ok, making a top 10 list of the greatest SNES games almost destroyed friendships for multiple people. One of our guys, Carl, had to referee arguments that escalated to the point of people going fists. Another guy, Joe, would try to list things lower because he played for Sega. Tim wrote an essay about Chrono Trigger even though he only discovered it within the last 5 years. Sam argued for Street Fighter II like a lawyer was defending his client’s life. However, after weeks of arguing and insulting each other via Slack, and one Zoom call where John wouldn’t stop going on about Amiga games being superior, here is our agreed upon top 10 SNES games.
The SNES launched in 1991 and was, undoubtedly, extremely successful. Mode 7 graphics made competitors like Sega jealous. The sound chips provided actual music rather than digital noise. The controller just felt right in your hands. The amount of quality games available for the Super Nintendo was so high that even the most biased Genesis players couldn’t argue that Nintendo “nailed it.”
Rankings
* Chrono Trigger – Perfect time traveling RPG
* Super Metroid – Exploration masterpiece
* Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past – Perfection of the 2D Zelda formula
* Super Mario World – Nintendo laid it all on the launch title
* Final Fantasy VI – Story telling that has stood the test of time
* Super Mario RPG – Brilliant combination of Nintendo and Square
* Earthbound – Quirky, Wonderful, and Emotionally impactful
* Donkey Kong Country – Visually impressive with actual substance
* Street Fighter II Turbo – The game that mattered when it came to fighting games
* Super Mario Kart – Simulator of destroying friendships
The SNES was released in 1991 and was undoubtedly one of the best consoles Nintendo has ever produced. Donkey Kong Country graphics made competitors like Sega jealous. The soundtrack bypassed what other consoles were capable of at the time. The controller just felt right. The sheer amount of quality games you could play on the Super Nintendo was staggering.
RANKINGS
1. Chrono Trigger – Perfect time traveling RPG
2. Super Metroid – Exploration masterpiece
3. Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past – Perfection of the 2D Zelda games
4. Super Mario World – The launch title that proved Nintendo “nailed it”
5. Final Fantasy VI – Storytelling that has endured for generations
6. Super Mario RPG – Brilliant merge between Nintendo and Square
7. Earthbound – Quirky, Wonderful, and Emotionally impactful
8. Donkey Kong Country – Visual spectacle that had you craving more
9. Street Fighter II Turbo – Perfect balance of fun and competitiveness
10. Super Mario Kart – Friendship destruction simulator
Click each entry to cheque out each member of the NPC crew’s deep dive on why their game should be in your ROM collection.
1. Chrono Trigger (1995)
Developer: Square
Genre: JRPG
Chrono Trigger was the result of Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi, Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii, and Dragon Ball artist Akira Toriyama coming together to make the best RPG of all time. They delivered. There was an original time traveling system that influenced your game. There were multiple endings depending on when you defeated the final boss. Turn-based battles that allowed for really fun action just by using timing to increase damage or decrease damage coming your way. The soundtrack is still being played by orchestras worldwide.
What makes it so great: The New Game+ allowed you to take previous progress and apply it to your new playthrough and unlock additional endings. Each period of time you visited felt unique. What you did in 600 AD impacted what you would discover in 1000 AD. Chrono Trigger wasn’t just innovative game mechanics, it was a masterclass of storytelling through gameplay.
Does it hold up? : Many gamers today consider Chrono Trigger to be the greatest JRPG ever created. After replaying Chrono Trigger for this list, we couldn’t agree more.
[ Tim’s Passionate Explanation on Why Chrono Trigger Is the Pinnacle of Gaming→]
2. Super Metroid (1994)
Developer: Nintendo R&D1
Genre: Action-Adventure
Super Metroid created an atmosphere so thick you could cut it with Samus’s arm cannon. The soundtrack was eerie. Every area of the map felt dangerous. Being alone in an empty room on planet Zebes is a feeling most games still can’t replicate today. John wouldn’t stop going on about how great this game was until we all played it again, and he was right. Once you learned wall jump, space jump, and how to use your grappling beam you moved as a beast.
What makes it so great: Mapping was incorporated into the game so well that you never felt like you were being handheld. Finding a new power-up encouraged you to backtrack through areas you already explored with new eyes and see paths you may have taken 20 times before. There were no quest markers to tell you where to go next. No tutorials that told you how to use each new mechanic. You, the planet, and your ability to discover.
Does it still hold up? : Super Metroid defined what a Metroidvania game should be. Every indie developer that makes a game with an emphasis on exploration is trying to recreate what Super Metroid did back in 1994.
