The 50 Games That Defined The SNES Experience

Next I will look at the 50 games I feel defined the SNES experience. I was originally going to put the NES and SNES countdown together, but I felt it would be more troublesome then fun. If you have a favorite game all time out of both of these systems, feel free to state your case. Below are the 50 games that, for this gamer at least, defined my experience playing the Super Nintendo. Enjoy!

50)College Slam (1996)-Sure, an NBA Jam clone to most, and for good reason, it was made by the same folks. However, there was one thing that made this game just as good as those NBA Jam titles, and that was the ability to alter your players, their name, their abilities, and that could take a college team that was usually a joke and turn them into National Title contenders, and for me it was an excuse to put my friends on a team and take them all the way to the top. Sure, this game wasn’t as successful as NBA Jam, and truly, what basketball game was compared to it at the time? College Slam was one of those games you could pick up and figure out quite easily, and there’s something mystical about playing a game based on a sport that isn’t quite as polluted with the big money contracts and fame of the NBA. In some ways this was like watching high school basketball on the SNES, and I liked that feeling.

49)Kirby's Dream Course (1995)-If the gang of the Mario series could do party games and sports titles, why couldn’t Kirby? What is interesting to note about this game is that it wasn’t initially going to be a Kirby game. It was later retooled to include elements of the Kirby games, which goes to show you that Nintendo had a lot of faith in their new video game “it” character, so much so that they changed an entire game just to include him. Players use Kirby special moves, such as the ability to be a tornado, turn into a stone, and use an umbrella, in order to complete certain courses. Some video game mascots don’t always translate well to genres they aren’t usually found in, but Kirby’s success for the SNES was done so well, you swear it was another day at the office (or in this case, the buffet) for our marshmallow-looking friend.

48)Lost Vikings (1993)-Humorous, addicting, and well made, Lost Vikings is a game that I feel can appeal to any gamer. It may be just a puzzle game to some, but it also has some elements of sidescrolling adventure titles as well. Each Viking has different degrees of strengths and skills, but all are crucial to completing the game and getting the Vikings back home. I really enjoyed the inter-level dialogue between characters (head smashing walls can make your head explode!) and the increasing difficulty as you progress doesn’t deter you so much that you feel like throwing your controller against your tv. Lost Vikings, to me, is a lost art of gaming, the ability to combine two genres and do it successfully on a small scale.

47)Zombies Ate My Neighbors (1993)-Every system has that cult classic that not every gamer wants to admit they played for fear of ridicule, and for me and most gamers I’ve encountered over the years, this is one of, if not the top of the list of games for the SNES that fit that bill. While it can easily be discarded as crap by most hardcore gamers, the thing is, it is quite the addicting game, saving people, killing zombies, hopping on trampolines and finding those doors to get you to the next level, this game, despite its outward appearance, is no joke. I also value this game because it came at a time long before zombies and Resident Evil were a thought in the minds of developers, and thus while it is more campy and cheesy, it was also the beginnings of what would be a major genre in gaming for the future. Of course, no one knew that at the time. I do strongly encourage gamers not to overlook this game, because it is definitely worth playing on entertainment value alone.

46)Ken Griffey Jr. Presents: Major League Baseball (1994)-Nowadays, gamers are used to really good, true to life baseball games, but I’ve always been a fan of the more scaled down sports titles, and for some reason, I’ve always liked this game as my absolute favorite baseball game. Mr. Griffey was at the height of his popularity, and this game both capitalized on that popularity, but also ushered in a new era of baseball titles. This game had all the licensed teams and players and the fielding system was state of the art for the time. Few games felt like a true baseball game the way this one did, and even though I was a subpar player at best, I didn’t mind getting my butt handed to by my brother or someone else when playing this title. I think there’s something to be said about a game you can enjoy even if you’re losing. I feel if this title wasn’t produced, we wouldn’t be playing the amazing titles we’re privileged enough to be playing today.

45)Contra III: The Alien Wars (1992)-Ah yes, another Contra game, not that there’s anything wrong with that, but the reason I ranked this game so low is that the original for the NES still trumps this game in every way possible. Sure, there were better graphics, and the sound was much better as well, but there were no groundbreaking changes to the formula from the original, and while that’s fine for most lovers of the franchise, I wanted to see more when I played this game. I will also say there’s something creepy, even after all these years, about a dog with a demon face eating garbage. Contra III isn’t a bad game, and some may even like it more then the original, but for me, it isn’t something that strays too far from the original. So if a revamped Contra is what you want, go for it. If not, well then this game might not be for you, but it was a successful game for the system.

