I really liked this video and am glad to be subscribed. I just turned 44 last week, and I recently bought a Ps4. I've been buying games like Castlevania, Atari 50, and TMNT. Can you recommend something?
That iconic Yoshi's Island theme is such a happy little song and is such an ear worm of a song that gets stuck in our heads. What's the song's name anyways?
John, which JP only releases would you like to had an English release? I would've love to seen more of the anime based games like Dragonball Z, Gundam Wing, Sailor Moon, Tenchi Muyo, Ranma 1/2 etc.. Outside of the anime games.... The Last Bible III Majin Tensei Majin Tensei II Metal Max II Metal Max Returns Mystic Ark Shin Megami Tensei Shin Megami Tensei II Shin Megami if... Super Pinball 2 Wizardry I-II-III Wizardry IV Wizardry VI
Brain Lord, Earthworm Jim, Illusion of Gaia, Kirby Super Star, Mortal Kombat 2, NBA Jam TE, Final Fantasy 2, Secret of Evermore, Secret of Mana, Starfox, Super Mario Kart, Super Punch Out, Super Smash TV, TMNT 4: Turtles in Time, Zombies Ate My Neighbors. All 5 Star games off the top of my head that are missing.
Probably my all time favorite SNES game, possibly favorite game in general, is A Link To The Past. The opening sequence, where you have to sneak into the castle, while a storm is raging, to rescue the princess and bring her through a secret passage in the sewers to sanctuary, is one of the most cinematic things you could witness in a video game at the time. The music matched the atmosphere perfectly as well. That alone had me hooked to the end, how could you not love this game.
I love LTTP it is definitely one of my all time favorite games. I’ve completed probably over 20 times, I still play through it at least once a year. It’s definitely a masterpiece. A lot the games on this list are epic, the only one I don’t agree with being 5 star is Sunset Riders and I remember renting it a few times and enjoying it, but it wasn’t mind-blowing like Zelda, or Metroid or Chrono Trigger. Honestly, personally I’d have put Harvest Moon in the 5 star list too. Spent hours addictively on that game too.
I really want to say that Link to the Past is my favorite SNES game, but then I remember all the fun that I had with Super Metroid, Super Mario RPG, and Secret of Mana. Link to the Past is *probably* my favorite, but it's definitely one of those four...
Now this is a true fav snes game . LTTP is even arguably the best zelda game! That and ocarina of time . Although i prefer windwaker personally.(half nostalgia half just pure enjoyment when played)
Played through it recently, it’s one of the easiest games I’ve ever played in my life. I would give a 4/5 simply because it’s a complete breeze to play I finished it in about 8 hours
That was the only big omission I could think of off the top of my head. The only justification I could think of is it's kind of a short game and 1/3 of the levels are those top-down ones that some people don't like.
Super Metroid is hands down the greatest video game ever created if you ask me. I still remember me and my 2 best friends talking my friends mom into buying it the day it came out and I stayed the weekend at their house and we stayed up for 20hrs straight taking turns until we beat it. I’ve never felt so engrossed in a game to this day as I was the first time playing super Metroid It was just jaw dropping the whole play through. Man I miss the old days.
I felt the same way for so many years....Even after I had played other games in the same genre.....and then I played Hollow Knight. Then I realized....oh...people still do make games that give me that same feeling.
Super Metroid is an excellent game. The atmosphere, the story, the control, the music just everything about that game is perfect. One of the best games I’ve ever played. Tbh, so many of these games on this list are excellent and I have so much nostalgia for all of them. The only game I would have probably left out of this list is Sunset Riders and the space shooting game just because I’m not a fan of space shooters and Sunset Riders I had rented but it wasn’t mind-blowing for me.
I got Chrono Trigger for Christmas in 1995 and to this day it’s still my all-time favorite game on any platform. I got it completely by chance, I had asked for FF3 (or 6 or whatever) but EB was out of them and the clerk recommended Chrono Trigger to my mom as an alternative when she was out Christmas shopping. Boy I’m glad they were out or I may never have played this masterpiece!! Still have my original SNES copy w/box and inserts and I’ve re-bought the DS and PS1 versions as well. In my eyes this game will never be dethroned.
I got Chrono Trigger by accident as well....well kinda. I had a preorder in for a us release of the third Ranma 1/2 fighting game.....company sent me a letter saying...oh...it's not gonna be localized and you have to pick something else. I had seen something about Chrono Trigger but didn't know much outside of it being a square game. So I told them that's what I wanted. I got back from college one weekend and it was at my moms house. Me...and my sister and my best friend played it all weekend. We had to play a few hours a piece...and then let the next person play on their save file while we watched. To this day is still one of my favorite gaming memories.
Very impressed by your writing and editing skill in this video to weave in open cart surgery, a game ranking and an advertisement into one segment without it being muddled or too long.
In an alternate timeline where Super Metroid didn’t launch in the SNES and was released today 3 decades after it would still be a 10/10. It’s insane how ahead of its time that game was.
One of the best games ever made, and I have been a gamer for over 35 years and played a lot. Super metroid has it all! Glad I played it when it was released, it is just awesome!
Super Metroid will always be amazing. I have the official strategy guide which is one of my fav posessions. I actually love Metroid Prime just as much too, and I'm not typically into 1st person style games.
Did you know that Secret of Mana got an update a few years ago on PS4? Probably other platforms too, I don't know. They modernized the graphics a bit and added voice acting, but otherwise it's the same game.
When I go back to play SNES games, those are easily the two I come back to more often than any other. Not even for just nostalgias sake; they’re just that freakin’ good.
