Since I’m not really a sports person, I don’t usually bandy about the term GOAT. But that said, one console that definitely qualified as one was the SNES. And I’m not just saying that because I usually love Nintendo systems. The SNES was one of the greatest classic systems, and it features a lot of amazing games that still hold up today.
Here, we’re going to focus on platformers specifically, since there were a lot of especially great examples on that console. Those range pretty dramatically, from cutesy and colorful adventures in babysitting to spooky, hard, and brutal journeys through cursed lands. There’s a bit of something for everyone here, especially if you have access to Nintendo Classics on Switch or Switch 2.
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Decades after their release, these games continue to inspire modern titles.
As for how they’re ranked, it’s a mixture of my own personal preferences combined with overall aggregate scores. So get comfy and let’s talk some SNES platformer classics!
10
Super Ghouls ‘n Ghosts
Arthur’s Nightmare
Now, let me just say at the outset that just because a game holds up today doesn’t mean it’s necessarily easy to play. A perfect example is the platformer called Super Ghouls ‘n Ghosts, a follow-up to Ghosts ‘n Goblins. It’s a beautiful and atmospheric game that is also completely unrelenting in overall challenge.
Weirdly, that just makes it feel more modern, like some early example of the Soulslike genre. You have to master every level, get the timing down perfectly, and use all that to beat the game not once, but twice. At least, if you want to actually save the day.
Fret not, since not every game on this list is that ridiculously difficult. In that regard, Super Ghouls ‘n Ghosts is in a league of its own.
9
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest
This Game is Bananas!
Though the first Donkey Kong Country made a big impact, the superior adventure was its sequel, Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest. Not only does the story revolve around DK getting captured by Kremlings, but it also introduces the dynamic duo of Diddy and Dixie.
While the first game turned heads with its stunning visual design, the sequel was more focused on precision platforming and overcoming brutal bosses. It’s also packed with secrets for the inquisitive ape.
Perhaps the best part of the game is spending the time and effort to unlock the Lost World. However, smashing Kaptain K. Rool was a very close second.
8
Super Castlevania IV
Mode 7 Masterpiece
I know many gamers scoff at retro-styled visuals, in games new and old. But I personally love seeing pixelated artwork, and was captivated by the Mode 7 flourishes found in Super Castlevania IV.
This let Konami really play around with the visuals in unprecedented ways. And even today, it looks pretty snazzy. You can’t let yourself get too distracted, though, since every Castlevania game will destroy the unwary platformer fan.
One of the cooler elements of the game was using your whip to latch onto points and swing across gaps, as well as hanging on for dear life as the level rotated around you. It’s a really outstanding adventure, even though it’s not an Igavania.
7
Mega Man X3
X and Zero Together
I absolutely adored the Mega Man X games. And while it was hard narrowing down just one of the SNES entries for this list, I ultimately settled on Mega Man X3 for one reason — it’s the first game that lets you play the whole game as either X or Zero. Which was a big deal, since Zero perished in the first game to save X, and was put back together in the second.
Though the story of any Mega Man game is never the high point, the whole Dr. Doppler arc was at least interesting, and the game featured some great bosses, including Neon Tiger, Toxic Seahorse, and the nefarious Vile MK-II.
At the time, I was astounded by how hard the final boss battle was in Mega Man X3, but many years later, I learned what true difficulty was in Mega Man X4 on the PS1.
6
Demon’s Crest
All Hail the Demon King
To this day, there are still many players who have never experienced Demon’s Crest. Which is a shame, since that was a formative game during my childhood. It was not only one of the first games I played with demons and more mature themes, but it was also one of the first unofficial Metroidvania games I’d played.
Put simply, there are no heroes in Demon’s Crest. You’re a demon in a world of monsters. Specifically, you’re Firebrand, the winged devil who harassed Arthur to no end in games like Super Ghouls ‘n Ghosts. Here, though, Firebrand is a soldier honed in many conflicts who demands his throne.
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Some of the best SNES games of all time are held back by small issues, either due to technical limitations or just some bad ideas from the developers.
