For anyone who has been following this blog (or my other RR actives) long enough, you know by now that my love for the original NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) runs strong, and deep. I've written a tribute to my childhood memories of the console (which I may revisit someday). I've also written pieces on my all-time Top Favorite games (many of which are NES), and my Top Favorite NES games specifically. The NES is unquestionably my favorite system of all time, it's what really made me a "gamer", and it will forever be the system I am most fond of, and nostalgic for.
But honestly, while I had a Game Boy first, and love many games on that portable classic (which I'll likely write a Top Favorite list on someday as well), the Super Nintendo, or SNES, is my second favorite console of all time. My original experience with it was sadly fairly limited, as I didn't get a used hand-me-down SNES from a cousin until around Christmas 1995. I had been able to dabble and experience little bites of 16-bit glory, the handful of times I was given money and allowed to walk down (by MYSELF no less) to our local All The Best Video store, which had a game station where you could pay to play as many games as you wanted on their consoles for a certain amount of time (in my case usually only like a half an hour). But this was the first time I had unlimited access to a SNES of my own, so that I could fully immerse myself in that experience other kids had been having since 1991. I was still thrilled to FINALLY get one all my own, though by the time I had one, the Sega Saturn and Sony Playstation were already the new thing, and the Nintendo 64 was not far on the horizon.
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| For many, this game WAS the SNES. |
Where I had enjoyed several years growing up with the NES (which thankfully got new games through the end of 1994), for multiple reasons, I only wound up having my SNES for what amounted to probably less than two years. I was super late to the party to be playing games like Super Mario World, Mario Paint, and Sim City, which I believe were the three games my system came with. But I still enjoyed them a lot, even if I still loved my beloved Super Mario Bros. 3 more than SMB4 (World). The very first game I got "new" (as in new to me, retail from a store), was when at some point in early-ish 1996, I talked my mother into buying me Final Fantasy: Mystic Quest, from K-B Toys for $20. I loved that game too, as it was my first RPG experience outside of FF1 on NES, and games like Times of Lore and Sorcerian on PC DOS.
I was blown away by other games I was late to the party for, such as Super Castlevania IV, Super Metroid, Super Ghouls n Ghosts, Super Mario Kart, and Donkey Kong Country. As well as games I rented (either by myself or with my friend Harold), such as Super Turrican 2, Chrono Trigger, and Super Mario RPG. I also borrowed what would become my fav. rpg of all time, Final Fantasy II (known as FFIV in Japan) from a friend. That experience alone was epic to me. At some point a different friend of mine also seemingly gave me several of his games, as I recall, which included something like Mortal Kombat, but also obscure games like D-Force and Hyper Zone. One of the GREATEST treasures I got during my SNES-owning period, was when I got a Super Game Boy, which allowed me to play my handful of Game Boy games on my TV, which blew me away, and allowed me to experience them "anew".
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| One of my lesser SNES rentals. |
Ultimately, my original SNES era came to an end, mostly by my own hand, as a bunch of shit was going down in my life around Summer 1997, and I was going through an odd teenage period where I was getting rid of various things. For whatever combination of reasons, I decided to give my SNES (along with all my games AND my Super Game Boy and GB games), to Harold's brother William (also a long-time friend of mine), who lived up in the boonies, and at that point only had an NES still. While William would take (mostly) good care of that SNES, and would eventually even give most of it (that he still had) back to me years later once he had gotten himself a Playstation, tragedy also struck around the same time. My beloved NES, which unlike my SNES and GB I was determined to hold onto, during a transitional period at age 15 where I didn't have a set place to stay, I made the unfortunate decision of having a friend hold on to my NES, games and accessories for me, only for awhile. But because he was also in a tight spot, the dumbass wound up pawning all my NES shit, probably just for enough to get a few meals. So a lot of my OG NES stuff, the love and pride of my pre-teen years, was gone.
But, that's enough about that. The POINT was, that my original teenage SNES experience was relatively short. But I experienced enough during that time, to already gain several favorites. And thanks to some cheap early 2000s game collecting (before prices got ridiculous later on), as well as the magick that is emulation, I discovered more favorites over time. And that's what we're really here to talk about, after all! So without further fanfare, here is a list of what I consider to be my Top Favorite SNES Games!
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1 – Game: Final Fantasy II (IV), Publisher: Squaresoft, Originally Released: 1991
While there are several strong contenders, at the end of the day, there simply is not another Super Nintendo game that I am more fond of, or nostalgic over, than what I originally knew and experienced as "Final Fantasy II". Skipping over a needless explanation on 90s Squaresoft's silly North American naming practices, simply put, this game is a masterpiece. It was a launch window title for the Super NES, the first big RPG the system really got, and in my humble estimation, it started out with the greatest role playing video game ever crafted.