I definitely agree with Donkey Kong Country 2, Earthbound, Final Fantasy 6, and especially Super Metroid; I didn't like the original Metroid back in the day, but Super Metroid was the one that got me into the series. I would also add Axelay, Demon's Crest, Dragon View, Final Fantasy 4, Legend of the Mystical Ninja, Harvest Moon, Imperium, Kirby Super Star, Kirby's Dream Land 3, Lufia 2, Mega Man X3, Operation Logic Bomb, Secret of Mana, Soul Blazer, Super Adventure Island 2, Super Mario RPG, Super Nova, Super Turrican, Super Valis 4, and Ys 3, if we're sticking strictly with North American releases. It's a lot, yeah, but this is my all-time favorite system for a reason. I do want to add that as much as I love Mega Man X, I think it's a series that gets better and better as it goes on, leaving the original in the dust. Except X6 and X7, obviously.
They were all reviewed in this book. I got it for Christmas this year! I will check the score for you...Mario RPG has a 4.5 stars. They write "With Luigi absent outside the manual and ending, this admirable desire took me by surprise." They also talk about the limited inventory, flower points being pooled, commands are assigned to buttons instead of a menu, and offensive moved require timed inputs to up their power.
I turned 30 back in September and I feel lucky to say ALttP was the first Zelda game I ever played. My grandma had a SNES up at her house for us grandkids. I was heartbroken one day to discover my younger sister had erased my save file somehow; I must have been eight or nine, she was four or five. That heartbreak didn't last long because I started a new game and was just as hooked playing it as I was the first time. It will always be my favorite Zelda game, and in my top three of all video games.
i've been having a blast playing EB after discovering the stairs glitch and how to skip over twson. I recently beat it w/ only beating one sanctuary location...discovered a lot of the game is trigger based, and that you can practically have an entire post game if you skip everything in between and play after you beat giygas
Link to the Past was absolutely my first Zelda game. I even had the cheat book with it. To this day, it's my most-fav Zelda game. In FACT, I am literally going through it right now on my 3DS.
Tetris Attack... Back in the late 90's me and one of my friends were playing this 2P one day while hanging out with a handful of other friends. We had already maxed out the timer on one match when our friends went to McDonald's. When they came back we were playing the same match. We were the only two who could build combos so huge that it would go beyond "X?" and just not drop a garbage brick on the other player, so we had to remember to cut off our combo before it got to that point. TEN STARS!
DKC2 was a big improvement over the first game and the third one was, decent but I definitely recall feeling Rare had "stepped on the gas" with 2. Had a similar feeling within seconds of playing Goldeneye as well. You just, knew. They were sublime back then. Before MS bought them and they suddenly made mediocre stuff.
Difference being that all of the DKC games are still great and playable today, while no one should ever revisit 007 on real hardware in the present. N64 shooters have aged like milk.
@ChrisMDB Ya golden eye is definitely better emulated. There is this one fork of a emulator that gives you full mouse and keyboard support it really brings the game to the modern age. Same for perfect dark.
I got this book for Christmas. It's like an 800 page Pro Gamer or Nintendo Power from back in the day, minus the letters and comics. It could have used comics tbh. I enjoy the trip back in time.
I double checked on the Simcity composer and it is the same person who composed for Pilotwings: Soyo Oka. I had never really thought of that before but it does have the same sound.
Just to point it out, many of these titles are on the SNES Classic Edition mini console. The good news is, if you never got one, the bubble has burst and you can pick a real one up on eBay for less than retail now.
What an amazing list of games. Honestly, I don't know that any other generation of gaming that seems so special to me. Don't get me wrong, every generation had some great games... but the SNES generation was just different. First, the generation leap from the NES was by leaps and bounds... probably moreso than any other generation. Second, it was the so called golden age of 16-bit graphics and games that still hold up today (mostly). Third, the games were just amazing. The SNES really allowed games to immerse you so much more with story, music, graphics, etc. Forth, I really appreciate that the vast majority of great games were kid friendly. I can just sit down with my kids and play these games with no concern for what they might see or hear. Most later generation consoles had 5 star games that were just full of profanity, violence, and in modern games there is a whole lot more to worry about. The 16 bit generation was relatively simple and will always be special.
The SNES will always be my favorite console, but I got to disagree that the leap was the biggest in consoles ever. I feel 3D, as primitive as it was during the N64, PS and Saturn era of gaming, was a tad more impactful. Don't get me wrong, 16 Bit games were a big step up from 8 Bits, but it was mostly more refined gameplay of stuff we have seen before, while 3D offered possibilities that were not possible on 2D hardware.
I love playing this game on my SNES back as a kid. One of the biggest reasons I bought the Castlevania Collection on my PS4 Pro. I still have the old set up but it's nice to have this without modifying my console. I don't mind repurchasing old classics to enjoy on newer platforms. It also makes it easier to preserve my old games and consoles too.
I love FFII (IV) and think it absolutely deserves to be a 5-star game; however, FFVI is my favorite SNES game and that says a lot considering how amazing the library is- all of those 5-star games definitely deserve to be there too
I have Super Aleste (the real title of Space Megaforce) for Super Famicom and yeah it is a 5-star game. If you want a physical copy get this version it is much cheaper.
Actraiser brings me back to spending the night at my cousins house on a Saturday night, my aunt orders us Pizza Hut after we get back from blockbuster with the brand new game Actraiser! It was so awesome! I miss being that excited and happy.
Very upsetting to see no Super Mario RPG! A game that I feel still holds up today. Sure, it’s definitely on the easier side of RPGs, but it introduced so many iconic characters and gameplay elements (such as timed attacks) that rpgs are still making use of today! Unbelievably charming, sharp dialogue, a mix of rpg and platforming, and a rainbow cast of incredible characters and fun boss battles! Easy 5/5
Secret of Mana, UN Squadron , Turtles in Time, Mario Kart, F-Zero, Mario All-Stars, Unirally, Axeley, The Magical Quest Starring Mickey Mouse, Super Punch-Out, and Star Fox. Super Nintendo has so many great games.