The only problem is a demon named Phalanx who stole your power in the titular Crests. Which leads to a dark and ominous tale full of hidden secrets, powerful transformations, brutal bosses, and outstanding music that takes up space in my head to this very day. If you’ve never played Demon’s Crest, I’d strongly suggest you check it out on Nintendo Classics. Unless you want to shell out a ton of money for a physical copy.
5
Contra III: The Alien Wars
Bill & Lance FTW
Another game that was formative from my childhood was Contra III: The Alien Wars. Though I was not good at it then, I still loved playing it. It’s especially fun with a friend, which was how I whiled away many afternoons, with the music blasting at full volume.
Contra III: The Alien Wars taught me the importance of timing and patience, and I credit it with my platforming skills advancing to where they are today. Not only does it feature one-hit deaths, but it has an army of twisted alien freaks assaulting Earth for the Red Falcon. Though the game is fun in single player, it’s truly a blast with a buddy.
Fun as it was, the game was also pretty brutal, even to this very day. Some bosses will make you scream, which requires everything you have to defeat them. Hard as it was, though, it still pales in comparison to later entries like Contra 4 and Shattered Soldier.
4
Kirby Super Star
Kirby Variety Hour
Though far less challenging than some of the games on this list, I have a soft spot for Kirby Super Star. Not only is Kirby one of my favorite Nintendo icons, but this particular game was one of the very best of the long-running series. What’s best about it is that it features many different styles of gameplay that are all mixed together in one epic experience.
There are 8 different game modes featured in Kirby Super Star, which was pretty innovative at the time. This includes racing, a Metroidvania, boss attack, and even many mini-games. Better yet, the game lets you summon a Helper, as well as absorbing your own powers.
As proof of how amazing this game was, it got an overhauled port many years later in Kirby Super Star Ultra. While that one is also a lot of fun, in many ways I prefer the bigger, bolder graphics in the SNES version.
3
Super Mario World
Revenge of the Clown Car
There are probably some of you surprised that Super Mario World isn’t higher up on this list. And it’s not because it’s a bad game. That said, in my estimation, it sits lower than other Mario adventures, most notably Super Mario Bros. 3. So, while it’s a fantastic and creative platforming adventure that introduced characters like Yoshi and the Cape Feather, that’s why I couldn’t place it higher.
With that out of the way, Super Mario World was one heck of a platformer. That cape allowed Mario to get aerial in a whole new way, and the game was completely packed with hidden secrets and an insane bonus world. But perhaps my favorite part about this game was the boss battles against the Koopalings, as well as the intense final confrontation against Bowser inside his Clown Car.
Throw in bold pastel colors, amazing music, and some truly annoying Ghost Houses, and you have a fantastic adventure for Mario and company that slaps pretty hard.
2
Super Metroid
Samus Alone
Even though it wasn’t the first, Super Metroid will always be the iconic entry in the series for me. It just grew leaps and bounds beyond the NES game, and provided an unforgettable experience lost on a dangerous alien world. Put simply, if not for this game, I never would have played any of the others.
This is an example of a classic game where everything works together perfectly to build a memorable adventure. It doesn’t hold your hand, but uses environmental designs and other cues to clue you in. The world of Super Metroid was also full of incredible sights and devastating foes, including the vile Ridley.
Despite being from the SNES era, Super Metroid still plays and feels like a modern game. It’s a pure classic for good reason, and the only reason it didn’t take the gold is that the next game just slightly edged it out.
1
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island
Yoshi and Baby
While Super Metroid has benefited from some incredible sequels, Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island has never been improved in any future follow-ups. Which is something I’m honestly a little sad about, since this unexpectedly amazing adventure was one I’d like to see more of.
Put simply, Yoshi’s Island is why modern gamers should own an SNES. It’s a wholly unique platformer that cements Yoshi as one of the best Nintendo mascots. It also has an eye-catching visual style, superb music and sound design, and some boss battles that still impress. Mix in the unique egg throw, transformations, and baby-wrangling mechanics, and you have one of a kind.
Even when you think the game is over, there are plenty of hidden secrets to unlock. And while a version of this game is available on the eShop, it just doesn’t impress like the SNES version. If you were wondering why The Super Mario Galaxy Movie made such a big deal about Yoshi, this game will explain it for you.
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