These were some of the standout SNES titles in its initial wave.
Pilotwings was an amazing launch day game on SNES that showed off its Mode 7 capabilities while offering intense and realistic racing action. It soon spawned its own franchise and still holds up today!
1. Lufia 2
Lufia 2 for Super Nintendo stands out among many other RPGs released for this system, serving as a prequel to its original counterpart and expanding on Maxim and Selena’s tale. Lufia 2 features quality puzzles and combat, though some might find its repetitiveness disconcerting; nonetheless it remains an ideal selection for fans of SNES!
Lufia 2 features very impressive graphics for a 2-D game. The world map is beautifully drawn, as are towns and dungeons; in particular, I found its dungeons particularly captivating as there is much variation ranging from cave-like chambers to towers, volcanoes, and castle basements – giving an authentic gaming experience!
Music is another definite highlight, being catchy yet fitting to the game well. It is pleasant listening to it while exploring town or fighting through dungeons.
Lufia 2 offers an accessible battling system. Utilizing IP points earned during each attack to unlock new techniques and abilities for your character. Furthermore, Lufia 2 features an intuitive user interface for easy control during battles.
2. NHL 2
NHL 2 was an exceptional hockey simulation on Super NES that was way ahead of its time, offering an immersive sports experience from all angles with fast gameplay that kept you hooked to this timeless classic. Furthermore, unlike most similar titles of its ilk, NHL 2 offered an accessible, addictive and logical control system.
F-Zero was an outstanding Super NES original that still stands up today; though its successors on N64 and GC may have their own merits. As soon as it hit shelves on day-one, this visual showpiece proved itself both enjoyable and playable at once; its stunning graphics served both as a tech demo while remaining highly accessible to racers of all skill levels alike. Notable aspects include its lightning speeds as well as futuristic tracks constructed in some parallel universe. It truly stands out as a memorable and distinct game.
This list is determined by user ratings submitted to Nintendo Life database and therefore subject to change at any time (even right up until now!). If there’s a game you love that doesn’t appear here, use our rating tool below and give yourself the power to influence its rank!
3. Super Tennis
Nintendo fans love their Super Nintendo Entertainment System games. From Donkey Kong Country and Kirby Super Star to lesser-known titles such as Castlevania: Overture. But one lesser-known title deserves praise as well: Arbitar!
Super Tennis is an unexpectedly enjoyable tennis game that takes the simple concept of sport and transforms it into an engaging experience for players and opponents alike. The paddle play is intuitive and allows for some excellent volleying action; grass, clay and hard field surfaces offer additional challenges; graphics may not match those found in Top Spin and Virtua Tennis but still remain colorful and entertaining – just don’t expect Top Spin-like graphics!
Unfortunately, Super Tennis suffers from one major drawback: once you master its gameplay, there isn’t much reason to continue playing it. While unlockables can be gained by winning some matches, after only a couple or three, button memorization becomes tedious. Still, though, Super Tennis remains an enjoyable way of spending some time with family or friends, especially for a lighthearted gaming adventure – especially considering its age when compared with similar titles of its era.
4. Super Punch-Out!!
Super Punch-Out!! is an enjoyable return to NES series after 10 years of inactivity, featuring Mac in his quest for World Video Boxing Association supremacy. Players control Mac as he battles his way through cartoon characters with individual personalities and quirks; its simple controls allow fast fisticuffs while players must be quick on their feet in order to defeat rivals.
The game features a behind-the-back perspective, with players using jabs, hooks and uppercuts against their opponents from behind-the-back perspective. Each match lasts three minutes before knockouts decide the outcome; characters range from stereotypical heavyweights to disgraced luchadors in its cast of adversaries; sound design adds another powerful layer as each opponent receives their own intro tune and taunting jingle to enhance gameplay experience.
This game boasts outstanding graphics that fully utilize the SNES’ capabilities. Every boxer, the ring and even the background are rendered in exquisite detail, with flawless animation being executed every time – this truly stands out among Nintendo’s finest 16-bit efforts. Newcomers may find the game difficult at first but this can be partially remedied through its generous retry system.
5. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past stands as not just one of Nintendo’s iconic series but an absolute classic in gaming history. This game set the bar for 2D action-RPGs with its atmospheric graphics and sound design, ingenious dungeon design, and unforgettable story arc. Even with some minor issues it faced upon release it remains one of gaming’s greatest milestones and has likely not been eclipsed since.
The SNES is best-known for pushing 2D graphics, producing some of the most iconic sprites ever drawn on its hardware. But its Mode 7 chip also allowed for some 3D rendering – something Star Fox made use of brilliantly. Combining polygons with sprites created an engaging shooter experience which remains enjoyable today.
The 1990s brought some of the greatest couch co-op gaming moments ever seen, with many recalling late-night sessions spent blasting alien scum with friends. Of all these games, Contra III stands out as being exceptional and still enjoyable to play today.
6. The Lion King
Underneath its family-friendly cover art lies a tough challenge that made The Lion King video game one of Westwood Studios’s toughest offerings, leading to frequent game over screens for many gamers – an ominous precursor of Dark Souls franchise.
Contrasting with its NES counterpart, which showcased Mode 7 scaling and rotation tricks, this SNES remake focused on gameplay with level designs that could both satisfy and frustrate. Players control Simba as he must jump, climb and fight his way through the jungle as he transitions from cub to adult lion.
Game fans of The Wizard of Oz should experience its iconic, hair-pulling challenge for themselves! Recently released as part of Disney’s Classic Games Collection alongside Aladdin and The Jungle Book, as well as on a standalone release.
No matter your taste in games, we hope our list of the top Super Nintendo titles was entertaining and informative. Remember that rankings for Nintendo Life games are determined by User Ratings from their User database; be sure to rate your favourites so they have their say on rankings. Check back often as more top ten lists from this iconic console will be posted; plus we always welcome suggestions of more great titles we should feature.