After another weekend of SNES game swapping amongst a few similarly minded retro gaming friends of mine I came to the realization that while the SNES boasts literally hundreds of excellent, worthwhile games, there is in reality almost a set fifteen to twenty titles that are considered staples of the SNES system
Each SNES player has a few games they value beyond all others, will recommend to any person considering revisiting the SNES system, and that immediately come to mind whenever retro gaming is brought up in memorabilia-focused conversation.
Here are The Top Five Best SNES Games (which I created from examining the lists of my friends, family members, and even other online bloggers in comparison with my own).
Rare’s sidescolling platform game is actually (and sadly) considered one of the SNES’s most overrated games of all time (conclusions made by both Electronic Gaming Monthly and Gamespy).
However, any child of the 80’s and 90’s may not agree with this, and with another “of all time award” on it’s shelf- Second highest selling game SNES of all time (beaten only by Nintendo’s Super Mario World)- it seems Donkey Kong Country gets the longest and last laugh here.
With an always appreciated two-player mode, Donkey Kong Country also encouraged single player mode by allowing the player to switch between the two characters (Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong) to overcome unique obstacles in a variety of settings in over 40 levels in the hopes of retrieving all of Donkey Kong’s stolen bananas.
A challenge to this day, Donkey Kong Country is simple enough for children, fun for everyone, and an overall excellent game.
4.) Super Mario Kart
The first game in the Mario Kart series, Super Mario Kart was an immediate favorite for anyone growing up with an SNES (and those kids without the console soon made friends with SNES owners).
The go-kart racing game has inspired several sequels, which all still revolve around the basic principles of the first; Choosing from eight characters with unique abilities, players race against each other and computer controlled characters in multi-race cups on three different increasingly difficult levels.
Super Mario Kart has earned the title of third highest selling SNES game of all time (behind Donkey Kong Country and Super Mario World), and while there were several excellent Super Mario games for the SNES, after consulting with dozens of people and lists it became clear that Super Mario Kart (more than any other Mario game of the time) has made a much more distinct and special impression overall.
3.) Super Metroid
Nintendo’s third installment in the Metroid series (which is why Super Metroid is also known as Metroid 3 in some circles), this game is a classic that must be experienced. Main character, and famous feminist icon, Samus Aran battled space pirates to retrieve a stolen Metroid in this universally acclaimed action platform fame. Ranked as 7th on IGN’s list for 100 best games of all time and named Best Game of All Time in 2003, Super Metroid is a surprisingly complex, engrossing, and lovable game that should be experienced by every gamer.
2.) Final Fantasy VI
Square Enix’s 1994 role playing video game seamlessly interwove breakthrough gameplay options, over a dozen playable characters, engaging gameplay, and one of Final Fantasy’s best-loved stories into the groundbreaking favorite that Final Fantasy VI remains to this day.
Considered one of the greatest games of all time by a variety of game journalism and websites, Final Fantasy VI is often referred to as the greatest in it’s series (of over one hundred titles) and is an excellent game for new players and old gamers alike.
1.) The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Considering the vast amount of great games formatted for the SNES it is still surprising to see the number of people, websites, magazines and companies that consider The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past to be not only the greatest SNES game of all time, but a pioneer in the gaming industry to all developers, story writers, and production companies.
With a simple premise echoing the entire Zelda franchise (save the princess and the world) The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past introduced new concepts of gameplay that are still prevalent in Zelda games today-including overhead perspectives and the famous usage of parallel worlds.
Topping more “Greatest game” lists than possibly any other title, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past continues to not only be a fan favorite, but an inspirational reminder of both the greatness of a truly good game and how imagination transformed the gaming industry.
These are a handful of basic, unforgettable SNES games that almost any fan of the now retro console holds dear physically, or at least mentally.
Those of a certain age have all experienced these great games; however as the gaming world continues to move forward technologically some of these classics are combating a threat of obsoletion in the face of that ever doubling force that are terrible video game sequels.
Which is why I encourage everyone to find a child, friend, or family member and replay one of these classics; introduce these excellent games to fresh eyes while you yourself gain a delightful trip to the corner of nostalgic street and awesome childhood memory lane.
And for those of you who perhaps haven’t played these games yet, find that geeky older friend, relative, or even parent and give these games a try- I guarantee you can find them, and I promise they won’t disappoint.
Anyone disagree? Is there an SNES game that revolutionized your childhood and gaming life? Let us know!
I most certainly agree with this list. I enjoyed playing Super Mario World with my dad and sister back in the day; it may have sparked my interest in gaming at the same time.
These are some of the best games period. there’s a reason that they were remade so many times over. The original legend of zelda was one of the best and deepest experiences of the nes era and brought about the modern rpg and was one of the early games that added serious replayablity. I can’t tell you how many times i started a new game to play this. To me the legend of zelda defines the consoles era and paved the way for more modern gaming. Playing Donkey Kong Country wasn’t bad either;) one of the best soundtracks in gaming which is common for the nes and shows the power of audio especially in the 8 bit era including Zelda.
I agree with all of these. I might add Earthbound to my list though. SNES had so many great games in my opinion.