44)Clay Fighter (1993)-For lovers of fighting games with an equal sense of humor, Clay Fighter is the answer. For me, I always loved games that went against the grain and tried something new, and this was surely one of the most absurd yet fun games for the SNES. The boss at the end may be a true let down for most gamers, but any game that has a fat Elvis, Viking helmet clad opera singer, and a badass snowman certainly gets the attention of most gamers. Fighting games were at their peak for the SNES as well as the arcades, and this game proved you could have fighting games with pretty much any kind of characters you wanted with the right amount of creativity from developers. I consider this game a hidden gem in the SNES library.

43)Kirby Avalanche (1995)-A Kirby puzzle game? Surely you jest! In fact, dear reader, I don’t. It was inevitable for Kirby to enter this genre, just as other gaming icons like Mario and Dr. Robotnik did as well to great results. Kirby Avalanche featured a first in Kirby games, Kirby actually trash talking his opponents in full sentences, when in the past, Kirby barely spoke at all. Some gamers were taken back by this, but none were stopped by the addictive gameplay provided by the folks of this franchise. This game was a lot like the Dr. Robotnik puzzle game on the Sega Genesis, but that didn’t stop gamers from snagging it up and asking for it from their parents at every opportunity. Was their anything Kirby couldn’t turn into video gaming gold?

42)Kirby Super Star (1996)-Sure, this game states on the box that it features 8 games in one, but if you’re not a fan of platform games or cute little mini games, do you have a reason to get excited? Well of course you do! It’s freakin’ Kirby for crying out loud, and while some folks may have been tired of Kirby games by this point, considering it seemed our pink fluffy hero was oversaturating the SNES market at the time, this game brought in fans of both SNES and NES platform games, which is a nice way of saying a lot of people liked it. Sure, the games all seemed to share the common gameplay of Kirby sucking up an enemy and getting their powers, but the enemy could also be used as a helper to take down other enemies. It was a cool trick at the time, and very few games had that dynamic and did it so well. Kirby became an icon because of his SNES games, and on that alone you should think twice about ignoring this, and the other Kirby games on this list.

41)King Of Dragons (1994)-Featuring an RPG style level advancement for the different classes of characters you can choose from, as well as the challenge of 16 levels, King of Dragons was a game for fans of the Golden Axe and Knights of the Round arcade classics. While the SNES port shrunk the character sprites as well as cut the amount of players able to play the game at one time (you went from 4 to 2) it didn’t skimp on the action or entertainment value of this classic game. Each character type had their own strengths and weaknesses, and I still know gamers today who are fiercely loyal to a player type and won’t dare try using a different one while playing the game with friends. King Of Dragons is a relatively unknown gem from Capcom, and if you’re someone who believes Capcom puts out quality games and you HAVEN’T played this game yet, what is wrong with you? Get on that, pronto!

40)Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters (1993)-In 1993, I was one of the many young lads who wanted to know the answer to the ultimate question, just what ninja turtle was the toughest? Thankfully, the folks at Konami either wanted to know the same answer, or simply caved into our craving for all things TMNT and brought us this classic game. For me, I loved the fact the graphics harked back more to the days of Turtle comics and the action matched that style as well. However, in typical fighting game fashion, everyone had their favorite Turtle, and mine was Donatello. I loved my buddy Mike, but with Don you could really string together some nice moves that were almost unblockable for most adversaries. The story mode was a nice addition too, and its actually sad they never brought this game into other systems, but then again, Ninjas Turtles merchandise hasn’t really been the hit it used to be, so perhaps that’s why.

39)Earthworm Jim (1994)-In the world of video games, it is amazing what works and what doesn’t. What is a well developed game could end up being a total flop, while the most bizarre creations are the ones that become iconic, as in the case of Earthworm Jim. No one thought an earthworm in a space suit would take off like it did, and while later years would be less kind to the hero then his debut, the game was original, fresh, and took the action/platform genre in a totally new and wacky direction. I mean, what can you say about a game that has the charm of launching a cow as one of the goals in it? Earthworm Jim doesn’t get ranked here on sheer shock value alone, the game is actually really good and quite challenging. It is definitely one of those games that sticks with you, and I think you’d be crazy not to give it a shot.

38)Final Fight (1991)-This was the game that, in my view, revitalized the beat em up genre and its standards set by Double Dragon and others. Final Fight is even on the top 10 for developers of beat em’ ups, so that’s telling you something right there. For me it was the only game where being a mayor meant kicking ass, and the shirtless mayor Haggar did just that. Did I mention there were Andre The Giant clones in this one? There most certainly is, and while they are a pain in the butt, taking them down is a fun challenge. Final Fight would get a few more sequels, but none would touch the original as far as fanbase and originality is concerned. Final Fight is a game that would be a really big hit if ever rereleased, but sadly, something tells me those epic battles against Mad Gear have reached their death note. A must for any fan of the genre and the SNES.

