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[SonicMegaDrive]

That's right, another one of these guides. You can look at my other guides for NES and Genesis at these links). This time we'll take a look at one of the most popular systems of all time - The SNES.

This time, however, I'm not as familiar with the library as I was with the first two systems. The SNES may have some of the most famous games in history, but it also has some of the most obscure, over-looked games as well. That's where you come in. If you see a game that is ranked too high/low, point it out. I'm trying to make these lists as accurate and complete as possible. Same rules apply as last time. I have added an additional category for this system - Action RPG, since there's so many great and varied RPGs available for it.

On to the games...

Platformer
BEST: Super Mario World, Yoshi's Island, Super Mario All-Stars, Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts, Sparkster, Donkey Kong Country 1-3, Mega Man 7, Mega Man X 1-3, Kirby Superstar, Kirby's Dream Land 3
Good: Cool Spot, Super Bonk's Adventure, Super Adventure Island, Animaniacs, Maui Mallard, Out to Lunch, Plok, Claymates, Disney's Aladdin, Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster Busts Loose, The Magical Quest, Flintstones: Treasure of Sierra Madrock, Joe and Mac 1-2
Worth Playing: Inspector Gadget, The Lion King, Prehistorik Man, Aero the Acrobat 1-2, Zero: The Kamikaze Squirrel, Ardy Lightfoot, Mickey Mania, Kendo Rage, Chuck Rock, Super Putty, Soccer Kid, Bonkers, Blues Brothers, Izzy's Quest, Harley's Humongous Adventure, Gods, Pinocchio, Bubsy, An American Tail, Incantation, Mohawk & Headphone Jack, Congo's Caper, Chester Cheetah 1-2, Zool: Ninja of the 'Nth' Dimension, The Jetsons, Lawnmower Man, Daffy Duck: The Marvin Missions, The Jungle Book, Pac-in-Time, Pugsley's Scavenger Hunt, Oscar, Phantom 2040, Boogerman, Pink Goes to Hollywood, Porky Pig's Haunted Holiday, Road Runner: Death Valley Rally, Rocky Rodent, Skuljagger, Super Widget, , Adventures of Yogi Bear, Toy Story, The Great Circus Mystery, Smart Ball, Bugs Bunny: Rabbit Rampage,
Not for Everybody: Home Improvement, Michael Jordan in Chaos in the Windy City, Beauty and the Beast, Bobby's World, Eek! the Cat, Dennis the Menace, Speedy Gonzales, The Flintstones, The Incredible Hulk, The Adventures of Mighty Max, Magic Boy, James Bond Jr., The Addams Family, Bubsy II, Radical Rex, The Adventures of Dr. Franken, Mr. Nutz, Power Piggs of the Dark Ages, The Itchy and Scratchy Game, The Pagemaster, Rocko's Modern Life, Whizz, Realm, 3 Ninjas Kick Back, Tom & Jerry, Time Trax, Super Troll Island, Super James Pond, Aaahh!! Real Monsters, Hurricanes,
AVOID: The Wizard of Oz, Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle and Friends, We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story, Lethal Weapon, Happily Ever After, Wayne's World, Beethoven's 2nd, Ren & Stimpy Show: Buckaroo$, Ren & Stimpy Show: Fire Dogs, Ren & Stimpy Show: Time Warp, Ren & Stimpy Show: Veediots!,

Action
BEST: Super Metroid, Cybernator, Metal Warriors, Super Castlevania IV, Castlevania: Dracula X, Ninja Gaiden Trilogy, Goof Troop, The Ignition Factor, Earthworm Jim 1-2, Zombies Ate My Neighbors, Demon's Crest, Skyblazer, Hagane, Legend of the Mystical Ninja
Good: Run Saber, Magic Sword, Firestriker, Kid Klown in Crazy Chase, Spindizzy Worlds, SWAT Kats, Blackthorne, The Adventures of Batman and Robin, Actraiser 2, Indiana Jones' Greatest Adventures, Super Return of the Jedi, Super Empire Strikes Back, Taz-Mania
Worth Playing: Super Valis IV, Hook, X-Kaliber 2097, Alien 3, Dinocity, Spanky's Quest, Wolf Child, Spawn, The Untouchables, Super Star Wars, Marvel Super Heroes: War of the Gems, X-Men: Mutant Apocalpyse, Spawn, First Samurai
Not for Everybody: No Escape, Musya: Classic Japanese Tale of Horror, Metal Morph, The Mask, Frantic Flea, Lester the Unlikely, Wolverine: Adamantium Rage, Spider-Man: The Animated Series, Shien's Revenge, The Simpsons: Virtual Bart, Rex Ronan: Experimental Surgeon, Spider-Man & the X-Men: Arcade's Revenge
AVOID: Bebe's Kids, Family Dog, Batman Forever, Last Action Hero, Home Alone 1-2, Cliffhanger, Dream TV, The Incredible Crash Dummies, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Space Ace, Dragon's Lair, The Rocketeer, The Simpsons: Bart's Nightmare, Cool World, Toys, Terminator 2: Judgement Day,

Adventure
BEST: EVO the Search for Eden, Flashback, Out of This World,
Good: Nosferatu, SOS: Sink or Swim, Jurassic Park, Xardion, Stargate, Scooby-Doo Mystery, Beavis and Butthead,
Worth Playing: Prince of Persia 1-2, Equinox, Warlock, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space 9,
Not for Everybody: Pac-Man 2: The New Adventures, SeaQuest DSV,

Run & Gun
BEST: Contra III: The Alien Wars, Wild guns, Sunset Riders,
Good: Super Turrican 1-2, Operation Logic Bomb, Jurassic Park 2: The Chaos Continues, Robocop vs Terminator, Tin Star(SS6), B.O.B., Soldiers of Fortune,
Worth Playing: Judge Dredd, Demolition Man, Universal Soldier, True Lies, GunForce,
Not for Everybody: Time Slip, Time Cop, Terminator, Jim Power: The Lost Dimenstion in 3D, Doom Troopers,
AVOID: Robocop 3,

Traditional Shooter
BEST: Space Megaforce, UN Squadron, R-Type III, Gradius III, Axelay
Good: Darius Twin, BlaZeon, Super R-Type, Operation: Logic Bomb, Strike Gunner STG, Firepower 2000, Space Invaders, Imperium, Aero Fighters, Phalanx, Thunder Spirits, Raiden Trad,
Worth Playing: Super Nova, Super Earth Defense Force, Choplifter III, BioMetal, D-Force,

Non-Traditional Shooter
BEST: Star Fox, Super Smash TV, Pocky and Rocky, Metal Combat - Falcon's Revenge(SS6),
Good: Pocky and rocky 2, Ghoul Patrol, Firepower 2000, Mechwarrior, Mechwarrior 3050, Hyperzone, Battle Clash(SS6)
Worth Playing: Desert Strike, Urban Strike, Jungle Strike, Air Strike Patrol, Doom, Yoshi's Safari(SS6), Bazooka Blitzkrieg(SS6), T2: The Arcade Game, Super Scope 6(SS6),
Not for Everybody: Faceball 2000, X-Zone(SS6), Air Calvary, The Hunt for Red October, Wolfenstein 3D, Vortex, Spectre, Operation Thunderbolt, Lethal Enforcers,
AVOID: Warp Speed, Super Noah's Ark 3D, Revolution X,