I originally experienced several spoiler-laden hours of this game, one night when I spent the night at Harold's house. He had some other friends over, and one of them had brought FF2 with him, which he commenced playing, as stated, into the wee morning hours. I, being something of a young video game addict, and having thoroughly enjoyed my own experiences with FF1 on NES, naturally stayed up watching him play. I found myself very intrigued, and the game definitely left a lasting impression on me. But many months (and a couple moves later, don't ask) after I finally got my own SNES, I borrowed FF2 off an acquaintance, and for the first time got to sit down and really experience it for myself, from beginning to end. And let me tell you, even with those previous spoilers I had been privy to, it didn't dampen the experience one bit. In point of fact, my playthrough with FF2 stands out, to this day, as one of the greatest, most fun times I have ever had, playing a video game, in my entire life.
There was nothing (and is still nothing) I don't love about this game (except perhaps running out of arrows). The charming graphics, the amazing soundtrack, the excellent gameplay, the memorable characters, the epic story. This game, as far as I'm concerned, was and remains the gold standard of what a REALLY good RPG can and should be. It's also the gold standard, as far as I'm concerned, of the entire Final Fantasy franchise. It stands out, for one thing, as the only FF game that allows you to have a party of up to 5 characters at once (all others only allow 3 or 4), something I've always liked about it. Even with the wonky English translation (they were a bit pressed for time to get it out in NA), the game has some great dialogue for its time, and a great sense of humor. This was one of not only the first console RPGs, but games period, that really put a larger spotlight on characters and storyline. And it really is no coincidence that many of my top fav. games of all time, feature music that I absolutely love. FF2/4 is no different, as it has some of the very best music I've ever heard in a game.
Playing through this game, for me, at 14 years old, was a hell of ride. I was thoroughly invested in the story and characters. I actually enjoyed grinding to strengthen my party (in part because it wasn't AS mandatory as it was to do so in FF1). The boss battles were intense, especially considering I didn't have a strategy guide to help me out. Exploring the game world was fun, and seeing the different lands actually felt like an adventure. I can still remember the moment in the game, where the dwarves come up from underground, and the various nations band together to fight the Giant of Babil. That moment really had me hyped, as a young teen, and in a funny way, kinda filled me with this swell of positive vibes, like "Yeah! See? The world CAN come together!" All told, by the time I got to that second moon, and defeated the evil known as Zeromus, when I finally got to sit back, after pouring hours into the game, and watch the epic (and LONG) ending and credit roll, I was in heaven. I felt like I'd really achieved something, and it was one of the best gaming experiences (the entire game, not just the ending) I had (or still have) ever had.
It isn't hard, after saying all that, for you to perhaps surmise that this is one of my Top Favorite Games of All Time. And it's absolutely, to this day, my favorite RPG of all time. I could honestly write an entire piece just on this game, and it's likely that perhaps someday, I should. But for now, in the interest of space on this list, I'll stop gushing.
2 – Game: Super Metroid, Publisher: Nintendo, Originally Released: 1994
Another game that tops this list because it was a major, significant gaming experience to my young self. I don't actually quite remember how I got my hands on Super Metroid (also known as Metroid 3). It wasn't the type of game Harold would have probably owned, and I'm fairly certain that it wasn't one of my SNES rentals (though it could have been). So if it wasn't, then I guess I must've borrowed it from someone or other. But regardless of HOW I came to play it, I do know for a fact that I did have access to it, and managed to beat it. While Super Metroid wasn't AS epic an experience to play through as FF2 was for me, it was still epic in its own way. The name of the game in any proper Metroid, is exploration, and I certainly did that in spades. The game's graphics are some of the very best the SNES offered, and while I do not consider it a "rockin'" soundtrack that I'd sit and listen to on its own (thought that opening theme is amazing), the soundtrack for this game is fairly unique, in that it is perfect mood music, that is really kind of low-key, and totally helps "put you in that world", gets your head in the adventure, so to speak.
The game world features several big areas to explore, and once you acquire certain power upgrades, it gradually becomes something of an "open world". Super Metroid definitely has a story, and a fairly good one, though it's a much different beast than something like Final Fantasy. Whereas FF2 is story heavy, the storytelling in Super Metroid is a lot more subtle. The adventure unfolds and reveals itself through scenes like you see above, silent boss encounters or quiet moments first discovering some piece of ancient architecture, or opening a new area. My favorite area in the game, actually, being the "Ghost Ship", some alien crash-landing wreck, which has not only been sitting around rotting for who knows how long, but also happens to be somewhat "haunted". I always loved little touches like the harmless robots on the ship that somehow still work, or finding the skeleton of a former crew member.
Overall, this is another game that I fully consider to be a masterpiece, and one of the greatest games ever crafted. In fact I personally consider it to be the best Metroid ever made. While the first (and second) Metroid games kicked the game-style off, and deserve that credit, Super Metroid also proved to be highly influential on specific future Castlevania games, and gave birth to what many now refer to as the "Metroidvania", exploration-heavy style of side-scrolling game. I had a blast playing through this the first time, when everything was new and surprising. Finding my way around the world, surviving perilous boss battles, and finally beating Mother Brain...then having to hurry the HELL up and get off the planet before it blows up (just like the first game). Then sitting back and enjoying a job well done, it also felt like an accomplishment. The sign of a really good game.
