The Super Nintendo produced a treasure trove of fantastic RPGs, a couple of which continue to be fondly remembered as some of the genre’s greatest masterpieces. The jump to 16-bit hardware allowed studios to craft immersive worlds capable of telling detailed storylines featuring expansive and personable characters. In some ways, many RPGs released during this era of gaming have aged better than the genre’s early 3D offerings found on the PlayStation 1, Nintendo 64, and Sega Saturn.
Picking the best RPGs on the Super Nintendo is far from a simple task, as the console offers versatility alongside consistency. The console is so stacked with quality, great games like Star Ocean, Bahamut Lagoon, and Live A Live have to settle for honorable mentions. Here are the best role-playing games on the SNES.
Updated December 13th, 2020 by Mark Sammut: When it comes to RPGs, no Nintendo console has been able to surpass the SNES. This generation helped shape the genre, introducing concepts that still hold relevance today while setting standards that most RPGs cannot hope to surpass. Some titles from this era undoubtedly show their age, but a number of SNES RPGs have stood the test of time remarkably well. With a library filled with this many masterpieces, there are plenty of RPGs that not only deserve to be remembered but should still be played today.
15 Tales Of Phantasia
Although later versions of the game did eventually make it to the West, Tales of Phantasia’s SNES iteration was a Japanese exclusive. Developed by Wolf Team, Tales of Phantasia launched a series that is still going strong today, with Tales of Arise expected to drop in 2021.
Tales of Phantasia gets a lot of things right: The story is epic, the soundtrack is fantastic, and the visuals are quite gorgeous. It also does not hold back on additional content like side quests. Unfortunately, this entry can be somewhat difficult to revisit in this day and age due to its brain-dead partner AI, which is a problem when the combat system requires three party members to pull their own weight in battle.
14 Shadowrun
Nintendo’s console amassed an impressive collection of JRPGs, but Western RPGs were somewhat rarer. Based on the tabletop game with the same name, Shadowrun plays out more like a ‘90s PC title than something typically found on the SNES.
Controlling like a point and click adventure and featuring a slow progression system, Shadowrun’s combat and gameplay are nothing more than serviceable and would kill most games with mediocre plots. Fortunately, Shadowrun’s world-building, cyberpunk aesthetic, and storytelling are top-notch, as the RPG crafts a universe bustling with personality and intrigue.
13 Secret Of Evermore
A spiritual successor to Secret of Mana, Secret of Evermore was made by SquareSoft’s North American team and centers around a boy and his dog who end up in a world with four unique regions. While the plot is nothing to write home about, the gameplay is very solid, mostly because it sticks close to the formula defined by Secret of Mana. Secret of Evermore also introduces Alchemy, a magic system that involves blending ingredients rather than using MP.
A difficult game that loves to periodically throw out an overwhelming boss fight, Secret of Evermore might not reach the same heights as the Mana games, but it comes very close.
12 Illusion Of Gaia
Out of the “Gaia” trilogy, Illusion of Gaia tends to get overshadowed by Soul Blazer and Terranigma, games that were more innovative and ambitious respectively. While Illusion of Gaia is relatively linear, Quintet’s release is still a very competent action-RPG that makes its simplicity work in its favor.
The game follows Will, a boy tasked by Gaia to visit various ruins to collect ancient dolls. In return, the deity grants Will the power to occasionally transform into Freedan or Shadow, who each come with their own strengths and weaknesses. Leveling up is also stripped down to simply defeating all the enemies in a dungeon’s room, which grants a jewel that can be used to improve one of three stats. These systems reflect Illusions of Gaia’s streamlined nature, as it is an action-RPG that stresses the former over the latter.
11 Lufia II: Rise Of The Sinistrals
A prequel to 1993’s Lufia & the Fortress of Doom, which is also a very solid JRPG, Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals explores the onset of the conflict between humankind and the titular gods.
Lufia II incorporates a turn-based battle system that, while relatively conventional, is implemented about as effectively as any JRPG from this era. Even if the game’s presentation and animation might not blow anyone away, Lufia II’s puzzles, varied dungeons, fascinating storyline, and memorable soundtrack will.
10 Terranigma
Released towards the tail end of the SNES’ life span and only in Japan and PAL regions, Terranigma is a fantastic action-RPG that might not be all that familiar to North American players. In this alternate reality, Earth has essentially been reduced to a frozen wasteland, with the exception of a solitary village; after an incident leaves nearly everyone in the town frozen, Ark – the youthful protagonist – heads out to resurrect the world and save his people.
