Best SNES Games Tier List

A Link to the Past takes the top spot because its Light World and Dark World turn one Hyrule into two maps, and the best puzzles hide in the space between them. Super Metroid, also in S, is the natural second game: after a short narrated opening, music, sound and the creatures you meet carry its story without dialogue, and it is the blueprint the Metroidvania style grew from.

#1 on our boardSThe Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past1992

Flipping between the Light World and the Dark World turns one Hyrule into two maps, and the sharpest puzzles sit in the gap between them. It moves fast today, with secrets everywhere and almost no padding.

1. 2Super Metroid1994After a short narrated opening, Planet Zebes tells its story without dialogue, through music, sound and the creatures Samus meets while she collects new powers. This is the blueprint for the Metroidvania style, and it still plays beautifully.
2. 3Chrono Trigger1995A party pulled from across time teams up to save reality itself, and battles let heroes fuse their attacks into combo moves. Of the big SNES RPGs it is one of the easiest to buy today, on Steam and phones.
3. 4Super Mario World1991Yoshi and a world map full of branching paths and hidden exits made this SNES launch game feel enormous. Tracking down every secret exit is still the best way to play it.
4. 5Final Fantasy VI1994Sold in North America as Final Fantasy III, it splits a big ensemble cast across their own stories, then lets the heroes lose the fight for the world and regroup. The Pixel Remaster on PC, consoles and phones is the easy way in.
5. 6Yoshi's Island1995Nintendo built this Super Mario World follow-up around Yoshi instead of Mario, and its pastel, detailed art still looks like nothing else on the system. A gentle start that hides some very tricky late levels.
6. 7EarthBound1995A modern-day RPG with a strange, warm sense of humor that sold poorly in the US in 1995 and found its fans later. It is part of Nintendo Switch Online, so there is no need to chase an original cartridge.
7. 8Mega Man X1994Gave Mega Man a dash, wall climbing and hidden armor upgrades, and that faster movement still feels great in your hands. Mega Man X Legacy Collection has it on PC and every current console family.
8. 9Super Mario RPG1996Square and Nintendo's team-up turned Mario into a light, funny RPG hero and paved the way for Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi. The original has no current release, though the discontinued SNES Classic Edition includes it, and the 2023 Switch version is a separate remake.
9. 10Donkey Kong Country 21995Diddy and Dixie take over from Donkey Kong in a sequel crammed with secrets and one of the best soundtracks on the system. It is the high point of Rare's trilogy and the one to play first.

Nintendo Switch Online is the simplest route to the S tier: A Link to the Past, Super Metroid, Super Mario World, Yoshi's Island, EarthBound and Donkey Kong Country 2 are all included. Three S picks are sold instead, Chrono Trigger on Steam and phones, Final Fantasy VI as the Pixel Remaster and Mega Man X inside Mega Man X Legacy Collection. Super Mario RPG is the S pick with no current release: it is missing from Switch Online, the SNES Classic Edition that included it is discontinued, and the 2023 Switch game is a remake, so the original cartridge is the way to play it. One tip for Switch Online: Tetris Attack is listed there as Panel de Pon, its Japanese original.

Nintendo EAD made the most top SNES games, six in S or A, running from Super Mario World and Yoshi's Island to Super Mario Kart and F-Zero. Square ties Nintendo EAD with three S picks, released in three straight years from 1994 to 1996, and each fits a different mood: Final Fantasy VI for a large ensemble story, Chrono Trigger for combo attacks that fuse party members' moves, and Super Mario RPG for comedy.

Donkey Kong Country has the widest spread of any series here: Rare's first game sits in A, its sequel in S and the third in D, so if you play only one, make it Donkey Kong Country 2, where Diddy and Dixie take over. Super Mario is the safest series to play straight through, since Super Mario World, Super Mario RPG and Super Mario All-Stars all land in S or A. Final Fantasy collectors should check the box: the North American cartridges of Final Fantasy IV and VI were sold as Final Fantasy II and III.