Nintendo often included games with its consoles to attract buyers. The original Nintendo Entertainment System came with 10 games over its lifetime, but the Super Nintendo Entertainment System really boosted this, offering 19 games in various bundles. They even released a special Super Game Boy package that included a game. Many of these bundled SNES games were among the system’s most popular titles and helped drive sales, though a few weren’t as well-received. We’ve put together a ranking of all 19 bundled SNES games, based on how critics reviewed them at the time, how well they sold, and how popular they were overall.
19) Super Play Action Football
I remember getting Super Play Action Football with that old Super NES Competition Set – it came with a few other sports games. It was a sequel to the NES version, but honestly, it wasn’t the best football game out there at the time. Still, it was really fun and easy to pick up, way simpler than trying to learn a modern Madden game. Basically, you just ran towards the end zone, trying not to get tackled by a ton of players. It had three levels – high school, college, and pro – but because they didn’t have the licenses, it only featured the NFL players from back then, not any college teams.
18) Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball
Nintendo did something unique with the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) by including extra games in certain bundles. One of these was the SNES Control Set, which often came with a game like Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball. This baseball game was released for both the SNES and Game Boy and is a little different from most. Because of licensing issues, it featured accurate stadiums and teams, but all the players were fictional except for Ken Griffey Jr. Despite this, it was an enjoyable game, and the SNES version included a special Ken Griffey Jr. baseball card. While some players weren’t thrilled with the made-up player names, it remains a fun baseball game from that time period.
17) Tetris Attack
Nintendo created a special version of its console just for Toys “Я” Us, and it came with the game Tetris Attack. Despite sharing a name with Tetris, Tetris Attack is actually a completely different puzzle game. It was only called Tetris Attack outside of Japan because Nintendo licensed the Tetris name. Like Tetris, the game involves arranging colored blocks in rows or columns as they fall, but it has a fantasy theme. While it was successful and has been re-released several times, it’s not nearly as well-known as the original Tetris.
16) NHL Stanley Cup
When the Super NES Big Score Bundle launched, it included the hockey game NHL Stanley Cup along with two other sports titles. While the gameplay was comparable to other hockey games of the era, NHL Stanley Cup stood out because it used a 3D perspective, instead of the typical overhead view. This was a unique feature for the SNES, taking advantage of the console’s capabilities. Released in 1993, the game was officially licensed and featured all 26 NHL teams, including the newly added expansion teams.
15) F-Zero
The Super NES Competition Set included the game F-Zero, a fast-paced, futuristic racer. Released as one of the original games for the system, F-Zero let players race hovercars on 15 different tracks across three leagues. Its incredibly high speed set it apart from other racing games of the time, making it a hugely popular title and helping to bring the racing genre back to home consoles – a space largely dominated by arcade games at the time. F-Zero proved successful enough to launch a whole series of games, and it’s been re-released multiple times since its initial launch.
14) NCAA Basketball
The Super NES Control Set – Big Score Bundle also featured the basketball game NCAA Basketball (known as World League Basketball outside of North America). What set this game apart was its 3D player perspective, a feature that really showcased the SNES’s technical abilities. This perspective became a common feature in future basketball games, making NCAA Basketball a significant title in sports gaming. Developed by Sculptured Software alongside NHL Stanley Cup, both games shared this unique viewpoint. While a bit dated now, NCAA Basketball was a standout sports title for its time and remains enjoyable to play.
13) Super Tennis
Super Tennis was one of three games included in the Super NES Competition Set, and it’s a classic tennis game similar to others from that era. Players can choose from three modes – Doubles, World Circuit, and Singles – to compete against the computer or with a friend. The game features characters based on famous tennis pros from the early 1990s and was very popular when it came out. Many consider Super Tennis to be one of the best sports games available for the SNES, even though there were a lot of great options.
12) Stunt Race FX
The last game included in the Super NES Control Set – Big Score Bundle was Stunt Race FX, a racing game with cars that have animal-like features. It’s similar to the movie Cars, offering a variety of racing situations with three different types of vehicles. Players can enjoy obstacle courses, time trials, test drives, and two-player multiplayer races. Stunt Race FX was technically impressive for its time, pushing the limits of the SNES to display a large number of 3D polygons – more than many other racing games of that era.
11) Mario Paint
Those who appreciated creativity could get a copy of Mario Paint with the Super NES Mouse Controller when they purchased the Super NES Super Set. Today, it’s a basic graphics editor, animation tool, and music composer, drawing elements from Super Mario World. It also included a fun point-and-click game that really showcased the Mouse Controller. Mario Paint was incredibly popular, selling over 2.3 million copies and even getting a re-release planned for 2025. While it seems simple now, it was both remarkably entertaining and innovative when it first came out on the SNES.