Beat-em-up
BEST: Ninja Warriors, TMNT IV: Turtles in Time, Batman Returns, Final Fight Guy/Final Fight
Good: Knights of the Round, Captain Commando, Final Fight 2 & 3, King of Dragons, Battletoads in Battlemaniacs, Battletoads/Double Dragon, Super Double Dragon, Sonic Blast Man 1-2, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
Worth Playing: Combatribes, Pirates of Dark Water, Stone Protectors, Wild C.A.T.S., Death & Return of Superman, Legend, Rival Turf, Peace Keepers, Brawl Brothers, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers the Movie
Not for Everybody: Spider-Man/Venom in Maximum Carnage, Spider-Man/Venom in Separation Anxiety, Captain America and the Avengers, Cutthroat Island, Alien vs Predator

Fighting
BEST: Street Fighter II Turbo, Super Street Fighter II, Weaponlord, Mortal Kombat II
Good: Killer Instinct, Ultimate MK3, Mortal Kombat 3, TMNT: Tournament Fighters, Street Fighter II, World Heroes 1-2, Tuff E Nuff, Fatal Fury Special, C2: Judgement Clay, Clay Fighter: TE, Power Instinct,
Worth Playing: Street Fighter Alpha 2, King of the Monsters 1-2, Doomsday Warrior, Mortal Kombat, Ballz 3D, Samurai Showdown, Clay Fighter, Fatal Fury 2, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Fighting Edition, Justice League: Task Force
Not for Everybody: Fatal Fury, Fighter's History, Battle Blaze, Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story, Ranma 1/2: Hard Battle, Primal Rage, Power Moves,
AVOID: Brutal: Paws of Fury, Shaq Fu, Ultraman, Pit-Fighter, Ultimate Fighter, Rise of the Robots, Street Combat,

Arcade/Pinball
Good – They’re all Good Ms. Pac-Man, Frogger, Paperboy 2, Arkanoid - Doh it Again, Williams Arcade's Greatest Hits(Contains Sinistar, Defender, Defender II, Robotron, and Joust), Q*Bert 3, Pinball Dreams, Pinball Fantasies, Super Pinball: Behind the Mask



Traditional RPG/First Person RPGs
BEST: Chrono Trigger, Lufia II, Final Fantasy 2, Final Fantasy III, Super Mario RPG, Earthbound
Good: Lufia, Breath of Fire, Breath of Fire 2, Robotrek, Inindo: The Way of the Ninja
Worth Playing: Arcana, 7th Saga, Paladin's Quest, Might and Magic II-III, Wizardry V, Ultima: Runes of Virtue II, Ultima VI: The False Prophet, Ultima VII: The Black Gate, Final Fantasy: Mystic Quest
Not for Everybody: Eye of the Beholder, Drakkhen, Dungeon Master, Secret of the Stars
AVOID: Obitus

Action RPG/Overhead View Adventure
BEST: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Secret of Mana, Shadowrun, Super Adventure Island 2
Good: The Twisted Tales of Spike McFang, Ys 3: Wanderers from Ys, Illusion of Gaia, Soul Blazer, Super Ninja Boy,
Worth Playing: Brain Lord, Secret of Evermore, Lagoon, Dragon View
Not for Everybody: Young Merlin, Lord of the Rings vol 1, Big Sky Trooper, King Arthur & the Knights of Justice,

Strategy
BEST: Ogre Battle, Actraiser, Harvest Moon,
Good: Civilization, Rise of the Phoenix, SimCity, SimCity 2000, SimAnt, PTO 1-2, Operation Europe: Path to Victory, Uncharted Waters: New Horizons, Utopia, Romance of the 3 Kingdoms II-IV, King Arthur's World, Nobunga's Ambition, Metal Marines
Worth Playing: Gemfire, Aerobiz, Aerobiz Supersonic, Genghis Khan 2: Clan of the Gray Wolf, Rampart, SimEarth, Liberty or Death, Super Battletank 1-2, Uncharted Waters, Syndicate, Super Conflict, Star Trek: Star Fleet Academy, Populous, The Chessmaster,
Not for Everybody: War 2410, War 3010: The Revolution, Super Godzilla, Super Battleship, Carrier Aces,

Puzzle
BEST:Super Bomberman 2, Kirby's Avalanche, Tetris/Dr. Mario, Tetris Attack, Lemmings 1-2, The Lost Vikings 1-2,
Good: King Arthur's World, Equinox, On the Ball, Push Over, Super Bomberman, BreakThru!, Kablooey, Bust-a-Move, Mr. Do!, Super Buster Bros., Troddlers, Pieces, The Brainies,
Worth Playing: Zoop, Cacoma Knight, Yoshi's Cookie, Wario's Woods, Wild Snake, Super Alfred Chicken, Mickey's Ultimate Challenge, Tetris 2, Krusty's Super FunHouse, Pac-Attack,
Not for Everybody: Wordtris, Timon and Pumbaa's Jungle Games, Shanghai II: Dragon's Eye,
AVOID: The Great Waldo Search,

Flight Sim
BEST: Pilotwings
Good: Turn & Burn: No Fly Zone,
Worth Playing: Wing Commander, Wing Commander 2 - The Secret Missions, Lock-On,
Not for Everybody: Wings 2: Aces High, Super Strike Eagle,
AVOID: Steel Talons,

Driving
BEST: Super Mario Kart, F-Zero, Rock'n Roll Racing, Biker Mice From Mars, Micro Machines, Stunt Race FX, Top Gear
Good: Nigel Mansell's World Championship Racing, Street Racer, Uniracers, Top Gear 3000, Top Gear II, Battle Cars, Test Drive II: The Duel, Super Off-Road, Battle Grand Prix, Newman Haas Indy Car,
Worth Playing: Cannondale Cup, F1 Pole Position, Suzuka 8 Hours, Super Off-Road: The Baja, Super Chase HQ, GP-1 I-II, Speed Racer, Al Unser Jr.'s Road to the Top, Full Throttle Racing,
Not for Everybody: RPM Racing, Michael Andretti's Indy Car Challenge, Lamborghini American Challenge, Power rangers Zeo: Battle Racers, Outlander, Cyber Spin, F1 ROC 1-2, Kawasaki Superbike Challenge, Kawasaki Caribbean Challenge,
AVOID: ESPN Speed World, Kyle Petty No Fear Racing, Redline F-1 Race, Race Drivin', Road Riot 4WD,

Sports

Baseball
BEST:Ken Griffey Jr.'s Winning Run, Super Baseball Simulator 1.000
Good: Super Batter-Up, Tecmo Super Baseball, MLBPA Baseball, Ken Griffey Jr.Presents Major League Baseball, ESPN Baseball Tonight, Super Baseball 2020, Super Bases Loaded 1-3,
Worth Playing: Sporting News Baseball, Relief Pitcher, Hardball III, Extra Innings, Frank Thomas Big Hurt Baseball, Roger Clemens MVP Baseball,
Not for Everybody: Super RBI Baseball, Sports Illustrated...Baseball, Cal Ripken Jr. Baseball,
AVOID: Nolan Ryan Baseball,

Football
BEST: Tecmo Super Bowl I-III
Good: Madden(93-98), Bill Walsh College Football, College Football USA '97, NFL Football, NFL Quarterback Club(94-96),
Worth Playing: Space Football, Football Fury, John Madden Football,
Not for Everybody: Super Play Action Football, Emmitt Smith Football, NCAA Football, MVP Football, Sterling Sharpe's End 2 End, Sports Illustrated...Football, Pro Quarterback
AVOID: Troy Aikman NFL Football, Super High Impact, ABC Monday Night Football

