For me the SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System) was the beginning. It was where it all started. I'd played video games before it; I had the Atari 2600, Commodore 64, NES, SEGA Master System, and the SEGA Mega Drive. I loved them all greatly, and always will, they had so many new and unique games that I honestly don't think I can think of a time when I was bored even once during my childhood. But the SNES gave me something I hadn't really experienced before; it gave me the RPG.

RPG's existed well before the SNES, it's predecessor the NES has several good ones that although great games, unfortunately didn't grab my attention when I was that young. No, the RPG's on the SNES were something else entirely. Not only did they look much better, they also added so many new gameplay elements, involving storylines and gigantic worlds to explore. It's safe to say the SNES games made me what I am today, they left a lasting impression on me, one that now more than ever in a time when new games are produced more easily than a new pair of shoes, I am glad I still have.

I've written this article for three separate reasons. First, so that the younger generation that missed such a great time for RPG Games has a chance to experience some of the best. Secondly, so that those of you who have played some or all of these truly magnificent games can reminisce with me once more, and remember what gaming used to be, and finally for those of you who haven't ever really played a good RPG, but have always been curious to try. If I had to recommend a place to start, the following 10 games would most certainly be it.

10. Final Fantasy - Mystic Quest
Although FFMQ is named after the legendary Final Fantasy Series, it really isn't a Final Fantasy game. It was released first in the US to gain interest in the RPG Genre, and as such, is far less complicated than other RPG games. Naturally, that doesn't make it as good as some others you might play, but for me it was and always will be one of my favourites. If you're new to SNES RPG's and would like to get a feel for the environment, this is certainly a very good place to start.



9. Super Mario RPG
Everyone likes Mario, it's a household name and it always will be. But when people think of Mario they think of the 2D side-scroller platform game that took the world by storm all those years ago. Very few remember Super Mario RPG, which is a very sad thing for me, as this game was fantastic. They've taken everything that is good about a SNES RPG and added it to the Mario Universe. Combined with an action-packed story and some of the best turn based battles available, Super Mario RPG was awesome from start to finish, I mean…with Bowser as a playable character, who can resist right?


8. Illusion of Gaia (Illusion of Time PAL)
Illusion of Time is one of the very few SNES RPG's that doesn't use the turn based fighting system, instead they went for a more traditional approach, hack and slash. According to some, this drew away from the game, for me, it showed innovation and I think it was all the better for it. The storyline was rich and beautiful, the characters were loveable, and you kept coming back for more. (Ask anyone that played this game about the search for the red gems, if they have a seizure, comfort them by saying you never found them all either.)


7. Secret of Evermore
One word. Bazooka. Any game that gives you a Bazooka in the first 5 minutes of playing is a game that I'm going to have fun with. Unfortunately the Bazooka breaks soon after…but you get a dog and a bone instead…so like…that's cool.
Secret of Evermore and its sister Secret of Mana (below) were another of the few games that didn't involve turn based fighting. Instead, you attacked normally in real time, and were given a charge bar to aid. Whenever you attacked your charge bar would empty to 0%, and would start refilling. If you attacked whilst it was filling back up, you would only do that % of your intended damage. Fun and fast gameplay, time travel and a kickass storyline made this game one of the best ever made.


6. Secret of Mana
It's quite obvious that I have a special place in my heart for all of these games; but this one has a bigger chunk. Similar in gameplay and graphics to Secret of Evermore, it was simply set in another time, the memorable time of swords and sorcery. There were two outstanding features that completely blew me away back when I first played SoM, Magic Sprites that levelled up (They were awesome, they had names and all!) and co-operative play. Nothing is as much fun as playing your favourite RPG, side by side with your best mate, it's an awesome feeling, and it just can't be topped.


5. Breath of Fire 1 & 2
The Breath of Fire series was an amazing step in gaming history, taking the turn-based RPG's to a whole new level. Their secret? The world map; they incorporated so much more into the world map than all other games before it that it was hugely noticeable and added so much more life to the game. Another amazing component to the BoF series was the story. Yes, the story in most of these SNES RPG's are amazing, but this one grabbed me a lot more…having the ability to turn into a dragon had nothing to do with it…



4. Chrono Trigger
Chrono Trigger, a game known for it’s enthralling story and loveable characters is truly a benchmark in RPG history. Many of the games above, although fantastic, can feel very dated at times and for some people the experience is taken away slightly due to this. I think it’s impossible for the game to ever feel dated, it just has a way of sucking you in and not letting go until you’ve finished it. Hell, I’ve been known to start it again and make different choices just to see how they pan out. As with the next 3 games on my list, if your going to play any, play these.



3. Final Fantasy 3-6
I couldn’t fairly separate these games from one another because no single one of them is better than the other, and debating the fact is an argument that has existed for all of RPG history. Honestly, I probably can’t say anything here that you don’t already know, these are Final Fantasy games, they speak for themselves, and are among the best games in history. Play them, love them, and share them.




2. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.
Probably the most played game in my video game life, Zelda is another game that speaks for itself. Story was never the biggest part if the Zelda games, but even for a story monger like myself it didn’t matter, it made up for it with probably the best gameplay in the known world. Again, if you have never played this game, please, I beg you, go download it now and don’t stop playing for 24 hours, you’ll thank me later.




1. Lufia II - Rise of the Sinistrals (Lufia PAL)
Lufia is not just my favourite game on the SNES, Lufia is my favourite game period. I know that sounds like a pretty bold statement to make, but I say it with complete honesty. No other game has ever provided me an experience like Lufia, and I doubt highly that any ever will. Gameplay, graphics, sound, story, characters…not a single game in history can match what Lufia has, and it isn’t even one of those that makes this game so good. it’s the puzzles that give Lufia its reputation, known for having people stuck yet enthralled for months at a time on a single one. One such puzzle is still known today as the hardest in gaming history, and after months of trying I remember getting it and the feeling can never be matched. All that, and the famous ‘Hundred level dungeon’ which is almost an entire game in itself makes Lufia the number one SNES RPG on my list, and my number one game of all time.

Well, there you have it. The top ten games of my childhood, and in my opinion, the top ten games on the SNES. If you have any free time on your hands, all of these games can be downloaded from the internet freely (they are known as Roms) and can be played on a SNES Emulator. You can have them downloaded and playing within minutes of typing ‘SNES Roms’ into Google, but please be aware that unless you own the original cartridge of the game, they must be deleted within 24 hours. So go, stop reading about such fantastic icons in video game history and go see for yourself, and for those of you that have already experienced these gems, I hope that my writing has struck true, and that glorious memories are already starting to flood back into your mind.

Disclaimer - As mentioned above, all games downloaded in ‘ROM’ format must legally be deleted within 24 hours unless you own the original cartridges.

Also, please be aware that this Top Ten list is completely opinion based, meaning that these are my top ten games on the SNES, and nothing more. Please don’t spam the comment section below with how bad one of these games are, or how much better Breath of Fire is than Lufia, I’m not here to argue, I’m here to enlighten. ;D

~Nera