[John’s Complete Analysis of Atmosphere and How Super Metroid Mastered it →]
3. Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (1991)
Developer: Nintendo
Genre: Action-Adventure
A Link to the Past was the only ranking we all could agree on. Right after agreeing, we started questioning if we were becoming complacent. Maybe we were tired? Either way, A Link to the Past is perfect. Light/Dark World dynamic was genius. Having two entire worlds that mirrored each other except everything in Dark World was reversed. Each dungeon unlocked a new item that opened new ways to solve puzzles. After you defeated Ganondorf with the Master Sword, you truly felt like a legend.
What makes it so great: Zelda dungeons forced you to think outside the box. Boss battles challenged if you fully mastered each item unlocked. Exploration of the overworld rewarded you with secrets — hidden heart pieces under rocks, caves behind trees, etc.
Does it still hold up? : It still is the standard for 2D Zelda games. Breath of the Wild was amazing but A Link to the Past is timeless.
[A Link To The Past Brought Our Angry Crew Together →]
4. Super Mario World (1990)
Developer: Nintendo
Genre: Platformer
Super Mario World came packaged with the SNES and thank goodness it did because this was Nintendo showcasing what their new console was capable of. Cape power up allowed Mario to fly across entire levels if you built up enough speed. Yoshi felt like a real companion rather than just a power-up. Secret exits throughout the game unlocked the Star Road and forced casual gamers to become obsessive level completionists trying to find that 96th star.
What makes it so great: Level design that is still being studied by game designers today. The early levels of the game teach you each new mechanic through gameplay. The later stages of the game assume you’ve mastered every single mechanic at once. The Special Zone increased the difficulty to actually be challenging for completionists who thought they had it all.
Does it still hold up? : Everything about Super Mario World is still perfect. The controls are perfect. The level design is perfect. It’s simply… perfect.
[ Tim’s Super Mario World Experience and Why It Justified My Love for Retro Gaming →
5. Final Fantasy VI (1994)
Developer: Square
Genre: JRPG
Final Fantasy VI, which North America received as Final Fantasy III due to confusion regarding the numbering of the series, pushed what the SNES was capable of. Fifteen playable characters that each had their own individual story. An entire opera scene that showed gamers, video games could be art. A final boss that literally breaks the world. Square wasn’t holding anything back and we’re here for it.
What makes it so great: That moment when Kefka wins and the world literally ends. Every thing goes wrong. The Esper system allowed you to develop each character how you wanted. Multiple scenarios that allowed you to play as each character and experience their story. The music, composed by Nobuo Uematsu, is still played by orchestras today. Square showcased ambition and delivered.
Does it still hold up? : The story, characters, and moments are just as impactful as they were when FFVI released in 1994. Kefka is one of, if not the greatest villain in gaming.
[Joe’s Playthrough of Final Fantasy VI and Why Kefka Deserves Villain of the Decade →
6. Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (1996)
Developer: Square
Genre: RPG
When Nintendo and Square teamed up to create an RPG, we weren’t sure what to expect but we knew it would suck us in. Timing-based combat had you pressing buttons in a certain order to increase damage or decrease damage coming toward your party. Humor that poked fun at Mario standards while still respecting them. Isometric 3D graphics that showcased what the SNES could do right before the N64 was about to launch.
What makes it so great: Square gave Mario depth. Actual character development for Mario, Bowser, and Princess Peach. Cool individual characters like Geno and Mallow that fit the world of the Mushroom Kingdom. Recruiting Bowser to be on your side? Absolute genius.
Does it still hold up? : The humor, leveling up combat, and charm are just as addictive as it was when you played this for the first time. Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars is the perfect example of making an accessible RPG without dumbing it down.
[John’s Discover of How Mario RPG Mastered Perfect Balance Between Accessible and Challenging →
7. Earthbound (1994)
Developer: Ape/HAL Laboratory
Genre: JRPG
Earthbound was ranked #7 which almost caused Joe to strike out into the wilderness. Joe cried. Joe yelled he was quitting. Joe sent about 47 different Slack messages telling us how wrong we were. Here’s the thing about Earthbound: It’s so weird and personal that putting it on a list with a number was tough. A RPG set in modern-day America. Dark humor that broke the 4th wall but gave you some of the most disturbing moments I’ve ever experienced in a game. The ending that made you pray on the final boss. Music that could go from super catchy to creepy as hell to heartfelt.
What makes it so great: Earthbound was different. When every other RPG was trying to be a Final Fantasy game, Earthbound stayed true to itself. Calling your dad to save your game? Perfect blend of quirky but grounded. Pixelated oddballs like Mr. Saturn. Creepy Starmen that followed you everywhere. Heartwarming friendships that stayed with you until the end.
