/v/'s Recommended Games Wiki - SNES
117 Games
An extremely difficult run-'n-gun shooter by Konami. Profoundly badass, which is complemented when you have a bro for co-op (dat split screen). Ported to GBA, but that version takes out the overhead stages and replaces them with side-scrolling levels from Contra Hard Corps, a bad move since those levels were designed around you being able to slide. Released in Europe as Super Probotector: Alien Rebels with altered sprites
It is 1999, and in this dystopic future, the most popular TV game show is a fight to death for cash, toasters, and VCRs! Given Nintendo's penchant to censor everything, it's incredible that such an absurdly violent arcade was ported to the SNES essentially intact. A very intense, challenging, and fun game.
In this spiritual successor to Actraiser, God/The Master sends down a hero to save the world from Deathtoll, the big bad that the stupid king struck a deal with. The music is awesome (and strangely groovy for this sort of world it takes place in), and the game itself is a lot of fun, but kinda hard at times. As an early title, it's a little stiff control-wise, but the later games in the series improved this, so fear not.
Fantastic co-op shoot 'em up. Exceptional due to the fact that in spite of the SNES's slow processor, it almost manages to keep up with the arcade version's insanely fast pace. Though the series is known for its wacky pilots and scenarios, you unfortunately won't find much of that here but it's still a solid shooter otherwise. You'll definitely be rockin' to some of the tunes which are far superior to the arcade version.
A prehistory based platformer with gameplay similar to a lighthearted Contra, but with dinosaurs. The game saw two sequels: Congo's Caper and Joe & Mac 2 (A.K.A. Joe & Mac 3 in Japan), the later which includes girl courtship and marriage as some extra features. Joe and Mac 2 is a direct sequel, and features similar gameplay. For Congo's Caper, see above.
Before EA was pumping out endless Madden Sequels every year, there was Tecmo Bowl. Easy to pick up and play, real NFL Rosters from the 1990's, Varying Weather conditions, and fluid gameplay makes this a classic NFL game for the ages. TOUCHDOWN THURMAN THOMAS
A classic JRPG by Square. This was one of the first games to have a more complex storyline, and it introduced the ATB system used in many of its successors. Regarded by some as probably the best intro to the series for beginners. Ported to the PlayStation with a better script and restored difficulty/abilities, Game Boy Advance/PSP with lots of extras, and remade for the DS with different extras and MUCH HARDER difficulty. Has a a sequel on WiiWare/PSP, that you may also like (if you aren't a jerk).
Note: FF2us was based on a early version of Final Fantasy IV Easy Type, which removed many abilities, removed all status curing items except Remedies, and toned down enemy difficulty. However, Easy Type does have a more difficult final dungeon and final boss. The script in FF2us was also infamously poorly translated. There is a fan translation patch for the Japanese version, but the script has many mistranslated lines, juvenile humor and outright PLAGIARISM for the original FF2us script. There's also the Namingway Edition, which restores the Japanese maps and content and has a script that's more faithful to later localized versions.
Note: FF2us was based on a early version of Final Fantasy IV Easy Type, which removed many abilities, removed all status curing items except Remedies, and toned down enemy difficulty. However, Easy Type does have a more difficult final dungeon and final boss. The script in FF2us was also infamously poorly translated. There is a fan translation patch for the Japanese version, but the script has many mistranslated lines, juvenile humor and outright PLAGIARISM for the original FF2us script. There's also the Namingway Edition, which restores the Japanese maps and content and has a script that's more faithful to later localized versions.
This is the game that laid out the formula emulated by all of its successors - adding more expansive dungeons, more interesting puzzles, a detailed story, and introducing quintessential items like the hookshot and bottles. Many consider it one of the best 2D Zeldas, and that ain't just nostalgia talkin'. Rereleased on GBA with some small changes.
Konami's Castlevania offering to the SNES. A retelling of the original Castlevania. Features much more difficult stages, but the best controls of any game in the series (Fuck yeah for 8-way whipping).
An infamously difficult platformer by Capcom. Despite what you may believe, this is not a remake of Ghosts 'n' Goblins OR Ghouls 'n' Ghosts, it is the second sequel (a common mistake of this series is believing they are all remakes). Improves the armor system by adding two levels of upgrades, tons of newer weapons, and more levels of difficulty. Still, many of the same elements persist, such as beating the game twice to see the true ending.
YEEEEEEHAW! A fantastic and challenging R'n'G by the folks at Konami, straight from the arcade, Sunset Riders is a multiplayer must-have. Fantastic visuals, gameplay, soundtrack, and fun, you truly haven't hit puberty 'til you've played this manly-manfest of a game. Also on Genesis, but the SNES version has four characters to choose from, whereas Genesis only has two. Cormano duel wields shotguns! Inferior to the arcade version, but this is just as fun.
Technically a Goemon game, this is a fun little platforming game where you play as GoemKID YING, a ninja. Has a goofy translation in hind-sight. Also has multiplayer co-op with EbisumaDOCTOR YANG. Has a bunch of goofiness, as expected. Had a number of Japan-only sequels which improved on the formula, as seen above. Curiously, this one has more basis/parody in Japanese history than most Goemon games, as seen HERE.
A city building simulation game designed by Will Wright. Though released to many consoles and even for computers, the SNES version was one of the most popular. On the first release, scenarios and special buildings were already part of the game, yet it was simple enough to be fast and fun. Was Maxis first product and one considered a classic. It spawned the SimCity series and indirectly The Sims series.
You are God (or "The Master"), off to save humanity from Satan (or "Tanzra") and his army of demons. Liberate human settlements from demons in side-scrolling, platforming sections, then help humans build up their towns in overhead, Civilization-style sim sections. The way these two aspects are interwoven is unique, and neither aspect is too complex or challenging to turn you away. The Japanese version doesn't censor references to religion, but is significantly harder. After beating the game you unlock a "Professional" mode that omits all the sim sections.
A racing game by Nintendo that takes advantage of Mode 7 to simulate 3D graphics. This faux-3D would later be used in the GBA titles. The N64 and Gamecube titles are in full 3D with 30 racers instead of 4/8. A sequel/remix of this game exists on BS Satellaview.
A shoot 'em up by Konami (shocker). The third Gradius game and one of the best, before they ruined it IV was a low point. Also try the brutal arcade version (available on the Gradius Collection on PSP and on Gradius III&IV on PS2) -- if you DARE!
Based on the Area 88 anime/manga series. A tad more accessible than most shumps, with playable jets based on real military aircraft, lots of weapons to blast stuff with, and catchy-as-hell music. Adaptation of the arcade game, which had fewer features overall. HOW FAR TO PARADISE?
