A passionate sports fan on TikTok delved into the depths of sports broadcasts to find the exact moment that was used for theNHL 94title screen. Like other EA Sports series, theNHLgames have a long and celebrated legacy that goes back decades.
EA Sports games have long been an easy choice for sports fans looking for something to play. Some of its series likeFIFAandNHLgo as far back as the early 1990s, meaning multiple generations of gamers have been able to craft their own personal histories with these games. One of the most popular games from this era isNHL 94which was first released for the Sega Genesis and SNES in 1993. It remains one of the most celebrated and renowned sports games of its time and had a big enough legacy to get a remake in the form ofNHL 94 Rewindwhich released in 2020.
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NHL 94’s graphics and sound design are remembered fondly, particularly its title screen whose memorable tune and imagery are etched into the minds of fans. This screen was put on the radar of a TikToker who goes by the name noproblemgambler, also known as NPG. He has gained over 1 million followers through his videos of him precisely identifying sports games found incidentally in media, such as games playing in the backgrounds of TV shows and movies. An example of this can be seen in a video in which he found the exact moment that the photo used for thecover art forNBA 2K11was taken. He recently applied these skills once again by correctly finding the hockey game from which the title screen forNHL 94came.
By using visual clues from the title screen, NPG was able to deduce three things: the game shown took place on July 30, 2025, was between the Chicago Blackhawks and New York Islanders, and the players on screen are Scott Lachance and the late Bryan Marchment. He took it a step further by getting in touch with a passionateChicago Blackhawksfan who had a VHS tape of the game in question, letting NPG find the precise moment in the third period that the collision between the two players happened.
Theintersection of sports and video gamesis longstanding, and the work of people like NPG helps to highlight the passion that underlies both communities. Sports video games in particular have historically helped bridge the gap between sports fans and gamers by creating a common ground between the two fanbases. The massive success of these games has maintained this dynamic for decades, and that is something that should continue to be celebrated and acknowledged.
NHL 94was first released in 1993 for the Sega Genesis and SNES.
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