Axelay, definitely. Also Mortal Kombat II was missing. It’s my favorite MK ever. If I’d made this list, Donkey Kong Country would have beaten out 2 and 3. Lastly, Secret of Mana. Great and fun video. Thank you so much! ❤
I created a small competitive scene for MKII in my late teens because I loved it so much. Started with the SNES version - the port is about as good as you can expect, but upgrading to the Arcade version made us much more dedicated. We'd actually gather around a PC screen during social gatherings, even when there were "new" girls in the apartment. When we played, nobody could even listen to music because we put the game on the floor speakers every time... I feel a bit bad about that now, but we really liked the damn game :P
Rpg/jrpg's while awesome on the SNES really didn't get the overall mainstream love until PS1. You are 100% right about Secret of Mana. I'd even say close to 5's would be Lagoon and Final Fantasy 3.
Some serious memories on this list! I was part of the golden generation that started my Zelda journey with Link to the Past followed by Ocarina of Time after a year of serious saving from my first job for an N64. You mentioned U.N squadron never heard of it until a little eBay bulk buy a couple years ago. Bought a bundle with the intention of selling that to pay for everything and quickly became one of my favourite SNES games after popping it in to test it! Takes pride of place on the SNES shelf today!
It was. I loved that game. You can get the sequel, Carrier Airwing, on Capcom Arcade Stadium 2 for about $3. Plays fairly close, and it's available on PC and most consoles.
I miss Super Punch Out and Lufia 2. The two 5 star games I would've added to the list. I would also miss Final Fantasy II if not for that final act. A great game, but the big plot twist means it does not make the 5 star rate for me... And a fun thing about Tetris Attack: I spent the last Christmas' day afternoon playing its Japanese version available on Switch against my sister. We used to play it all the time back on the day, but it had been more than fifteen years since we had played it.
5 star games for me would be Dragon Quest V, Star Ocean, Donkey Kong Country 1 and 2, Super Mario World, Chrono Trigger, Super Mario RPG, Legend of the Mystical Ninja, Super Mario Kart and maybe Yoshis Island. Edit: Almost forgot Super Metroid, Contra III and Turtles in Time
I wish I had gotten to play DQV back when it was new. I didn't pick up the series til much later in life. As a plus though, when I decided I was going to play through every Dragon Quest game I would take a week off in August each year and isolate myself to my retro game room just to play through as much of it as I could. It was a fun tradition but I need Enix to give us a new one so I can do something with my summer break.
I loved the heck out of Sim City when it first came out. I remember my first big city I made very well. I had developed every square of the map and it had a river through the middle, and it had a lot of casinos, factories, and crime. I'm not so sure the game would hold up well today, but I suddenly have an urge to play it anyways.
I know that it’s not a North American release (probably the reason it’s not on the list) but Terranigma is definitely a game I would give five stars. I also wanna shout out Illusion of Gaia, I understand most people don’t think it’s a top tier game but it’s one of my all time favorites.
What a spectacular collection of games for a truly great console... I was pleased to go back to look at my fairly small snes collection from when I was younger and see that I actually have most of these, so it's comforting to know I had good taste as a kid. Would have loved to see Demon's Crest on here, and somehow still never played Actraiser...
I was about to say that sports games got the shaft again, but my good ole friend tecmo made the list! I would say, however, that TSB3 is the one to have. For the first time in sports gaming, there’d be a reason to play more than one season. This game introduced the create-a-player feature which brought RPG elements to sports titles. If your player did well, they improved their ratings. I rented this game so many times that I realized I had to have it. I got a job just to buy it. I saved up paper route money in junior high to purchase this from a friend, and have played this game more than any other game ever. I still play it today
I can’t complain, Zelda ALttP, Super Metroid, and FFIII/VI are 3 of my all-time favorites and deserve 5 stars. I really wish I had played Sunset Riders back then, didn’t play it until I was older and it’s hella fun. Honestly don’t know much about Space Megaforce, my favorite shmup on SNES is Axelay.
SimCity for the SNES is one of the most unique collaborations ever. If it wasn't for Lode Runner being a huge success in Japan I don't think Nintendo would have taken the risk on it.
Zombies Ate My Neighbors is a 5 Star game. Just for the fact that this wasn't on the list we need hang Pat up by his underwear and leave him there until he agrees to reprint the book with Zombies Ate My Neighbors on the list.
Super Mario RPG, Super Punch-Out, Super Mario Kart. I also put lots of time into Star Fox & Block Kuzushi (Arkanoid clone with some fun 2-player modes)
I agree with all of these as 5s, I think Axelay should be on there, though. If we're including Japanese and European exclusives: Terranigma Dragon Quest V Front Mission: Gun Hazard Tactics Ogre Trials of Mana Ganbare Goemon 2 All solid 5s in my books.
At the time, some magazine(I don't remember which) ranked that wail as the most annoying sound in video game history 😆! For me, during boss fights it was the instant sound of defeat because it meant I was doing that battle over since I couldn't get 100% for the level.
Chrono Trigger will always be my #1. Turtles in Time and Legend of the Seven Stars are probably the biggest absences. Link to the past, donkey kong and metroid are all amazing. Breath of Fire and Illusion of Gaia are excellent too.
All Hail Sir Riggs SNES 91-98 Cherished Memories You’re 6 feet 5 Inches and 300 lbs Riggs You Could Have Been A WWF wrestler in the 80s and 90s I would have been your manager
Thank you for this John , truly enjoyed this . And I can honestly say I've never plated chrono trigger. And at the price it goes for I doubt I ever will lol.
