With the new consoles coming out at the end of this year (2020), I decided it would be cool to do a run-down for each system and go over the 10 games that you need to go back and play if you haven’t already. Most gamers will have played these games and they may agree or disagree with them being on the list.
Whether you’re a big fan of retro games or the newer style with better graphics and more capabilities, I think its important to re-visit the roots from which the current generation of games came from. We’re continuing our journey with the SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System).
The SNES was introduced in 1991 to North America and was produced for about 8-12 years until 1999-2003 until it was discontinued. It was Nintendo’s second entry into the gaming world after a decent run with NES.
Here’s as list of the 10 games for the SNES that I believe you should play if you have not already! (They are in no specific order, all equally as important!)
The Legend of Zelda: A Link from the Past (1991)
Arguably one of the best games of all time, and certainly the best of this era, The Legend of Zelda: A Link from the Past hit all the high points for gamers for which Zelda has alway been known to do. It’s hard to beat the quality of Zelda no matter which system you’re playing it on.
This title is hard sought after and if you can get your hands on a copy with the box and manual for a decent price, do it now! This one will go down in the hall of fame as one of the best.
Super Metroid (1994)
The Metroid franchise owes nothing to Nintendo as it has continually performed very well, and that includes this game. The third Metroid game in the series, Super Metroid is a first party Nintendo game that belongs in everyones collection.
You continue gameplay from the Game Boy game, as Samus the bounty hunter looking for the metroid creature stolen by the space pirate Ridley. One of the better Metroid games in the series during this era, Super Metroid deserves a play if you can get your hands on it!
Chrono Trigger (1995)
Chrono Trigger is one of the better RPG’s that was developed for the SNES but was later developed for the PS1 with [better graphics] for the times. The most interesting parts about Chrono Trigger, aside from the gameplay itself, is the designers involved. I think they will all ring familiar to us because they were Hironobu Sakaguchi (creator of the Final Fantasy series), Yuji Horii (creator of the Dragon Quest series), and Akira Toriyama (manga artist for the Dragon Ball series).
If you didn’t have a reason to play this already, now you do. Go forth.. find it.. play it!
Super Mario RPG (1996)
Mario and RPG in the same sentence? Yep you heard it right! Actually this was the first RPG to be introduced in the Mario series and still produced by familiar names such as the Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto and others.
In typical RPG fashion you can imagine that the storyline involves Mario as the protagonist running around all for the same cause to defeat Smithy who has recently wrecked into Star Road. This RPG is turn-based which many either love or hate, however either way its worth a try and you should try to find this if you can!
Donkey Kong Country (1994)
You didn’t think we could have this list without some sort of Donkey Kong game right? Ok good, just making sure! This Donkey Kong is a revival of the original which you play as a gorilla named Donkey Kong with his occasional nephew Diddy Kong following or playing along side.
With the main goal of the game to recover your stash of banana’s that has been stolen, how can you NOT want to play this? Oh, banana’s not your thing? Either way you need to try this for nostalgia’s sake!
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island (1995)
Let me explain before you criticize this one.. Yes I know it’s another Mario game yadda yadda.. however I picked this one because it allows the play to experience Mario without actually having to be Mario. In this one you get to play as Yoshi!
Surprisingly, this game sold very well and there are many copies floating around. But as usual they are only getting harder to find, go get yours now and play this classic!
Super Mario Kart (1992)
Ahh yes, the first game in the Mario Kart series, we had to include it and you know it. The inspiration for all of the subsequent releases were born from this, so for that it is one of the best.
With all of the different modes and the 8 different characters you could be, this was ahead of its time and if there was a steering wheel addition it would have been even more of a hit in households at that time! I think I’m going to go get my switch out and play the latest one now..
Secret of Mana
Another RPG game, Secret of Mana is special in that it was actually a sequel to the Final Fantasy Adventure game produced earlier on in the years. It was the first of this series to be marketed in the “Mana Series” instead of Final Fantasy.
The cool part about Secret of Mana is it uses real time battles instead of turn-based, another thing that was being tested and evolving at the time. Definitely a cool game and you should try to play it if you can!
Earthbound
Another Role-playing based game, Earthbound is unique in that instead of portraying fantasy-based worlds it is actually an RPG for the real-world setting, actually making fun of certain parts of RPG’s in fantasy worlds.
With its many parody’s and its “this game stinks” marketing campaign, Earthbound is quite hilarious and fun to play. But seriously, good luck getting it. It is super expensive and hard to find now.. Keep your eye’s peeled at yard sales!
F-Zero (1993)
I’m going to be honest, F-Zero may have led the charge in racing games. It was a futuristic racing game which was well ahead of its time to begin with. It was super fun and very entertaining especially playing against your friends.
F-Zero was also groundbreaking in that it was the first game in the Nintendo platform to use Mode 7 Scrolling which essentially combined techniques to move the screen and simulate 3-D to an extent. If you want good times, go find this and play it!
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