37)Act Raiser (1991)-An action game that combined the hack and slash genre with..SimCity? Well, sort of. The thing is, it wasn’t a bad idea at all. You play the part of a god sent down to Earth to help bring a society back to life by taking care of all the terrible monsters preventing your people from prospering. In turn you get to decide where things are built and level yourself up as you make your nation grow and grow. It was a very original concept at the time, combining these two efforts, kind of like a cross between Castlevania and Civilization in a way, and since I love both of those games, it was a no brainer for me to play this game. The sequel just didn’t live up to my standards set by this original, and it is sad that Act Raiser really hasn’t seen a proper revamp, because it could be huge for Nintendo or whatever company can get its hands on the licensing.

36)Earthworm Jim 2 (1995)-Cranking up on all the things that made the original so much fun, Earthworm Jim 2 might not be preferred over the original, but it is definitely better in every way, from graphics, sound, to controls of our beloved hero. It was just a more action packed game, while still keeping to the tradition of comedy in the game as well. More then anything for me, however, was that awesome music at the beginning of the game, after we see Jim do what he does best, well other then blasting things, and that’s playing the accordion, because let’s face it, you’re not a true hero if you can’t play a few polka tunes for your friends. Not all sequels are good, especially as it relates to the older systems, but this game enhances all the things that make the franchise so awesome. Give it a play, you won’t regret it.

35)Final Fantasy: Mystic Quest (1992)-Let’s say as a gamer you’re more of a fan of the small sprite Final Fantasy adventures. Well then, this game is most certainly for you. This was an SNES RPG with a very NES feel to it, which isn’t a bad thing for people who prefer a more laid back atmosphere in an RPG. What I mean by that is, while there’s enough to keep you occupied and intrigued, it isn’t so much that your brain is about to explode. I think RPG developers are once again finding out that less is more, and that gamers, especially those in the adult demographic, prefer those games from their past, that style of RPGs, and not these flashy cutscene galore games that yes, look impressive, but fail in pretty much every other way. This game will take you back to the days where a simple hero is on a journey to save the world, and that’s good enough for me. This game did not get the love and attention other Final Fantasy games received, which is a shame, because while it may not be Final Fantasy III, it is still an RPG worthy of love and attention from any gamer willing to give it a fair chance.

34)Doom (1995)-I didn’t play this game much in my youth, as I was never a huge fan of shooters, and I’m still not for the most part, but that being said, you may be wondering why I included this game. I mean it was choppy, awkward, and didn’t come close to the PC masterpiece we were all treated to. So why the love from Nick D? Simple, because the folks at Nintendo were quite ambitious, along with the developers of this franchise to try to port the game and include all the things that make the game special at the same frame rate and speed as the PC. Sure, they failed at this, but tell me dear gamer, what did you expect on a 16 bit system in 1995? They did the best they could, and my hat goes off to them. Plus, they were also immortalized as being the team that had the game on the bright ass red/orangeish cartridge. Sure, the game might have stood out for all the wrong reasons, but it still stood out, and is a game every gamer who loves the SNES should try at least once.

33)Secret Of Evermore (1995)-It seemed there were a lot of secrets in the RPG world during the days of the SNES(Secret Of Mana and Secret Of The Stars as well as this title) but I’d like to say that I stumbled upon this game without any influence from magazines or fellow gamers, and I’m glad I did because I’d like to think this game is sort of a cross between Earthbound and Secret Of Mana, maybe even Chrono Trigger in a way with the battle mode setup and a storyline that has present “real world” elements to it, well real world as in for the time period the game was released. I value this game because it really encouraged you to explore all the areas you were in to find clues, and while I got stuck in this game so many times, I’m happy to say it was well worth it to continue exploring and trying to solve these pesky puzzles. This game may never have the critical acclaim of some of the more well known titles out there, but it is still a blast to play, and at the end of the day, aren’t we supposed to be enjoying ourselves as gamers?

32)Mortal Kombat 3 (1995)-MK3 is a much different beast then the first two installments of Mortal Kombat, and while continuing the complex storylines established earlier, there are also new characters that completely change the landscape of the game, as well as alterations to some other characters, which for this gamer was a major turn off. I never really got into this game, which isn’t to say I didn’t have fun with it or play the crap out of it back in the day, because I certainly did, but for me I just think the previous two games were more memorable, and I felt the pace of this game was a bit too fast for me. I’m sure its considered slow by most new gamers nowadays, but I didn’t like the whole idea of having to execute a mercy in order to do certain finishing moves. This is a game every fighting genre fanatic must have, but that being said, remember, seemingly every version of this and Ultimate MK3 is different from each other, although the differences are slight.