3 – Game: Actraiser, Publisher: Enix, Originally Released: 1990 ('91 in NA)
In my original Top Favorite Games piece, I do believe I ranked this behind another SNES game. But truthfully, when really thinking about it, and relating to the "epic experiences" I've talked about with the games above, Actraiser 100% belongs in the #3 spot on this list. For it too, in its own unique and special ways, was a major and significant gaming experience for me. This was another one that I'm certain I did not rent. I must've borrowed it from someone, because while I could be wrong, I don't quite recall actually owning it. Like I don't think it was another game that came with my cousin's system.
But regardless, Actraiser, published by Enix, and developed by a company called Quintet, was another early "launch window" game for the Super NES, coming out in late 1991. In truth, the SNES had some really strong titles in 1991, that already showed off a lot of what it could do, such as F-Zero, Pilotwings, Mario World, Sim City, Super R-Type, UN Squadron, Hyperzone, Final Fight, Final Fantasy II, Super Ghouls n Ghosts, and Super Castlevania IV. Actraiser was among those, and in this man's opinion stands out as one of the best games ever made, let alone ever released on the SNES. It boasts some of the prettiest sprite-work the system ever saw, and once again, one of the absolute finest soundtracks a game has ever had. The score, composed by Yuzo Koshiro, is epic as fuck, and alternates between the peaceful, serene world-building theme, and the striking, pounding epics that accompany the action stages. In fact there is an "Actraiser Symphonic Suite" out there, a recording of a live orchestra performing the game's music, also composed by Koshiro, which is gorgeous, and I highly recommend hunting it down.
And that really is what makes Actraiser stand out the most. It is about the only game I know of, that features such a disparate, but well-done combination of gameplay elements. As the godly character known as the "Master", you are determined to help a fledgling humanity survive and progress, in the face of violent opposition by the demon lord, Tanzra, and his armies. You do this, by playing a smoothly integrated mixture of side-scrolling action stages, destroying enemies with your sword and your magic, and top-down world building, where you help human civilization grow and evolve, while protecting them from both natural, and supernatural threats. The action and building segments of the game alternate, which flows pretty well, and one is not weighted against the other. Meaning that both types of gameplay actually PLAY very well, the dev. team gave both a good amount of polish.
I had a really fun time playing through this the first time, and frankly, while I love the action stages, I would adore getting an entire game based just on the world building, but greatly expanded. In fact, while Quintet did make a sequel, Actraiser 2 is, frankly, a bit of a mess, and quite a disappointment. Mainly stemming from the fact that Enix nonsensically made them REMOVE the world-building (it also doesn't help that the new "gliding" mechanic sucks). As a personal aside, I also personally like that they altered the semi-Christian-ish themes this game originally featured in Japan. Personally, I think that some master demon named Tanzra, is much more interesting than literally fighting "Satan". But ALL that aside, it is fair to say I adore Actraiser 1. It is a masterpiece of a game, and one that I come back to every now and then. And I STILL always chill out to that peaceful, catchy-as-fuck building tune.
4 – Game: Super Castlevania IV, Publisher: Konami, Originally Released: 1991
Yet ANOTHER game with an amazing soundtrack! It really cannot be understated that Super Castlevania IV, along with Actraiser, Final Fantasy 2/4 (and 3/6), Street Fighter II, and Mega Man 2, are all top candidates of mine for some of the very best game music ever created. What can I say? I love good chip-tunes! But this game is so much more than that. It is, I'm not afraid to claim, a near-flawless game, certainly for its series and genre. Konami (back when they were actually good), really went the extra mile when making this. This is another early SNES game that really shows off what the console could do, whether it was with gorgeous graphics, great music, more/bigger levels, more complex gameplay, you name it. The NES Castlevania games, the Game Boy ones, Bloodlines on Genesis, Rondo on TG16, "Metroidvania" games like Symphony of the night on Playstation and Harmony of Dissonance on Game Boy Advance. They're all good. Some great, even. But this game, I feel, is the gold standard of the series.
It is certainly, I think fairly stated, THE best of the classic style Castlevania games. The addition of the flailing, multi-directional whipping, alone, was one addition that really added to and enriched the gameplay experience. The connected ability to use your whip to swing from certain ledges or hooks, also enriched the gameplay variety. In truth, story-wise, this game is actually more of a remake/retelling of the first Castlevania game, instead of a sequel. You once again play as the great Simon Belmont, making your way through treacherous countryside and haunted ruins, on your way to rid the world (temporarily), of the malignant evil of Count Dracula. But this game is epic in scope, quite lengthy actually, and also quite challenging (though not outright unfair, as Castlevania 3 at times can be). Though I will say, FUCK Slogra! If you know, you know, and I'll leave it at that.