Hockey
BEST: NHL '94
Good: NHL series(93-98), NHL Stanley Cup, ESPN National Hockey Night, Hit the Ice,
Worth Playing: Street Hockey '95, Brett Hull Hockey, Brett Hull '95,
Not for Everybody: Super Slap Shot, Pro Sport Hockey
AVOID: Wayne Gretzky and the NHLPA All*Stars

Basketball
BEST: NBA Jam Tournament Edition, Looney Tunes B-Ball, NBA Live series(95-98)
Good: NCAA Basketball, NBA Jam, College Slam, NBA Hang Time, Tecmo Super NBA Basketball, Bulls vs. Blazers and the NBA Playoffs,
Worth Playing: Jammit!, NBA Give 'n Go, NCAA Final Four Basketball
Not for Everybody: Super Slam Dunk, Barkley: Shut Up and Jam!, NBA Showdown
AVOID: RapJam Volume One, Bill Laimbeer's Combat Basketball, NBA All-Star Challenge,

Soccer
BEST:International Superstar Soccer I-II Deluxe,
Good: Mega Man Soccer, Super Soccer, Soccer Shootout, FIFA series(International, 96-97), Head-On Soccer,
Worth Playing: World Soccer '94, World Cup USA '94, Super Goal!, Super Goal! 2, Elite Soccer,
Not for Everybody: Tony Meola's Sidekick Soccer, Super Soccer Champ,
AVOID: World League Soccer, Championship Soccer '94, Champions World Class Soccer,

Golf
BEST: Kirby's Dream Course,
Good: True Golf Classics: Pebble Beach Golf, The Irem Skins Game, PGA series(European, Tour, '96)
Worth Playing: Wild 18 Golf, Waialae Country Club, Hal's Hole-in-One Golf,
Not for Everybody: Jack Nicklaus Golf,
AVOID: Mecarobot Golf,

Tennis
BEST: Super Tennis,
Good: Jimmy Connors Pro Tennis Tour
Worth Playing:Andre Agassi Tennis
Not for Everybody: David Crane's Amazing Tennis

Boxing
BEST: Super Punch-Out!!
Good: Riddick Rowe Boxing, TKO Super Championship Boxing,
Worth Playing: Chavez I-II, Foreman for Real,
Not for Everybody: Best of the Best, George Foreman's KO Boxing
AVOID:

Wrestling
BEST: Saturday Night Slammasters, WWF Royal Rumble,
Good: WWF: The Arcade Game,
Worth Playing: WWF Raw, Hammerlock Wrestling
Not for Everybody: WCW Super Brawl Wrestling,
AVOID: WWF Super Wrestlemania,

Olympics/Various/Extreme
BEST: Tiny Toon Adv:Wacky Sports Challenge
Good: Tommy Moe's Winter Extreme: Skiing & Snowboarding
Worth Playing: Super Aquatic Games, American Gladiators, Olympic Summer Games
Not for Everybody: Winter olympic games lilehammer 94, California Games II,
AVOID: Nickelodeon GUTS

Pool
BEST: Side Pocket
Good: Championship Pool
Worth Playing: Brunswick world tournament of champions

Fishin' Games! - No Ranking: Jimmy Houston's Bass Tournament USA, TNN Bass Tournament of Champions, Super Black Bass, Mark Davis' The Fishing Master, Mark Davis the fishing zone, Bass Masters Classic BattleClass, Bass Masters Classic: Pro Edition, Bassin's Super Black Bass 2

Other Sports
Super International Cricket - The only cricket game I've ever played. It was Good.
Super Bowling - The only SNES Bowling game, and it's Great.
Dig 'n Spike Volleyball & Hyper V-Ball - The only two volleyball games for SNES. Both are pretty poor, though Dig'n Spike is the better of the two.

No Ranking
Gameshow/Boardgame – Wheel of Fortune, Wheel of Fortune Deluxe Edition, Jeopardy!, Jeopardy! Deluxe Edition, Jeopardy! Sports Edition, Family feud, Clue, Monopoly
Gambling – Super Casino: Caesar's Palace, Super Caesar's Palace, Super Solitaire, Vegas Stakes
Educational - Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends, Mario's Early Years!: Fun with Letters, Mario's Early Years!: Fun with Numbers, Mario's Early Years!: Pre-School Fun, Mario Is Missing, Mario Paint, Mario's Time Machine, ACME Animation Factory, Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?, Where in Time Is Carmen Sandiego?, Barbie: Super Model, Barbie Vacation Adventure, Math Blasters Episode 1, Fun 'n Games
Fitness – Exertainment mountain bike Rally
Games About Diabetes – Packy & Marlon, Bronkie the Bronchiasaurus, Captain Novolin

 

[john tv]

Few notes:

- Personally, I'd stick Final Fight 1 / Final Fight Guy in with BEST.

- Lufia II should be in BEST, IMO. It's arguably the best RPG on the system. 7th Saga is a Worth Playing, at least, too. Secret of the Stars is garbage.

- "Ys 3: Wanderers from Ys" is one game.

 

[SonicMegaDrive]

Response to John TV:

Few notes:

- Personally, I'd stick Final Fight 1 / Final Fight Guy in with BEST.I thought about this. Final Fight is good, but it's pretty slow-paced compared to the other ones. Final Fight Guy is the best of the bunch, admitedly

- Lufia II should be in BEST, IMO. It's arguably the best RPG on the system. 7th Saga is a Worth Playing, at least, too. Secret of the Stars is garbage.Yeah, you have a point. It's looking a little too 'Square' at the top of the list anyway.

- "Ys 3: Wanderers from Ys" is one game. - Whoops. A Typo in there. Good eyes you have!

 

[levious]

You've got Cybernator in both Run n Gun and Action... I'd leave it in action and consider upping it to BEST.

I'd also suggest demoting Chuck Rock and Cool Spot one level each and promoting Zool and Lion King up to GOOD.

Thanks for the effort again.

Edit:

Also I think Earthworm Jim 1-2 and Zombies Ate My Neighbors should switch with Mystical Ninja and Ninja Gaiden Trilogy... not sure if you were reluctant to put Trilogy in BEST since it's just a port/collection.

 

[joshschw]

AVOID: Bill Laimbeer's Combat Basketball

who asked you?

 

[SonicMegaDrive]

Bump Bill Laimbeer?

I haven't played it since way back when the SNES first game out. Apparently, many don't like it because of the fact that it's TOO simplistic. So, perhaps it should be moved up to 'Not for Everybody' or higher?

 

[SonicMegaDrive]

You've got Cybernator in both Run n Gun and Action... I'd leave it in action and consider upping it to BEST.

I'd also suggest demoting Chuck Rock and Cool Spot one level each and promoting Zool and Lion King up to GOOD.

Thanks for the effort again, you should put up links to the other two threads.

Edit:

Also I think Earthworm Jim 1-2 and Zombies Ate My Neighbors should switch with Mystical Ninja and Ninja Gaiden Trilogy... not sure if you were reluctant to put Trilogy in BEST since it's just a port/collection.

Yeah, I was relunctant in putting Ninja Gaiden Trilogy under Best for that reason(Though that didn't stop me with Mario All-Stars. I like Mystical Ninja a lot, I'll put those both under Best. However, Zombies Ate My Neighbors should stay under BEST, I think.

As for Earthworm Jim...that's a toughie. EWJ is easily one of the best action games for the Genesis, but the SNES version wasn't quite as good.

Your other suggestions are good. Thanks!

 

[joshschw]

Bump Bill Laimbeer?

