Invalid characterset or character set not supported The Top 10 Classic SNES Games





The Top 10 Classic SNES Games
May 13, 2008

May 13, 2008
Reason for rejection: "Too broad" (since when was this an issue??)
Games I excluded on purpose because they just didn't have that "WoahMG" impact, so don't tell me otherwise: Kirby Super Star; Lufia II; Super Mario RPG; Secret of Mana; Earthbound; Tales of Phantasia; and Mario Paint.

Uh oh! It seems like I've finally written a generic Top 10 list. And on one of the most popular home entertainment systems of all time - the SNES! If you somehow missed out on what is arguably the third best console (narrowly bested by the PlayStation 2 and the Nintendo DS) and its diverse selection of quality game titles, my deepest sympathies. At least with the PC emulation and the advent of Nintendo's Virtual Console application for the Wii, you know have a chance to redeem yourself! Sure, not everything holds up well against the test of time, but I can assure you that the following 10 games most certainly do. Go forth and conquer!

10:Chrono Trigger (SNES)
It was a tough decision which game would grab my number 10 spot. I already knew what my top 9 were right off the bat, but this placing could have easily gone to Super Castlevania IV, Super Metroid, Final Fantasy III (US), Demon's Quest, Pocky & Rocky, and countless others. Instead, I have decided to honour Chrono Trigger. The epic story spanning several time periods; the memorable cast of characters each with their own unique appearances, personalities and battle traits; a highly strategic, yet fast-paced battle system; one of the most touching musical scores ever composed; the ability to tackle a New Game + ... these all combine to give one of the best RPGs, ever. As at 05.13.08 GameFAQs' Reader Review Average is a whopping 9.7/10 from 72 reviews. Sure, the credibility is somewhat dubious, but it still makes a damn good point!

9:Final Fantasy V (SNES)
Following on we have Final Fantasy V (J). Unfortunately this gem was not officially released on the SNES outside Japan; keen gamers originally had to seek out the unofficial translation patch and play it via emulator. Despite FFV's storyline running thin towards the end, the highly customisable job system made all those random battles well worth the necessary grind; you could choose how to personify each of your four heroes on the battlefield. It was one of those games whereby things would be totally different on repeat runs. And play again I did. Multiple times, and on multiple platforms!

8:Super Mario All-Stars / Super Mario World (SNES)
I'm kind of cheating here - collectively listing 3 awesome and 1 not-as awesome Mario games together. The original still holds up well by today's standards and it was the first 2D platformer to set the standard for ALL 2D platformers to follow. Bros. 3 was a fantastic follow-up boasting tons of levels, fun power-ups and crazy level design. World took the formula a step further and made Mario's world bigger, better and more colourful than ever. All a simply divine platformers which you simply must play - not just to say that you've had a slice of gaming history, but because their overall gameplay remains timeless.

7:Space Megaforce (SNES)
Okay, here's an SNES game which you may not have heard about. It's a Shmup (scrolling shoot 'em up), but get this - it's not insanely hard as most other Shmups, both recent and old-school. However, that's not to say that there's not much action. Heck, I don't think I've ever seen any 2D sprite-based game deliver so much raw kinetic energy and incessant explosions in just the first level alone. Not only will you have the chance to switch weapons every few seconds, but when powered up you can wreak some impressive damage, even to the point where you can cause a degree of environmental damage and cut a swathe through seemingly impenetrable walls. It's visceral carnage all the way from start to finish.

6:R-Type III (SNES)
Even better than Space Megaforce is Irem's third incarnation of its headlining Shmup series, R-type III. May the 'Force' be with you. Because without this glowing pod composed of pure energy, you don't stand a chance against the relentless waves of Bydo aliens approaching you from all directions. Not only does the Force provide cover due to its indestructible nature, but it buffs up your current weapon system to turn you into a nigh-on invincible fighter craft. Of course, the levels are made nigh-on impossible to compensate with gravitational effects, camoflaged enemies and swift pulse waves of instant death challenging you to keep your mind on the game. Once you're dead, you'll need to spend an arm and a leg to to recover the Force and every single one of its myriad upgrades in order to stand a fighting chance, and it's not easy when the Force is NOT with you!

5:Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (SNES)
Easily one of the best platformers I have ever played - yes, Yoshi's Island trumps every single one of Mario's own 2D exploits! It's a different flavour: the art-style is done in vivid Crayola; death comes from the bad guys kidnapping baby Mario, not them actually hurting you (because you're a mean dinosaur, RAWR!); the game is relatively slower paced, but the spacious levels are littered with things to discover and it's one heck of a challenge (and addiction) to achieve perfection; and, well, Yoshi's Island is simply the pinnacle of imaginative 2D platforming design. It's a must-play for every gamer.

4:Super Punch-Out!! (SNES)
They don't make boxing games like they used to. Who cares about beads of sweat dripping off a photo realistic pugilist? It's just sweat Goddammit! Ahem. Super Punch-Out!! followed in the footsteps of the Mike Tyson-endorsed NES smash-hit, but improved it ten-fold with bigger, bolder and more badass sprites imbuing each prizefighter with an egotistical personality that you just wanted to sock hard. Every boxer required a different strategy: some would constantly defend themselves while others would skilfully dodge your blows and counter accordingly; then you had the ones who would fly all over the boxing ring, or taunt you to fake you out. Sure, it's no simulator of the sport, but hell, it's even more entertaining than the real thing!

3:The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES)
You knew this was coming, didn't you? A Link to the Past is easily one of the top 3 2D Zelda games out there (#1 goes to Link's Awakening). The classic Zelda formula was introduced here and if you really think about it, nothing has really changed in the updated 3D Zeldas apart from the graphical overhaul and lock-on combat. The dungeons are sheer brilliance with creative puzzles and tactical boss fights awaiting young Link. The overworld is a massive playground full of things to do, sidequests to pursue, secrets to find, Cuccos to piss off... Link's first and only SNES quest is a hallmark of great action RPGs. And unlike Mario, Link actually manages to find the Princess within a few minutes (only to lose her until the end of the game, d'oh!)

2:Contra III: The Alien Wars (SNES)
Proving that good games don't need a good storyline: Contra III (A.K.A. Super Probotector) is all about blasting aliens and saving the world. Even Rambo can't get more cliched than that. Well, it's a manly game, and that's all you need to know. Go it alone, or even better, grab a partner, and enjoy a high-octane romp through six levels of intense firefights, waves of merciless extraterrestrials gunning at you from tanks, airships, the walls - just about everywhere you can think of. Luckily you are able to carry two different firearms with you at all times, switching between them with a single button press. Roast their asses, hit them all at once with a wide-arc spreadshot, home in with heat-seeking rockets - and get your partner to do the same. Fill the screen with bullet hell and savour every second where at least one thing, it may be you, must die!

1:Mega Man X (SNES)
This is what happens when you take an awesome character and make him look cool - throw in some fine level design, RPG upgrade elements, an eclectic synth soundtrack that still rocks by today's standards, a set of timeless boss fights, unbeatable controls making dashing and wall-jumping a piece of cake, and a difficulty setting that is virtually perfect - there you have it: Mega Man X: arguably the best game in the world; my favourite game of all time!

I hope you enjoyed that =)

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Feedback
Aquas Aquas - May 14, 2008 (12:21 PM)
I did. Thank you. I gotta try Space Megaforce sometime.
Felix_Arabia Felix_Arabia - May 14, 2008 (03:01 PM)
Space Megaforce gets best by many SNES games easily.

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