10) Kirby Super Star
When Kirby Super Star was first released, Target sold a special bundle that included the game and a Super NES controller. However, the game was also available to purchase separately. It was famously advertised as “8 Games In One” because it’s essentially a collection of shorter games that share similar gameplay. Like other Kirby titles, it’s a side-scrolling platformer, but it offers a lot of variety, including levels that play like racing games and even a game with the exploration style of Metroidvania.
9) Super Mario All-Stars
Fans could get Super Mario All-Stars either as part of the Super NES Super Game Boy Set or the Super NES Mario Set. The game is a collection of four classic NES titles: Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, Super Mario Bros. 2, and Super Mario Bros. 3. For many, it was the first time to play The Lost Levels, which originally came out on a special disk system in Japan. All four games were remastered with improved graphics, music, physics, and a save feature, plus other small changes to make them even better than the originals.
8) Killer Instinct
Originally appearing in arcades, Killer Instinct became popular on the Super Nintendo and Game Boy. It was sold as part of the Super NES Killer Instinct Set and some Super NES Control Sets. The game was visually impressive for its time, offering better graphics and more complex gameplay than other fighting games. Matches were best two-out-of-three rounds, and players had two health bars. The game stood out with its use of combos and special moves to interrupt them. Killer Instinct was a commercial hit, leading to its release on multiple platforms and the creation of a long-running series.
7) Star Fox
Released in 1993, Star Fox was Nintendo’s first game to utilize 3D graphics on a home console, following the release of X on the Game Boy. It was even included as a bonus game with some versions of the Super NES Super Set, alongside Super Mario World. As the first installment in a still-running franchise, Star Fox was a major hit, selling over 4 million copies for the SNES. The game is a ‘rail shooter,’ meaning players are guided through levels while they shoot enemies and avoid obstacles, and it really showcased the console’s impressive graphics capabilities.
6) Super Mario Kart
When Super Mario Kart came out, it was incredibly popular, and Nintendo included it in several Super NES bundles. This game started a long-running series that continues on every Nintendo console to this day, and it was a massive success. It sold almost 9 million copies on the SNES, making it one of the system’s best-selling titles. Players race as iconic characters on karts across 20 different tracks and in a variety of race types. The game’s Battle Mode let players compete head-to-head, using power-ups to attack each other, and it’s still enjoyable to play over 30 years later.
5) The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Many Super Nintendo Entertainment System bundles came with a copy of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, making it very popular with players. As the third game in the Zelda series, it went back to the top-down perspective of the original Legend of Zelda on the NES, a change from the previous game. A Link to the Past is often ranked among the best Zelda titles and the best games on the SNES, which explains why Nintendo included it with so many console variations. The game was a huge success and helped ensure the Zelda series continued to deliver high-quality adventures.
4) Super Metroid
I first discovered Super Metroid when it was included in one of those classic Super NES controller packs, and I instantly fell in love! It’s the third game in the Metroid series, coming after Metroid II: Return of Samus on the Game Boy. You play as Samus, and the story is all about rescuing this little baby Metroid that’s been snatched by a space pirate. While it’s similar to the earlier games, the SNES really let them step things up. They added things like an automap and let you shoot in eight directions, which made everything so much more fluid and exciting. Honestly, it really took the Metroid series to a whole new level, and it’s still amazing to play even now!
3) Super Mario World
When the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) launched, Super Mario World was the game most often included with the console – often bundled with other games as well. While it maintained the classic Mario gameplay style, it featured several improvements. Players take on the role of Mario to rescue Princess Peach and Dinosaur Land from Bowser by completing a series of challenging platform levels. The game famously introduced Yoshi, who quickly became a popular and essential character in the Mario franchise. Yoshi added new gameplay options, including the ability to sacrifice him for an extra-high jump. It’s no surprise that Super Mario World is the best-selling game for the SNES, largely because it was included with nearly every console purchase.
2) Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island
Released alongside the Super NES console and controller, Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island improved upon the gameplay of the original Super Mario World. While both games are highly regarded, Yoshi’s Island is often considered slightly better thanks to its fresh and innovative mechanics centered around the character Yoshi. This game differs from most Mario titles by starring Yoshi, who must rescue baby Luigi after he’s kidnapped by an evil wizard. Yoshi’s Island was the first game to let players control Yoshi, and it remains a classic platformer just like its predecessor.
1) Donkey Kong Country
The Super NES Donkey Kong Set was a special bundle that included the game Donkey Kong Country and a helpful game guide. Many fans consider Donkey Kong Country to be the highlight of the Donkey Kong series, and it’s frequently ranked among the best games on the SNES. What made it stand out was its use of pre-rendered 3D graphics, which were unique for the console at the time. It quickly became a massive hit, selling over 9 million copies and becoming one of the best-selling SNES games ever.
What’s your favorite game that came with the Super Nintendo Entertainment System? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!
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2026-01-22 17:22