I haven't played it since way back when the SNES first game out. Apparently, many don't like it because of the fact that it's TOO simplistic. So, perhaps it should be moved up to 'Not for Everybody' or higher?

haha, beats me, I haven;t played it since I was little, I know I like it then tohugh

 

[Late Stage Marxist]

Representing Shadowrun and Actraiser!

 

[demi]

I've got about over 100 games and continually growing! SNES rox

 

[Dyne]

Basketball
BEST: NBA Jam Tournament Edition, Looney Tunes B-Ball, NBA Live series(95-98)
Good: NCAA Basketball, NBA Jam, College Slam, NBA Hang Time, Tecmo Super NBA Basketball, Bulls vs. Blazers and the NBA Playoffs,
Worth Playing: Jammit!, NBA Give 'n Go, NCAA Final Four Basketball
Not for Everybody: Super Slam Dunk, Barkley: Shut Up and Jam!,
AVOID: RapJam Volume One, Bill Laimbeer's Combat Basketball, NBA All-Star Challenge, NBA Showdown

NBA Showdown wasn't a complete abomination. While it was overshadowed a whole lot by it's Live successors, I still think it was a decent game. I'd move it to "Not For Everybody."

I'd also move Donkey Kong Country 1 and 2 to the "best" section and leave 3 in the "good" section.

Great list otherwise, I agree with everything.

 

[djtiesto]

There are lots of SNES fan translations as you know - you should add some of them to your list... put Live A Live on good to start

 

[jarrod]

Super Adventure Island 2 should be with the ARPGs. It's practically Monster World V.

 

[Screenboy]

Wheres Terranigma?


:'(

 

[drohne]

have you really played all these games? where do you find the time?

anyway, i can't find much to argue with in your lists. i'm glad to see high placements for some obscure classics, like hagane, skyblazer, and operation logic bomb.

pocky and rocky 1 really belongs in the "best" category for non-traditional shooters. and axelay should be a traditional shooter. and cybernator is a million times better than metal warriors.

 

[Link316]

Donkey Kong Country should be Not For Everybody

Metal Marines should be Good

and I dare you to do a Master System list

 

[Gazunta]

Driving
BEST: Super Mario Kart, F-Zero, Rock'n Roll Racing, Biker Mice From Mars, Micro Machines, Stunt Race FX

Fixed.

 

[speedpop]

Wheres Terranigma?


:'(

YES definitely needs to hit The Best.

 

[SonicMegaDrive]

There are lots of SNES fan translations as you know - you should add some of them to your list... put Live A Live on good to start

Nah. This is a North America-only release list.

Super Adventure Island 2 should be with the ARPGs. It's practically Monster World V.

Good point. I'll fix that.

Wheres Terranigma?


:'(

Regrettably, North America never got the third part in this the Soul Blazer trilogy. Damn shame too. Terranigma is many fan's favorite one.

have you really played all these games? where do you find the time?

anyway, i can't find much to argue with in your lists. i'm glad to see high placements for some obscure classics, like hagane, skyblazer, and operation logic bomb.

pocky and rocky 1 really belongs in the "best" category for non-traditional shooters. and axelay should be a traditional shooter. and cybernator is a million times better than metal warriors.

No, I didn't play every single game, though I have played pretty much all of the non-sports games. Much of the list was other people's judgement, including old magazines from 1991-1997, and general consensus on the internet.

As for Pocky and Rocky, I agree with that. I didn't think the second one was quite as good as the first, but the original definitely rocked. I'll also fix Cybernator. Although it came before Metal Warriors, most would agree that it had superior play control.

Donkey Kong Country should be Not For Everybody

Metal Marines should be Good

and I dare you to do a Master System list

Haha, I knew people would be divided over Donkey Kong Country. That's why I initially placed it under 'Good'. I personally think it's an above-average platformer with fantasic graphics.

Metal Marines moved to Good.

As for the Master System, who knows? If I feel up to making another one of these lists, that'll probably be the next one that I do. That, or Turbo Grafx 16('course....most games for that system are "Good" or better...ahem...). Just don't ask me to do Game Boy or Playstation. That would be rough.

Fixed.

Yes. Yes it is.

 

[human5892]

These threads are awesome. You should do some for current-gen machines too (well, maybe after a little while since there's still some good stuff that has yet to come out).

Especially with a machine like PSTwo, there's so much out there that it can be easy for stuff to get overlooked. A thread like this would really help.

 

[SonicMegaDrive]

I actually could do a PS2 list. I've got a pretty good consensus on what's good and what's not for that system, though, a lot of what is considered good nowadays conflicts with my own personal taste.

But then, that's not the point to these guides.

 

[SonicMegaDrive]

I also compiled this SNES release list, in case anybody's interested:

SNES Release List

August 1991
Super Mario World(Nintendo)
F-Zero(Nintendo)
Pilotwings(Nintendo)
Sim City(Nintendo/Maxis)
Gradius III(Konami)

September 1991
Chessmaster(Mindscape)
Drakkhen(Kemco)
Final Fight(Capcom)
Hal's Hole-in-One Golf(Hal)
HyperZone(Hal)
Populous(EA)
Super Bases Loaded(Jaleco)
Super R-Type(Irem)
U.N. Squadron(Capcom)

October 1991
Ultraman: Towards the Future(Bandai)

November 1991
ActRaiser(Enix)
Bill Laimbeer's Combat Basketball(Hudson)
Darius Twin(Taito)
Final Fantasy 2(Square)
John Madden's Football(EA)
Paperboy 2(Mindscape)
RPM Racing(Silicon & Synapse)
Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts(Capcom)
Super Tennis(Tonkin/Nintendo)
True Golf Classics: Waialae Country Club(T&E Soft)

December 1991
D-Force(Asmik)
Home Alone(THQ)
Lagoon(Kemco)
Super Baseball Simulator 1.000(Culture Brain)
Super Castlevania IV(Konami)
Super Off-Road(Tradewest)

January 1992
Joe & Mac: Caveman Ninja(Data East)
Super Earth Defense Force(Jaleco)
Wanderers From Y's III(Tonkin)

February 1992
Blastris/LazerBlazer(Nintendo)
Legend of the Mystical Ninja(Konami)
Nolan Ryan Baseball(Romstar)
Super Smash TV(Acclaim)

March 1992
The Addams Family(Ocean)
Extra Innings(Sony Imagesoft)
Lemmings(Sunsoft)
PGA Tour Golf(EA)
Pit-Fighter(THQ)
Smart Ball(Sony Imagesoft)
WWF Super Wrestlemania(Acclaim)

April 1992
Contra III: The Alien Wars(Konami)
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past(Nintendo)
Raiden Trad(Toei Animation/Culture Brain)
Rival Turf(Jaleco)
Super Adventure Island(Hudson)
Top Gear(Kemco)
True Golf Classics: Pebble Beach Golf Links(T&E Soft)
World League Soccer(Mindscape)
Xardion(Asmik)

May 1992
Arcana(Capcom/Hal)
Jack Nichlaus Golf(Tradewest)
Rocketeer(IGS/Disney)
Romance of the Three Kingdoms II(Koei)
Super Soccer(Tonkin/Nintendo)

June 1992
Krusty's Super Fun House(Acclaim)
Space Football(Triffix)
Super Battletank(Absolute)
Super Soccer Champ(Taito)
Thunder Spirits(Toshiba EMI)

July 1992
Clue(Parker Bros.)
Spanky's Quest(Natsume)
Street Fighter II: The World Warrior(Capcom)

