[5] NHL Powerplay 98 received a variety of reviews, with critics expressing differing opinions on a number of points.

For example, while IGN, GamePro, Sega Saturn Magazine, and John Ricciardi of Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) all praised the player animations for their fluid movements and variety of realistic moves,[14][20][23][24][25] Kraig Kujawa and Dean Hager (also of EGM), as well as Ryan MacDonald of GameSpot, complained that the animations are too choppy.

[13][3] Likewise, while Dan Hsu of EGM and MacDonald both considered the graphics to be bottom tier,[14][3] Kujawa, Hager, IGN, GamePro, Sega Saturn Magazine, and Glenn Rubenstein all found them exceptionally good, especially the player models.

[13][4][20][23][24] Reviewers widely complimented the player A.I.,[13][14][3][4][23] while the most strongly emphasized criticism of the game was the slow play speed.

[23] IGN's recommendation was still more tentative: "The link between polygons and gameplay has yet to be made, but NHL Powerplay '98 makes a nice attempt.