31)Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (1996)-While clunky and dragging at points, the SNES port of this arcade classic still came with a lot of bells and whistles, which is why I rank it just slightly above the original MK3. For this gamer, this is when I lost track of the Mortal Kombat franchise, it was just so much to digest, but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. MK3 introduced us to new characters and really branched the series into a new direction, one that received mixed reactions from longtime fans. I will always feel the first two entries in the history of the series will always be more critically acclaimed, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t cool to have new characters meshing with classic fighters in the series. If you have the time and patience for this game, I strongly suggest hunting it down.

30)Yoshi's Island: Super Mario World 2 (1995)-While most gamers feel any video game “best of” list isn’t complete without its fair share of Mario games, this isn’t your typical Mario game, and for that I know a lot of gamers, including me, were initially turned off by it. The fact you had to complete the game in linear form, all the while keeping a helpless Baby Mario from getting hauled away by Koopa minions can become quite annoying for some, but I loved the fact that Yoshi had the starring role in this game. This prequel to the Mario games was widely accepted and praised by critics as the “high mark of 2D gaming” at the time, and it remains a cult classic among gamers. I encourage all gamers who may have ignored it at its debut all those years ago to give it a chance. There’s nothing wrong with playing a game with Mario that doesn’t involve him doing all the goomba stomping.

29)Super Ghouls N' Ghosts (1991)-For those of you who know me well enough, you should know that when I say this game is hard, no scratch that, it is ridiculously hard, you know I am telling the truth. This version of the 1980’s classic is quite good, improved sound, better controls(well, sort of) and the classic storyline doesn’t get old. That being said, what do you say to a game that makes you play through it, not once, but twice? And if you thought it was difficult the first time around, the second time knocks you square on your ass. This game, despite its difficulty, can be quite addicting, despite the fact you may want to dropkick your SNES after playing through it twice. I do feel, however, that it is a game that belongs in your SNES collection. After all, it is a game that lives up to its super moniker..as in super hard!

28)SimCity (1991)-Sure, loyal followers of all things Sim will tell you that they always knew the franchise would get so huge, but in truth, no one, not even the creators, could have expected the turnout they’ve received over the past two decades. SimCity may not be the most attractive game out there, the graphics are basic, the controls don’t offer much to behold, and the music is decent at best. But the impact on the gaming world cannot be ignored. For kids who grew up playing around their house, making little towns out of Legos or whatever they could get their hands on, this was the game for them as they got older, and I can still remember when this game debuted for the SNES how much kids bugged their parents for it. You can credit The Sims for getting people more addicted to simulation games then ever before, but without SimCity, where would we be today? SimCity can be a truly frustrating game for people not used to the genre, but it can still be a fun casual game to pass the time for any gamer.

27)Killer Instinct (1995)-Allow me to start this entry with a rant directed towards the folks at Nintendo. Why, oh why haven’t you released a new edition of this game? Are you that dumb? Do you honestly think you’re ever going to beat the PS3 or Xbox360 in the fighting game genre without something as awesome as this franchise? Ever since the debacle of Killer Instinct Gold for the N64, fans of this game have wanted nothing more then a proper release, but a decade plus has passed and still no Killer Instinct for the Wii or 3DS. I really don’t know what is the hold up on this, but Nintendo doesn’t seem to think they’re sitting on a gold mine here, which I totally disagree with. Killer Instinct used those graphics made popular by Rare and created stages and characters that were breathtaking, which a storyline that was actually quite good. Nintendo, wake up, it is overdue for a Killer Instinct remake!

26)Kirby's Dream Land 3 (1997)-So trivia fans, what is so notable about this game? Have any ideas? Well I know I didn’t until I did some research and discovered that just like Kirby’s debut on the NES, this edition of the franchise was one of the last games released for the SNES, so its interesting that Kirby always seems to close the circle on Nintendo systems, or at least take them into a new era. This game may not seem like much to gamers, as it follows a lot of the same simplistic controls of previous Kirby games, and it seems it was lost in the shuffle with all the other Kirby games of the time, but that being said, if it isn’t broke, why fix it? I like the fact that the creators of Kirby are versatile or flexible enough to try new things, while still putting out games like this. This game also featured the return of Gooey from Dream Land 2, which isn’t a bad thing either. Kirby really entered into his own during the SNES era, and this is a prime example of that.