August 1992
Kablooey(Kemco)
Magic Sword(Capcom)
Mario Paint(Nintendo)
Rampart(EA)
Soul Blazer(Enix)
Strike Gunner: S.T.G.(Athena)
Super Play Action Football(Nintendo)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turltes IV: Turtles in Time(Konami)

September 1992
Axelay(Konami)
DinoCity(Irem)
F1 ROC: Race of Champions(Seta)
Faceball 2000(Bulletproof Software)
George Foreman's KO Boxing(Acclaim)
Monopoly(Parker Bros)
Robocop 3(Ocean)
Roger Clemens' MVP Baseball(Acclaim)
Simpsons: Bart's Nightmare(THQ)
Super Bowling(Athena)
Super Mario Kart(Nintendo)
Wheel of Fortune: Featuring Vanna White(GameTek)

October 1992
Battle Clash(Nintendo)
Blazeon: The Bio-Cyborg Challenge(Atlus)
David Crane's Amazing Tennis(Absolute)
Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf(EA)
Final Fantasy Mystic Quest(Square)
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York(THQ)
Hook(Sony Imagesoft)
Irem Skins Game(Irem)
James Bond Jr(THQ)
King of the Monsters(Takara)
NCAA Basketball(Nintendo)
Phalanx: The Enforce Fighter A-144(Kemco)
Q*Bert 3(Vap/NTVIC)
Race Drivin'(THQ)
Skul Jagger: Revolt of the Westicans(American Softworks)
Space Megaforce(Toho)
Super Batter-Up(Namco)
Super Buster Bros.(Capcom)
Super Double Dragon(Tradewest)
TKO Super Championship Boxing(Sofel)
Wings 2: Aces High(Namco)

November 1992
Bazooka Blitzkrieg(Bandai)
Best of the Best Championship Karate(ElectroBrain)
Captain Novolin(Raya Systems)
Chuck Rock(Sony Imagesoft)
Cyber Spin(Takara)
Firepower 2000(Sunsoft)
GunForce(Irem)
Imperium(Titus)
John Madden Football '93(EA)
On the Ball(Taito)
Out of This World
Prince of Persia(Konami)
Road Riot 4WD(THQ)
Road Runner's Death Valley Rally(Sunsoft)
Spider-Man and the X-Men: Arcade's Revenge(Acclaim)
Super Star Wars(JVC/Nintendo)
Wing Commander(Mindscape)
Wordtris(Bullet Proof)
X-Zone(Kemco)

December 1992
Bulls vs Blazers and the NBA Playoffs(EA)
Cal Ripken Jr. Baseball(Mindscape)
Chester Cheetah: Too Cool to Fool(Kaneko)
Gemfire(Koei)
Goal!(Jaleco)
Gods(Mindscape)
Jeopardy! Featuring Alex Trebek(GameTek)
Jimmy Connors Pro Tennis Tour(UBISoft)
Lethal Weapon(Ocean)
The Magical Quest Starring Mickey Mouse(Capcom)
Musya: The Classic Japanes Tale of Horror(Seta)
NBA All-Star Challenge(Acclaim)
NHLPA Hockey '93(EA)
Pro Quarterback(Tradewest)
Push Over(Ocean)
Test Drive 2: The Duel(Accolade)
Warp Speed(Accolade)

January 1993
California Games 2(DTMC)
The Hunt for Red October(Hi-Tech)
Power Moves(Kaneko)
Uncharted Waters(Koei)

February 1993
The Addams Family: Pugsley's Scavenger Hunt(Ocean)
Aerobiz(Koei)
Cool World(Ocean)
Dragon's Lair(Data East)
Harley's Humongous Adventure(Hi-Tech)
Hit the Ice(Taito)
Shanghai 2: The Dragon's Eye(Activision)
Sim Earth(FCI)
Sonic Blastman(Taito)
Super Valis IV(Atlus)
Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster Busts Loose(Konami)

March 1993
Combatribes(Technos)
Doomsday Warrior(Renovation)
Inindo: Way of the Ninja(Koei)
King Arthur's World(Jaleco)
Spindizzy Worlds(Ascii)
Star Fox(Nintendo)
Super Conflict(Vic Tokai)
Super Strike Eagle(Asmik)
Tecmo Super NBA Basketball(Tecmo)

April 1993
American Gladiators(GameTek)
Batman Returns(Konami)
Battle Grand Prix(Hudson)
Brawl Brothers(Jaleco)
Cybernator(Konami)
Fatal Fury(Takara)
The Lost Vikings(Silicon & Synapse/Vikings)
Outlander(Mindscape)
Street Combat(Irem)
Super Ninja Boy(Culture Brain)
Terminator(Mindscape)
Tom and Jerry(Hi-Tech)
Toys(Absolute)
Wayne's World(THQ)

May 1993
Alien3(Acclaim)
Bubsy in Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind(Accolade)
Congo's Caper(Data East)
MechWarrior(Activision)
Shadowrun(Data East)
Super Black Bass(Hot*B)
Super Turrican(Seika)
Taz-Mania(Sunsoft)
Vegas Stakes(Nintendo)
Where in Time is Carmen Sandiego?(Hi-Tech)

June 1993
The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle and Friends(THQ)
B.O.B.(EA)
Battletoads in Battlemaniacs(Tradewest)
Blues Brothers(Kemco)
Cacoma Knight(Seta)
Dungeon Master(JVC)
Family Dog(Malibu Games)
The Great Waldo Search(THQ)
Kawasaki Caribbean Challenge(GameTek)
Mario is Missing!(Mindscape)
Pocky & Rocky(Natsume)
Super High Impact(Acclaim)
Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?(Hi-Tech)
Wolf Child(Virgin)
WWF Royal Rumble(Acclaim)
Yoshi's Cookie(Nintendo)

July 1993
Disney's Goof Troop(Capcom)
EVO: Search for Eden(Enix)
First Samurai(Kemco)
NFL Football(Konami)
Nigel Mensell's World Championship Racing(GameTek)
Super Baseball 2020(Tradewest)
Super James Pond(EA/American Softworks)
Super Slam Dunk(Virgin)

August 1993
Final Fight 2(Capcom)
Street Fighter II Turbo(Capcom)
Super Mario All-Stars(Nintendo)
Super Slap Shot(Virgin)

September 1993
7th Saga(Enix)
Alien vs Predator(Activision)
Boxing: Legends of the Ring(ElectroBrain)
Bram Stoker's Dracula(Sony Imagesoft)
Captain America & The Avengers(Mindscape/Data East)
Cool Spot(Virgin)
GP-1(Atlus)
Mecarobot Golf(Toho)
Mortal Kombat(Acclaim)
Operation Logic Bomb(Jaleco)
Plok(Tradewest)
PTO Pacific Theater of Operations(Koei)
Redline F-1 Racer(Absolute)
Rock 'N Roll Racing(Interplay)
Rocky Rodent(Irem)
Run Saber(Atlus)
Super Bomberman(Hudson)
Super Off-Road: The Baja(Tradewest)
Super Widget(Atlus)
Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends(THQ)
Top Gear 2(Kemco)
Tuff E Nuff(Jaleco)
Utopia: The Creation of a Nation(Jaleco)
Wing Commander: The Secret Missions(Mindscape)
World Heroes(Sunsoft)
Yoshi's Safari(Nintendo)
Zombies Ate My Neighbors(JVC/Konami)

