The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) was Nintendo’s smash hit into the 16 bit console market. I remember saving up money delivering newspapers as a kid to buy my SNES from my local Walmart.
I didn’t have a ton of SNES games, however I was the part of the generation going to the local rental store and bring home new games every weekend. I remember my local rental store having a deal that was 5 games for 5 days for $5.
When covid hit, I started buying NES and SNES games and reliving my childhood memories and expanding them with some new games I didn’t play as a kid. This list is a mix of my childhood favorites and some new discoveries I’ve come to enjoy as an adult.
#10 Donkey Kong Country
Donkey Kong Country is a spinoff series that re-introduced Donkey Kong to the next generation of Nintendo players. For whatever reason, I think this game has terrible graphics compared to some of the other ones in this list, but the gameplay makes up for that. In this game you have Diddy Kong to help you collect banana’s and make your way through the jungle. Unsure if this true, but seemed like Donkey Kong was Nintendo’s answer to Sonic the hedgehog based on the gameplay style.
#9 Super Mario All-Stars
This game is great as it bring the popular Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 2, and Super Mario Bros. 3 from the original NES system and, updates to the graphics, and the ability to save your game instead of leaving your Nintendo on all night!
It also includes an additional game called Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, known in Japan as Super Mario Bros. 2 The game features a higher difficulty level, introducing obstacles such as poison mushroom power-ups, counterproductive level warps, and mid-air wind gusts. Unlike the original, Luigi controls differently from Mario, with reduced ground friction and increased jump height. The Lost Levels has 32 levels across eight worlds and 20 bonus levels.
I remember renting this a few times, but since I had Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario Bros 3, I didn’t have much need for this game.
#8 Tetris and Dr. Mario
I love Dr. Mario on the NES and use to play that game all the time as a kid against my parents. Now add Tetris, a favorite with everyone and combine those two into a single game. I didn’t have this game as a kid and recently discovered this one and highly suggest it as a two player game.
There is three different game modes, Tetris, Dr. Mario, and Mixed Match. My favorite is the Mixed Match which is a two player only mode which is timed. You start with Tetris, need to clear a certain amount of lines, then move to Dr. Mario clear the virus, then finish with Tetris and the goal is to get the highest scores. Check out the screenshots below
#7 F-Zero
This futuristic racing game featured hovercar’s and you would race in a grand prix circuit. As a kid, this was one of my favorite racing games. I never actually owned this game until recently, but always would play it at friend’s houses when I had the chance.
#6 Mega Man X
Mega Man is such a unique series that I played as a kid but struggled to master. The games are very difficult in my opinion but still are fun. As with all the Mega Man games you are off to fight the villains and save the day. This game will provide you hours of entertainment or frustration!
The password feature is a great way to save progress without having to own the game, you could rent or borrow the game and still keep making progress.
#5 Mortal Kombat II
Mortal Kombat II is my favorite of the series and earns a solid 5th place on the list. I played this game so much as a kid and even had the book that told me all the moves which gave me an advantage against my friends! I remember this game getting negative feedback due to the violent graphics of the game during the late 1990’s.
In single player mode you fight and go up the ranks tournament style. In two player mode you take on your opponent and see who can win in the best of three matches. There is even a few hidden characters in the game as well.
Once you learn some special moves and the secret fatality after winning a match, the game even gets more fun.
#4 Super Mario Kart
Super Mario Kart , what more must I say? Nothing like battling and seeing who is the best racer against your friends. Pick your favorite charter from the Nintendo verse and progress your way through the various circuits. You can pickup special items like shells and bananas to try to take out your competition.
#3 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle IV – Turtles in Time
I was a huge Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) as a kid which included me watching the movies, collecting cards, and playing the games. I wasn’t aware they were comics at the time, but I would have liked those as well.
TMNT 4 Turtles in Time is a continuation in the series from TMNT 2 and TMNT 3 which were on the NES and has the same arcade fighter / beat ’em up game style. I didn’t own this game as a kid, but rented it and really enjoyed it. Glad I have been able to add this one to my collection as an adult as well.
#2 The Legend of Zelda – A Link to the Past
This is another fan favorite and is a must have in every collection. Set off as Link to save Princess Zelda. This game has such soft graphics that really enhance from the original Zelda series. This was another game I played as a kid but didn’t own myself.
I always loved playing Zelda and happy to have a copy of it myself now. I don’t think I ever beat this game yet, so that is a goal of mine.
#1 Super Mario World
Super Mario world is most likely on everyone top 10 list somewhere, but its number one for me. The game was just perfect as an introduction to my SNES. Super Mario World was a totally new experience with all the different levels, secret exits, Yoshis and overall uniqueness that takes this game to be number 1 on my list.
The basis’s of the game are easy, however the secret levels are challenging. How many of you have finished the game?
Conclusion
As I was researching the history of these games on Wikipedia and didn’t realize that some of these games had such backstories. F-Zero and Mortal Kombat were the ones that surprised me the most, while Zelda and Mario were more known to myself.
If you’re an RPG fan and wondering why there wasn’t any RPGs on this list? I don’t think they are bad, they just not my thing. But if you’re into action, platformers, or games with instant fun, you’re in the right place.
Summary of my top 10 SNES games, what are your top 10 SNES games?
- #10 Donkey Kong Country
- #9 Super Mario All-Stars
- #8 Tetris and Dr. Mario
- #7 F-Zero
- #6 Mega Man X
- #5 Mortal Kombat II
- #4 Super Mario Kart
- #3 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle IV – Turtles in Time
- #2 The Legend of Zelda – A Link to the Past
- #1 Super Mario World
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