Terranigma‘s combat uses a variant of a rock-paper-scissors system, albeit one that is not all that punishing. While there is magic in the form of consumable items, the RPG avoids bogging itself down with too many stats and spells, opting for a fast-paced battle system instead. The story is also pretty great.
9 Breath Of Fire II
Even though Capcom’s Breath of Fire series never quite reached the same heights as Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest, the license’s Super Nintendo entries are among the best RPGs on the console. 1993’s Breath of Fire is worth a playthrough, but its sequel adds a number of quality of life improvements that have allowed it to age more gracefully.
The story is only serviceable, but Breath of Fire II shines in its characters, town-building mechanic, the sheer quantity of content included, and turn-based battle system.
8 Super Mario RPG: Legend Of The Seven Stars
For a mascot that defined platformers, Mario has quite an impressive track record when it comes to RPGs. Developed by Square and serving as a precursor to the Paper Mario series, Super Mario RPG might just be the greatest entry-level RPG of all time.
By adding button prompts to an otherwise typical turn-based battle system, Super Mario RPG injects an element of immediacy to combat that complements the game’s heavy focus on adventuring and platforming.
7 Soul Blazer
Soul Blazer is the quintessential action-RPG. Assuming the role of a divine warrior, players must work their way through various dungeons to defeat a boss and free a soul that is being held captive. The combat is quick, simple, and entertaining; while the story is nothing particularly special, it is satisfying to see the towns improve as more and more souls are released. There is a constant sense of progression.
A tough game, Soul Blazer is still fun today, even if this type of RPG has been replicated ad nauseam over the last two decades.
6 Dragon Quest V
Dragon Quest V was not officially released outside of Japan until 2009’s Nintendo DS version, a practice that was unfortunately quite common with regards to the franchise’s SNES offerings. It should go without saying that Dragon Quest V is a great RPG, as the license’s main entries seldom put a foot wrong.
As this is Dragon Quest, the game is about as traditional as they come; however, Chunsoft spiced up the formula by including a fun monster-taming system and slightly speeding up the combat.
5 Ogre Battle: The March Of The Black Queen
Along with Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together, Ogre Battle: The March Of The Black Queen is rightfully regarded as one of the best tactical-RPGs ever made. Rather than exploration, Ogre Battle focuses on war management, as the player seeks to build an army consisting of various units of up to five fighters. Battles are strategic in nature, with units being assigned tactics to follow when they come up against an enemy group.
Ogre Battle features an impressive array of unlockable classes, an effective morality system, and branching storylines leading to over 10 alternate endings. It is a complete experience.
4 Secret Of Mana (& Trials Of Mana)
Alongside the Ys series, the Mana franchise played a leading role in establishing real-time action-RPGs as worthwhile alternatives to turn-based games. Although Trials of Mana is arguably better, Secret of Mana deserves this spot as it was more readily available due to actually being released outside of Japan before 2019.
Featuring three playable characters who complement each other perfectly and visuals that are still gorgeous, Secret of Mana can even be played in multiplayer, a feature that elevates a great RPG into a masterpiece.
3 EarthBound
EarthBound subverts elements of other RPGs while simultaneously offering a thoroughly enjoyable experience that makes great use of the genre’s staples. Rather than a fantasy setting, EarthBound takes place in a (relatively) realistic American-esque town and features a cast of relatable children.
While hardly lacking in humor, EarthBound‘s story is also introspective, mature, and thought-provoking. It is one of those games that leaves a permanent impression.
2 Final Fantasy VI
Despite being overshadowed by its successor, Final Fantasy VI is frequently cited as the franchise’s best entry. While perhaps not as groundbreaking as Final Fantasy VII, 1994’s RPG embodies the perfected form of the license’s pre-3D era. If it had a job system akin to Final Fantasy V, Final Fantasy VI would be untouchable.
Final Fantasy VI‘s Active Time Battle system almost represents the pinnacle of turn-based combat, the 14 playable characters offer a ton of customization options for the party, and the story is the strongest in the franchise. Newcomers to the series should consider starting with Final Fantasy VI.
1 Chrono Trigger
Chrono Trigger might be the best turn-based RPG of all time, a claim that is hardly made lightly. Featuring a battle system that improves upon the one found in Final Fantasy VI by adding some tactical and positional elements, Chrono Trigger succeeds in the arduous task of crafting an accessible experience capable of satisfying RPG newcomers and veterans.
The fantastically paced storyline can be completed in around 20 hours, and it makes great use of every single second; furthermore, the music, character designs, side-quests, and world-building are all top-notch. Chrono Trigger challenges the idea that there is no such thing as a perfect game.
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