October 1993
Aero the Acrobat(Sunsoft)
Battletoads & Double Dragon(Tradewest)
Cliffhanger(Sony Imagesoft)
Daffy Duck: The Marvin Missions(Sunsoft)
Family Feud(GameTek)
Football Fury(American Sammy)
The Incredible Crash Dummies(Acclaim)
Kendo Rage(Seta)
Last Action Hero(Sony Imagesoft)
Lock-On(Vic Tokai)
Madden NFL '94(EA)
NBA Showdown(EA)
NFL MVP Football
NHL '94(EA)
Pac-Attack(Namco)
Paladin's Quest(Enix)
The Ren & Stimpy Show: Veediots!(THQ)
The Secret of Mana(Square)
SimAnt(Maxis Software)
Sunset Riders(Konami)
Super Aqauatic Games starring the Aquabats(EA)
Super Caesar's Palace(Illusions Gaming Company/Coconuts)
Super Empire Strikes Back(JVC/Nintendo)
Troddlers(Seika)
True Golf: Wicked 18(BulletProof)
The Wizard of Oz(Seta)

November 1993
Actraiser 2(Enix)
BioMetal(Athena)
Championship Pool(Mindscape)
ClayFighter(Playmates)
Disney's Aladdin(Capcom)
International Tennis Tour(Taito)
Jurassic Park(Ocean)
Lamborghini: American Challenge(Titus)
Lawnmower Man(THQ)
NHL Stanley Cup(Nintendo)
Out to Lunch(Mindscape)
Pink Panther Goes to Hollywood(TekMagik)
Ranma 1/2: Hard Battle(Takara)
RoboCop vs Terminator(Virgin)
Steel Talons(Left Field Ent.)
Super Battleship(Mindscape)
Super Putty(US Gold)
Tecmo Super Bowl(Temco)
Terminator 2: Judgement Day(Acclaim)
Time Slip(Vic Tokai)
Tony Meola's Sidekick Soccer(ElectroBrain)
Total Carnage(Malibu Games)
We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story(Hi-Tech)

December 1993
ABC Monday Night Football(Data East)
Adventures of Dr. Franken(DTMC)
Art of Fighting(Takara)
Barbie Super Model(Hi-Tech)
Battle Blaze(American Sammy)
Battle Cars(Namco)
Beethoven's 2nd(Hi-Tech)
Dennis the Menace(Ocean)
Dig and Spike Volleyball(Hudson)
F1 Pole Position(UBISoft)
Genghis Khan 2(Koei)
Inspector Gadget(Hudson)
Jim Power: The Lost Dimension in 3D(ElectroBrain)
Lufia & The Fortress of Doom(Taito)
Mario's Time Machine(Mindscape)
Mega Man X(Capcom)
Metal Combat: Falcon's Revenge(Nintendo)
Metal Marines(Namco)
Nobunga's Ambition(Koei)
Romance of the Three Kingdoms III(Koei)
Side Pocket(Data East)
Soldiers of Fortune(Spectrum Holobyte)
Super Chase HQ(Taito)
Super Nova(Taito)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters(Konami)
World Soccer '94 Road to Glory(Atlus)

January 1994
Brett Hull Hockey(Accolade)
Choplifter III(Extreme)
Lester the Unlikely(Asmik)
Lethal Enforcers(Konami)
Riddick Bowe Boxing(Extreme)
Sky Blazer(Sony Imagesoft)
Super Battletank 2(Absolute)
Super Solitaire(Extreme)
Zool(GameTek)

February 1994
Alfred Chicken(Mindscape)
Bill Walsh College Football(EA)
Bugs Bunny Rabbit Rampage(Sunsoft)
Flashback: The Quest for Identity(US Gold)
Mickey's Ultimate Challenge(Hi-Tech)
Ninja Warriors(Taito)
Pro Sport Hockey(Jaleco)
Sports Illustrated Championship Football & Baseball(Malibu)
Super Bases Loaded 2(Jaleco)
Super Troll Islands(Kemco/American Softworks)
Terminator 2: The Arcade Game(Acclaim)
Turn and Burn: No-Fly Zone(Absolute)
Winter Olympic Games: Lillehammer '94(US Gold)
X-Kaliber 2097(Activision)

March 1994
Chester Cheetah: Wild Wild Quest(Kaneko)
Claymates(Playmates)
Equinox(Sony Imagesoft)
Flintstones: The Treasure of Sierra Madrock(Taito)
Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball(Nintendo)
MLBPA Baseball(EA)
NBA Jam(Acclaim)
Peace Keepers(Jaleco)
Star Trek: The Next Generation(Spectrum Holobyte)
Wolfenstein 3D(Imagineer)
Young Merlin(Virgin)

April 1994
Bebe's Kids(Mandingo)
Champions World Class Soccer(Acclaim)
Dream TV(Triffix)
Eye of the Beholder(Capcom)
Fatal Fury 2(Takara)
Joe & Mac 2: Lost in the Tropics(Data East)
King of Dragons(Capcom)
Knights of the Round(Capcom)
Legend(Seika)
Liberty or Death(Koei)
Mega Man Soccer(Capcom)
Pinball Dreams(GameTek)
Rocko's Modern Life: Spunky's Dangerous Day(Viacom)
SOS(Vic Tokai)
Super Goal! 2(Jaleco)
Super Metroid(Nintendo)
Time Trax(THQ)
Ultima VI: The Lost Prophet(FCI)
Wheel of Fortune Deluxe!(GameTek)
Wizardry V: Heart of the Maelstrom(Capcom)

May 1994
Andre Agassi Tennis(TecMagik)
ClayFighter: Tournament Edition(Playmates)
ESPN Baseball Tonight(Sony Imagesoft)
Jeopardy! Sports Edition(GameTek)
Pirates of Dark Water(Sunsoft)
Relief Pitcher(Left Field Ent.)
Rex Ronan: Experimental Surgeon(Raya Systems)
Space Ace(Absolute)
Spectre(Cybersoft)
Suzuka 8 Hours(Namco)

June 1994
Capcom's Soccer Shootout(Capcom)
Championship Soccer '94(Sony Imagesoft)
Charles Barkley: Shut Up and Jam!(Accolade)
Final Fight Guy(Capcom)
Hardball 3(Accolade)
Hyper V-Ball(Video System)
Jeopardy! Deluxe Edition(GameTek)
Jetsons: The Invasion of the Planet Pirates(Taito)
King of the Monsters 2(Takara)
Natsume Championship Wrestling(Natsume)
Operation Europe: Path to Victory(Koei)
The Ren & Stimpy Show: Fire Dogs(THQ)
Saturday Night Slammasters(Capcom)
Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers(Capcom)
Tommy Moe's Winter Extreme: Skiing & Snowboarding(ElectroBrain)
Twisted Tales of Spike McFang(BulletProof)
Ultimate Fighter(CultureBrain)
World Cup USA '94(US Gold)

July 1994
Disney's Beauty and the Beast(Hudson)
F1 ROC II: Race of Champions(Seta)
Stunt Race FX(Nintendo)
Super Godzilla(Toho)

August 1994
Adventures of Kid Kleets(Ocean)
Aerobiz Supersonic(Koei)
An American Tale: Fievel Goes West(Hudson)
Brain Lord(Enix)
Breath of Fire(Capcom/Square)
Death and Return of Superman(Sunsoft)
Disney's Jungle Book(Virgin/Disney)
Double Dragon V: The Shadow Falls(Tradewest)
Eek! The Cat(Ocean)
Elite Soccer(GameTek)
FIFA Soccer '96(EA)
Fighter's History(Data East)
Fun 'N' Games(Tradewest)
Incredible Hulk(US Gold)
Mr. Nutz(Ocean)
Tetris 2(Nintendo)
Troy Aikman NFL Football(Tradewest)
Untouchables(Ocean)

