Super Nintendo or Super Nintendo Entertainment Games console is probably one of the most popular Nintendo gaming console of all times. Talking about the 16 bit era, it is the best-selling console of all time and this is why we are going to talk about the best Super Nintendo games here.
25 Best Super Nintendo Games of All Time
Talking about the popular retro games, the Super Nintendo console literally owned this category. You are going to find all the popular retro games compatible to this console. And this is why you should definitely check out these games. Here is a list given below which you should have a look at.
1. The 7th Saga
Website: https://www.mobygames.com/
The first pick for this category of best Super Nintendo games is The 7th Saga which is a turn based game having the element of role playing in it. It was published by Enix and was released in 1993 and also known as Elnard in Japan.
However, this game is restricted to single player gaming mode only where the player has the option to choose from available 7 playable characters.
The player now must embark on a mission to retrieve the seven magical runes in his/her quest. The player keeps on meeting other characters too when moving from one town to another and can also befriend one of them to play as a team further or also has the option to fight against them too.
2. The Lost Vikings
Website: http://www.mobygames.com/
The next in the row for best Super Nintendo games is The Lost Vikings which is a puzzle-platform game developed by Silicon & Synapse. It was released in 1992 and it is a much diversified game from the point of view of the gameplay.
Here the player controls three different Vikings having different abilities. It is played in cooperative manner where three of them should finish each level together to finally find the way to their home.
The Lost Vikings proceeds in a side-scrolling manner where three of these Vikings are get kidnapped. These Vikings namely Erik, Baleog and Olaf now must stick together and use their different skills to head back home. It is interesting to see that how player utilizes their different skills in the game which are speed, fighting and throwing projectiles respectively.
3. ActRaiser
Website: https://www.mobygames.com/
Belonging to the genre of simulation games, ActRaiser focuses on the act of city-building precisely and works as a platform game. This game is actually a mix between side-scrolling element and god game feature which makes it even more interesting than other best Super Nintendo games.
The player takes the role of “The Master” which is the god like element of the game. However, player does not control is directly and interact through an angel or animated statue.
The focus of the game is on developing a civilization and developing it. It starts with two humans and expands later on where the player also needs to fight with the evil forces in order to keep the city intact. The game is controlled from overhead perspective and divided between several levels.
4. The Adventures of Batman and Robin
Website: https://www.mobygames.com/
Rather than listing out a specific game, I mentioned this complete series called The Adventures of Batman and Robin. One of the best SNES games based on the theme of action and was released between 1994 and 1995.
It is based on the animated series of the same name and can be played in both single player and multiplayer modes.
The player controls the character of the Batman and follows him in various stages until he finally meets the villain in end of each stage. There are various episodes in each stage and various weapons are also provided to the player like bombs, x-ray lenses etc. Copying in the animated series, the game features the element where the player can return to the Batcave to re-equip the gadgets.
5. Aero Fighters
Website: http://www.hamster.co.jp/
Aero Fighters or also known as Sonic Wings is a type of shoot ‘em up arcade game portrayed in a vertical-scrolling manner. It features single player and 2 player cooperative game mode and was released in 1992.
In this next option of the list of the best Super Nintendo games, the entire gameplay is divided between seven stages which are further divided into two parts.
Aero Fighters proceeds in shooting manner where specific keys performs specific functions. The player starts with 3 lives and can acquire various points in the game. The player is also given the choice to choose from available 4 characters to start the game with. These characters represent different nations which are US, Japan, Sweden and UK.
6. Arcana
Website: https://www.mobygames.com/
Developed and published by HAL Laboratory, Arcana is the next choice for the list of best Super Nintendo games which was released in 1992. It is a role playing game having single player gaming mode. It has this unique feature where all the characters are represented in form of cards.
Featuring the gameplay of dungeon-crawling RPG, the player plays from first person perspective where the death of a card is represented in form of torn card.
