Summary
Few consoles can claim to have as many highly rated RPGs as theSNES. The juggernaut of the 90s was known for its platformers in America, but in Japan it was praised highly for its stellar RPGs. Years after the SNES reign, Western gamers consistently revisit the SNES to explore its ocean of quality RPGs.
Part of what makes SNES RPGs so great compared to other consoles is that, unlike the NES, the RPGs had depth, less abstract maps, and more plot. Compared to the PlayStation, the SNES games were not nearly as convoluted or time-consuming to complete. The SNES hits the right balance of accessibility without being too easy, making its RPG library a delight to play through.
In the 90s, it was shocking to see the platforming hero Mario in an RPG. Square created an original world unique to Mario, along with one-of-a-kind graphics and art style.Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Starsfeatures a similar sense of humor toEarthboundin its ability to not take itself too seriously.
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars popularized the mechanic of pressing the attack button at the right time to do more damage, thereby making turn-based combat more interactive. While Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars lacks in party size, it is filled with memorable villains and boss fights.
With most RPGs on the SNES taking place in medieval-inspired settings, Front Mission is a breath of fresh air with its focus on a dystopian, mech-dominated world.
Front Mission leverages its mech-centric setting by offering players the ability to upgrade and customize their mechs to their liking. The characters' backstories and development are also diverse, with many party members having in-depth backgrounds, a rarity even in strategy RPGs today.
Earthbound, the second game in the Mother series, has garnered one of the largest cult followings among SNES RPGs. It contrasts with other RPGs of its era through its cutesy art style and the unconventional setting of an American suburban environment.
While Earthbound’s battle system is relatively simple, its writing remains ahead of its time. The game is known for havingthe most hilarious dialogue in the genreand a plot that never overstays its welcome. Furthermore, Earthbound features sections that are notably challenging, contributing to its reputation as one of the more difficult flagship RPGs on the SNES.
Many of the best SNES RPGs were originally launched exclusively on the Super Famicom, but in 2022,Live a Livewas officially ported to the West. Live a Live stands out because players choose between 7 different characters and experience their individual stories instead of following a single central protagonist.
After completing one character’s story, you move on to the next. Each character in Live a Live has a unique background, and the game features completely different gameplay styles and narrative approaches for each storyline. Live a Live was ambitious in its design and is believed to have been an inspiration forOctopath Traveler.
Final Fantasy 6
The most ambitious of the 2D Final Fantasy games, Final Fantasy 6 expanded upon the narrative elements introduced in Final Fantasy 4 and elevated them to new heights. Recognized for its grand scale and remarkable soundtrack, Final Fantasy 6 was among the earliest titles to deliver storytelling through an epic narrative.
Final Fantasy 6 stands out for its distinctive feature of having a set cast of characters, though pinpointing a single protagonist can be challenging. The game is lauded for its memorable characters, steampunk-inspired world, and expansive map, setting it apart from its contemporaries. However, in terms of gameplay, Final Fantasy 6 did not introduce particularly groundbreaking mechanics compared to other turn-based RPGs on the SNES.
Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War was the first game in the series to dramatically increase its scale. It presents a multi-generational war epic where players engage in battles on expansive maps populated with numerous units.
An enjoyable feature introduced in Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War, which has become a staple in modernFire Emblemgames, is the ability for characters to marry and have children who inherit their parents' attributes. Despite its wealth of mechanics, one unique aspect of the game is the possibility for characters to be permanently killed in unexpected ways, adding a layer of unpredictability to gameplay.
Before Final Fantasy 4, most people’s perception of RPGs involved minimal plot and characterization. Final Fantasy 4 revolutionized RPGs by elevating production values and introducing a structured story that played out like an interactive movie.
In terms of gameplay, Final Fantasy 4 did not innovate significantly, but it featured a familiar cast, each character possessing distinct attributes in both gameplay mechanics and personality. While other SNES RPGs may have had more complex plots, Final Fantasy 4’s straightforward narrative approach protected it from becoming overly melodramatic or convoluted.
The Ogre Battle series is probably more famous for the Tactics Ogre games which have inspiredFinal Fantasy Tactics, but the series started on the SNES as a real time strategy meets RPG hybrid game. Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen is a sprawling game featuring numerous characters, items, and classes.
The game boasts a relatively complex political plot, though it lacks in-depth character development for most of its roster. Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen can surprise newcomers to 16-bit gaming with its substantial depth, which surpasses that of many other games from the 1990s.
Widely regarded not only as the best RPG on the SNES butalso a consensus pick for the best RPG of all time,Chrono Triggerexcels without relying on gimmicks, executing every aspect with exceptional quality. The game features a distinctive art style, with character designs by the late Akira Toriyama, yet manages to avoid being distracting or gimmicky.
Chrono Trigger’s battle system, while not the most complex, is praised for its brilliant pacing. The game never dwells excessively on one dungeon or plot point, seamlessly propelling players through different eras to interact with its vibrant cast and explore multiple plot threads.
Often overshadowed by Final Fantasy 4 and Final Fantasy 6, Final Fantasy 5 was originally a Japanese-only release during the SNES era. The game expanded upon Final Fantasy 3’s job system, creating one of the most dynamic combat systems in any turn-based RPG.
While Final Fantasy 5 may not feature the memorable characters or ambitious plots of its SNES counterparts, it compensates by offering a wide array of classes that players can mix and match within their party. The ability to transfer unique skills between classes allows for countless combinations and strategies in battle.