Does it still hold up? : Earthbound’s weirdness and amazing story moments feel just as timeless as they did back in 1994. Earthbound proved that being odd could be profitable.
[Joe’s In-depth Breakdown of Why Earthbound Is His Favorite Game of All Time →
8. Donkey Kong Country (1994)
Developer: Rare
Genre: Platformer
Pre-rendered graphics were so detailed on this 16-bit system it was mind-blowing. Water actually looked like water! Rare was showing everyone what the SNES was truly capable of with some technical witchcraft and artistic prowess. Something a lot of people forget, Donkey Kong Country had incredible level design.
What makes it so great: Mine cart stages that required perfect timing and memorization. Playing underwater actually felt like… you were underwater! Having animal companions such as Rambi the Rhino and Squawks the Parrot changed how you played each stage. Those characters along with Donkey and Diddy were loveable and felt necessary to the world. That David Wise soundtrack? Wisp’s Lullaby alone is worth the cost of the game.
Does it still hold up? : While the graphics look dated the level design, music, and gameplay still shine through today.
[Tim’s Argument to Defend Donkey Kong Country As More Than Just Eyecandy →
9. Street Fighter II Turbo (1993)
Developer: Capcom
Genre: Fighting
Street Fighter II on the SNES caused many of our controllers to be broken. Sam even included Super Fighter II Turbo tournament footage from 1993 to show why this game deserved to be on the list. Stats, frame data, combos. This wasn’t your run of the mill arcade port, this was arcade-quality gaming in the comfort of your own home. And it blew our minds. While there were only 8 playable characters from the start, each character had wildly different and complex play styles and strategy.
What makes it so great: Street Fighter II Turbo took the formula of the original and improved it. Being able to pick and choose overbosses as playable characters was groundbreaking. Balrog. Vega. Sagat. M. Bison. Each character had insanely different move sets that you had to learn on your own.
Does it still hold up? : SFII is just as fun to play today as it was back in when it first came out. Balancing and pure gameplay still gives you that competitive edge that makes fighting games fun.
[ Sam’s Deep Dive on Why Street Fighter II Turbo is the only SNES Fighter You Need →
10. Super Mario Kart (1992)
Genre: Racing
Developed by: Nintendo
Super Mario Kart almost didn’t make the list because Joe said “It’s just a Mario game with shells” then Sam proceeded to have a Mario Kart tournament and Joe lost every race and had his ego shattered enough to accept it needed to be on the list. Mode 7 graphics made you feel like the tracks you were racing around were actually rotating and scaling on the screen. RareSNESkart had eight unique characters that all played differently based on the stats of the character you chose. Oh yeah, Battle Mode.
What makes it so great: Mario Kart items were balanced perfectly. Red Shells allowed you to target specific opponents. Green Shells allowed you to knock out opponents after a bounce shot. Banana Peels allowed you to lay traps and cause opponents to crash. Lightning would shrink all other karts except yours, causing utter chaos. Every race became about seeing who could hold first place through the final lap because that’s when anything can happen.
Does it still stand up today? : While the graphics are dated the gameplay is still as addicting and competitive as ever. New entries into the Mario Kart franchise far surpass Super Mario Kart.
[ Sam’s findings of how Mario Kart destroyed more friendships than Monopoly…]
Games We Had To Leave Off (And The Arguments They Started.)
We had to leave off so many great games that could have easily been on this list. Super Castlevania IV is a fantastic Gothic adventure game. Mega Man X introduced some of the best action-platforming. ActRaiser did an amazing job at merging genres together. Final Fantasy IV tells a story that revolves around the character development of the main protagonist. Kirby Super Star was diverse and adorable as hell. And Secret of Mana introduced you to multiplayer coop.
Each of these games had a speaker fighting for it to be on the list. Tim basically shouted over everyone to include Super Castlevania IV. John cried when ActRaiser didn’t make the cut. Sam couldn’t understand why more fighting games weren’t represented. Joe tried to add Earthbound about 300 more times after we exiled it to number seven. At the end of the day these games were chosen because they not only were quality games but they showed the world what the SNES could do and will inspire gamers for generations to come.
If your favorite game didn’t make the list don’t sweat it. With over 700 games to choose games from for the SNES, there were plenty of games that just missed the cut. Anyone can see that whenever you do a top 10, it’s going to leave someone’s favorite childhood game out. Feel free to let us know in the comments how you feel. We’ve already spent the last few months screaming at each other.
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