The exploration is done with the help of a map where the character is free to move in any of the four compass directions. The battles are turn based and the graphics are not impressive. However, as the concept is quite different, the game managed to impress people.
7. Ballz 3D
Website: https://www.mobygames.com/
This was a much needed entry in the list of best Super Nintendo games. Being a 3D game that too in the genre of action and fighting makes it completely different from others and luckily it supports both single player and multiplayer gaming modes too.
There are total 21 matches in the game which are divided between 3 difficulty levels. Each character of the game has totally different 3D looks adding a great versatility to the game.
As this is an action game, the players are represented in form of fighters. There are total 9 fighters each one having skills and powers. There are various bosses too which incurs at the end of each level. In this way, you need to defeat the bosses in order to win over a certain level in the game.
8. Populous II: Trials of the Olympian Gods
Website: https://www.mobygames.com/
This is the grandest of all the other best games for Super Nintendo console. Populous II is the direct sequel to the Populous game by Bullfrog and was released in 1991. This is a type of grand strategy game where the player assumes the role of a god character.
This game can be played in both single player and multiplayer modes where the player guides his people to battle against the people govern by an enemy god.
The entire game features the elements of Greek mythology, where the player takes up the role of a demigod. Populous II proceeds with defeating one enemy god at a time until the player finally faces the Zeus. Adding more versatility to the game, there are total of 29 powers given to the player.
9. Robocop 3
Website: https://www.giantbomb.com/
Although the movie was quite a disappointment, but this game named Robocop 3 was a huge success based on the same movie. This is a platform game based on the genre of shoot ‘em up and was released in 1992.
This next option for the list of best Super Nintendo games, Robocop 3 is a type of side-scrolling game which can be played in single player mode only.
The storyline is loosely based on the film where the player takes up the role of a Robocop. Interestingly, in this version of the game, each of the body part has different damage rating which is both a weak as well as strong point of the game. There are various levels in the game and the body parts can be repaired in between.
10. Shadowrun
Website: https://www.mobygames.com/
Shadowrun is a type of action role playing game based on the theme of cyberpunk fantasy. Developed by Beam Software, it was released in 1993 and can be played in single player gaming mode. This is the next option for the list of best Super Nintendo games and loosely based on the novel Never Deal with a Dragon.
The plot of the game is set in the year 2050 where the player takes up the role of Jake Armitage who is suffering from amnesia after being critically wounded.
The game follows the story of Jake finding about his own identity and existence. The game takes place in an isometrically displayed world where the elements like interaction, exploration, magic commands etc. remains important.
11. Thunder Force 3
Website: http://www.tecnosoft.com/
Next one for the list of best Super Nintendo games is a Thunder Force 3 which is a type of scrolling shooter game. It is developed by Technosoft and was released in 1990. This single player game is controlled from overhead perspective and it is the third installment in the Thunder Force series.
The plot takes place 100 years after first installment where the player is allowed to choose between given five planets to start the game from.
There are total 8 stages in the game where the last 3 are oriented in ORN headquarter. The weapon system is also quite improved and modified and there are some new inclusion too. As the game is set in a ship, you also have the control over the speed of the ship too.
12. Wing Commander
Website: https://www.mobygames.com/
Wing Commander can be definitely included in the category of Super Nintendo shooter games but with the theme of science fiction space fight simulation. It is developed and published by Origin Systems and was released in 1992 for SNES console.
This is the first game in the Wing Commander game series which brings the concept of space combat and extends it to a completely different level.
Here the player takes the role of a nameless pilot, however, the player can choose the name on his own too. There are various missions in the game and the player’s performance plays a very important role in it and this can change the nature of the game too.
13. Zool: Ninja of the Nth Dimension
Website: https://www.mobygames.com/
The next option in the category of best Super Nintendo games is Zool. It is Developed and published by Gremlin Graphics, Zool was released in 1992 and can be played in single player mode only. It is a platform game where the protagonist plays as a Zool which is a gremlin Ninja forced to fall on Earth.