25)Tecmo Super Bowl III: Final Edition (1995)-Call me lame, I don’t care, but I still get a bit choked up whenever I write about this game. The last of the dying breed of good football games for the SNES (Yeah, screw you John Madden and EA Sports), this was the last hurrah for fans of the series, fans that grew up with Tecmo Bowl and Tecmo Super Bowl. After this, EA took over and we all wept like babies knowing our beloved Tecmo Super Bowl series had reached its end after only 3 editions. What is interesting to me, and shows the dedication of the fanbase, is that years later, gamers are still modifying and changing this game to update the rosters so that you’re playing TSB III in the year 2011-2012 NFL season, so loyal followers of this game don’t want it to fade away, keeping it alive for the next generation of gamers. Plus, who wants to play Madden 12, which got such poor ratings, when you can play a game franchise that has NEVER let its fans down? You still get stats and trades in this game with the awesome gameplay that we know and love. The only downside to this game is the emptiness you feel when you see that there’s no soundtrack in this game.

24)Lufia and the Fortress Of Doom (1993)-Ah yes, another classic talked about among friends at my middle school who just loved SNES RPGs. Truth be told, this game didn’t do anything too different then the other RPGs of the time, but the graphics, soundtrack, and controls were better then a lot of the others out there at the time. The story was a complicated one, one that made you have to pay attention from beginning to end, search out clues, and solve puzzles. To me this was a nice alternative to having to constantly play the other bigger names out there in the genre, and I think it lived up to the bar set by those games.

23)Castlevania-Dracula X (1995)-Sadly, this is the beginning of what I feel was a downward spiral for the Castlevania franchise. True, this was a good game with excellent graphics and a proper soundtrack for a game of this caliber, but in truth, the NES games were better, in just about every way. I’m not sure what the problem was, or if the Super Castlevania game just diluted what was produced for this game, but those two games could make any fan of the series shiver in disgust, because they just didn’t have the potency the first 3 games did. This is a good game, and it continues the long line of successful Castlevania games, but it will probably not be as fun for gamers who loved the original 3 games.

22)NBA Jam: Tournament Edition (1995)-How could I be so heartless and cruel as to leave the original NBA Jam out of this list? Well it’s quite simple really, why would you want to play that game out of the arcades? Everyone knows the arcade version of NBA Jam is way better then the SNES port, but in the case of the sequel, NBA Jam: TE improved on all the things that hindered the original and I feel for that it is more beloved then the original. I know I felt that way, and so did a whole lot of other gamers I talked to over the years. The one thing that was missing, of course, from both games, was Michael Jordan, who if I recall, refused to license his name and likeness for this game, or that’s what the rumors were. Still, the game is iconic, for the commentary (HE’S ON FIRE!) the fun of pushing opposing players over, and of course, defeating every NBA team. It was also nice that when you did defeat all the teams you got extra players on your roster and the chance of playing against teams with hidden characters on them. NBA Jam is a game not only honored by sports fans, but also fans of just really good games. A definite must for any fan of the SNES.

21)Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles In Time (1992)-I think you know a game has really made it into the hearts of gamers when the Playstation Network has a re-release of the game with improved graphics and sound many years later, as is the case with this game. Sure, the remake isn’t as good as the original, they cut out boards and changed some of the bosses, but it was nice to know this game wasn’t forgotten. But the original was just superb, and not just from the standpoint as a nice tribute to the franchise, but because it was just a well designed beat em up for the time period. What is sad to me is that the quality of games for the Ninja Turtles took a nose dive after the SNES, in my view, and somebody needs to do something to change that. Then again, I never did like what developers did to the Turtles as a whole in recent years. Still, this game is legendary to Turtles fans, and still well received by gamers who just like the idea of throwing pixelated Foot Clan soldiers “through their tv sets” as it were.

20)Mortal Kombat (1993)-It had been a few years since I saw a game as heavily promoted as Mortal Kombat. Who can forget the commercials with the legions of fans with their war cry for the game? Still sends a shiver down my spine. However, for all the hype, fans of this game were let down with the SNES version, which just didn’t live up to all the promise the arcade version had. Of course I am talking about the lack of blood in this game due to uproar from stupid parents who thought their kids seeing blood would make them turn into heathens or whatever nonsense, and of course the government, being mostly a group of old men who had not played a video game since the Magnavox Odyssey and Pong, wholeheartedly agreed. That’s why this game is only ranked #20 on this list, as while the gameplay may have been better then the Genesis port, the folks at Sega realized that fans of this game wanted it to be accurate as possible to the arcade version, and thus they left the blood in. Had Nintendo done the same, something tells me they would have sold more versions of this game as compared to their rivals at the time.

