The Super Nintendo Entertainment System, or SNES, is among Nintendo’s most recognizable and beloved consoles. As a millennial, I spent no small part of my salad days managing AV cables, navigating to Channel 3, and blowing into game cartridges. Though my tech expertise never surpassed the age-old “Did you turn it off and turn it back on again?” I still consider myself a connoisseur of all things Super Nintendo.

The Super Nintendo was made available to gamers in the States in Autumn 1991 — more than three decades ago, which is gross — but many titles in the console’s expansive game catalog still please players of all generations. We explored all SNES releases, from blockbusters to deep cuts to find our faves. It’s hard to cram so many bangers into one short list; let us know if we missed any of your go-to games!

Super Ghouls ‘n Ghosts (1991; Capcom)

Navigate Sir Arthur through a grueling gauntlet of challenging enemies and obstacles in this pixelated platformer. Since receiving critical praise following its release in the early 90s, Super Ghouls n’ Ghosts has amassed a loyal cult following, with many heralding the title for its replayability and difficulty. Be careful, or you’ll compromise Sir Arthur’s armor!

Killer Instinct (1995; Rare)

This at-home version of Midway’s arcade classic hit Super Nintendo consoles in the U.S. in 1994. Killer Instinct‘s influential gameplay played a prominent role in what fighting games look like, and the game continues to shape modern fighting games today. The revolutionary game competed with Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter, and others, but man, did the SNES put everything on the table for fighting game fans or what?

F-Zero (1991; Nintendo)

F-Zero fans are finally taking a breath now that Captain Falcon is coming to Nintendo Switch 2’s online GameCube catalog. Still, fans of the high-octane racer are holding out to see Cap’n in a new franchise entry. Only the most agile racers have what it takes to take the crown, so keep your eye on the prize! (Oh, and the map, and your opponents, and your speed, and your a—)

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Final Fantasy VI (1994; Square)

Though this one was Final Fantasy III upon its ’94 stateside release, Final Fantasy VI is still one of franchise fans’ favorite entries. A runaway success worldwide, this early release (as well as the IP itself) is responsible for shaping role-playing games as we know them now. More mature themes, political content, rich narratives, elaborate plot devices — the game’s got it all. If you’ve picked up an RPG in the last 30 years, be sure to thank your nearest copy of Final Fantasy today.

Super Castlevania IV (1991; Konami)

Like your grade-school bully, platformers peaked in the ’90s with Castlevania IV. Take control of rough n’ tumble vampire slayer Simon Belmont as he traverses 1690s Transylvania. Tasked with taking down Dracula, you’ll have to tear apart nearby cronies with a brutal whip, annihilate baddies with a throwable axe, and avoid some seriously frustrating hazards. Thankfully, Belmont is still out there solving similar sinister problems in modern media.

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (1996; Nintendo)

Thanks to a recent remake for the Nintendo Switch, an entirely new audience finally gets to meet Mallow, Geno, and the rest of the gang. Whether revisiting the ’90s classic or sliding a cartridge into your Switch, Super Mario RPG is sure to entertain. Challenging enough for seasoned RPG players but approachable enough for newbies, this lovable Mario title has something for everyone — and it’s cute to boot!

Kirby Super Star (1996; Nintendo)

Could he be any cuter? Kirby really brought it with Kirby Super Star, an anthological game containing several Kirb-centered titles. Duke it out with Dedede, wallop a Waddle Dee, whack NPCs with your wand, and inhale darn near everything. The game’s commercial success kept the small spherical wonder a staple in Nintendo’s character arsenal.

Donkey Kong Country (1994; Nintendo)

Donkey Kong Country radically changed the game — literally. More than three decades after it hit shelves for the first time, Donkey Kong Country continues to capture audiences across generations. The game introduced would-be Kongs to gorgeous three-dimensional gameplay, sprawling levels, tons of new characters, and an ambient soundtrack so awesome that I still get chills. 

Super Metroid (1994; Nintendo)

Samus Aran, one of Nintendo’s only female protagonists at the time of release, sure made a splash when Super Metroid was released. Though we don’t get a good look at our player character in her impenetrable Morph Suit, she somehow manages to exhude skill, confidence, and a “cool” factor that just can’t be topped. Revisit Super Metroid for some of that gut-wrenching nostalgia, but it’s gonna make waiting for the next Metroid release even more agonizing.

Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island (1995; Nintendo)

The SNES had some heavy hitters, but my goodness, were they cute! Yoshi’s Island was no exception, bringing a unique, whimsical, and hand-drawn charm when gamers gravitated toward three-dimensional graphics. Players hop and hover over new critters, aggravating obstacles, and quirky stages to ensure Baby Mario makes it back to his brother safely. Steer clear of Kamek, or you’re in for a world of trouble.

EarthBound (1995; Ape/HAL Laboratory)

Aww, little Ness’ reflection in the visor is darling! 1995’s EarthBound introduced American audiences to Ness and his ragtag gang in a supernatural and caricature-like representation of Western culture. Most modern audiences recognize Ness’s cap, striped shirt, and bat from Super Smash Bros., but gamers can get to know him and his friends so much more through a visit to the Mother series.

Super Mario World (1991; Nintendo)

Salt and pepper, milk and cookies, Mario and Yoshi. The pair align in Super Mario World, a charming platformer many call Nintendo’s greatest-ever release. Super Mario World is the best-selling SNES game in history, and its blockbuster success has given way to new animated programming and subsequent sequels. Replayable, approachable, beautiful, and above all, fun, Super Mario World deserves its spot in entertainment history.

Chrono Trigger (1995; Square)

Travel through time in Chrono Trigger, the brainchild of some of gaming’s greatest minds (Final Fantasy‘s Sakaguchi, Dragon Quest‘s Horii, and Dragon Ball‘s Toriyama). This story-rich RPG offered varied endings, rewarding character arcs, eye-popping graphics, and an unbeatable soundtrack. Chrono Trigger also helped popularize RPG side quests, a feature us dilly-dallyers hold near and dear.

Street Fighter II Turbo: Hyper Fighting (1993; Capcom)

Capcom gave an already completed game a revolutionary facelift in Street Fighter II Turbo: Hyper Fighting, one of the greatest video games ever. As an adult, I can look back wistfully and identify Street Fighter II among the games that sparked my interest in gaming. Time your punches precisely, act quickly, duck, dip, and dodge from the fearless fists of your Player 2, whether NPC or a friend.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (1992; Nintendo)

Brimming with action from start to finish, devs at Nintendo batted one thousand with A Link to the Past. Some of gaming’s most recognizable sounds originated in this Zelda blockbuster that many critics call the best game ever created. If you’re a young of the Zelda IP, be sure to try A Link to the Past if you’ve not already. Enjoy some captivating storytelling, cute pixel graphics, hard-to-find Easter eggs, and music that’ll bring a tear to your eye.

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