The library of SNES games available on Switch as part of the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service currently stands at 29 titles. While it may have a way to go to match the 53 NES games on the service, there are still plenty of SNES gems to enjoy on Switch.
But which of the SNES offerings are the best? Well, we’ve ranked them ourselves, but we recently asked Nintendo Life readers to rate the available SNES games on Switch, too, using our User Rating system. The time has come to reveal the results!
The following list is compiled using the ratings (out of 10) given to each game in our database. It should be noted, however, that this list is not set in stone and will automatically change over time, reflecting the changing ratings (and new additions to the NSO library). If you look below and see a game you think deserves to be higher up, click on the ‘Profile’ button and score it yourself – your personal rating could boost its placement in the overall ranking.
So, sit back and enjoy the best SNES games available on Nintendo Switch Online…
Publisher: Human Entertainment / Developer: Human Entertainment
A port of Human’s Super Formation Soccer, Super Soccer puts the camera behind the goal and follows you up and down the pitch, showing off the console’s fancy sprite-scaling Mode 7 effects in the process. It’s not a bad game, but running towards the screen feels a little awkward and there are better 16-bit soccer titles out there.
Publisher: HAMSTER / Developer: Jaleco
Despite having all the right ingredients, Jaleco’s Brawl Brothers fails to serve up a tasty slice of beat ’em up action. It’s not the worst game in the world at all, it just underwhelms in practically every area. With unsatisfying controls and bland design, it’s a tough recommendation for anyone except, perhaps, genre completionists.
Publisher: Jaleco / Developer: Jaleco
Also known as Operation Logic Bomb: The Ultimate Search & Destroy, Jaleco’s sequel to the Fortified Zone titles on the Game Boy is a decent top-down romp that sees you gunning down enemies with a variety of futuristic weaponry. It’s pretty short and certainly not complex, but if you’re in the market for a solid blast of Smash TV-style 16-bit gameplay, you could do a lot worse. With expectations set sufficiently low, this could be provide a surprisingly fun hour or two.
Publisher: Jaleco / Developer: Jaleco
Mediocre. Is there a more damning adjective in the English language? It’s the perfect word to describe Super E.D.F., though. This Jaleco shooter doesn’t do wrong enough to elicit strong negative emotions, but its uninspiring presentation and mechanics do almost nothing to get your adrenaline pumping, either. Much like Brawl Brothers, it’s not offensive, just unimaginative. Very… mediocre.
Publisher: Namco / Developer: Namco
Smash Tennis and Super Tennis have us split here at Nintendo Life, with our favourite 16-bit SNES tennis game switching sides like a ball across a court. Prior to its inclusion in the Nintendo Switch Online lineup, this wasn’t available in North America, so many players won’t have nostalgia for it, but in many ways it gives the Nintendo-published game a run for its money. We’d recommend giving both a go on centre court and seeing which one work best for you.
Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Tokyo Shoseki
A powerful serving of 16-bit 2-player net sport, Super Tennis lives up to its name; it is super. As with the best sports games, it’s simple enough to pick up and play, but there’s plenty of depth to uncover, and a satisfying campaign mode to enjoy if you don’t have a partner to play with.
Publisher: Data East / Developer: Data East
Known as Joe & Mac 3: Lost in the Tropics in Europe, this is a good-looking 2D (and 2-player) platformer that’s worth investigating if you’ve never encountered Joe and/or Mac in your video gaming travels. You won’t be missing much if you never get around to it, but there’s certainly an afternoon’s worth of action platforming fun to be had from it.
Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo EAD
While you might find the framerate hard to stomach these days, the solid design beneath the ageing facade makes this ambitious 3D racer a fun vehicle to take for a spin. What Stunt Race FX lacks in looks and performance it makes up for with personality, and there’s plenty of fun to be had in nailing those corners and shaving seconds off your lap times. It’s well worth revisiting, or sampling if you’ve never had the pleasure.
Publisher: Capcom / Developer: Squaresoft
Breath of Fire is a reasonable mid-’90s RPG, but going back to it these days requires a hefty dose of patience for some of its outdated design. It’s not without charm if you’ve got nostalgia for it and you’re willing to make concessions, but compared to contemporary 16-bit classics like Chrono Trigger, EarthBound and Secret of Mana, Capcom’s effort can’t keep up.
Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Nintendo EAD
Pilotwings is a relaxing salve of a game that requires equal parts concentration and relaxation – a perfect antidote to the distractions of the times we live in. Balancing accessibility and skill-based gameplay in that time-honoured Nintendo way, it’s a great title to return to on Switch, especially given the series’ lack of new entries of late.
https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/2020/06/...me-ranked/