It can sometimes be easy to forget about the sports titles that have changed our opinion of a particular sport. For most of us, our favorite game is a simulated re-creation of a beloved sport - perhaps a sport we played as a child and throughout high school and, if fortunate enough, into college and adult leagues. We watch these sports on television every chance we get. We visit stadiums, arenas, and parks to catch our pastime live. Love could very well describe our appreciation for our favorite sport.

Despite all that, somehow many of us have a deep appreciation for a sport we may never consider out favorite. But, due to a great sports game emulating the likeness, intensity, and enjoyment of this particular sport, we have grown fond of it. For me, that sport is hockey. And all it took was the SNES version of NHL '94 by EA Sports. Before I opened the cardboard box holding my SNES cartridge I knew very little about the sport of hockey. My understanding of hockey was extremely limited and my skill at the game was non-existent.

If you asked me at the time what players I may have known I would have answered Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux. Then I would have remained silent hoping that maybe you'd move on to a new question. When I purchased NHL '94 I had no clue that there would be two new expansion teams: the Florida Panthers and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. I didn't know anything about two-line passes, the blue line, offsides, or even how to pronounce Mark Messier's last name. For a full season I kept yelling Messiah and rightfully so as he led my Rangers to the playoffs in my first NHL video game season.

However, NHL '94 taught me the rules of the game. I wasn't going to start coaching Pee Wee Hockey Leagues, but I knew enough to watch a New York Rangers game and follow along after playing NHL. I slowly learned the players: I learned that Brian Leetch was actually as good as he played on my video game team; I learned about the great goalies like Dominik Hasek, Martin Brodeur and Mike Richter; and I even finally learned that Claude Lemieux wasn't related to Mighty Mario. Yes, there were a lot of bumps in the road and embarrassing moments along the way.

My new love for hockey even urged me to play on my elementary school's hockey club. I wasn't any good but it didn't matter; I was playing a new sport and the excitement of it even got me more involved in the other sports I loved. I followed up NHL '94 by purchasing NHL '95, then '96, '97, and so on. I couldn't get enough and hockey was creeping closer to my love of baseball and basketball. It never reached that peak and has since been replaced by football, but for a nice long period of time, hockey was my favorite sport I never cared for.

Sometimes, even non-major American sports will leave an impression. Forum member, Knight165, specifically mentioned having played Pro Evolution Soccer and being "hooked ever since." Others even take the extreme approach of playing the sport that a video game helped them appreciate. Brandon (Blzer) was daring enough to take his Tony Hawk experience to the streets and teach himself a few tricks. A couple of bumps and bruises later, he might have dropped the activity altogether but he still loves the sport.

Sports video games can be just as powerful and effective as RPGs, action/adventures and simple platform titles. Like the latter genres, sports gaming gives every one of us an opportunity to participate in a sport we may have never considered if not for gaming. Till this day, if not for NHL '94, I'd have little knowledge, appreciation, or respect for the game of hockey. It may not fit in as one of my favorite sports but NHL '94 remains one of my favorite sports titles of all-time. Very few tournament and hall of fame worthy titles can say they have had such a profound effect on me.