NHL 96

This is a final version prototype of the PAL version of NHL 96. Thanks to drx and Hidden Palace for this release. By: Evan G Last updated: January 20, 2026

This is another prototype that originates from a collection from Germany. This prototype has three bytes different from the final version of the game. These are all bytes in the internal header that the SNES does not access, so the game is identical to final.

Comparing files NHL 96 (prototype).sfc and NHL '96 (E).SFC:
0000FFB5: 45 50
0000FFDC: 40 35
0000FFDE: BF CA
End of both files.

The byte 0xFFB5 is part of the games's serial code. The prototype's serial code is "A6HE", which is actually the US serial code. The PAL serial code is "A6HP", which is fixed in the final version. The other two bytes are part of the internal checksum, which reflects this change.

The prototype PCB has some stickers on the EPROMS. They say the title of the game (NHL 96) as well as a date of August 6 (presumably 1995). Two of the chips say "PR" or "PP" under the date, though I am not sure what that means. Note that although the prototype has four chips, the fourth chip is just mirrored data of the third chip, so the corrected dump is 1.5 MB (12 Mb).

Prototype PCB - Front

Prototype PCB - Back

Download the prototype and high resolution pictures here.