Yet again, this is another game that was a major experience for me, playing through it for the first time, at some point likely in 1996, at the age of 14 or 15. This is another one that I would almost swear I borrowed from someone, yet I also know that I somehow kept it with me, and that it was even one of the titles I gave to William along with my SNES. So I suppose it may well have been another of the handful of games that were basically given to me, by the same guy who gave me Darius Twin etc. But even though I was years behind most other gamers in experiencing stuff that was amazing in 1991, I was still blown away when I reached parts like the glowing caverns, or the room with the gigantic candelabras, or the section with the almost dizzying, spinning background. The boss fights were epic, and as I've stated in previous pieces, I really don't know why I didn't rent ANY Castlevania on NES as a kid. As a major monster nut, this series with SO many creatures and fiends taken right out of mythology, movies and folklore, would have been right up my alley. As it was, CV4 was my first Castlevania experience, and I did in fact absolutely eat up all of the various ghouls and nasties, many of which I recognized what they were, or what they were from.
I am a bit conflicted, when it comes to ALL time Top Favorite games, whether this belongs in my Top 10, or something like Symphony of the Night or Harmony of Dissonance. I love both of those games, and I love the "Metroidvania" style in general. In fact both of those games are my favorite titles on their respective platforms. But, both because of nostalgia for it being my CV "first love", but also just because it is such a goddamn great game, I think ultimately, Super Castlevania IV still belongs in that company, over the others.
5 – Game: Street Fighter II Turbo, Publisher: Capcom, Originally Released: 1993
Let me tell you a little story. In 1991, when the original version of Street Fighter II: The World Warrior hit arcades, and I first encountered it, likely at our local Pizza Hut, I was instantly mesmerized, and hooked. I spent the majority of my pre-teen years, absolutely obsessed with this game. And the funny thing is, unlike most of my childhood obsessions (dinosaurs, Godzilla, mythology, monster movies, Goosebumps books, video games in general. etc.), which were all fueled by me actually getting to experience and partake in said things? My SFII obsession was quite different. For me, SFII was the Holy Grail. It was my White Whale. In large part, specifically because I rarely EVER got to actually play the damn thing. My obsession and love for this game, was driven by my desire to actually be able to play it. And I don't mind telling you, while I was fascinated by all of the characters, being the monster kid I was, Blanka was my original favorite, because he was "the monster guy".
I loved this game so much, that I got an issue of Game Pro magazine, that featured move and combo strategies for every character. I read that thing back to front, and back again, trying to map out and simulate in my mind, what I was going to do with which character, the next time I DID actually get to play. This baby wasn't hard for me to find, even in the smaller town I grew up in, combined with my sheltered upbringing (thanks to an overprotective, often tyrannical grandmother). There were cabinets at Pizza Hut, at the local All the Best Video store, at the skating rink a town over that I got to go to for "home school skate" about once a month. There was even, and this is the only time I think I've seen this, a couple of arcade machines at our local Burger King, and once SFII rotated in, it stayed parked there. Hell, there were even SFII machines in other oddball places, like the 7/11. But the point is that I got to see it a fair bit, even by my sheltered standards. Which only fueled my fire more, and made me ravenous to actually play. I DID get some quarters now and again to play, but it was fleeting, and because I hadn't had ample practice, I of course wasn't good enough to last more than a couple fights. My grandmother at one point indicated that she would have to start saving up to get me a SNES, and I was delusional enough to dare dream that she would actually let me get SFII for it. It didn't matter, because it never wound up happening. I even heard at one point, and got my hopes up for nothing, that SFII was coming to the NES, which even if it would have maybe sucked, would have been about my only chance to own it. But it never actually did come out for NES. Hell, I would have settled for the crappy Game Boy port.
I loved this game so much, that it also got me interested in martial arts. I had not grown up being able to see much martial arts or fighting-based stuff on TV or in movies. It was basically SFII and Power Rangers for me. And SFII was not only my first exposure to "real martial arts", but it actually made me want to take Karate classes. In fact I wish I could have, as learning things as a child is usually much easier than trying to learn then as an adult. Naturally, even though it would have been good for me in just about every way imaginable, my grandmother denied my pleas to sign me up. She signed me up for everything else under the sun (at different points, Christian Youth groups, Camp Fire, 4-H, etc.), but not Karate, no sir. Because, and I quote, "fighting is bad". Never mind that the foundation you learn from a GOOD martial arts teacher, IS that "fighting is bad", and to avoid it if you can.
All that said, I had to wait a good long while, to finally be able to REALLY experience and fully immerse myself in SFII. In fact, it was a similar tale to my SNES experiences, as by the time I moved towns, and got access to play SFII regularly, it was SUPER old hat. But I didn't care, because even though I was getting into other fighters by the mid-90s, like X-Men, Darkstalkers, Mortal Kombat, Tekken, and Killer Instinct, I still adored SFII. It was, and remains, my favorite fighter of all time. I like the original incarnation far better than "Super" SFII, or any sequels that came along later. It is, in my view, pretty much a perfect game, on par with the likes of Mega Man 2 or SMB3. The graphics, yet another fantastic soundtrack, a great cast of very memorable characters, SUPER tight gameplay that still holds up better than almost any other fighter, to this day. This was THE game, that innovated and ignited an entire new popular genre of video games. And in this man's opinion, none have ever surpassed it.
