6 Best SNES RPGs That Still Hold Up Today

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The Super Nintendo was a fantastic console for role-playing game (RPG) lovers, and its popularity helped the genre become incredibly successful. Some would say only PlayStation 2 owners had more options! There are many RPGs available for the SNES, but not all of them hold up well today. That’s understandable considering they were released around thirty years ago, and game design has improved a lot since then. However, a handful of these classic games are still enjoyable and worth playing now.

Here are six SNES RPGs that have stood the test of time.

6) Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen

While technically a tactical game rather than a typical RPG, Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen offers a compelling narrative. If you’re unfamiliar with it, imagine games like Fire Emblem or Final Fantasy Tactics. The story is captivating, similar to the best seasons of Game of Thrones, filled with complex political maneuvering and interwoven plots that will keep you engaged.

Plus, the game’s gameplay is truly excellent – some of the best available on the system. Ogre Battle offers a level of strategic depth you won’t find in many other games. For a while, it was fairly easy to access, thanks to its release on the Wii’s Virtual Console. However, it hasn’t yet been added to the Nintendo Switch Online service, and many players are hoping that will change in the future.

5) Super Mario RPG

For Nintendo fans, Super Mario RPG felt like a wish fulfilled. Nintendo teamed up with Square – the creators of the famous Final Fantasy games – to make a role-playing game featuring Super Mario characters. It was a fantastic collaboration, and Square truly succeeded, creating one of the best RPGs of its time.

What really made Super Mario RPG so popular wasn’t just its traditional role-playing gameplay and story. Square Enix brought a lot of humor to the game, making it one of the funniest on the system. It also featured memorable new characters, like Geno, and influenced the direction of future Mario RPGs. Now, with the 2023 remake on Switch, it’s simpler than ever to experience the game.

4) Earthbound

Unlike most role-playing games of its time, Earthbound didn’t rely on traditional fantasy settings. Instead, it created a quirky world inspired by 1950s America, with surprising elements of science fiction and horror. This was a daring move for Nintendo, and it proved to be a huge success.

EarthBound is a unique game that won’t appeal to everyone, but those who love it really love it. Fans constantly ask Nintendo to translate and release a potential sequel, and for good reason! It’s a fantastic game, and a great place to start if you’re new to role-playing games.

3) Secret of Mana

If you’re new to RPGs, Secret of Mana is another excellent choice, but it stands out for a different reason. This classic action RPG from Square lets up to three players team up and play together, making it perfect for those who want to experience the game with friends.

Beyond all of that, Secret of Mana is simply a fantastic game. It’s beautiful to look at and features a large, captivating story set in a vibrant world with memorable characters and enemies. It’s hard to ask for much more from a game, and the ability to play with friends just makes this already great RPG even better.

2) Final Fantasy VI

Final Fantasy VI holds a significant place in gaming history for several reasons. It was the last Final Fantasy game developed for Nintendo before Square transitioned to Sony’s PlayStation. This move happened because Nintendo chose not to adopt CD technology for its new Nintendo 64 console, prompting Square to seek a platform that did.

This is the final Final Fantasy game to use 2D graphics. Final Fantasy VII moved the series into 3D, and it became even more popular. But this 2D game still holds a special place for many fans. Plus, Kefka Palazzo is widely considered the best villain in the entire series. Hopefully, a remake will be announced soon.

1) Chrono Trigger

Chrono Trigger is widely considered one of the best video games ever made. This time-traveling RPG is full of unexpected moments, and with its many different endings, you’ll want to play it again and again. For anyone looking for a classic 16-bit RPG experience, Chrono Trigger is the perfect place to start.

Even though Chrono Trigger is widely considered a masterpiece, Square Enix hasn’t seemed interested in turning it into a major franchise. There was one spin-off released only in Japan and a single sequel, but since then, there’s been no further development. Considering Square Enix’s history of creating numerous Final Fantasy games, this lack of follow-up is surprising. A third Chrono Trigger game is unlikely, but it would be a massive win for its dedicated fans.

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2026-03-21 01:10