Originally released in 1990, theSNESwas the second major home console released byNintendo,and their first to feature 16-bit graphics. Home to a wide variety of classic platformers and RPGs, the SNES originated several classic titles. Many believe its games to be some of the greatest of all time, such asEarthboundandChrono Trigger.
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While there are quite a lot of impactful and well-known games of the SNES, there are just as many hidden gems that many have never experienced. As an example, here are some of the most criminally underrated games that released for the SNES.
10Final Fantasy V
The SNES is home to several entries in theFinal Fantasyfranchise, with the most popular of the entries on the console beingFinal Fantasy IVandFinal Fantasy VI.However, theless appreciatedFinal Fantasy Vis an incredible entry in the series that fans often overlook.
With perhaps one of the most robust and customizable job systems of any game in the franchise,Final Fantasy Vallows players to train their characters how they see fit. They can form their own strategies and play however they please.
9Fire Emblem: Genealogy Of The Holy War
The fourth entry in theFire Emblemfranchise,Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy Waris a stellar tactical JRPG. However, those unfamiliar with the series' history have likely never heard of it. This obscurity is largely becauseGenealogy of the HolyWaronly ever officially released in Japan, greatly hindering its accessibility.
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Its epic story spans two generations of characters. The game is often lauded for not just its fine-tuned gameplay, but its engrossing writing as well.
8Zombies Ate My Neighbors
Zombies Ate My Neighborsis a cult-classic action game that doesn’t get nearly as much attention as it deserves. Developed by LucasArts, the game takes the form of a run-and-gun in which two players must work together to fight off various classic horror monsters throughout suburbia.
Luckily for those who’ve yet to experienceZombies Ate My Neighbors, the game is set to be rereleased for the Switch later this June.
7Kirby’s Dream Course
TheKirbyfranchise is best known for its platformers such asKirby SuperstarandKirby’s Dreamland 3, both of which released for the SNES. Alongside these standsKirby’s Dream Course,an incredibly underrated game for the console.
AKirbygolfing game,Kirby’s Dream Courseis a deceptively hectic yet deep experience. It’s filled with a variety of power-up and unique mechanics that make the most out of aKirbygame.
6Joe & Mac
While there are several great platformers for the SNES, surprisingly few for the console outside of theKirbyseries offer co-op gameplay. This title, though, is one of that does.
Released in 1991,Joe & Macis a prehistoric platformer that can be played in its entirety with two-players cooperatively. With solid level design,Joe & Macis among the most underrated platformers that was released for the SNES.
5Saturday Night Slam Masters
Released by Capcom in 1993,Saturday Night Slam Mastersis a pro-wrestling fighting game. It features character designs byFist of the North Starartist, Tetsuo Hara.
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This lesser-known title is set within the shared universe ofStreet FighterandFinal Fight, featuring Mike Haggar as one of its playable characters. The gameplay is a hybrid of what one may expect from a traditional wrestling game and a fighting game, making it an excellent pick for fans of either genre.
4Goof Troop
LikeZombies Ate My Neighbors,Goof Troopis an incredibly underrated co-op game for the SNES. Based off the Disney television series of the same name,Goof Troopis an action game that is designed around cooperatively solving puzzles with another player.
Many gamers associate licensed games with low quality. However,Goof Troopdoesn’t fall into this trap, and is instead one of the best co-of experiences the SNES has to offer.
3Captain Commando
Capcom developed a plethora of games for the SNES. Of the company’s releases for the console,Captain Commandois easily one of the most under-appreciated. An arcade-style beat-em-up starring a short-lived former Capcom mascot,Captain Commandois a flashy and highly stylized affair, oozing comic book flair.
Set within the same timeline asStreet Fighter, the game allows players to play as the namesake Captain Commando, a backwards-hat-wearing alien named Mack the Knife, a ninja named Ginzo, and a genius baby piloting a mechanized suit. Between its distinct characters and solid co-op gameplay,Captain Commandois one of the most underrated beat-em-ups for the SNES.
2Weaponlord
Released for the SNES in 1995,Weaponlordis, without question, one of the most underrated fighting games of all time. While the roster size is rather sparse by today’s standard’s,Weaponlordfeatures many mechanics that were before its time.
Like the previous entry, this weapon-based fighting game paved the way for games to come. It included innovative gameplay aspects for the time period, such as one’s weapons sustaining damage over the course of a battle.
1Sailor Moon S
Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon S: Jōgai Rantō!? Shuyaku Sōdatsusen,is often called simplySailor MoonSfor short. This fighting game for the SNES was based onSailor Moon, and never released outside of Japan. The game has garnered a cult following in competitive fighting game circles in recent years due to the game’s balance (or lack thereof).
Modern fighting game design leads characters and gameplay to be as fair and balanced as possible. On the other hand, each character inSailor Moon Sis broken in their own special ways. Characters can access combos with terrifying damage scaling. Some projectiles deal incredible damage even when they’re blocked. Other attacks can reduce half a player’s HP in one hit. There is truly no other fighting game quite likeSailor Moon S.
