# 5 NHL 94
1993
EA
16 Bit Sega Genesis

Moreso than any other game on this list, NHL 94 makes the list based mostly on "feel".  The game simply felt like hockey.  No other hockey video game that came before it has ever replicated the feel and authenticity of NHL 94.  

But what is "feel"?  Much of it has to do with responsiveness.  You could tell the difference between Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky versus some 3rd tier defenseman on the Nordiques.  You could also tell that you got smashed into the boards by a guy like Ray Borque versus some lower end defender who might just rub you a little off your path down the ice. 

But it goes deeper than that.  The "feel" of puck handling was captured brilliantly...allowing you to drag the puck to one side and switch to the other.  The physics felt phenominal.  The same goes for getting control of your goalie and moving him around (something previous versions didn't let you do, leaving you at the mercy of your AI goalie.. so this was a welcomed change, especially when it came to defending against the breakaway.  

The big "back of the box" feature for NHL 94 was one-timers...something not seen in video hockey to that point, but something that would then become a must-have feature for all hockey games thereafter. However, as stated above, the game was more renown for its "feel" and representation of hockey than any singular feature.

It's also the reason why NHL 94's gameplay still stands up 14 years later.

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