Top 5 SNES RPGs

The Super Nintendo was home to some magnificent RPGs. Remembered by many as the golden age of video games, SquareSoft dominated the era when RPGs were evolving and created some truly imaginative games. These are my top 5 SNES RPGs:

1. -Chrono Trigger-

Chrono Trigger is a game that begs to be played. While not the most epic RPG on the SNES, it’s design and fantastic pacing make it an engaging experience from start to finish. The characters and time-travelling plot are memorable, the 2D art is beautifully drawn, the music is still some of the best ever produced, but it’s the timeless game play and fun turn-based battle system that could keep players enjoying Chrono Trigger forever. Chrono Trigger is straightforward in it’s design but captivating in it’s execution. It is easily the best RPG on the SNES and one of the best of all time.

2. -Final Fantasy VI-

The scope of Final Fantasy VI is unmatched by any other game on the SNES. The event scenes, well written dialogue and expertly designed musical score come together perfectly to portray a dramatic narrative that provides an adventure the player will never forget. Final Fantasy VI also features a large cast of well developed characters and a battle system that is highly customisable. Final Fantasy VI is an epic RPG that pushed the SNES hardware to it’s limits and is a classic game that all RPG players should experience.

3. -Secret of Mana-

Secret of Mana takes the player on a magical adventure, just like you would dream of as a kid. It combines a real-time battle system, unique ring command menu system, fantastical story, wonderful music and innovative multiplayer function to create an action RPG masterpiece on the SNES. Secret of Mana lures the player in with it’s bright, colourful and imaginative world and keeps them hooked with enjoyable game play and great sense of adventure. Secret of Mana is a great experience individually and also with a couple of friends.

4. -Final Fantasy IV-

Final Fantasy IV was a revolution for it’s time. It was one of the first RPGs to feature an involving and character driven story, while also introducing mechanics that would be staples of the later instalments in the Final Fantasy series, such as the active-time battle system. Following Cecil’s journey of redemption, Final Fantasy IV has a lot of personality that engages players despite its very simple design. Final Fantasy IV is remembered as a timeless classic and an innovator for the RPG genre.

5. -Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars-

Placing the world of the Mario series into an RPG seemed like an odd idea, but SquareSoft managed to mix traditional RPG elements with platforming sections to create an original and extremely fun game. Super Mario RPG featured some of the best visuals on the SNES, using 3D rendered graphics and offering a different take on battles by including timed action commands that could enhance an abilities effect. Super Mario RPG showed the creativity of SquareSoft by combining different genres effectively to make a highly enjoyable game.

10 Comments

Filed under Chrono Series, Final Fantasy Series, Mana Series, Top 5 Lists

10 responses to “Top 5 SNES RPGs

  1. Final Fantasy IV is The greatest RPG ever made!

    • Thanks Jana, I too have fond memories of Final Fantasy IV, the story really hooked me and Cecil was a believable main character. Still a great game to play even today.

  2. That guy

    My top 2 are the same but then I’d put Soul Blazer, Breath of Fire and Lufia 2. Of course your other three choices are great too. Such a good system for rpgs.

    • Absolutely, the SNES had so many outstanding RPGs and its good see people enjoyed different ones. There were also other ones that were never localized from Japan such as Seiken Densetsu 3 and the original Star Ocean. Thanks!

  3. jasmin

    Great blog but what about Tales of Phantasia?

    • I have only played a small amount of Tales of Phantasia, but from the little I did it seemed like a great game. Unfortunately I haven’t played many Tales Of games at all. What do you recommend as the best ones in the series?
      Thanks for the comment!

  4. No Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past? If Secret of mana is there (and it should) I guess LoZ:ALttP deserves a spot in the top-5.

    My top 5 (RPGS) for SNES is the folowing:
    – Final fantasy VI (greatest game ever)
    – Chrono Trigger
    – The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
    – Secret of Mana
    – Illusion of Gaia

    • Believe it or not when I wrote this article I hadn’t played The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past! I have now fixed that and finished it not long ago and it truly is a terrific game. It would definitely make the list now! Thanks

      • WhiteKnight597

        It’s always been debated but personally I can’t call Link to the Past a “true” RPG. It is my favorite Zelda game and one of my favorite games of all time but I’d consider it more of an adventure game with some RPG elements. Seiken Densetu 3 is an amazing game. An upgrade all around from Secret of Mana. I suggest that anyone who hasn’t played this and likes SOM to download an emulator and the English pre-patched ROM.

        • I played Seiken Densetu 3 and it really is a brilliant game, a worth sequel to Secret of Mana and I still hold hope Square Enix will release it in English one day on the Virtual Console or a handheld. You what else is a fascinating SNES game not many people have played? Terranigma, if you ever get a chance to play that, let me know what you think. Thanks.

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