Top 10 Hidden Gems on the SNES You Should Play

Even many years after the SNES's golden age, there are still some games that every gaming fan should consider checking out.

The video game industry keeps evolving in exciting ways, pointing toward an even more thrilling future. The incredible transformation of this immersive medium is always fascinating, but some things remain constant and never fade away—like Nintendo’s role as a top-tier first-party developer. The unmatched success of the Nintendo Switch has secured the company’s future, so there’s no need to worry about what’s coming next.

10 Metal Warriors: Un Festín Destructivo de Acción para Aficionados de los Mechas

Zombies Ate My Neighbors, an innovative LucasArts release, stood out for its quirky titles that managed to attract a broad audience. The same development team brought us Metal Warriors, an even better game that blends action, combat, shooting, and exploration missions inspired by mecha anime.

Though Metal Warriors was way ahead of its time and would be well-received today, its generic presentation in the mid-'90s made it fade into the crowd.

9 Mega Man Soccer: Transforma al Blue Bomber en un Astro Deportivo

In Nintendo’s world, Mario usually leads the way in sports games or multiplayer adventures, but Mega Man Soccer gives Capcom’s iconic action-platforming hero a slightly exaggerated twist.

It’s funny how Mega Man Soccer is both a decent soccer game and a fun spin on the Mega Man formula, yet despite its success, it never got a follow-up. Compared to something like Klonoa Beach Volleyball, though, Mega Man Soccer doesn’t even seem that niche or weird.

8 Indiana Jones' Greatest Adventures: Captura Magistralmente lo Mejor de la Franquicia Cinematográfica

In gaming, there are original and outstanding Indiana Jones stories told through PC point-and-click adventures. LucasArts’ Indiana Jones' Greatest Adventures, on the other hand, is the SNES equivalent of the Super Star Wars series. This lengthy action-platformer covers the three original Indiana Jones adventures, offering engaging gameplay and impressive graphics—including rudimentary cutscenes that push the console to its limits.

While modern audiences are used to massive collections recreating film franchises through LEGO games, Indiana Jones' Greatest Adventures stands out for its straightforward approach, something many newer titles lack.

7 Uniracers: Destaca con su Inusual Enfoque Competitivo

There’s a wide variety of unusual racing games that try to offer something different in the competitive gaming genre. Though the SNES has some limitations in this area, Super Mario Kart and F-Zero are the ones that truly shine.

6 Goof Troop: Un Juego de Disney que parece hecho por los dioses del diseño

Capcom has a rich history of adapting Disney properties, many of which found a home on Nintendo consoles. While it’s easy to dismiss these as simple licensed games, sometimes they surprise you in the best way.

A standout example is Goof Troop on the SNES, one of the earliest games designed by Shinji Mikami (known for Resident Evil, Dino Crisis, and The Evil Within). This Goof Troop game has unexpected depth, and its structure was even used in an early beta version of Resident Evil.

5 Blackthorne: Explorando un Universo de Peligro y Resiliencia

Blackthorne, one of Blizzard Entertainment’s earliest projects, is a highly ambitious platformer that drops players into the futuristic dystopia of Tuul, a planet on the brink of human extinction. The game excels in its intricate, alien-like world design.

This platformer features impressive world-building for its time, along with unique cover-based gunplay. Though challenging, the adventure is worth it, and Blackthorne has gained even more popularity since its re-release in the Blizzard Arcade Collection (2021).

4 Phalanx: Un Juego de Disparos Sublime que se Fue al Olvido por una Mala Estrategia de Marketing

Phalanx is one of the most entertaining space shooters on the SNES. Sadly, it went largely unnoticed because of its baffling box art—a real photo of a banjo-playing old man instead of anything resembling a shooter.

The backlash led to the Game Boy Advance version of Phalanx using completely different artwork to avoid the same mistake. Today, Phalanx’s captivating gameplay feels like a much-needed revival for a fading genre.

3 Secret of Evermore: Un Ambicioso RPG de Acción que se Pierde entre la Multitud

Squaresoft, known for its standout RPGs in the '80s and '90s, gave us Secret of Evermore, one of its most obscure Super Nintendo releases—so obscure that its Japanese launch was canceled entirely. The game takes players through different realms defined by contrasting time periods, and the player’s shape-shifting dog companion adds charm.

Despite its potential, the game’s generic title makes it easy to overlook among Squaresoft’s other SNES RPGs. You really have to play it to appreciate it.

2 Shadowrun: Explorando la esencia ciberpunk en esta aventura de Acción-RPG

The gaming industry has reached a point where it can fully explore and capitalize on cyberpunk sci-fi. Shadowrun (1993) is a flawed masterpiece that succeeds more than it fails, deserving serious recognition for its ambitious adaptation on a 16-bit console.

Set in 2050, Shadowrun is an action-RPG deeply inspired by traditional pen-and-paper RPG mechanics. While it was too hardcore for mainstream audiences, those looking for a mature, old-school RPG will find an experience that won’t disappoint.

1 The Legend of the Mystical Ninja: Descubre un Plataformas Único y Lleno de Personalidad"

While many Nintendo fans first met Goemon, the Mystical Ninja, through his innovative N64 titles, there are earlier Legend of the Mystical Ninja games on the SNES that were localized outside Japan.

The SNES Legend of the Mystical Ninja stands as one of the quirkiest 16-bit titles thanks to its unapologetically Japanese personality—especially in its boss designs. It offers deep gameplay possibilities, but its odd box art and vague title have kept some players at a distance.

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