On a side note, I chose the "Turbo" edition which released for SNES in 1993, over the original game which released for SNES in 1992, because while I in some ways prefer the OG game, Turbo just has some nice "quality of life" touches, and the four playable boss characters to boot.
6 – Game: Mystic Quest, Publisher: Squaresoft, Originally Released: 1992
This is a game I am going to rank based mostly on nostalgia. Not to say that it isn't a very good game, because in my estimation it absolutely is, far better in fact than many give it credit for. But, there are other RPGs I could list above it, because they are probably just generally better. But as I related early in this piece, this was the first "new" retail SNES game that I got, after getting the console. I didn't know what it was about, only that I had loved FF1 on NES, and enjoyed what I saw of FF2 on SNES, so I knew I liked the "Final Fantasy" brand, even though the back of the box clearly showed this was a bit different. But I also was quite taken by the excellent box art. A simple yet evocative image of a young warrior, standing on a hill, sword held high. I've just always thought that was a great, cool cover.
As for the game itself? Well, as stated, Mystic Quest was my first RPG experience outside of FF1, or something like Sorcerian (which I adored) on PC. This game, as the legend goes, was actually concocted by Square as a kind of "entry RPG", to help get younger gamers, or just Western gamers period, more into the genre. As such, it is a simpler game than the actual FF line, and many consider it to be fairly easy, or as some would claim, "too easy". But to me, it was just right, bearing in mind that I played and beat the tough-as-nails grind-fest that is FF1. The way the game pans out, you play the hero, Benjamin, and get a series of secondary support characters who join you in battle, that you can either control yourself, or let the game control for you. Tristam, the ninja dude, was always my favorite. The game is very straight forward and streamlined, as you basically go from spot to spot, clearing out monsters and collecting crystals. Not as much grinding, and very little map exploration. But what you get is still high quality, and pretty great.
All in all, Mystic Quest is hardly one of the BEST RPGs ever made, but then again, that's really subjective in a lot of ways. To me, it stands out as a game I had a lot of fun with, another great (if lesser than FF2) 16-bit gaming experience I had during this time. A game I played through, and beat, enjoyed the ending, and felt accomplished. And really, it probably IS an "easy" game compared to most RPGs, though I will always point out that it also does get fairly difficult later in, if it's your first time through and you've no idea what's coming. This game will always hold a much deserved spot in my heart, and I still need to go back and play all the way through it again, someday.
7 – Game: Knights of the Round, Publisher: Capcom, Originally Released: 1994
The Super Nintendo has a wealth of great beat em ups. But when I force myself to really consider which one is my TOP favorite, while there are about three top candidates, I think my #1 (or in this case #7 Top SNES game), has to go to Knights of the Round. An excellent port of an excellent Capcom arcade game, this one stands out to me for a few reasons. The top one being, that I've been a massive fan of Arthurian Legend/Lore since I was a child, spawning from Disney's classic The Sword in the Stone. The second biggest reason being, that while all three characters in this are great, Lancelot is fucking bad ass.
Arthur and Percival are fantastic characters, and fit that mold of "All-Rounder" and "Power Guy". But ol' Lance is the "Light and Fast" one, and he is just cool and elegant as fuck. Plus he looks sweet in his upgraded gold armor. Which is one of many cool things about KotR, is that you gradually upgrade your characters as you go through the game, ala Double Dragon and Mighty Final Fight on NES. All around, Knights is very typical of Capcom beat em ups: great graphics, very solid gameplay, visceral hit detection/combo-ing, catchy soundtrack, good enemy variety, great (but sometimes cheap) boss fights, etc. This is a great game, and I highly recommend it. I'm not gonna claim it is THE best beat em up on the SNES, that's up for debate. But it IS the one I probably had the most fun with.
8 – Game: Mortal Kombat, Publisher: Acclaim , Originally Released: 1993
For a little bit of truncated story time, related to SFII, as stated, I was a MASSIVE Street Fighter junkie in the early 90s. When this game called Mortal Kombat came along, sporting "real graphics", copious amounts of blood, and *GASP* killer FATALITY finishing moves, that was really it for a lot of kids. I was decidedly a Street Fighter Kid, obviously, but I had to deal with this sudden swing, where other kids I'd run into at, say, the local Pizza Hut, were BIG into MK1, and would even go so far as to put down SFII for being "cartoony" (because it had colorful traditional sprite graphics), and because it didn't have enough blood. And NO finishing moves! Obviously meaning that Street Fighter was a baby game for babies, while Mortal KOMBAT was for cool kids. A similar rhetoric I had to deal with from obnoxious Sega Kids, who needlessly talked shit about Nintendo. And in both cases, as you might well imagine, it pissed me the FUCK off! So for awhile, I "hated" MK, just because of stupid kids shitting on something I loved. I changed my tune, eventually, when MK2 came out, because I was attracted to the more exotic Outworld setting, and expanded mythology in the storyline. By the time MK3 (and especially Ultimate) came out, I was a dedicated Mortal Kombat fan. BUT, I never stopped being a Street Fighter Kid.