19)Street Fighter II (1992)-There was a time when my mother thought I was going to waste all of my birthday money on playing this game in the arcades, and, well, she was half right. I did spend more money then a kid should on the arcades, but that was standard procedure for me. I did, however, make a wise investment on buying this game for the SNES. Sure, the arcade version was so much better, but I still praise Nintendo for making a decent version of this for the home console. For me, I will always be more of a Street Fighter guy then a Mortal Kombat guy, and that’s not to say the latter is less impressive, but Street Fighter was the originator and I like to stick with history, and the track record speaks for itself. Street Fighter, for the most part, has always produced great games, while Mortal Kombat has had its share of blunders. Street Fighter II didn’t allow you to compete as the bosses in the game, but it was the first introduction of them outside of the arcades, and that was big at the time. Legendary is a word that gets thrown around a lot in gaming, but for me, I don’t think that’s overhyping this game or the franchise at all. It changed the face of the genre and the gaming industry as a whole.

18)Final Fantasy II (1991)-This is NOT as good as the game that came after it, but it is however, the last of a now seemingly dead type of RPG, but it did have an epic moment on the moon no less, and that’s nothing to sneeze at I’d say. This game was the end of the classic style of Final Fantasy games we knew and the first step into a new style that we saw in Final Fantasy III. It was a nice swan song for the game, as well as a proper tribute to the first game as well. Final Fantasy II was a great game with all the tricks and techniques we come to love in an RPG, but it just doesn’t seem to stack up to its two brothers, almost like the middle child that doesn’t get any attention. I still feel it is a nice piece of video gaming history and belongs on the shelf with other SNES RPGs of the time.

17)F-Zero (1991)-Do you know this game was actually TOO FAST for its graphics? It’s true. The reason the graphics are so basic for this game has less to do with the limits of the SNES and more about the fact that the central part of the game, the car, was actually too fast for game designers to match up with suitable graphics, hence why F-Zero X for the N64 was made to change that. Still, nothing can take away from the awesome gameplay and superb soundtrack of this title. This game came along at the right time, because the genre of racing games was becoming quite boring, and this was the shot in the arm it really needed. This game didn’t yet have the storylines we were introduced to during the sequel, but that didn’t matter, because all that mattered was we were playing a game that was blowing our young minds with excitement, and I still feel such few racing games can capture that today.

16)StarFox (1993)-I suck at this game. Let me be straight with you dear reader, I REALLY suck at this game, even 18 plus years later, but that doesn’t change the fact that this game holds fond memories for me. Sure, the graphics look like crap nowadays, but for the time it was something to behold. I can also remember StarFox as a game that was spotlighted at Sears during the years when they used to heavily promote the SNES and its games. Kids would line up at their game center for a chance to play this game. The game was unique for the time, and its characters, though somewhat annoying (Do a barrel roll!) became iconic figures in Nintendo gaming history. It’s a shame StarFox 2 never saw the light of day, but it is nice to see the humble beginnings of one of Nintendo’s most beloved franchises.

15)Super Street Fighter II (1994)-Back before GamePro decided to make paper thin issues that were overpriced and completely useless, they actually took the time to really preview games in a very unique and in depth way. One of my favorite issues was the time they took to really hype this game, because gamers were craving the SNES port like crazy, and Nintendo really delivered. This edition of the franchise sported better sound, new and improved stages, and even some new moves. Of course, the selling point of this game was the addition of new fighters, in the form of Fei Long(my fave out of the 4), the dancing Jamaican Dee Jay, the towering Native American T. Hawk, and the sexy yet totally dangerous Brit, Cammy. There were new game modes as well that really helped make the series seem fresh and new, while not straying far from what makes the franchise so great. A lot of times gamers are let down by games with so much promise, but I feel this was one of those moments where we got exactly what we had hoped for.

14)Super Punch Out!! (1994)-How do you take one of the most remembered franchises in Nintendo history and make it, well, super? Nintendo found the answer in taking the game back to its arcade roots with the transparent perspective of the fighter rather than using the iconic Little Mac sprite from the NES original. This was one of the best games for the SNES at the time and it could beat the pants off of you if you weren’t careful. I still have trouble with some of the later fighters, and while some of their tactics are cheap and kind of out there (a clown that chucks balls at you?) this game still kept a lot of the charm of the original, including some of the legendary boxers from the past.(No King Hippo? BOOOO!) If you loved the original for the NES, this is a game you seriously need to look into playing, but beware, it may make you curse more then a drunken sailor.

13)Secret Of Mana (1993)-Perhaps the unsung hero of all Squaresoft SNES titles, this game doesn’t get the recognition it deserves just because it isn’t some kind of Final Fantasy or Chrono Trigger clone, although there is certainly elements from both in the game. Secret Of Mana took you on a different journey of a lad exiled from his home, only to turn out to be the one person who can save their world. The fighting sequence was excellent, and I preferred it over Final Fantasy games in that regard. I think what stopped this game from being truly as epic as its bigger name counterparts was there just wasn’t the backing by the industry for this game as there always seems to be for Final Fantasy, no matter how poor the product is, which is a shame, because Secret Of Mana brought something new and fresh to the genre, and I think it is worth another look by game designers.