Shoot for the Playstation 1 version if you have a PS1, PS2 or PS3. It's part of the Final Fantast Chronicles Disc set. So it contains Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy IV. If going for that, Chrono Cross is a sequel in a way. It's not as good as Chrono Trigger but it is good in its own way.
I totally think Super Mario Kart & Gradius III should have been on this list, definitely 5 star games in my opinion - also a close runner up would be Illusion of Gaia...maybe not 5 stars, but pretty darn close.
I've made that EXACT Street Fighter II comparison lol "Back in MY day we bought the same game, three times, at full price as god intended! No DLC here!" Anyway, A Link to the Past is my all time 5 star game. I loved Zelda I and II, played at my best friend's house all the time, but my mom got me ALTTP when I was recovering from surgery in early 1993, so that was pretty much the game I spent weeks and months with (along with Street Fighter II and Super Star Wars) while I was laid up, so it really has that special place in my heart. When I had hip replacement surgery at the end of 2019, I bought myself the Link's Awakening remake and was like "well, Zelda go me through my last one, it's gonna get me through this one now"
Use code JOHNRIGGS60 to get 60% OFF your first Factor box at bit.ly/3BSzhyk
I really liked this video and am glad to be subscribed. I just turned 44 last week, and I recently bought a Ps4. I've been buying games like Castlevania, Atari 50, and TMNT. Can you recommend something?
That iconic Yoshi's Island theme is such a happy little song and is such an ear worm of a song that gets stuck in our heads. What's the song's name anyways?
changing the subject a bit... when are you gonna work on "Looking at 1-Star Sega Genesis/MegaDrive Games"?
It's crazy how you tricked people to buy a fake game console
John, which JP only releases would you like to had an English release?
I would've love to seen more of the anime based games like Dragonball Z, Gundam Wing, Sailor Moon, Tenchi Muyo, Ranma 1/2 etc.. Outside of the anime games....
The Last Bible III
Majin Tensei
Majin Tensei II
Metal Max II
Metal Max Returns
Mystic Ark
Shin Megami Tensei
Shin Megami Tensei II
Shin Megami if...
Super Pinball 2
Wizardry I-II-III
Wizardry IV
Wizardry VI
Brain Lord, Earthworm Jim, Illusion of Gaia, Kirby Super Star, Mortal Kombat 2, NBA Jam TE, Final Fantasy 2, Secret of Evermore, Secret of Mana, Starfox, Super Mario Kart, Super Punch Out, Super Smash TV, TMNT 4: Turtles in Time, Zombies Ate My Neighbors.
All 5 Star games off the top of my head that are missing.
Probably my all time favorite SNES game, possibly favorite game in general, is A Link To The Past. The opening sequence, where you have to sneak into the castle, while a storm is raging, to rescue the princess and bring her through a secret passage in the sewers to sanctuary, is one of the most cinematic things you could witness in a video game at the time. The music matched the atmosphere perfectly as well. That alone had me hooked to the end, how could you not love this game.
I love LTTP it is definitely one of my all time favorite games. I’ve completed probably over 20 times, I still play through it at least once a year. It’s definitely a masterpiece. A lot the games on this list are epic, the only one I don’t agree with being 5 star is Sunset Riders and I remember renting it a few times and enjoying it, but it wasn’t mind-blowing like Zelda, or Metroid or Chrono Trigger. Honestly, personally I’d have put Harvest Moon in the 5 star list too. Spent hours addictively on that game too.
I really want to say that Link to the Past is my favorite SNES game, but then I remember all the fun that I had with Super Metroid, Super Mario RPG, and Secret of Mana. Link to the Past is *probably* my favorite, but it's definitely one of those four...
Now this is a true fav snes game . LTTP is even arguably the best zelda game! That and ocarina of time . Although i prefer windwaker personally.(half nostalgia half just pure enjoyment when played)
I am very shocked Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars didn't make the list. One of my favorite games in existence.
I know that's right :(
It such a good game.
Yeah a definite omission for sure. An absolutely ageless game. Still a blast to play.
Yeah that deserves a perfect score for sure.
Played through it recently, it’s one of the easiest games I’ve ever played in my life. I would give a 4/5 simply because it’s a complete breeze to play I finished it in about 8 hours
Notable absence of Contra 3. What a fantastic game! Also, Super Mario RPG and maybe Turtles in Time deserve 5-star ratings as well.
Absolutely
Agree
That was the only big omission I could think of off the top of my head. The only justification I could think of is it's kind of a short game and 1/3 of the levels are those top-down ones that some people don't like.
Agree 100%. I came to comment Super Mario RPG but you're right about TMNT and Contra Alien Wars as well! Top Notch games.
Yeah, bunch of crap. Considering the games than were on the list those games should be as well.
Super Metroid is hands down the greatest video game ever created if you ask me. I still remember me and my 2 best friends talking my friends mom into buying it the day it came out and I stayed the weekend at their house and we stayed up for 20hrs straight taking turns until we beat it. I’ve never felt so engrossed in a game to this day as I was the first time playing super Metroid It was just jaw dropping the whole play through. Man I miss the old days.
I felt the same way for so many years....Even after I had played other games in the same genre.....and then I played Hollow Knight. Then I realized....oh...people still do make games that give me that same feeling.
Super Metroid is an excellent game. The atmosphere, the story, the control, the music just everything about that game is perfect. One of the best games I’ve ever played. Tbh, so many of these games on this list are excellent and I have so much nostalgia for all of them. The only game I would have probably left out of this list is Sunset Riders and the space shooting game just because I’m not a fan of space shooters and Sunset Riders I had rented but it wasn’t mind-blowing for me.