That said, to tell the truth, my favorite MK game is probably Ultimate MK3/MK Trilogy, just because that is the one I played the most in the arcades, and I don't mind saying, got pretty good at. I like the setting, the aesthetic, and the combo system of MK3, and I probably put the most time into it. Although, MK2 does own a place in my heart, because again, the Outworld setting is really (appropriately) other-worldly, and oddly enough, MK2 is the most colorful looking of the three. In general, I prefer the first three, 2D digitized graphic MK games the best. They WERE the best, to me, and I fell out of the series when it went to 3D.
As far as Super NES goes, while I really like MK2 on it (one of the best ports of it, actually), I'm actually more nostalgic for MK1 on SNES. Which is funny, because a lot of people to this day STILL talk about how they *GASP* turned the red blood clear-ish, to make it "sweat", and altered a couple of the Fatality moves, in a feeble attempt to tone done the cartoonishly violent nature of the game. And to many kids/people, the fact that the Sega Genesis version had a code to turn the blood back to red, OBVIOUSLY made it the "better" version. But here's the thing: not only is that flat out untrue, but the blood and gore were never what attracted me to MK in the first place. To me, it was the mythology, the story, the characters, and to a point, the gameplay.
And frankly, outside of the lame attempts as censorship, the SNES port of MK1 is, I don't mind saying, reasonably superior to the Genesis one. In terms of graphical and sound quality, the button layout on the controller, tight controls, etc., the SNES one looks, sounds and plays pretty great. And the reason I'm including this over MK2 or 3, or in my Top Favorites at all, is because this is a game I likely got from the dude who gave me Hyperzone etc., and I played the hell out of it. I just had a lot of fun playing this game on SNES, especially with my boy Johnny Cage, and because of the warm feelings and good times, it belongs on the list.
9 – Game: Demon's Crest, Publisher: Capcom, Originally Released: 1994
Another memorable SNES rental of mine, this game, which SHOULD have been called "Gargoyle's Quest 3", is one of the system's true gems. It is a side-scrolling action/platformer game, and a spinoff of the Ghosts n Goblins series. In it, you play the GnG enemy Firebrand (known in the GnG games as "Red Arremer"), an "evil" but honorable demon. Like Gargoyle's Quest on Game Boy and Gargoyle's Quest 2 on NES, Firebrand is out to save his homeworld of the "Ghoul Realm", also low-key the same "Makai" otherworld from the Darkstalkers fighting games, from various threats. In this case, the titular "Demon's Crests", which the demons of Makai have been fighting over for centuries. A rival of Firebrand's, called Phalanx, steals his Crest, and is out trying to gather the others, to make himself ruler of the entire demon realm. So it is up to Firebrand to both get his shit back, but also save his world (once again).
This game is, straight up, one of the most graphically impressive on the console, with some gorgeous sprite-work, great colors, smooth animations, you name it. The soundtrack is also not too shabby, and the gameplay, while not Mega Man tight, is on par with the previous Gargoyle games. The game's main gimmick, is that as you collect the various Crests, you are able to transform into other forms, like an Earth form, a Water form, etc. that grant you different abilities. The game itself isn't terribly long, but it IS a very fun ride, and I don't mind saying, easily one of the best games on the console.
10 – Game: Final Fantasy III (VI), Publisher: Squaresoft, Originally Released: 1994
This is a game that, while I love it, is making it higher onto the list than perhaps it should, based mostly on my very first memories playing it. This game has an odd connection for me, because it is the game I rented the day my grandmother passed away. For those who haven't been following my blogging adventures long-term, I was raised by my grandmother, who was quite a character, to say the least. She was capable of being really cool, and funny, and nice. There were definitely good times, and happy memories from my childhood. BUT, she had a LOT of problems, and honestly had no business raising a kid, even though in fairness to her, she tried her best. She had a horrible temper, and a lot of pent up/unresolved issues, which she would often take out on whoever was around. That was usually me. She also, for a variety of reasons, was both paranoid AND controlling, which made for a rather potent combo, when it came to living around her, and more specifically, UNDER her rule. She was, to put it mildly, rather tyrannical a lot of the time. Or could become so at the drop of a hat, and you never EVER knew what was going to set it off. The point being, there were arguably more bad times than good, growing up.
