The Super Nintendo arrived in North America in 1991 and quickly became one of the most loved consoles of all time. Its library is packed with masterpieces that defined genres and still feel great to play today, thanks to colorful sprites, great music and tight controls.
Quick answer
The best SNES games are Super Mario World (1991), The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (1992), Super Metroid (1994), Chrono Trigger (1995), Donkey Kong Country (1994), Super Mario Kart (1992), Final Fantasy III (1994), EarthBound (1995), Street Fighter II (1992) and Super Mario RPG (1996).
The ranking
| # | Game | Year (NA) | Why it's great |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Super Mario World | 1991 | The launch title that defined 16-bit platforming |
| 2 | The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past | 1992 | The template for Zelda adventures |
| 3 | Super Metroid | 1994 | Atmospheric exploration masterpiece |
| 4 | Chrono Trigger | 1995 | Time-travel RPG with multiple endings |
| 5 | Donkey Kong Country | 1994 | Stunning pre-rendered graphics |
| 6 | Super Mario Kart | 1992 | Started the kart-racing genre |
| 7 | Final Fantasy III (VI) | 1994 | Epic story and ensemble cast |
| 8 | EarthBound | 1995 | Quirky modern-day RPG |
| 9 | Street Fighter II | 1992 | The fighting game that started it all at home |
| 10 | Super Mario RPG | 1996 | Mario meets turn-based RPG |
| 11 | Yoshi's Island | 1995 | Crayon-style platforming |
| 12 | Donkey Kong Country 2 | 1995 | Even better than the original |
| 13 | Secret of Mana | 1993 | Co-op action RPG |
| 14 | Mega Man X | 1994 | Fast, upgrade-driven action |
| 15 | Star Fox | 1993 | Early 3D shooter with the Super FX chip |
| 16 | F-Zero | 1991 | Futuristic launch racer |
| 17 | Kirby Super Star | 1996 | Several Kirby games in one |
| 18 | Super Castlevania IV | 1991 | Gothic action classic |
| 19 | Contra III: The Alien Wars | 1992 | Intense run-and-gun |
| 20 | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time | 1992 | Arcade beat 'em up at home |
| 21 | Mortal Kombat II | 1994 | Fighting game hit |
| 22 | NBA Jam | 1994 | Arcade basketball |
| 23 | Super Punch-Out!! | 1994 | Boxing with personality |
| 24 | Harvest Moon | 1997 | The original farming sim |
| 25 | Pilotwings | 1991 | Relaxing flight showcase |
Why the SNES library holds up
The SNES arrived at a sweet spot for game design. Developers had mastered 2D graphics, sound chips could play rich orchestral-style music and controllers had enough buttons for complex games. Many SNES games still look great because their pixel art was designed with care, and their gameplay focuses on precise controls and clever level design.
SNES vs Sega Genesis
| SNES | Sega Genesis | |
|---|---|---|
| North American launch | 1991 | 1989 |
| Known for | Colors, sound, RPGs, Nintendo franchises | Speed, arcade ports, edgy marketing |
| Mascot | Mario | Sonic |
| Best for | RPGs and platformers | Action and sports |
See the best of the rival console in best Sega Genesis games.
How to play SNES games today
Original console
Look for a working system, original controllers and cartridges. Save batteries in some cartridges may need replacing.
Official mini console
Plug-and-play with HDMI and many top games built in.
Online classic libraries
Nintendo has offered SNES games through subscription services on newer consoles.
Fun fact: Star Fox used a special chip inside the cartridge, called Super FX, to render early 3D polygon graphics on the SNES.
Conclusion
The best SNES games remain some of the finest ever made. Start with Super Mario World, A Link to the Past, Super Metroid and Chrono Trigger. For the next generation, see the best N64 games and the best PS1 games.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best SNES game?
Super Mario World, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Super Metroid and Chrono Trigger are usually ranked as the best SNES games.
When did the SNES come out?
The Super Nintendo launched in North America in August 1991. It launched in Japan in 1990 as the Super Famicom.
What game came with the SNES?
Super Mario World was bundled with the Super Nintendo at launch in North America.
What were the best SNES RPGs?
Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy III (Final Fantasy VI in Japan), EarthBound, Super Mario RPG and Secret of Mana.
How can I play SNES games today?
Original hardware, an official mini console, or Nintendo's online classic game libraries where available.
Why was Donkey Kong Country special?
It used pre-rendered 3D-style graphics that looked far more advanced than other 16-bit games in 1994.
Sources and further reading
Dates and facts were checked against these references. Release dates can vary by region; we use North American dates unless noted. Spotted an error? Tell us.