The high level of difficulty at times might turn you off, but if you've got the mettle to stick it out, you'll find that the quest is one well worth experiencing. And if you enjoyed Secret of Mana, you'll likely find a lot to like here as it's very similar in style and presentation.
Harvest Moon 's brand of wholesome fun is uniquely appealing, and for the most part, it's a well-constructed, addictive simulation with huge spadefuls of charm.
The SNES edition is a superb starting point for Natsume's series, and it's still one of the stronger entries in the franchise even today. Go ahead and grab it on NSO to find out for yourself where this cosy life-sim series started off.
One of Hudson's many Bomberman series, 1993's Super Bomberman was a hoot with up to three friends and a Super Multitap.
There's an argument that says 'the more, the merrier' when it comes to Bomberman multiplayer, but this first effort on the SNES (the first of five , of which we saw three in the West) nails the basics beautifully.
Combining an overhead 'god' mode with some side-on, sword-swinging, platforming goodness, ActRaiser wraps put two distinct styles of gameplay with an incredible score by Yuzo Koshiro (you may have noticed that we're quite partial to his tunes around these parts).
In isolation, the component gameplay parts perhaps don't hold up as well as they might have, but taken as a whole with its brilliant soundtrack, Quintet's game is unmissable.
F-Zero was an incredible template on which its sublime successors were modelled, and for that we shall forever be thankful.
That's not to say the original isn't a gem in its own right; it's a racing classic that feels fast and tight to this day, but its lack of multiplayer tends to put it behind its sequels, at least in our minds (a criticism that F-Zero 99 addresses).
Still, this remains a thrilling 16-bit ride and we're more than happy to fire it up again — via Nintendo Switch Online if we don't happen to have our SNES hooked up — whenever the notion takes us.
With fast-paced, addictive gameplay, a catchy musical score and graphics that are still easy on the eyes today, NBA Jam has certainly aged well and stands as the definitive basketball game of its generation.
Although there were many sequels that tweaked the formula with extra bells and whistles, none exceeded the original in core gameplay quality.
It's Punch-Out!! with more colour, more character, 16-bit visuals, and the same timing-based gameplay that's made every entry in this series a pleasure to revisit.
The arcade original is also available on Switch as part of Hamster's Arcade Archives line, and Super Punch-Out!! comes as part of the Nintendo Switch Online collection, so it's easy to get your hands on these days. Which is nice, because it's up there with the finest games on the system.
An incredibly charming port of a huge experience, SimCity is one of the best value-for-money propositions in the 16-bit console's library, potentially offering months and months of gameplay.
Developed in-house by Nintendo itself, if you're looking for something that offers long-term challenge and will tax your brain, then you really should track this down. Action fans are obviously going to be disappointed by the lack of instant gratification, but if you're after a title that will tickle your grey matter, then this excellent Nintendo-flavoured port of Will Wright's classic city-builder is it.
Zombies Ate My Neighbors feels like what you get if you somehow turned Contra into a second-rate horror movie. Suffice it to say, if shooting everything in sight and blowing stuff up is your thing, you're going to love this unusual Super Nintendo action title.
It might be a little on the strange side, but any time you're given the opportunity to shoot a zombie in the face with a bazooka, you know you're in for a real treat.
The Tetris branding was a misnomer here, a pure marketing strategy to give this wonderful puzzler a leg up in the West. Panel de Pon is a cracking puzzle game that doesn't resemble Tetris in the slightest — the blocks rise rather than fall, for a start — and if you've never played it before, you're in for a real treat.
If you've somehow misplaced your original cart (how very careless), you can check it out most easily on Switch, although you won't find Tetris Attack anywhere on the menu screen of your Nintendo Switch Online Super NES app; it's listed under its Japanese title, almost certainly due to Nintendo not wanting to pay The Tetris Company in order to use the name again.
It's so incredibly addictive that Capcom's Shinji Mikami had to ban the game while his team was developing the original Resident Evil . As recommendations go, that's not a bad one! Tetris it ain't, but it's bloody good nonetheless.
Although not as close to perfection as its two siblings (Soul Blazer and the later Terranigma), it's not hard to see why Nintendo themselves published Illusion of Gaia — or Time in Europe (hey, SEO wasn't a thing back then!) — outside Japan.
It still manages to be one of the most entertaining action RPGs available on the SNES, and a fitting second game in the trilogy.
Capcom essentially created a genre with this game; while one-on-one fighters existed prior to its release (the original Street Fighter being one example), the game pioneered many concepts which are now commonplace.