The day she passed away, which I honestly can't remember the specific date, I feel it must've been some time in September, 1995, she had been put into Hospice finally (because of lung cancer from smoking), and my mother, who I now had to live with, was also in the hospital with pneumonia. So I was staying at my friend Harold's family's house, even though Harold himself was away visiting his father and brother William. Their mother took me to go see my mother in the hospital, even though she was oddly emotional, and I had a feeling something was going on. When we got there, several relatives were there, and I was informed my grandmother had died. They all looked at me, probably expecting me to cry, but honestly, I was just kinda numb to it, and sat down in a chair. It was a weird, awkward time, and when we finally left, Harold's mom agreed to rent me a game, I guess to take my mind off things. So the game I picked, quite awhile before I got to play FF2 myself actually, was FF3 (more appropriately known as Final Fantasy VI).
I must say, I didn't get SUPER far on this initial rental playthrough, but what I did play I enjoyed a lot. To many people, FF6 is "better" than FF4. In fact, it is probably the second most popular choice for favorite FF game, behind FF7. And I myself like it quite a lot. It is definitely in my Top 3 Final Fantasy games, behind FF2/4, and FF1 on NES (or better yet, the excellent FF1 port on Game Boy Advance). This is yet another game with a superb soundtrack, easily on par with my beloved FF4, with even more tracks, because the game itself is longer. And while FF4 was one of the first games to really focus on story more, FF6 was one of the first to really try presenting the story in a more "cinematic" way. The game has an excellent and diverse cast of characters, a suitably epic and compelling story, and a lot of cool things going on, gameplay-wise. In my heart, FF4 trumps it hard. But that doesn't mean I don't still consider FF6 to be one of the very best RPGs, and games, of all time.
11 – Game: TMNT IV: Turtles in Time, Publisher: Konami, Originally Released: 1992
I've probably related before, somewhere, that I did not grow up a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fan. In large part because I wasn't allowed to watch it, like several other things, including pro wrestling. By the time I had my own little TV in my own room, the truth is, TMNT was still on TV, not ending until like 1996. I just never watched it, for whatever reasons. It was one of those things where I wasn't allowed to watch it as a kid, so I convinced myself that it must not be that good anyway, just so I wouldn't feel like I was missing out. BUT, I did always like the TMNT arcade game when I would encounter it. In fact, thanks to a quarter-heavy friend of Harold's once, I was able to take part in actually BEATING that original arcade masterpiece.
Turtles in Time, called TMNT IV on SNES (because there had been 3 on NES already), is also a really great beat em up. I do, and always will, like the original arcade game better, but Turtles in Time is seriously right up there. And this SNES port is excellent. It is one of the rare cases when I would say the SNES version is actually better than the arcade original, except of course for graphics, which are still great for how early this came out in the console's lifespan. And much like the NES port, it actually added a level and a boss or so. I must say, that Konami beat em ups were always lesser than Capcom ones, mainly because the hit detection was always looser. Capcom BEUs always felt, somehow, like you were actually beating the shit out of stuff, whereas Konami's you were just kinda hitting things. BUT, that said, this game rocks hard, and is a great co-op experience (like most beat em ups).
12 – Game: Skyblazer, Publisher: Sony Imagesoft, Originally Released: 1994
This is a lesser known gem that actually wasn't a rental. I didn't actually experience this until Harold and I got more into emulation (and when his computer and internet speed would actually accommodate "finding" SNES roms). But when our earnest collecting started in the early 2000s, I eventually came to own it, and I'm putting it on the list, both because it is genuinely one of my favorite games on the console, but also because I just think it deserves a lot more recognition. It was made by the same development team behind Hook on SNES, which it shares certain design and gameplay elements with, to a point (like the jumping animation). But whereas Hook was OK, Skyblazer is bad ass!
The basic gameplay is a side-scrolling action game, with basic punch and kick martial arts attacks, along with a cool wall-cling/jump feature similar to games like Ninja Gaiden or Mega Man X. Outside of that, you also gain various magical abilities, which you need to fill your magic bar to use. While the game's story is pretty generic "gotta save the sorceress" fare, the gameplay is very fun and responsive. The game also boasts some very pretty graphical aesthetics, like the layered clouds and rain seen above, and a very nice soundtrack. I would consider this a "Forgotten/Hidden Gem", and would highly recommend fans of 2D action games to check it out.
13 – Game: Super Bonk, Publisher: Hudson Soft, Originally Released: 1994
1994 was a very good year for video games, most especially on the Super NES. Super Metroid, Demon's Crest, FF3/6, Donkey Kong Country, Knights of the Round, Skyblazer and more all released that year, including this weird-ass little gem. My initial experience with Bonk came when I visited Harold's house, on 4th of July, 1995. It was a mixed bag of a day, because I technically had fun seeing (and playing a little), of this game for the first time on NES (the NES port of the TG16 game came out in 1993). But it was also the day that, while hanging out at a creek which had been converted into something of a public "pool", some dumb bitch shoved me while I was standing on the edge, and when I fell in, I cracked my big toenail open. It was painful, gross, and my toenail has been messed up because of it to this day. I even had to have a little toe-cast on, and subsequently limp around, for like a month afterwards.