I agree 100%!
I COMPLETE SUPER METROID AT LEAST EVERY 3 MONTHS.
Biogun and crowsworn look like they may bring that same joy as hollow night super metroid and SotN
I got Chrono Trigger for Christmas in 1995 and to this day it’s still my all-time favorite game on any platform. I got it completely by chance, I had asked for FF3 (or 6 or whatever) but EB was out of them and the clerk recommended Chrono Trigger to my mom as an alternative when she was out Christmas shopping. Boy I’m glad they were out or I may never have played this masterpiece!! Still have my original SNES copy w/box and inserts and I’ve re-bought the DS and PS1 versions as well. In my eyes this game will never be dethroned.
DS version is the best. Love how you can go back and see the different endings whenever you want plus you got the cutscenes and extra content
I got Chrono Trigger by accident as well....well kinda. I had a preorder in for a us release of the third Ranma 1/2 fighting game.....company sent me a letter saying...oh...it's not gonna be localized and you have to pick something else. I had seen something about Chrono Trigger but didn't know much outside of it being a square game. So I told them that's what I wanted. I got back from college one weekend and it was at my moms house. Me...and my sister and my best friend played it all weekend. We had to play a few hours a piece...and then let the next person play on their save file while we watched. To this day is still one of my favorite gaming memories.
The Clerk knew his games. It is definitely one of my favorites!
Fortunately for you, the store had a serviceable alternative.
Here here! One of, if not THE greatest game ever made in my book!
Very impressed by your writing and editing skill in this video to weave in open cart surgery, a game ranking and an advertisement into one segment without it being muddled or too long.
I came here to say the same thing. Good job, Riggs!
In an alternate timeline where Super Metroid didn’t launch in the SNES and was released today 3 decades after it would still be a 10/10. It’s insane how ahead of its time that game was.
One of the best games ever made, and I have been a gamer for over 35 years and played a lot. Super metroid has it all! Glad I played it when it was released, it is just awesome!
And it had us all hyped for the launch then, and would now.
Along the GBA games, the best by no contest
Super Metroid will always be amazing. I have the official strategy guide which is one of my fav posessions. I actually love Metroid Prime just as much too, and I'm not typically into 1st person style games.
People put so much passion into games back then. The whole industry is a different beast now
I definitely miss Super Mario Kart, Super Bomber Man and most of all Secret of Mana. Played all three of them countless hours with friends.
Did you know that Secret of Mana got an update a few years ago on PS4? Probably other platforms too, I don't know. They modernized the graphics a bit and added voice acting, but otherwise it's the same game.
@@SithCats Thank you, I was vaguely aware of that port but somehow forgot it rather quickly since I didn't connect with the graphics style.
I would have given TMNT IV: Turtles in Time and Contra III: The Alien Wars five stars as well
When I go back to play SNES games, those are easily the two I come back to more often than any other. Not even for just nostalgias sake; they’re just that freakin’ good.
Earthbound is my favorite game of all time, even if it wasn’t officially 5 stars it reminds me of my grandma so it has a ton of sentimental value.
If you're thinking 'what the deja vu?!' there was an error in the last video I needed to fix so fixed and reuploaded.
Thanks for including the classic "Bury Me With My Money" line from 'Sunset Riders' in this video.
I definitely agree with Donkey Kong Country 2, Earthbound, Final Fantasy 6, and especially Super Metroid; I didn't like the original Metroid back in the day, but Super Metroid was the one that got me into the series. I would also add Axelay, Demon's Crest, Dragon View, Final Fantasy 4, Legend of the Mystical Ninja, Harvest Moon, Imperium, Kirby Super Star, Kirby's Dream Land 3, Lufia 2, Mega Man X3, Operation Logic Bomb, Secret of Mana, Soul Blazer, Super Adventure Island 2, Super Mario RPG, Super Nova, Super Turrican, Super Valis 4, and Ys 3, if we're sticking strictly with North American releases. It's a lot, yeah, but this is my all-time favorite system for a reason. I do want to add that as much as I love Mega Man X, I think it's a series that gets better and better as it goes on, leaving the original in the dust. Except X6 and X7, obviously.
Secret of Evermore, Legend of the Mystical Ninja, Maui Mallard in Dark Shadow,Out Of this World, Sparkster, and X-Kaliber 2097
A Link to the Past isn't just a clever name. The nostalgia and quality is undeniable to this day.
Wow, triggered?
Also as I live in the UK it was always Super Aleste to me, didn’t know about it being called Space Megaforce in the US until years later
Just looked at my copy - TMNT IV Turtles In Time also has a full 5 stars.
I still have my CIB copy of this game!!!
I thought Pat would have given F Zero 5 stars, but my favorite Super NES racer was always Top Gear 3000.
Exhaust Heat 2 all the way for me. (trying to think of it's English name... er.. F1 Roc 2?)
Super Mario RPG and Zombies Ate My Neighbors are two all-time favorites sadly missing from this list. Are they at least 4.5* games?
Mario rpg has to be a 5 maybe it just wasn't reviewed yet
They were all reviewed in this book. I got it for Christmas this year! I will check the score for you...Mario RPG has a 4.5 stars. They write "With Luigi absent outside the manual and ending, this admirable desire took me by surprise." They also talk about the limited inventory, flower points being pooled, commands are assigned to buttons instead of a menu, and offensive moved require timed inputs to up their power.
Zombies got 4.0, I believe.
I love ZAMN but it's just too darn hard.
According to legend, SMRPG got 7 stars.