The first Street Fighter II on the SNES remains a solid game, but pure nostalgia might not be enough for some players. When you consider the two direct SNES sequels added so much, it can be hard to go back.
If you're one of the few people who preferred the pure nature of the game before Capcom started tweaking and adding new fighters, this still packs a punch, though.
Lufia II is easily one of the top-tier RPGs for the Super Nintendo and a game that is challenging, humorous, and a joy to play. Combine the game's unique visual stylings, the efficient turn-based combat system and the beautifully orchestrated soundtrack, and you get one absolutely unforgettable RPG experience on a system with its fair share of those.
Before we all got spoiled with the full-motion video and millions of polygons per second of today's epic RPGs, we had games like this that had much more to them than flashy visual effects and voice-overs.
Rounding off the Super NES DKC trilogy nicely, Dixie and Kiddie's adventure is still a pleasure today.
It arguably can't quite reach the highs of the second chapter in Rare's trio of DK delights, but Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! looks better than ever and gives you some choice with a non-linear map to explore and options should you hit a roadblock on your adventure.
Sunset Riders can hold its head up high and stand tall amongst the plethora of amazing side-scrolling run-and-gun games on consoles of the era.
It is bright, colourful, fantastically well animated, with superb music and sound. It understands its place as a Western game and within the genre, by combining imaginative characterisation and humour with well-paced action set-pieces, plus variety in its gameplay.
This is 'pulp' gaming and possibly the most entertaining 16-bit Wild West game that money can buy.
Konami's The Legend of the Mystical Ninja is a fun, colourful, challenging adventure of a kind that the games industry just doesn't see much of anymore - and we wish we saw more of.
Spawning a series of games that would continue after the SNES was gone, if you're looking for something that's light-hearted but addictive, difficult, and rewarding, it's hard to go wrong with this one.
Final Fantasy IV (originally known as II) might be showing its age, but the SNES version is still a brilliant way to experience this seminal entry in the franchise.
There's still something quite charming and engaging about this classic, a testament to its staying power, and any RPG fan who might have missed out need only give the game a try to see what all the fuss is about.
Of course, you might want to check it out in Pixel Remaster form now — it's certainly the easiest way if you own a Switch — but whatever way you play it, just know you're picking up an all-timer.
Like so many games in Capcom's blue-hued back catalogue, Mega Man X2 doesn't really do much in the way of innovation, but there's not really any need to.
Mega Man X was a great game, and while it's obviously a bit less original, X2 is a very solid game that does more of the same, but really, really well.
This is less a game and more a smorgasbord of ideas thrown at the SNES which — somewhat unexpectedly — congeals into a satisfying blend of games, sub-games, and minigames.
There are nine in total but the titular character is a versatile hero that manages to suck up these experimental bits and pieces and meld them into a whole greater than the sum of its parts. 'Cohesive' might be generous, but Kirby Super Star is thoroughly entertaining and well worth a look.
There are very few role-playing experiences quite as enjoyable or engrossing as Terranigma . Not only is the quest absolutely epic in size, but the way the storyline continues to evolve and unfold gives it a cinematic feel.
Terranigma did for action RPGs what games like Final Fantasy and Chrono Trigger did for the more traditional RPG market; it's one of those games that once you play, you'll never forget the experience.
Super Street Fighter II followed on from Street Fighter II' Turbo: Hyper Fighting and added four new fighters and some excellent gameplay modes, yet arguably doesn't manage to overshadow its predecessor.
Turbo was, for many, the game where Street Fighter II reached its peak; by the time Super came around the SNES was about to give way to 32-bit systems and the popularity of one-on-one fighters was starting to diminish, but this is still an exceptionally enjoyable fighter with plenty of depth, appealing visuals, and excellent two-player potential.
Secret of Mana manages to take the action-adventure stylings of The Legend of Zelda, and add that trademark Square RPG feel to it.
Easily available these days as part of the Collection of Mana , the combat of this game may take some gamers a little time to get used to if you prefer more traditional role-playing games, but you absolutely don't want to miss this one if you're an action-RPG fan.
Contra III: The Alien Wars is often cited as a shining star in the catalogue of games available on Super Nintendo, one of the finest consoles ever launched. Incredibly, the game has lost little of that lustre all these years later, as the gameplay, presentation, controls, and sheer intensity of Contra III’s attitude all manage to strike just the same chords they did in 1992.