But back to Bonk, I eventually got to try the OG Bonk games on the TurboGrafx 16 (via emulation). And one day, lo and behold, Harold and I discovered this little gem, at Toys R Us or somewhere, for pretty cheap. It is very much your classic, fun Bonk game. But it also takes the outright bizareness of the series into new stratospheres. The game is heavily based on Bonk 3 for the TG16, with the ability to grow to giant size via candies you eat. But I do believe it was Super Bonk that also added candies that shrink you to tiny size, to get into small spaces. The BEST part, however, are the weird forms you can take on with the power ups, like Crab Bonk when you get squished, and Chicken Bonk, and my favorite, Godzilla Bonk, which you can see above. The game is really just kind of batshit insane, with a weird variety of stages, like a Chinatown, a stage where everything is gigantic ala Honey I Shrunk the Kids, the inside of a Dinosaur (which is a Bonk staple), and even outer space! There's also a oddball and random "basketball" bonus game. In some ways this isn't a TOP Top Favorite of mine. But I also love it, and feel it is worthy of inclusion for just how unique it is.
14 – Game: Super Turrican 2, Publisher: Ocean Software, Originally Released: 1995
This was another rental that I thoroughly enjoyed, even if it got rather difficult as the game progressed. I had never played Turrican on anything else, so I was largely unfamiliar with the series. But when I rented this, I was blown away. It is the product of developer Factor 5, who were known for being wizards at squeezing the most out of hardware that they could (far more than most other studios, in fact). They would go on to make some pretty amazing Star Wars games for N64 and Gamecube, among other things. But as a later release in the SNES' life cycle, this game really was a sterling example of just how good a 16-bit game could be.
The graphics, as seen above, had some genuinely impressive and complex visuals going on. The game even boasted short little bits of essentially "Full Motion Video" cut scene sequences, which Harold and I both thought, for SNES, was amazing. The sound is also exceptional, with top notch sound effects, and a nice, brooding soundtrack. The gameplay is, at its core, a "run n gun" action game, which is what the Turrican series is all about, with a nice variety of different weapons you can use, along with bombs to clear out enemies. But this particular entry in the series also added a very "Bionic Commando" type element, in the form of a hook-shot you can use, to latch onto and reach high areas. Think Bionic Commando with better action, and you can also jump. I can't honestly remember if I beat this when I originally rented it, because it was damn hard. But I still had a blast with what I did manage to experience.
15 – Game: Mario Paint, Publisher: Nintendo, Originally Released: 1992
In the interest of saving myself more time writing, and because this has already become a fairly meaty piece as it is, this is going to be my last entry, making it a "Top 15" list, I guess. I debated quite a bit as to what really belonged in some of these last spots, as many are deserving. But I've tried to stick to games that really stuck out to me, with a few exceptions, as real "Gaming Experiences" I had when I had this system "new", in my teens. There are many games that are arguably more deserving, because I like them more, or there's far more TO them,, to occupy this spot. For example, Illusion of Gaia, or Chrono Trigger, or Tiny Toons. But at the end of the day, this is making it as "Number 15", because it was one of the first SNES games I got with the system, one of the first I experienced, and spent a lot of time with.
This game, simply put, was an attempt by Nintendo to cash in on the popularity of the Windows program, "MS Paint". Hence why it's called Mario Paint. But you know what? I'm glad they did it, because it is a very fun and unique entry into the system's library. I myself spent many hours, trying to make bad pictures with that plastic mouse and mouse pad. I also spent a lot of time trying to make tunes with the limited music mode. AND I spent an undue amount of time playing that stupid Flyswatter mini-game! But looking back, while there are MANY other SNES games that I, in general, LIKE more than this, Mario Paint will always stick out in my memories, as a fun early 16-bit experience for me. It meant a lot to me, to finally (FINALLY) get a SNES, after being a poor kid and waiting what felt like forever. Finally getting one when the system was "Old News", passe. But not to me. To me, even though I should have held onto the damn thing longer, and even though NES will always be THE best, my SNES opened up a whole new world, a whole new level of gaming to me, that I had not (unlike so many of my peers), been able to experience growing from a pre-teen into my early teen years. And Mario Paint was part of that. So I'll always cherish the game, symbolically, for that.
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There are, of course, MANY other SNES games I like. In fact some I outright love, and they really belonged in this Top 15, or if I had done a Top 20, or whatever. Some of these include:
Super Mario World
Kirby Super Star
Illusion of Gaia
Final Fantasy 5
Aladdin
Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster Busts Loose
Super Ghouls n Ghosts (I actually beat this as a teen, don't ask me how)
Donkey Kong Country 1
Donkey Kong Country 2
Super Smash TV
Chrono Trigger
Breath of Fire
Killer Instinct
Final Fight
Top Gear 2
Magic Sword
Captain Commando
Mortal Kombat 2
Sim City
Super Mario Kart
Zelda: A Link to the Past
Super Mario RPG
etc. etc. etc.
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So that's it's for now. I'll be back soon enough, but until then, Keep It Retro!