I just did a follow-up video with the REAL 5-star games on SNES - ua-cam.com/video/1lNIk1CPvxQ/v-deo.html
TURTLES IN TIME???
I turned 30 back in September and I feel lucky to say ALttP was the first Zelda game I ever played. My grandma had a SNES up at her house for us grandkids. I was heartbroken one day to discover my younger sister had erased my save file somehow; I must have been eight or nine, she was four or five. That heartbreak didn't last long because I started a new game and was just as hooked playing it as I was the first time. It will always be my favorite Zelda game, and in my top three of all video games.
i've been having a blast playing EB after discovering the stairs glitch and how to skip over twson. I recently beat it w/ only beating one sanctuary location...discovered a lot of the game is trigger based, and that you can practically have an entire post game if you skip everything in between and play after you beat giygas
9:00 - I never noticed that! Man Rare games have layers that I never knew existed even in plain sight!
Link to the Past was absolutely my first Zelda game. I even had the cheat book with it. To this day, it's my most-fav Zelda game. In FACT, I am literally going through it right now on my 3DS.
Top 5 game of all time if not top 3
Tetris Attack... Back in the late 90's me and one of my friends were playing this 2P one day while hanging out with a handful of other friends. We had already maxed out the timer on one match when our friends went to McDonald's. When they came back we were playing the same match. We were the only two who could build combos so huge that it would go beyond "X?" and just not drop a garbage brick on the other player, so we had to remember to cut off our combo before it got to that point.
TEN STARS!
My favorite grandmother gave me ActRaiser. When she bought me an SNES. At a random day in the year. Ya, it was like that.
Played through Donkey Kong Country 2 soooo many times. Still have my copy. So good.
I'm missing Super Punch-Out, Turtles in Time, and Kirby's Dream Course. And maybe Super Mario Kart.
Turtles In Time is a huge snub, IMO. You can't put Sunset Riders on there if you're going to omit the best beat em up for the SNES.
I’m surprised Turtles in Time wasn’t on there, definitely deserves to be. I also love UN Squadron!
Turtles in Time is missing. But Super Metroid was an absolute must and glad I’m not the only one who thought so.
DKC2 was a big improvement over the first game and the third one was, decent but I definitely recall feeling Rare had "stepped on the gas" with 2. Had a similar feeling within seconds of playing Goldeneye as well. You just, knew. They were sublime back then. Before MS bought them and they suddenly made mediocre stuff.
Difference being that all of the DKC games are still great and playable today, while no one should ever revisit 007 on real hardware in the present. N64 shooters have aged like milk.
@ChrisMDB Ya golden eye is definitely better emulated. There is this one fork of a emulator that gives you full mouse and keyboard support it really brings the game to the modern age. Same for perfect dark.
I disagree
I don't know why everyone thinks two is better
The first outshines it in everyway
I got this book for Christmas. It's like an 800 page Pro Gamer or Nintendo Power from back in the day, minus the letters and comics. It could have used comics tbh. I enjoy the trip back in time.
Same here. I played all the 5-star games over holiday break! Now I’ve been playing all the 4 and 4.5 star games! Great times.
I double checked on the Simcity composer and it is the same person who composed for Pilotwings: Soyo Oka. I had never really thought of that before but it does have the same sound.
Just to point it out, many of these titles are on the SNES Classic Edition mini console. The good news is, if you never got one, the bubble has burst and you can pick a real one up on eBay for less than retail now.
What an amazing list of games. Honestly, I don't know that any other generation of gaming that seems so special to me. Don't get me wrong, every generation had some great games... but the SNES generation was just different. First, the generation leap from the NES was by leaps and bounds... probably moreso than any other generation. Second, it was the so called golden age of 16-bit graphics and games that still hold up today (mostly). Third, the games were just amazing. The SNES really allowed games to immerse you so much more with story, music, graphics, etc. Forth, I really appreciate that the vast majority of great games were kid friendly. I can just sit down with my kids and play these games with no concern for what they might see or hear. Most later generation consoles had 5 star games that were just full of profanity, violence, and in modern games there is a whole lot more to worry about. The 16 bit generation was relatively simple and will always be special.
The SNES will always be my favorite console, but I got to disagree that the leap was the biggest in consoles ever. I feel 3D, as primitive as it was during the N64, PS and Saturn era of gaming, was a tad more impactful. Don't get me wrong, 16 Bit games were a big step up from 8 Bits, but it was mostly more refined gameplay of stuff we have seen before, while 3D offered possibilities that were not possible on 2D hardware.
@@Squirrelsquid I can understand that. It was also a very big jump to the 32/64 bit generation.
Super Castlevania IV not getting a direct sequel on the SNES using the same graphics and such will always be the biggest head scratcher for me.
Terranigma is a 5 star game! Love it so much ❤
Absolutely! Unfortunately, they only cover the US library in these books, so Terranigma wasn even eligible.
Mega man X, castlevania 4 donkey kong country 1 and 2, star fox, super metrod are some of my favorites
Megaman X is one of the most addictive, well-crafted games on the SNES. Good picks, John.
Some editor must have swapped Super Mario RPG for that football game
I was playing Super Castlevania IV the other night and I Don't know why I never played it as a kid it's great.
Can't believe how good the music is for a SNES game
I love playing this game on my SNES back as a kid.
One of the biggest reasons I bought the Castlevania Collection on my PS4 Pro. I still have the old set up but it's nice to have this without modifying my console. I don't mind repurchasing old classics to enjoy on newer platforms. It also makes it easier to preserve my old games and consoles too.
Side note its worth buying that book. Its the best bathroom book ever made.