Now, here in order to improve his ninja ranking, he must pass the seven lands where a boss must be defeated at the end of each level.
There are various minigames inside this game where some of them are arcade ones too. This versatility also adds a factor of interest and change in the game too. As each game is different from another, the player never gets bored of playing it.
14. Jurassic Park 2: The Chaos Continues
Website: http://emulator.online/
Jurassic Park 2 is developed and published by Ocean Software and was released in 1995. This is an action platform game which features both single player and multiplayer games. Jurassic Park 2 is a side scrolling, run and gun game where the player control the character of Grant.
One thing which you will absolutely love about this game is that it has so many stages and the player can start from anywhere irrespective of the order.
If you want then you can also opt for emergency stages after the completion of every level. This makes it one of the most interesting best Super Nintendo games. However, the option of weapons are limited where you get three lethal and three non-lethal weapons.
15. Final Fight 3
Website: http://www.mobygames.com/
Third installment of Final Fight series, this one is a really popular inclusion in the list of best Super Nintendo games. This is a side-scrolling beat ‘em up game which is developed and published by Capcom and was released in 1995.
Aside from the single player mode, it also has a multiplayer cooperative mode too. The player can choose between give four characters of Guy, Hagger, Lucia and Dean before the game starts.
Each character has different moves and skills which are totally unique from another ones. It also includes dash attack and dash jump actions being performed by the player. There are total 6 stages in the game where each one has its own boss which must be defeated in order to move to the next level.
16. Xardion
Website: https://www.mobygames.com/
The next addition in the list of Super Nintendo games is Xardion which is developed by Jorudan and was released in 1992. It is an action platformer game which is played from side-scrolling perspective and includes only single player gaming mode only.
Here the player controls a robot whose main objective is to utilize various skills and abilities in order to defeat various enemies and reach certain goals.
There are three options available for character choice and each one has different forms and abilities too. As the game reaches near the end the character of Xardion combines the abilities of all three forms and exceeds them to one single form which is then played by a single character.
17. Double Dragon V: The Shadow Falls
Website: https://www.mobygames.com/
Double Dragon V is a type of fighting game which was released in 1994. It is developed by Leland Interactive Media and features single player and a multiplayer cooperative mode too. The Shadow Falls installment is a complete head to head fighting game which is based on the Double Dragon TV series.
The player gets the opportunity of choosing from 12 different fighter characters where 10 of them are available for instant playing.
This is a great entry in the list of best Super Nintendo games especially if you are a die-hard fan of fighting and action. Each character has different set of skills as well as special finishing moves too. In fact, apart from it, this game also features various gaming modes too like Tournament, Battle, Quest and Watch Mode.
18. Earth Defense Force
Website: https://www.mobygames.com/
Earth Defense Force is the next option in the list of best Super Edition games and it is a horizontal scrolling shooter video game developed and published by Jaleco. It was released in 1991 and features single player and a multiplayer cooperative mode.
The game is proceeded with the survival in each level of the game where you need to defeat the bosses in each stage in order to move to the next.
However, when it comes to versatility Earth Defense Force is not that good in it. It features a fixed ending and also fixed length without involving any side games in it. It also introduces a shield stats which must be maintained throughout the game in order to survive.
19. Civilization
Website: https://civilization.com/
I don’t think I need to brag about the largeness and popularity of this next addition in the list of best Super Nintendo games which is Civilization. It is a strategy based game featuring the concept of turn based “4X”. However, it features only single player gaming mode only.
The player takes up the role of the ruler of a civilization who is provided only one or two settler units in the start of the game.
The player follows the objective of building and developing an empire. While doing so, the player must compete with other civilizations too in order to exceed from them. This adds the element of simulation in it which includes tasks like exploration, diplomacy and warfare too. The player also needs to face barbarians and fight with them for existence.