September 1994
Blackthorne(Interplay)
Illution of Gaia(Nintendo/Enix)
Kid Klown in Crazy Chase(Kemco)
Mario's Early Years: Fun With Numbers(Software Toolworks)
Michael Andretti's Indy Car Challenge(Bullet Proof)
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers(Bandai)
Mortal Kombat II(Acclaim)
Obitus(Bullet Proof)
Pac-Man 2: The New Adventures(Namco)
The Simpsons: Virtual Bart(Acclaim)
Spider-man & Venom: Maximum Carnage(Acclaim)
Super Bomberman 2(Hudson)
Tecmo Super Baseball(Tecmo)
Vortex(ElectroBrain)
Wild Snake(Spectrum Holobyte)
World Heroes 2(Takara)

October 1994
Adventures of Yogi Bear(Cybersoft)
Bonkers(Capcom)
Bubsy II(Accolade)
Disney's The Lion King(Virgin/Disney)
Earthworm Jim(Playmates)
Final Fantasy III(Square)
Firestriker(DTMC)
HammerLock Wrestling(Jaleco)
Indiana Jones' Greatest Adventures(JVC)
Lord of the Rings Volume 1(Interplay)
Mario's Early Years: Fun With Letters(Software Toolworks)
Math Blaster: Episode 1(Davidson)
Mickey & Minnie in the Great Circus Mystery(Capcom)
Mickey Mania(Sony Imagesoft)
Mountain Bike Rally(Life Fitness)
NBA Live '95(EA)
NCAA Football(Mindscape)
Nobunga's Ambition: Lords of Darkness(Koei)
Operation Thunderbolt(Taito)
Radical Rex(Activision)
Robotrek(Enix)
R-Type III(Irem)
Shaq Fu(EA)
Shien's Revenge(Vic Tokai)
Snow White: Happily Ever After(American Softworks)
Sparkster(Konami)
Super Adventure Island II(Hudson)
Super Punch-Out!!(Nintendo)
Super Return of the Jedi(JVC/Nintendo)
Uncharted Waters: New Horizons(Koei)

November 1994
ACME Animation Factory(Konami)
Aero Fighters(Video System)
Aero the Acrobat 2(Sunsoft)
Al Unser Jr's Road to the Top(Mindscape)
Animaniacs(Konami)
Ballz 3D(Accolade)
Bassin's Black Bass with Hank Parker(Hot*B)
Beavis and Butthead(Viacom)
Cannondale Cup(American Softworks)
Chavez Boxing 2(American Softworks)
Demon's Crest(Capcom)
Donkey Kong Country(Nintendo)
Dragon View(Kemco)
ESPN Speed World(Sony Imagesoft)
ESPN Sunday Night Football(Sony Imagesoft)
Ghoul Patrol(JVC)
Home Improvement(Absolute)
Jammit!(GTE)
Jurassic Park 2(Ocean)
Lemmings 2(Psygnosis)
Madden NFL '95(EA)
Mario's Early Years: Preschool(Software Toolworks)
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein(Sony Imagesoft)
Michael Jordan: Chaos in Windy City(EA)
Newman Hass Indy Car Racing(Acclaim)
NHL '95(EA)
Nickelodeon Guts(Viacom)
No Escape(Sony Imagesoft)
Pagemaster(Fox Interactive)
Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure(Activision)
Pocky & Rocky 2(Natsume)
The Ren & Stimpy Show: Time Warp(THQ)
Samurai Showdown(Takara)
Sonic Blastman 2(Taito)
Speed Racer(Accolade)
Stone Protectors(Kemco)
Street Hockey '95(GTE)
Super Bonk(Hudson)
Super Pinball: Behind the Mask(Nintendo)
Three Ninjas Kick Back(Sony Imagesoft)
Tin Star(Nintendo)
TNN Bass Tournament of Champions(American Softworks)
Ultima: Runes of Virtue 2(FCI)
Ultima VII: The Black Gate(FCI)
WCW: Super Brawl Wrestling(FCI)
Wolverine: Adamantium Rage(Acclaim)
WWF Raw(Acclaim)
X-Men: Mutant Apocalpyse(Capcom)
Zero: The Kamikaze Squirrel(Sunsoft)

December 1994
Super Mario All-Stars/Super Mario World(Nintendo)
Adventures of Batman & Robin(Konami)
Biker Mice From Mars(Konami)
Brutal Paws of Fury(Kemco)
ESPN Hockey Night(Sony Imagesoft)
GP-1 Part II(Atlus)
Hurricanes(US Gold)
Mega Man X2(Capcom)
Metal Morph(FCI)
Micro Machines(Ocean)
NFL Quarterback Club(Acclaim)
Pieces(Atlus)
Power Instinct(Atlus)
Rise of the Robots(Acclaim)
Star Trek: Star Fleet Academy(Interplay)
Street Racer(UBISoft)
Tetris & Dr. Mario(Nintendo)
The Tick(Fox Interactive)
Tiny Toon Adventures: Wacky Sports Challenge(Konami)
Uniracers(Nintendo)
Wario's Woods(Nintendo)

January 1995
Air Strike Patrol ASP(Seta)
BreakThru!(Spectrum Holobyte)
Brett Hull Hockey '95(Accolade)
Carrier Aces(Cybersoft)
ClayFighter 2: Judgement Clay(Playmates)
Full Throttle Racing(Cybersoft)
Ignition Factor(Jaleco)
Might and Magic III: Isles of Terra(FCI)
Pac-in-Time(Namco)
Rap Jam: Volume One(Mandingo)
SeaQuest DSV(Malibu)
Tecmo Super Bowl 2(Tecmo)

February 1995
Addams Family Values(Ocean)
Brandish(Koei)
Flintstones: The Movie(Ocean)
Kirby's Avalanche(Nintendo)
Kirby's Dream Course(Hal/Nintendo)
Looney Tunes B-Ball(Sunsoft)
Mighty Max(Ocean)
NBA Jam: Tournament Edition(Acclaim)
NCAA Final Four Basketball(Mindscape)
Pinball Fantasies(GameTek)
Rise of the Phoenix(Koei)
Spider-Man: The Animated Series(Acclaim)
Super Bases Loaded 3(Jaleco)
Top Gear 3000(Kemco)
True Lies(Acclaim)

March 1995
Bust-a-Move(Taito)
Itchy and Scratchy the Game(Acclaim)
Sterling Sharpe: End 2 End(Jaleco)
Warlock(Acclaim)

April 1995
Fatal Fury Special(Takara)
Kyle Petty's No Fear Racing(Midway)
Metal Warriors(Konami)
The Ren & Stimpy Show: Buckaroo$(THQ)
Stargate(Acclaim)
Time Cop(JVC)

May 1995
Ogre Battle(Enix)

June 1995
Air Cavalry(Cybersoft)
Bass Masters Classic(Malibu)
Earthbound(Nintendo)
Hagane: The Final Conflict(Hudson)
International Superstar Soccer(Konami)
Judge Dredd(Acclaim)
Jungle Strike(EA)
Justice League Task Force(Acclaim)
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers the Movie(Bandai)
Packy and Marlon(Raya Systems)
Phantom 2040(Viacom)
Sporting News Baseball(Hudson)
Super RBI Baseball(Time Warner)

July 1995
Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story(Acclaim)
King Arthur & The Knights of Justice(Enix)
Romance of the Three Kingdoms IV(Koei)
Tecmo's Secret of the Stars(Tecmo)
Wild Guns(Natsume)

