The SNES marked a major step forward for Nintendo. Not only did it have better graphics and sound than the NES, but the SNES was a 16-bit powerhouse that could go head-to-head with the Sega Genesis.
By the end of the 16-bit era, the SNES had changed the gaming industry forever, and the console’s games are a big part of its legacy. If it weren’t for classic titles like A Link to the Past and Chrono Trigger, gaming would be very different today.
Star Fox Blew Players Away With Its 3D Graphics
Star Fox is a rail shooter that was developed and published by Nintendo in partnership with Argonaut Software, the team behind the Super FX chip. The game follows the Star Fox team, led by Fox McCloud, as they battle Andross and his invading forces in a fast-paced space adventure that pushed the SNES to its limits.
Even though it was released more than 30 years ago, Star Fox looks incredible, especially considering that the SNES couldn’t deliver polygon graphics without the Super FX chip. It paved the way for more advanced rail shooters, including its own sequel, Star Fox 64.
Star Fox
- Released
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March 22, 1993
- ESRB
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r
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo, Argonaut Software
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo
- Engine
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nintendo
- Number of Players
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1
Doom Proved First-Person Shooters Could Work On Consoles
Against all odds, Doom brought the iconic FPS to the SNES. Like other versions of the game, it follows an unnamed space marine who is commonly known as Doomguy as he arrives at a science base on Phobos, one of Mars’ moons. He soon discovers the base has been overrun by demonic creatures that he must now eradicate.
Today, this Doom port might be best known for its incredible box art, but it was a miracle that developers were able to get the game to run on an SNES. In many ways, Doom on SNES paved the way for titles like Halo on the Xbox.
F-Zero Made Console Racing Games Faster
F-Zero was an SNES launch title, and it got the console off to a great start. The game is set over 500 years in the future, where aliens and humans have come together to take part in some of the most dangerous sporting events the world has ever seen.
Before F-Zero, most console racing games struggled to match the speed and smoothness of their arcade counterparts, especially on systems like the NES or Sega Master System. With F-Zero, console racing titles now closely matched the quality of contemporary arcade racers, and if anything, F-Zero proved to be even faster.
F-Zero
- Released
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August 23, 1991
- ESRB
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t
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo EAD
- Engine
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game engine
- Franchise
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F-Zero
Donkey Kong Country Popularized 3D Visuals
Donkey Kong Country marked the full return of the Donkey Kong series after nearly twelve years of dormancy. In the game, King K. Rool and his Kremlings invade Donkey Kong Island and steal Donkey Kong’s prized banana hoard, setting the stage for a jungle-spanning quest to get it back.
While it may be a little simple in its gameplay, Donkey Kong Country quietly changed platformers forever. Much can be said about its revolutionary prerendered 3D graphics, but the game’s emphasis on collecting items has also had a huge impact. Even modern releases like Astro Bot owe a huge debt to Donkey Kong Country.
Donkey Kong Country
- Released
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November 24, 1994
- ESRB
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e
- Developer(s)
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Rare
- Multiplayer
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Local Multiplayer
- Franchise
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Donkey Kong Country
Mega Man X Encouraged Platformers to Embrace Their Heritage
Mega Man X is the first entry in the Mega Man X subseries, which introduced a new continuity within the broader Mega Man franchise. In this futuristic story, the hero X teams up with fellow cyborgs to take down rogue machines known as Mavericks.
Even though it marked a shift from the old 8-bit Mega Man titles, it’s clear that Mega Man X didn’t forget the standard Mega Man gameplay. This encouraged later platformers to embrace aspects of earlier titles while incorporating new features in a tasteful way.
Mega Man X
- Released
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January 19, 1994
- ESRB
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Everyone // Animated Violence
- Developer(s)
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Capcom
- Publisher(s)
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Capcom, Nintendo
- Number of Players
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1
- PC Release Date
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March 10, 1995
EarthBound Made RPGs More Whimsical
EarthBound, originally released in Japan as Mother 2: Gyiyg Strikes Back, was the first game in the Mother series released overseas. The story follows Ness and his friends as they deal with the aftermath of a mysterious meteor crash in their hometown of Eagleland, leading to encounters with a bizarre mix of creatures both helpful and hostile.
Unlike most RPGs of its time, EarthBound didn’t take itself too seriously, a point that might’ve been seen as a negative when it first came out. However, without EarthBound, it’s unlikely that other whimsical RPGs, especially ones like Undertale, would ever have been created.
Earthbound
- Released
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June 5, 1995
- ESRB
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T For Teen due to Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Suggestive Themes, Crude Humor
- Developer(s)
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HAL Laboratory, Ape Inc.
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo
- Engine
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unity
- Franchise
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EarthBound
Super Metroid Reinvented the Metroidvania
Super Metroid follows Samus Aran as she explores a science lab in a space colony that’s been overrun by Ridley and his space pirate forces. Her mission is to clear out the threat and eventually face off against Ridley himself.
The first Metroid game practically created the Metroidvania genre, which has players take different paths to reach the end. Super Metroid both reinvented and refined the genre, giving each path an equal chance of leading to a smoother playthrough. To this day, it’s considered to be one of the greatest Metroidvanias ever.
Super Metroid
- Released
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April 18, 1994
- ESRB
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e
A Link to the Past Is a Link to the Future
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past begins with Link’s uncle setting out to rescue Princess Zelda, who is being held captive in her own castle. When the rescue fails, and his uncle is killed, Link takes up the sword and shield, beginning his own journey to save Zelda and protect Hyrule from dark forces.
The game greatly expanded on the original Legend of Zelda, and its influence can still be felt in other action-adventure titles, RPGs, and, most importantly, the newer installments in the Zelda franchise. Much of that impact comes from how it refined item-based gameplay, requiring players to use specific tools to solve puzzles and progress through the game.
Chrono Trigger Triggered a New Era for RPGs
Chrono Trigger is an RPG that takes place across multiple time periods, from the world’s beginning to the not-too-distant future. The main setting is the year 1000 AD, with protagonist Crono, along with his friends and allies, traveling through time to stop a global meltdown caused by alien forces.
Its influence is seen in countless RPGs that followed, including many of Square’s own titles, like Final Fantasy VII. Blending elements of fantasy and steampunk, Chrono Trigger delivered a vast and expansive story unlike anything that has been seen before, and its multiple endings made it worth playing again and again.
Chrono Trigger
- Released
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March 11, 1995
- ESRB
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T for Teen: Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood
- Developer(s)
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Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
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Square Enix
- Engine
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Cocos Creator Engine
- Multiplayer
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Local Co-Op
Super Mario World Is One of the Greatest Platformers Ever
Super Mario World was an SNES launch title and remains one of the most iconic platformers ever made. Set in Dinosaur Land, an island-filled region inhabited by dinosaurs, the game sees Mario, Luigi, and Peach visiting, until Peach is once again kidnapped by the ever-persistent King Bowser.
The game set a new standard for what was possible on the SNES. It made full use of the consoles’ expanded controls, naturally introducing players to the Y, X, L, and R buttons. Modern consoles use all those buttons and more, and it’s easy to forget how the game’s ingenuity helped make them commonplace.