I love FFII (IV) and think it absolutely deserves to be a 5-star game; however, FFVI is my favorite SNES game and that says a lot considering how amazing the library is- all of those 5-star games definitely deserve to be there too
I have Super Aleste (the real title of Space Megaforce) for Super Famicom and yeah it is a 5-star game. If you want a physical copy get this version it is much cheaper.
Actraiser brings me back to spending the night at my cousins house on a Saturday night, my aunt orders us Pizza Hut after we get back from blockbuster with the brand new game Actraiser! It was so awesome! I miss being that excited and happy.
Life as an adult is fairly dull. We will never get those days back
Very upsetting to see no Super Mario RPG! A game that I feel still holds up today. Sure, it’s definitely on the easier side of RPGs, but it introduced so many iconic characters and gameplay elements (such as timed attacks) that rpgs are still making use of today! Unbelievably charming, sharp dialogue, a mix of rpg and platforming, and a rainbow cast of incredible characters and fun boss battles!
Easy 5/5
I was looking for this comment. It’s one of the iconic Nintendo experiences and a total miss to not have it at 5 stars.
Secret of Mana, UN Squadron , Turtles in Time, Mario Kart, F-Zero, Mario All-Stars, Unirally, Axeley, The Magical Quest Starring Mickey Mouse, Super Punch-Out, and Star Fox. Super Nintendo has so many great games.
This is probably the best format I've seen of inserting an ad into a video. Nice job
I can always tell who I was dating or had a crush on at the time when I go back and look at the names of my rpg parties.
LMAO same, bro.
Hell, I STiLL do that 😆!
Axelay, definitely. Also Mortal Kombat II was missing. It’s my favorite MK ever. If I’d made this list, Donkey Kong Country would have beaten out 2 and 3. Lastly, Secret of Mana.
Great and fun video. Thank you so much! ❤
I created a small competitive scene for MKII in my late teens because I loved it so much. Started with the SNES version - the port is about as good as you can expect, but upgrading to the Arcade version made us much more dedicated. We'd actually gather around a PC screen during social gatherings, even when there were "new" girls in the apartment. When we played, nobody could even listen to music because we put the game on the floor speakers every time... I feel a bit bad about that now, but we really liked the damn game :P
Rpg/jrpg's while awesome on the SNES really didn't get the overall mainstream love until PS1.
You are 100% right about Secret of Mana. I'd even say close to 5's would be Lagoon and Final Fantasy 3.
02:44 - What he says here is inspiring
19:29 - So that’s what a screen attract is for!
Longer videos like this are much better imo so thnx :)
Some serious memories on this list! I was part of the golden generation that started my Zelda journey with Link to the Past followed by Ocarina of Time after a year of serious saving from my first job for an N64.
You mentioned U.N squadron never heard of it until a little eBay bulk buy a couple years ago. Bought a bundle with the intention of selling that to pay for everything and quickly became one of my favourite SNES games after popping it in to test it! Takes pride of place on the SNES shelf today!
How about UN Squadron? That game was fantastic!
It was. I loved that game. You can get the sequel, Carrier Airwing, on Capcom Arcade Stadium 2 for about $3. Plays fairly close, and it's available on PC and most consoles.
Seen a lot of comments on Super Mario RPG missing from this list and I would agree. I also thought Super Punchout is also deserving.
To everyone who never played Super Metroid: Play it!!!!
Lmfao 6:00 id sure hope a fruit smoothie was 100% plant based 😂🤣
I miss Super Punch Out and Lufia 2. The two 5 star games I would've added to the list.
I would also miss Final Fantasy II if not for that final act. A great game, but the big plot twist means it does not make the 5 star rate for me...
And a fun thing about Tetris Attack: I spent the last Christmas' day afternoon playing its Japanese version available on Switch against my sister. We used to play it all the time back on the day, but it had been more than fifteen years since we had played it.
lufia 2 kicks ass. one of my favorite games of all time
SNES had so many bangers it's hard to count them all.
I love when you do in video ads. It’s full on radio voice and I dig it.
The quality of John Riggs videos is impressive!
5 star games for me would be Dragon Quest V, Star Ocean, Donkey Kong Country 1 and 2, Super Mario World, Chrono Trigger, Super Mario RPG, Legend of the Mystical Ninja, Super Mario Kart and maybe Yoshis Island. Edit: Almost forgot Super Metroid, Contra III and Turtles in Time
Dragon Quest V and Star Ocean were not localized to the SNES.
I wish I had gotten to play DQV back when it was new. I didn't pick up the series til much later in life. As a plus though, when I decided I was going to play through every Dragon Quest game I would take a week off in August each year and isolate myself to my retro game room just to play through as much of it as I could. It was a fun tradition but I need Enix to give us a new one so I can do something with my summer break.
I loved the heck out of Sim City when it first came out. I remember my first big city I made very well. I had developed every square of the map and it had a river through the middle, and it had a lot of casinos, factories, and crime. I'm not so sure the game would hold up well today, but I suddenly have an urge to play it anyways.
I loved building the largest city and then destroying it by monsters and natural disasters
I know that it’s not a North American release (probably the reason it’s not on the list) but Terranigma is definitely a game I would give five stars. I also wanna shout out Illusion of Gaia, I understand most people don’t think it’s a top tier game but it’s one of my all time favorites.
Had illusion of Gaia back in the day. Loved it.
Illusion of Gaia’s sound track is MASSIVELY underrated
What a spectacular collection of games for a truly great console... I was pleased to go back to look at my fairly small snes collection from when I was younger and see that I actually have most of these, so it's comforting to know I had good taste as a kid. Would have loved to see Demon's Crest on here, and somehow still never played Actraiser...
Didn't UA-cam pull this video last week. This looks like the one that I tried to watch where it said this video is private
Act Raiser was a cool game, very unique game for its time.