August 1995
Batman Forever(Acclaim)
Captain Commando(Capcom)
Chrono Trigger(Square)
Demolition Man(Acclaim)
Killer Instinct(Nintendo)
Ninja Gaiden Trilogy(Tecmo)
Primal Rage(Time Warner)
Speedy Gonzales: Los Gatos Bandidos(Sunsoft)
SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron(Hudson)

September 1995
Bronkie(Raya Systems)
Castlevania: Dracula X(Konami)
Doom(Williams)
Foreman For Real(Acclaim)
Head-On Soccer(US Gold)
Mega Man 7(Capcom)
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Fighting Edition(Bandai)
NHL '96(EA)
Star Trek: Deep Space 9(Playmates)
Weapon Lord(Namco)

October 1995
Big Sky Trooper(JVC)
The Mask(Black Pearl)
MechWarrior 3050(Activision)
Mortal Kombat 3(Williams)
NBA Live '96(EA)
Nosferatu(Seta)
Porky Pig's Haunted Holiday(Sunsoft)
Secret of Evermore(Square)
Spawn(Acclaim)
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island(Nintendo)
Tecmo Super Bowl 3(Tecmo)

November 1995
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters(Viacom)
Civilization(Asmik)
Dirt Trax FX(Nintendo)
Earthworm Jim 2(Playmates)
Emmitt Smith Football(JVC)
FIFA International Soccer(EA)
Frank Thomas' Big Hurt Baseball(Acclaim)
International Superstar Soccer Deluxe(Konami)
Izzy's Quest for the Olympic Rings(US Gold)
Jimmy Houston's Bass Tournament USA(American Sammy)
Madden NFL '96(EA)
Mutant Chronicles Doom Troopers(Playmates)
NBA Give'N Go(Konami)
NFL Quarterback Club '96(Acclaim)
Scooby-Doo Mystery(Acclaim)
Spider-Man & Venom: Separation Anxiety(Acclaim)
Super Turrican 2(Ocean)
Urban Strike(EA)
Wild C.A.T.S.(Playmates)
WWF Wrestlemania: The Arcade Game(Acclaim)

December 1995
Boogerman: A Pick and Flick Adventure(Interplay)
Breath of Fire 2(Capcom)
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest(Nintendo)
Kawasaki Superbike Challenge(Time Warner)
Mega Man X3(Capcom)
PTO 2(Koei)
Revolution X(Acclaim)
Syndicate(Ocean)
Toy Story(Disney)
War 2410(Advanced Productions)
Wayne Gretzky Hockey NHLPA All-Stars(Time Warner)

January 1996
Final Fight 3(capcom)
PGA Tour '96(EA)
Prehistorik Man(Titus)
SOS Sink or Swim(Titus)
Zoop(Viacom)

February 1996
Ardy Lightfoot(Titus)
College Slam Basketball(Acclaim)

March 1996
CutThroat Island(Acclaim)

April 1996
The Brainies(Titus)
Frantic Flea(GameTek)
Mark Davis' The Fishing Master(Natsume)

May 1996
Power Piggs of the Dark Ages(Titus)
Super Mario RPG(Square/Nintendo)

June 1996
Ken Griffey Jr's Winning Run(Nintendo)
Olympic Summer Games(Black Pearl)

July 1996
Bass Masters Classic Pro Edition(Black Pearl)

August 1996
Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals(Taito)
Magic Boy(JVC)
Mohawk and Headphone Jack(Black Pearl)
Tetris Attack(Nintendo)

September 1996
Kirby Superstar(Hal/Nintendo)
Ms. Pac-Man(Midway)
PGA European Tour(EA)
Power Rangers Zeo: Battle Racers(Namco)

October 1996
Madden NFL '97(EA)
NHL '97(EA)
Oscar(Titus)
Prince of Persia 2: The Shadow and the Flame(Titus)
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3(Williams)
War 3010: The Revolution(Advanced Productions)
Williams Arcade's Greatest Hits(Williams)

November 1996
Donkey Kong Country 3(Nintendo)
Marvel Super Heroes: War of the Gems(Capcom)
Maui Mallard in Cold Shadown(Disney/Nintendo)
NBA Hang Time(Midway)
Pinocchio(Disney/Nintendo)
SimCity 2000(Black Pearl)
Street Fighter Alpha 2(Nintendo/Capcom)
Timon & Pumbaa's Jungle Games(Disney/Nintendo)
Whizz(Titus)

December 1996
Casper(Ocean)
College Football USA '97(EA)
Incantation(Titus)
Mr. Do!(Black Pearl)
NBA Live '97(EA)
Realm(Titus)

May 1997
The Lost Vikings 2(Interplay)

June 1997
Harvest Moon(Natsume)

August 1997
Arcade's Greatest Hits: Atari Collection(Midway)
Brunswick Bowling(Black Pearl)

November 1997
Arkanoid: Doh it Again(Nintendo/Taito)
Kirby's Dream Land 3(Hal/Nintendo)
Madden NFL '98(EA)
NBA Live '98(EA)
NHL '98(EA)
Space Invaders(Taito)

November 1998
Frogger(Majesco)

 

[jarrod]

Holy crap, great list! How about adding publishers?

 

[Father_Brain]

Right now, I'm playing through Illusion of Gaia, and it just isn't fun. (I'm at Mu, BTW.) I doubt the story will improve, but does combat ever get more complex? Do later levels have clever, Zelda-style puzzles? Someone tell me.

 

[order#66]

What a list! With alot of talk recently of best launch line up ever people should really take a look at the snes launch window and remeber the golden days of pack in games and two controllers in the box.

 

[SonicMegaDrive]

Hey, there's my SNES thread. Sorry, I didn't see your comment there, Jarrod.

I'll add the publishers. That won't take long.

 

[The Bookerman]

Wrestling
BEST: Saturday Night Slammasters, WWF Royal Rumble,
Good: WWF Raw
Worth Playing: WWF: The Arcade Game, Hammerlock Wrestling
Not for Everybody: WCW Super Brawl Wrestling,
AVOID: WWF Super Wrestlemania,

Fixed: WWF The arcade game was a flawed game. WWF Raw was a sequel to Royal Rumble and it was great, but it didn't have Ric Flair and it had rediculous super moves (like Bam Bam Bigelow doing a human rocket off the ropes.)

 

[demi]

Right now, I'm playing through Illusion of Gaia, and it just isn't fun. (I'm at Mu, BTW.) I doubt the story will improve, but does combat ever get more complex? Do later levels have clever, Zelda-style puzzles? Someone tell me.

You kill god.

 

[Father_Brain]

You kill god.

That doesn't really answer my question.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

i didnt' look through the whole list, but i pray to god you have Super Punch-Out on there somewhere.

 

[demi]

That doesn't really answer my question.

You kill god, with finesse in every blow.




JUST FUCKING PLAY IT YOU PUSSY

It's only a SNES game how long should the crap take?

 

[SonicMegaDrive]

Added companies to the Release Date List.

That's an easy way to find a good game to play. Usually it goes,

Capcom/Konami/Jaleco/Namco/Hudson/Taito/Natsume/Square = Good.

Acclaim/Hi-Tech/THQ/Accolade/Aboslute/Activision/Sony Imagesoft = Bad.


You'll also notice that early on the the SNES' life that most of the games were from Japan. However, towards the end a vast percentage of games started coming out from American and European Developers. The same can be said for the Sega Genesis.

 

[Ranger X]

Platformer, AVOID: Captain Novolin

Try it on rom or something, you'll die!! lol