SUPER NINTENDO GUIDE
The best Super Nintendo (SNES) games in 2026
Super Nintendo brought together one of the most important game catalogues of the 16-bit era, with platformers, adventures, RPGs, fighting games and some of Nintendo’s most influential titles.
We have selected seven titles that represent the variety, quality and historical importance of the SNES catalogue particularly well.
Quick selection
Best platformer
Super Mario World
Best adventure
A Link to the Past
Best exploration
Super Metroid
Best RPG
Chrono Trigger
What makes the Super Nintendo catalogue special?
Super Nintendo stood out by combining some of Nintendo’s most important franchises with an enormous variety of games developed by other companies.
Platformers such as Super Mario World, adventures such as A Link to the Past, exploration experiences such as Super Metroid and RPGs such as Chrono Trigger helped make its catalogue one of the most memorable of its generation.
Best platformer
Super Mario World
Super Mario World is one of the great benchmarks of the platforming genre and one of the most representative titles on Super Nintendo.
Why is it still worth playing?
Its level design, precise controls, secrets and variety make it tremendously enjoyable even decades later.
Ideal for
Players who want to discover SNES with an accessible, entertaining game full of secrets.
Highlights
- ✓ Excellent controls
- ✓ Outstanding level design
- ✓ Huge number of secrets
- ✓ Perfect introduction to SNES
Things to consider
- • It may feel relatively easy for experienced players
- • Some mechanics introduced in later Mario games did not exist yet
If you like this game: Donkey Kong Country 2 if you prefer a more challenging platformer.
Best adventure
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
A Link to the Past took the Zelda formula to one of its most important high points with exploration, dungeons, items and a huge world full of secrets.
Why is it still worth playing?
Its structure still works extraordinarily well, and many of its ideas remain present in modern games in the series.
Ideal for
Players who enjoy exploring, solving puzzles and discovering secrets.
Highlights
- ✓ Excellent world design
- ✓ Memorable dungeons
- ✓ Great sense of exploration
- ✓ One of the most influential Zelda games
Things to consider
- • Some secrets can be difficult to find without help
- • Its structure is more traditional than that of modern entries
If you like this game: Super Metroid if you want even more freedom to explore.
Best exploration
Super Metroid
Super Metroid invites players to explore the planet Zebes while discovering new abilities that gradually provide access to previously unreachable areas.
Why is it still worth playing?
Its map design, atmosphere and progression remain an absolute benchmark for games focused on exploration.
Ideal for
Players who enjoy discovering paths, secrets and upgrades on their own.
Highlights
- ✓ Outstanding exploration
- ✓ Excellent atmosphere
- ✓ Great map design
- ✓ Enormous influence on later video games
Things to consider
- • It can feel somewhat directionless at first
- • Some controls require a short adjustment period
If you like this game: A Link to the Past if you prefer a more structured adventure.
Best RPG
Chrono Trigger
Chrono Trigger combines time travel, turn-based combat and an especially memorable cast of characters.
Why is it still worth playing?
Its pacing, story and combat system mean it remains one of the most accessible and widely recognised classic JRPGs.
Ideal for
Players who want to discover one of the great Japanese RPGs of the 16-bit era.
Highlights
- ✓ Highly memorable story
- ✓ Excellent pacing
- ✓ Charismatic characters
- ✓ Accessible combat system
Things to consider
- • Original copies can reach high prices
- • Players who do not enjoy turn-based combat may prefer another genre
If you like this game: Final Fantasy VI if you want another of the great Super Nintendo JRPGs.
Best 2D platformer
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest
Donkey Kong Country 2 expanded on practically every element of the first game with more varied levels, more secrets and greater difficulty.
Why is it still worth playing?
It combines excellent level design with an audiovisual identity that continues to stand out within the SNES catalogue.
Ideal for
Players who want a classic platformer with a considerably greater challenge.
Highlights
- ✓ Excellent level design
- ✓ Great variety of environments
- ✓ Memorable soundtrack
- ✓ Good level of difficulty
Things to consider
- • Some levels can be quite demanding
- • Finding every secret requires patience
If you like this game: Super Mario World if you prefer a more accessible experience.
Best fighting game
Street Fighter II Turbo
Street Fighter II Turbo brought one of the most important fighting-game experiences of the 1990s to Super Nintendo.
Why is it still worth playing?
Its character roster, controls and competitive matches still perfectly represent the essence of classic fighting games.
Ideal for
Players who want quick matches and local battles against another person.
Highlights
- ✓ Excellent local multiplayer
- ✓ Highly recognisable characters
- ✓ Deep combat system
- ✓ Ideal for quick matches
Things to consider
- • Mastering moves and combos requires practice
- • It has less content than modern fighting games
If you like this game: Super Mario Kart if you want more accessible local competition.
Best multiplayer
Super Mario Kart
Super Mario Kart launched one of Nintendo’s most important racing series by combining driving, items and characters from the Mario universe.
Why is it still worth playing?
Although later entries greatly expanded the formula, the original remains a fundamental part of Nintendo’s history.
Ideal for
Players interested in discovering the origins of Mario Kart and enjoying local competition.
Highlights
- ✓ Great historical importance
- ✓ Fun local multiplayer
- ✓ Recognisable circuits
- ✓ Quick matches
Things to consider
- • Modern entries are much more comprehensive
- • The controls can feel different to players accustomed to modern Mario Kart games
If you like this game: Street Fighter II Turbo if you want more direct local competition.
Quick comparison
| Game | Genre | Players | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super Mario World | Platformer | 1–2 players | Best platformer |
| The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past | Action and adventure | 1 player | Best adventure |
| Super Metroid | Action and exploration | 1 player | Best exploration |
| Chrono Trigger | JRPG | 1 player | Best RPG |
| Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest | Platformer | 1–2 players | Best 2D platformer |
| Street Fighter II Turbo | Fighting | 1–2 players | Best fighting game |
| Super Mario Kart | Racing | 1–2 players | Best multiplayer |
Which one should you try first?
If you have never played Super Nintendo before, Super Mario World is probably the easiest starting point thanks to its controls, level design and accessibility.
If you prefer adventure and exploration, A Link to the Past and Super Metroid represent two of the console’s most important experiences.
If you are looking for an experience more focused on story and progression, Chrono Trigger is one of the strongest options in the catalogue.
Keep exploring
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Related Super Nintendo games
Some products from the RetroWorld Store catalogue related to this guide.
