NHL '94, a Sega CD game, introduces the potent one-timer shot feature while enhancing the defensive gameplay with heavier body checks and new animations. Manual control of goalkeepers increases gameplay complexity. Despite its past popularity, fighting is excluded. Modes include exhibition games titled "regular season" in-game, playoff variants, and a novel shoot-out mode. Main settings maintain configuration options established in earlier series entries such as period length, line changes, and penalties.
Aside from the licenses, the gameplay for this edition sees for the first time the inclusion of the devastating one-timer shot, but to keep forwards (literally) in check, defenders also feature harder body checks, with new animations. For an additional challenge, players can also choose to control the goalkeeper manually. A popular feature in previous editions, fighting is completely removed from the game. Game modes include exhibition games (or "regular season" in-game), playoffs (best of one or best of seven) and an all new shoot-out mode. The main options remain basically the same couple since the establishment of the series - period length (5, 10 or 20 minutes), line changes (off, manual or the new automatic mode) and penalties. (off, on, on but no offsides).