12)Mortal Kombat II (1994)-Yes Mortal Kombat II was better then the original AND the games that came after it, thank you for asking. To me, this was the entry into the series that everyone was talking about, looking up finishers, babalities, and friendships, instead of doing their homework. This game brought back the blood and guts gamers wanted in the original, and I liked it because it ruffled the feathers of those old folks who thought the franchise was “the devil” or something absurd like that. I mean, did you see any kids trying to rip off the arms of a friend after playing this game? See government, we can think for ourselves, even kids can too. MK II was everything we wanted in a fighting game and more, including wonderfully designed stages, some of them interactive, and of course, the iconic “TOASTY!” that would pop up from one of the franchise creators. This game still stands the test of time, and may very well be the best Mortal Kombat of the series.

11)Mega Man X (1994)-When people are singing songs about how your beloved franchise has grown stale and boring, what do you do? Mega Man 7 outraged followers of our beloved blue and cyan clad hero, so what did the folks at Capcom do? They made a more bad ass version of the Blue Bomber and slapped an X at the end of the title, and thus Mega Man X was born to the delight of those same people wanting to burn the folks at Capcom at the stake. This game had a much more futuristic feel to it then its non X counterpart and the names of the bosses were much better then some of the nonsense gamers were used to from the franchise in years past. Did I mention this game also featured the super secret(ok not that secret) addition of using Ryu’s fireball against your enemies? It’s true. Of course, you had to kill yourself to get there while riding on a mine cart. Still, it was worth it. Mega Man X would have its share of sequels as well, but to me, none as good as the original. Let us not forget the bad ass Zero either.

10)Super Mario Kart (1992)-Did anyone see this game coming? I know I didn’t, but once I played it, I couldn’t get enough of it. Combining the fledgling racing genre and Nintendo’s most world renowned characters was a surefire win for the company. The game offered a lot for the time period, different difficult levels, a solid roster of racers to choose from(with their own winning theme music!) and boards that were so bright they hurt your eyes from staring at them for too long (Yes hello Rainbow Road) and who can forget the fun of the battle mode? I could play that with my siblings for hours. Don’t let this game fool you, it may appear casual and fun, and it is, but it can also be quite intense. I don’t think any true SNES collection is complete without it.

9)Super Metroid (1994)-Sometimes when Nintendo or another company added the word Super in front of its title, it didn’t always mean that the game was any good. In fact, a lot of times it meant the game was the absolute shits, sad to say. However, in this case, Metroid entered a whole new era of cool as it took on the new Super title added to its already legendary name. A better score, tighter gameplay, and the ability of even more vast exploration took this game to a whole new level, and while some may say the Metroid series hasn’t been the same since, I disagree. Any game that can evolve and not become complacent is bound for success, despite any bumps along the way. Super Metroid showed us promise for the future of the franchise through giving us a gaming experience we will never forget.

8)Super Mario All Stars (1993)-What could possibly be better then playing some classic NES Mario? Why, having 4 Mario games in one SNES cart, that’s what! While I wasn’t too keen on the redesign of these games, I don’t think they did a bad job, and in fact, some gamers prefer the SNES versions of the classics as to the genuine articles. People are still searching and sometimes paying big bucks for this game out in the marketplace. I also believe they made an anniversary edition of this for the Wii, which just goes to show you, some things just get better with age. If you’re a fan of the Super Mario Bros. games, then this is definitely something you need to own. Seriously, get up off your chair and go find this game, now! Don’t worry, we’ll still be here when you get back.

7)Super Mario World (1991)-The second of my three Super Mario entries on this list, everyone who is anyone has played this game if they owned an SNES. Some may say I’m being unfair ranking this game ahead of the All-Stars cart, but think about it, this is the SNES we’re talking about here, not a revamp of classic NES games. This game introduced us to the flying cape, bonus games, and the return of those pesky Bowser kids. Not to mention the overly pixelated, yet totally awesome end with Bowser and his clown faced spinning top. There was so much to do in this game, so many secrets to unlock (Hello Star Road), and who can forget the debut of Yoshi, who had an appetite to compete with Kirby. Super Mario World was like playing all the original Marios back to back to back. I can’t say I loved the sequel as much as the original, and I never got into later Mario games, so for me this holds a special place in my memory.

6)Super Mario RPG (1996)-After this game debuted, gamers were wondering “What CAN’T Mario do?” because this game was just amazing on all levels, from graphics, to sound, to just overall concept. Squaresoft and Nintendo were at the top of their game, and this cart was like The Rolling Stones and The Beatles making an album together. Sure, some gamers may have scoffed at the idea of Mario being in an RPG, but to me he fit in just fine in that element. This was one of the last great games for the SNES, and it was nice to see the system go out with a bang. Super Mario RPG might not be for everyone, but something tells me most fans of the Final Fantasy franchise have this in their classic collection, and if they don’t, they most definitely should.