20. Genghis Khan II: Clan of the Gray Wolf
Website: https://www.mobygames.com/
Sequel to Genghis Khan, the version Clan of the Gray Wolf is a historical simulation game having the element of strategy which was released in 1992. It is also counted amongst the top Super Nintendo games developed and published by Koei.
Before the game starts, the player has the option to conquer one of the given countries of Mongolia, Europe, Mainland Asia or North Africa.
You must see the entire set up from the point of view of a ruler where you need to focus on development, population, economy and other aspects. For this buying and selling various good and services is an important part of the game but these are performed in a turn based fashion where you must take care of the turn points too.
21. The Humans
Website: http://www.mobygames.com/
The Humans is a type of puzzle game developed by Imagitec Design and was released in 1992. In this single player game, player controls the character named Humans whose goals changes with every level of the game.
Throughout the game, the player utilizes the advantages of a human abilities like using tools, making ladder and other skills to pass each levels.
This is a very unique addition in the list of best Super Nintendo games, where you can actually take the advantage of being a human. This puzzle game usually follows the similar pattern of finding a tool and killing a certain number of dinosaurs to reach another level. However, the process of each level is different from another one.
22. Kirby Super Star
Website: https://www.mobygames.com/
The next one in the list of best Super Nintendo games is Kirby Super Star which is actually a compilation of 8 Kirby games in a single pack and also some mini games too. There are so many games in this series and it was so hard to pick one so I decided to pick this super gaming pack.
This is a compilation of action platform game which features both single player and multiplayer cooperative gaming mode.
Here, of course just like the rest of the games, player takes the role of Kirby who can float around the screen and can even inhale enemies and spit them out too which helps in copying their skills and abilities to proceed in the game.
23. Legend of Mystical Ninja
Website: https://www.mobygames.com/
This action adventure game by Konami is the next option in the list of best Super Nintendo games and the first game in the series of Ganbare Goemon. It was released in 1991 and features both single player and multiplayer modes.
In this game, the player controls the characters of Goemon and Ebisumaru where they each one has different skills and set of weapons too.
There are various stages in the game which are divided into two parts where first section is focused on exploration, buying stuffs and playing mini-games while the other focuses on combat and fighting.
24. Mario is Missing!
Website: http://www.mobygames.com/
You must have been used to of playing games with Mario as the main character but this time Mario is missing. Because of having a unique theme Mario is Missing was worthy enough to be include in the list of best Super Nintendo games.
This is basically an educational game having the theme of point and click adventure. However, in SNES version platforming is the major element of the game.
This time a villain Bowser has kidnapped Mario in order to save his evil plan from being flopped. And now Mario’s brother Luigi must set out on a mission to save Mario and the world too. The player takes up the role of Luigi where he has the ability to transport through portals to the cities where Bowser’s man are working. The game is fun to play with the rare concept of Luigi in lead.
25. The Ninja Warriors
Website: https://www.mobygames.com/
And the final option in the list of best Super Nintendo games is The Ninja Warriors. This is a side scrolling beat ‘em up game developed and published by Taito Corporation and was released in 1987. The game features hand to hand combat mode where the player has the option of taking control of Kunoichi or a Ninja.
According to the plot the game setting is focused on a dystopian world where Banglar, POTUS orders martial law and here scientists create two robots to revolt against the military.
There are total five levels in the game where the player fights wave after wave of Banglar forces. There are fixed keys which performs special attacks and actions. The player is actually a robot and the given names are the code names assigned to them.
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Conclusion
As this is the ruling console of gaming, there are like thousands of games available for this platform but of course, I could not list them all. This console is also known as Famicom so do not get confused over it. There is definitely no doubt that these best Super Nintendo games are worth being mentioned in this list.
After selling millions of copies, these options are not only commercial success but critically acclaimed too. Their unique genres and gaming styles make them different from one another. You might see some games inspired from others but differ on the basis of storyline. So, enjoy these games and get to know more about them too.
