NHL All-Star Hockey 95

Getting started: From the title screen, press Start to reach the main menu. The game offers exhibition matches, a playoff mode, and a season mode. Choose your favorite NHL team, then pick an opponent. Each game is three twenty-minute periods (adjusted for real-time speed in the options). The core loop is faceoff, skate up ice, pass to open teammates, and slap a shot on net. Defense is about body checking and stick lifts - timing matters more than mashing.

A few things new players should know: you can switch players manually with Select, and holding the X button while on offense makes your skater go into a burst of speed. The goalie can be controlled manually by holding Q, but it's tricky at first. The penalty system is simple - tripping and hooking calls happen if you spam the check button from behind. If you're down late, pull the goalie by pressing A + B together (though it's risky). Start with a quick exhibition to get the feel for the puck physics before diving into the season.