5)Earthbound (1995)-To gamers who have either never heard of this game, or simply dismiss it as too childish looking to be taken seriously, this may be a shock to some to see it ranked so high. To others, of course, this may appear to be a no brainer. My reason for this game being ranked so high is simple. I devoted a whole summer of my young life to playing this game. If I wasn’t playing it at my own house, I was over a friend’s house playing it. I had dreams about the game, how to figure things out about it, in my head while I tried to sleep. To me, any game that has the ability to make a young kid forget about the joys of summer is both evil and amazing at the same time, and I think that suits this game well. It lures you in with its campy humor and its simple appearance, but deep down, this is one seriously tough, yet rewarding RPG. This game is so revered from gamers that they are still clamoring for a port of it on the Wii or a future Nintendo system, yet to no avail. The only peace is knowing a sequel to this game was translated and ported to the Gameboy Advance a few years ago, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that gamers want to see this franchise brought back to its rightful prominence in the Nintendo library. The soundtrack is amazing, the controls are pretty easy to pick up, and the story is downright novelistic and feature film in its depth and production. If you’re an RPG fan, pick this game up. It may surprise you.

4)Donkey Kong Country (1994)-So a fellow colleague of mine, as a response to my writing of this article, replied simply by saying “Donkey Kong sucks!” which may or may not be a response to this game, or the original, or perhaps even the whole franchise, but I’m sorry Mr. Collins, I have a soft spot in my heart for this game as it has filled my young life(and adult life for that matter) with so many memories. Donkey Kong was a franchise that was respected, but never really looked at as anything on the levels of a Zelda or Super Mario game, until this game came out and blew us all away with its amazing graphics (thank you Rare), a beautiful soundtrack (the ocean levels still relax me) and the fact it made Donkey Kong even more iconic then it originally was. To me the sequels just weren’t as good as the original, and I think that’s because they were rushed a bit, while developers really took the time to create a masterpiece with this game. Donkey Kong Country is a good starting point for any serious SNES collector, or for someone who just loves the SNES.

3)Final Fantasy III (1994)-In my eyes, the greatest Final Fantasy title of them all, with all due respect to Final Fantasy VII for the Playstation. For me, I have always loved the earlier versions of this franchise, the small sprites, the many twists and turns, and this game was full of them, a floating castle, the world ends, and an opera? Yes, there was a musical part to this game, and it just added to the amazing drawing power of this game. I will never be a fan of the cutscene fest Final Fantasy games of today, no matter how hard I try, because for me I will always think back to the simpler, more inviting games in the series then the ones that require you to seemingly stop going to class in order to complete them. This was the peak of Squaresoft’s work for the SNES and belongs in any gamer’s SNES collection, even if you’re not an RPG fan.

2)Chrono Trigger (1995)-Any game that convinces you to pay 50 bucks for it even after more then a decade of playing it is definitely something worth playing in my estimation. Chrono Trigger broke so many barriers put up by existing RPGs, most notably the aspect of time, as almost everything you did in the game affected later parts of it, which was unbelievable for the time as far as a concept for a game goes, and the soundtrack wasn’t too shabby either. The ability to change up your party and use different combo techniques in battle was a nice touch too, but I think the overall story of the game, combined with some solid graphics is what really made this game so much fun for gamers. There are very few, if any, boring parts of this game, and for a 16 bit game, that’s saying something.

1)Legend Of Zelda: A Link To The Past (1993)-This was the game for the SNES that everyone was(and still is) talking about. This was the game everyone wanted that year, and it is a game that really showcases both the talents of all the people behind this legendary franchise, as well as the talents of the SNES itself. Every Zelda is different, and I think that’s a good thing, don’t you? This edition used some elements from the first two games, but it was really its own game when it really came down to it. The music fit perfectly into all the moments in the game, there were so many side quests and items to obtain, and the story was one of the best produced for the series at the time. This was a great game for both fans of the original Zelda who hated the sequel, as well as new gamers who had just been introduced to the epic juggernaut known as the Zelda games. Link took another step further in his journey as a true gaming icon, and people who may have been on the fence about purchasing a Super Nintendo quickly realized they had to have one, for this game alone. No true SNES experience is complete without a trek through Hyrule. You won’t regret it, gamers.

Whew! 100 games, over 15,000 words later, now what do I do? Tune in for more updates from me as the Video Game Vault rolls on.

And, as always, game on!

-Nick D