The Super Nintendo launched in North America in 1991, and Nintendo officially stopped production in 1999. During those eight years, some of the best RPGs ever made were released on the system. From Nintendo exclusives likeSuper Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Starsto franchise icons likeFinal Fantasy 6, barely a year went by when the SNES didn’t see at least one major RPG release.
In fact, the system had so many quality releases that it’s tough to choosethe best RPG on the SNES. Instead, this list looks at the genre year by year. At its peak, the SNES saw multiple great releases each year. But by the end of 1996, Nintendo had more or less given up on the console. Because of this, while the SNES’s life cycle lasted until 1999, this list ends in 1996, the year the SNES saw its last major RPG release in the West.
The SNES launched in Japan in 1990, and then North America in 1991. Surprisingly, for a Japanese system, the console’s first couple of years were light when it came to RPG releases. The first major RPG to launch on the system came in 1991 withFinal Fantasy 4.
Final Fantasy 4did an excellent job utilizing the SNES’s improved hardware. While it’s not as pretty as subsequent entries on the console, its pixel-art graphics were eye-watering by 1991 standards, especially in cutscenes and battles. Compared to the first three games,Final Fantasy 4also has a much more fleshed-out story and features some fan-favorite characters. The lead protagonist, Cecil, isa fascinating character with a lot of depth. The game did so well that it became one of the few in the series to receive direct sequels that expanded on its lore and plot.
1992 was a good year for RPGs on the SNES, withSoul Blazer,Dragon Quest 5,andFinal Fantasy 5. BothDragon Quest 5andFinal Fantasy 5received similar review scores in general, but we’ve opted for theFinal Fantasyentry here.Dragon Quest 5was a good game, but as was so common for SNES RPGs, it didn’t see a Western release until much later. It was also a pretty standard franchise entry that did little to rock the boat.
Final Fantasy 5,on the other hand, mixed things up.Final Fantasy 4and6focused on telling epic stories full of twists and turns, butFinal Fantasy 5took a back-to-basics approach. The story isn’t bad per se, but it’s simpler than its two siblings. What makes the game so special is its overhauled,hugely flexible class system. The four characters have access to 22 “jobs” that the player can choose from freely. Most of these jobs felt distinct, allowing for a wide range of customization options and depth.
These days, action RPGs are king, and turn-based RPGs are becoming increasingly rare. Back in the 80s and 90s, it was the other way around. Only two major RPG franchises offered fans an alternative to turn-based combat (which some people find boring): theYs seriesandSecret of Mana.
Secret of Manahad three playable characters, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, whom the player could choose from. They could be switched between at any moment, with AI taking control of the other two during real-time combat. Alternatively, the game could be played with friends, with different players controlling different characters. The game also featured a unique fast travel system that saw the party launch between locations on the map via giant cannons. On top of this, the graphics were gorgeous, andSecrets of Manaarguably has one of thebest ever chiptune soundtracks.
1994 was another solid year for the SNES.Illusion of GaiaandLive A Livewere both excellent entries into the console’s catalog. Unfortunately for them,Final Fantasy 6was also released that year. It’s not just one ofthe best Final Fantasy games; it’s one of the best RPGs ever made. WhileFinal Fantasy 7is remembered for being revolutionary,FF6is remembered as the pinnacle of the franchise’s pre-3D era.
For starters, it has an incredible and complex story that upsets the status quo by not having a traditional protagonist. Its gorgeous pixel art visuals were some of the best on the SNES, and it had a great soundtrack to boot. The gameplay was also no slouch. The turn-based combat was stellar, and the 14 playable characters offered plenty of customization, even if not as much as inFinal Fantasy 5. It’s one of those games that any RPG fan should play at least once.
When it comes to RPG releases, the SNES peaked in 1995. At least 10 RPGs were released in 1995 that all deserved their moment in the spotlight. Among them,Breath of Fire 2,Tales of Phantasia,Romancing Saga 3,andEarthboundwere all particularly impressive. That being said, one game stands head-and-shoulders above them all.
It is, of course, the legendaryChrono Trigger. The game has a brilliant, mind-bending, time-warping storyline with 15 endings, making it endlessly replayable. It featuredimpressive open-world elements,including countless side quests and locations that changed depending on decisions made in other time periods. If that wasn’t enough, it could be argued that its turn-based combat is even better thanFinal Fantasy 6’s. The game is a masterpiece.
Although its little brother, the Nintendo 64, was released in 1996, the SNES still had some steam left. While not as epic as the previous year, 1996 was still a bumper year for RPGs, with one particular standing out:Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars.
Mario might be the world’s most iconic platform mascot, but he also has a surprising number of excellent RPGs under his belt. The strength in these RPGs has always been theiraccessibility for beginnersand their unique sense of style.Legend of the Seven Starsnails the Mario RPG formula, combining a cute, cartoonish style with typical JRPG gameplay. While not as in-depth as some other systems, its combat includes prompts that add a level of excitement, holding young fans' attention spans. Most importantly, the game doesn’t take itself too seriously, focusing on fun over depth and difficulty.