I never knew there was more to that game besides the platforming slasher part because I never played it
@@graamd After you beat the game it unlocks challenge mode which is only the action sequences with the difficulty slightly increased.
Terranigma, Super Mario RPG, Contra 3 and Goof Troop....maybe also add Zombie ate my neighbors, Pocky & Rocky, and Hagane !
Super Metroid is the 5 Stariest of the 5 Stars! I sooo agree Riggs! 🌟 😁😃 Such a masterpiece!!
Super Mario RPG is a classic for so many reasons. I can only assume it's 6 stars in the book!
I thought this was a 7 star game 😅
Diddy’s Kong Quest is a timeless classic and the music is absolutely amazing.
I was about to say that sports games got the shaft again, but my good ole friend tecmo made the list! I would say, however, that TSB3 is the one to have. For the first time in sports gaming, there’d be a reason to play more than one season. This game introduced the create-a-player feature which brought RPG elements to sports titles. If your player did well, they improved their ratings.
I rented this game so many times that I realized I had to have it. I got a job just to buy it. I saved up paper route money in junior high to purchase this from a friend, and have played this game more than any other game ever. I still play it today
I can’t complain, Zelda ALttP, Super Metroid, and FFIII/VI are 3 of my all-time favorites and deserve 5 stars. I really wish I had played Sunset Riders back then, didn’t play it until I was older and it’s hella fun. Honestly don’t know much about Space Megaforce, my favorite shmup on SNES is Axelay.
Super happy and surprised to see Sunset Riders on the list. One I still go back to.
Zelda 3 and Super Metroid are still the closest I've ever played to perfect games.
Maybe it's just because I'm nostalgic but I'd give five stars to Secret of Mana and Super Punch-Out!!
SimCity for the SNES is one of the most unique collaborations ever. If it wasn't for Lode Runner being a huge success in Japan I don't think Nintendo would have taken the risk on it.
Original Donkey Kong Country absolutely should be a 5 star game! There’s a reason it was the only one on the SNES Classic. It’s the best!
No Contra III???
Secret of Evermore should have been on the list
Secret of Mana should have been on this list.
Zombies Ate My Neighbors is a 5 Star game. Just for the fact that this wasn't on the list we need hang Pat up by his underwear and leave him there until he agrees to reprint the book with Zombies Ate My Neighbors on the list.
Super Mario RPG, Super Punch-Out, Super Mario Kart. I also put lots of time into Star Fox & Block Kuzushi (Arkanoid clone with some fun 2-player modes)
I agree with all of these as 5s, I think Axelay should be on there, though.
If we're including Japanese and European exclusives:
Terranigma
Dragon Quest V
Front Mission: Gun Hazard
Tactics Ogre
Trials of Mana
Ganbare Goemon 2
All solid 5s in my books.
Castlevania IV is my favorite SNES game. Absolutely love it.
I enjoy your videos. You're sincerity and pleasant nature come through. Thanks for the retro content!
Yoshis island needs at least a half star deduction for the Mario cry! 😊
At the time, some magazine(I don't remember which) ranked that wail as the most annoying sound in video game history 😆!
For me, during boss fights it was the instant sound of defeat because it meant I was doing that battle over since I couldn't get 100% for the level.
Chrono Trigger will always be my #1. Turtles in Time and Legend of the Seven Stars are probably the biggest absences. Link to the past, donkey kong and metroid are all amazing. Breath of Fire and Illusion of Gaia are excellent too.
All Hail Sir Riggs SNES 91-98 Cherished Memories You’re 6 feet 5 Inches and 300 lbs Riggs You Could Have Been A WWF wrestler in the 80s and 90s I would have been your manager
I wouldn’t trust Pat Contri on 5 star games on the SNES. 😂 I love your content though Riggs.
Super Mario RPG had to be there
Thank you for this John , truly enjoyed this . And I can honestly say I've never plated chrono trigger. And at the price it goes for I doubt I ever will lol.
Shoot for the Playstation 1 version if you have a PS1, PS2 or PS3. It's part of the Final Fantast Chronicles Disc set. So it contains Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy IV.
If going for that, Chrono Cross is a sequel in a way. It's not as good as Chrono Trigger but it is good in its own way.
You can play it on Steam now. I promise, you won't regret it! Even if the original is still better than the DS rerelease, it's still great.
A link to the past is my definitive favorite game of all time. Admittedly, nostalgia plays a role clouding my objectivity, but I love it.
I totally think Super Mario Kart & Gradius III should have been on this list, definitely 5 star games in my opinion - also a close runner up would be Illusion of Gaia...maybe not 5 stars, but pretty darn close.
The problem with Gradius III is it plays on 5 FPS
I've made that EXACT Street Fighter II comparison lol "Back in MY day we bought the same game, three times, at full price as god intended! No DLC here!" Anyway, A Link to the Past is my all time 5 star game. I loved Zelda I and II, played at my best friend's house all the time, but my mom got me ALTTP when I was recovering from surgery in early 1993, so that was pretty much the game I spent weeks and months with (along with Street Fighter II and Super Star Wars) while I was laid up, so it really has that special place in my heart. When I had hip replacement surgery at the end of 2019, I bought myself the Link's Awakening remake and was like "well, Zelda go me through my last one, it's gonna get me through this one now"
I envy anyone who has all the Streetfighter 2 games on the SNES/Genesis, that would be awesome to have in a video game collection, to me anyway, lol.
@@XENOS_Indie_Game_Dev honestly, as cool as the Street Fighter collections are, it'd be pretty awesome if they has one with the home console ports
Amazing! I am loving that series! You can do the one star, two stars... And I Will watch them ALL! Greetings from Brazil!