It´s been a long time coming but we are finally here with a Top 10 SNES Games list for Cousin Gaming. I have always felt that we cannot make this list properly because we haven’t played ALL the games for the system yet, but in the end I think we have played MOST of the games considered to be good on the SNES so if we happen to find a title that we really like we will just update the list.
In the meanwhile enjoy the list as it is!

10. Super Mario World

We are going to start with the SNES launch title and the platformers’ representative for the system; Super Mario World! Not our favorite Mario game but still a great effort loaded with fun levels, secrets and great platforming in general.
This is a game you are likely to play over and over again!
If you like this one try: Donkey Kong Country, Yoshi’s Island

9. Act Raiser

Act Raiser is a very special game by Enix. You are god, and you have to recover your lost strength from the faith of your people in order to defeat the demons that have ravaged the land. The game is split up into 2 parts; a pretty straight forward action-platformer segment that ends with a demon boss, followed by a civilization building segment where you gather faith and level up.
In that segment you control a little angel who fights off demons while giving humans orders on how to build your civilization and increase population, thus the number of people who believe in you which is the way you level up. This process repeats itself until you clear the game. It’s fun, it’s unique.
If you like this one try: I don’t even know, Act Raiser is pretty unique

8. Terranigma

Terranigma ultimately falls a bit short when trying to reach the same masterpiece level of FFVI and Chrono Trigger but Terranigma is still a very good game that I recommend to all JRPG/action-RPG fans out there. The storyline gets very interesting, the gameplay is addictive and just the feeling of achieving your objective of slowly reviving the planet feels great and accomplishing.
A lot of people might have missed out on this one since it never got officially released in the US. It was released in Europe however so there is an official English version. Make sure to pick up this one if you can! It might be difficult to get an English PAL version, but I am sure you will find a way to play it 😉 You won’t regret it!
If you like this one try: Illusion of Gaia

7. Wild Guns

The wild west…and robots! Genius idea. This gallery shooter from Natsume reeled me right in with its concept and the four selling points on the cover. This game is “The first Sci/Fi Western”…awesome, an “Intense shoot’em up action”… pretty awesome, it has “True arcade feel!” … awesomer! And is”2 player simultaneous” Awesomest!
Wild Guns is a super fun fast paced shooter that never gets boring. I could play it again and again, and I do with various friends and we always have a good time doing so. The game is not that long so you can always just pop it in and have a good time. The music….I still often listen to the music on my phone when I go for a walk. It always makes me think “so awesome!”.  Such an awesome game, recommended for everyone.
If you like this one try: Nam-1975

UPDATE! It’s worth looking into the PS4 remastered edition! It’s a bit expensive but it has online functionality, 2 more characters and 2 more stages! Great addition to an already great game!

Full review: https://cousingaming.com/2015/11/23/wild-guns-snes-1994

6. Mega Man X

Mega Man X being on this list should not come as a huge surprise. It revived the stale Mega Man series and put it back on track with tight new controls and sweet ass stages. X just does it all right, it keeps the fundamental Mega Man gameplay but adds a bunch of very welcome additions like armor upgrades, collecting health tanks, a dash, storyline and a few new moves.
Not much else to say, quality title.
If you like this one try: Mega Man X2, Super Castlevania

5. Knights of the Round

Knights of the Round….. When I got this game I was hoping for an OK Final Fight/Streets of Rage kind of fantasy co-op beat ’em up. I saw that the game was developed by Capcom so it had to be at least pretty good, but it still puzzles me why this game is so little known because the quality of this game is through the roof. Out of all the side scrolling beat em ups we have played this one has to be one of the best, if not the best. This is originally an arcade game like most of the games on the co-op list but I have to say it has been ported very well unlike for example King of Dragons or Final Fight.

Knights of the Round is just such a solid co-op adventure. It takes time to defeat and brings you back in with even harder difficulty levels (easy, normal, hard). Just normal is fiendishly difficult to clear but the gameplay and game feel, along with the music and environment makes you feel great while playing, even if you are getting your ass kicked. The game is very difficult yes, but at the same time it is not because of some broken reason, it just takes skill and persistence. That persistence pays off because clearing this game was such a glorious moment for us, it was so fun, and so rewarding.
If you have a dedicated pal, friend (or cousin) you are in for a sweet ride. This is one of our favorites.
If you like this one try: King of Dragons, Turtles in Time

Full review: https://cousingaming.com/2015/11/12/review-knights-of-the-round-snes-1991/

4. A Link to the Past

Well now… Here come the 4 obvious choices. A Link to the Past was a return to the original games’ overhead view and it was a great sequel. Engaging story, great music and improved gameplay with huge scope is what made A Link to the Past special and for a game released in late 1991 in Japan, it is damn special. This game started the Legend of Zelda lore with the introduction of the Master Sword along with other troupes of the series.
I missed the initial hype for the game so my favorite Zelda is still the first one on the NES because I feel more like im being guided down a path in A Link to the Past as opposed being more open world. Thankfully Breath of the Wild reintroduced the freedom of the original game.
Still this is a must play legendary game! …as you all know
If you like this one try: Other Zelda games, Golvellius

3. Chrono Trigger

Another fantastic addition to the SNES JRPG library, Chrono Trigger is one of those legendary games of all time that all video game fans should play. The storytelling in this game was on a whole new level, spanning many periods of time revealing the mysteries of the world. The Akira Toriyama drawn characters are great, the fighting is more engaging and fast than the avarage JRPGs and yeah.. you guessed it…. The music is fantastic!
If you like this one try: Phantasy Star 1 and 4

2. Super Metroid

I was never a huge Metroid fan before I played Super Metroid for the first time just about 4 year ago. Now I am completely hooked! Super Metroid’s controls are so tight, and the game makes full use of the SNES controller(which was not very common really). The metroidvania genre got solidified here. The game’s pace and fluidity is superb and you are always looking forward for finding that next upgrade to unlock the next area. The boss battles are great and the ominous setting and tunes really set the tone for the game as one of the best sounding and best looking game for he system. The game is huge and is the kind of game you can play over and over again.
If you like this one try: Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

1.Final Fantasy VI

Final Fantasy VI is one of those games. Legendary in size and scope with an epic, extremely long main quest with a bunch of story enriching side quests. That is something contemporary Final Fantasy games could learn from. Great variety of fine characters, one of the most iconic villain of all time and an extremely solid JRPG battle system. The music is a contender for best Final Fantasy OST ever which automatically puts is in the conversation for best video game OST ever made
If you like this one try: Phantasy Star 1 and 4

That’s it!

Like I said it’s hard to argue that these top 4 games are not the top 4 games for the SNES and yes I realize that is pretty boring but i hope that my other choices inspire you to give those games a chance 🙂

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Honorable mentions:

Final Fantasy IV (Could have easily made the list but its kinda oversaturated by RPGs already)
Final Fantasy V (Same)
Secret of Mana 2 (Same, except for the co-op feature Terranigma is just better)
Earthbound (Same)
Yoshi’s Island
DK Country
Street Fighter 2 Turbo
Turtles in Time (Knights of the Round is better)
F-Zero
Super Castlevania IV (Just not good enough)

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