Available on Switch as part of Konami's Contra Anniversary Collection , its refreshingly short completion time, ingenious stage structure, and inimitable mood and tone come together beautifully to offset the one or two design drawbacks in the top-down levels.
In Europe, Super Castlevania IV actually released before Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse , which gives you some indication of why so many fans directly compare them, despite the power difference between the NES and SNES.
On many levels, Super Castlevania IV – which is essentially a retelling of the original game – scales things back. There are no branching pathways and Simon Belmont is the only character you get to control. However, in practically every other respect, Super Castlevania IV is the better of the two games.
The visuals and music are taken to an entirely new level thanks to the power of the 16-bit console, with the soundtrack, in particular, being one of the best you'll hear on any cartridge-based system. The gameplay – which makes good use of the SNES' Mode 7 capabilities – is also tight and engaging, even if it's a little less challenging than the NES entries. A true classic.
Street Fighter II' Turbo: Hyper Fighting was undoubtedly a big deal when it launched on the SNES back in 1993.
The Street Fighter craze was in full force and it was genuinely exciting to see the original game refined and improved in such a manner; you could finally play as the four boss fighters and the additional speed injection made things much faster and enjoyable.
Turbo is an improvement over its SNES-based predecessor and offers more depth and entertainment as a result.
Rare's first foray into the world of DK and his cronies. Despite the visuals not wowing like they did back in 1994, the template put down in Donkey Kong Country would influence every DK title to come.
The redesigned DK looked brilliant, Dave Wise's music was incredible, and every aspect of the game demonstrated a stunning attention to detail.
While not quite as polished as you remember, DKC is still a classic that should be tracked down and played — which is much easier now that it's included in the Nintendo Switch Online Super NES library .
What's a 16-bit console without a classic arcade-style side-scrolling beat 'em up? Turtles in Time matched the popularity of the licence tapped into the zeitgeist in the early '90s and came from Konami at a time when it seemed the company had trouble producing a bad video game.
This is an expensive cart to track down these days and despite tricky licensing issues, for many years we hoped we'd see it again on a Nintendo console. Fortunately, our wishes came true with the Cowabunga Collection !
Mega Man X is a fantastic game. It retains the charm and pacing of the classic Mega Man series and adds a much-appreciated spin of its own. With plenty of hidden items and upgrades — don't forget the super-secret one in Armored Armadillo's stage — and a host of fun new weapons to use, Mega Man X is a game worth playing again and again.
Later entries in this sub-series might be a bit of a mixed bag, but there's no denying that this first title is a masterpiece.
EarthBound succeeds at not only being one of the most unique and refreshing RPG experiences ever created, but also one of the most epic and entertaining as well. Combining classic RPG gameplay elements with a heart-warming modern spin, the game somehow feels familiar yet strange all at the same time.
With a peerless visual style, soundtrack and storyline, playing EarthBound is like revisiting a vivid childhood memory of fun and adventure. You can't repeat the past, but you can certainly revisit it. Mother!
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (not Diddy Kong's Quest) is a beautiful, secret-filled game with a gorgeous soundtrack that helps create an atmosphere that sticks in the memory. You end up returning to this simply to enjoy your surroundings and have 'that feeling' again.
In fact, we've found that to be a feature of many Rare games and the second SNES entry in this series is a prime example. Debate will rage as to which of DKC games is best, but regardless, this is up there with the very, very best on the console.
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars is not only a brilliant game in its own right, it's a history lesson in how the Mario role-playing series began.
Anyone who has played the Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi series should play Square's original title that started it all - either in original 16-bit form or via the excellent Switch remake.
Super Mario RPG paved the way and inspired both, and we should be eternally thankful to Squaresoft for injecting character and humour into the plumber's repertoire.
An extremely impressive package featuring the NES Super Mario Bros. games with a 16-bit lick of paint, Super Mario All-Stars was a convenient way to revisit the classics back on Super NES.
Ultimately, with the exception of Super Mario Bros. 2 — we'd say that All-Stars actually contains the 'best' version of that game — the originals arguably still offer the prime, 'canon' experience these days. (If you're playing this via Nintendo Switch Online, they're all accessible so you can easily see for yourselves.)
However, for anybody who first experienced the NES games in this package, we understand if All-Stars represents peak 2D Mario for you and offers the ultimate nostalgia trip. Everyone's a winner, however you play 'em.
Yoshi's Island is the absolute summit of not just Yoshi games, but platformer games in general, with a wonderful vision of pastel colours, majestic backdrops, and character-oozing sprites.
