NHLPA 93 because that really started the hockey play on the Genny for me. But 94 introduced the one timer so that is a great one too.