Honestly, it's difficult to remember any other game that matches or even comes close to the amount of detail that Yoshi's Island did, past or present. The level of charm is astronomical. Every enemy seems quite intentional. There will be moments when you refrain from killing an enemy just to watch it its animation.
With its deep exploration-based gameplay and gorgeous art style, Yoshi's Island is still a joy to play all these years later. Yoshi's Island isn't just a great platformer: it's a reminder of why this silly hobby of ours is so wonderful.
For many, Final Fantasy VI (or III as we in the West used to call it) is the pinnacle of the RPG genre. You can't help but appreciate how epic and enthralling a quest Square was able to cook up for this sixth release in the series, and it still feels as magnificent and relevant today as it did 30 years ago.
If you've somehow never played Final Fantasy VI in any of its various forms over the years, you truly owe it to yourself to experience one of the best releases the series has to offer. You can pick the original up on the SNES Classic, or check out the rather great GBA or Pixel Remaster re-releases.
And that's a wrap on the best Super NES games of all time!
Super Nintendo FAQ
Nicely done getting through all 50! We're going to wrap things up by answering some common questions people have about the Super NES and its games.
When was the SNES console released?
Depending on your region, the SNES release date varied from territory to territory.
As was typical at the time, Europeans had to wait nearly 16 months for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System to arrive on UK shores, with mainland Europe having to wait even longer!
Here's when the Super NES released in the major gaming regions back in 1990 / 1991 / 1992:
Japan: November 21st, 1990
US: August 23rd, 1991
UK: April 11th, 1992
Europe: June 1992
How many SNES games are there?
According to Wikipedia’s list of Super NES games , a total of 1,738 Nintendo GameCube games were released during the console’s entire lifespan.
There’s some variation in the number of releases between the Europe, Japan and US territories, but you'll find all SNES games listed by region on that page.
What were the best two-player SNES games?
The Super NES was a great system to play with friends, not least because it brought arcade-quality games like Street Fighter II into the home for the first time.
Here's our pick of the best multiplayer SNES games from the article above. If you'd like more details, scroll up to find them - we’ve included the rankings to help you find them.
#39 - Super Mario Kart
#36 - Super Bomberman
#33 - NBA Jam
#30 - Zombies Ate My Neighbors
#29 - Tetris Attack
#27 - Street Fighter II: The World Warrior
#20 - Kirby Super Star
#18 - Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers
#16 - Contra III: The Alien Wars
#15 - Street Fighter II' Turbo: Hyper Fighting
#12 - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time
It's worth noting that technically Super Mario World has a multiplayer component, but it's a matter of passing the controller and taking turns and we've not counted it in the picks above. If you were looking for a great multiplayer game and were handed Super Mario World, you'd be a little disappointed, right?
What are the best SNES exclusive games?
Thankfully, most of the SNES games above have been re-released on other platforms over the years, but a small handful remain exclusive to the console. Here's our pick of the best SNES exclusives from the article above...
#44 - Soul Blazer
#38 - Secret of Evermore
#28 - Illusion of Gaia
#26 - Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals
#23 - The Legend of the Mystical Ninja
#19 - Terranigma
Where can you buy SNES games?
If you've got your old Super NES out of the cupboard and are looking for some boxed games, online marketplaces like eBay or Facebook Marketplace should probably be your first port of call.
Alternatively, you may be able to find original boxed games at specialist second-hand retailers.
However, bear in mind that most of these games are over 30 years old and original boxed copies are rare these days, especially in good condition. Be prepared to pay large sums for the most popular SNES games.
How big are SNES games?
The size of individual Super NES games varied, but the largest games were Tales of Phantasia and Star Ocean, which contained 48 Megabits (6 Megabytes) of data.
For comparison's sake, Super Mario World is 4 Megabits (.5 Megabytes).
How can I add a game to this article?
Much like our Top 50 lists covering other Nintendo consoles, this list is dictated by User Ratings for each game in the Nintendo Life game database . As such, the order is fluid and can fluctuate even after publication .
Haven't rated your favourite SNES games? Simply find your game of choice in the search bar below and give it a score out of 10. The score will immediately be counted towards the total and reflected in the ordering.
Note. In order for games to become eligible, they need a minimum of 50 User Ratings in total.
In the meantime, check out our Hardware Classics feature on the Super Famicom/ Super NES for a look back at the history of the console, and feel free to let us know your favourite 16-bit treasures below. Also, get ready to debate whether the multi-coloured face buttons or the North American lilac/purple combo is best!
