So rumors about a successor to the NES Classic Edition (which has been discontinued) began swirling earlier this year, following that separate system’s success on the market. It seems gamers are absolutely crazy about nostalgia, so why change what works? This time around, however, Nintendo seems to be focusing on its 16-bit era of gaming, with a SNES Classic Edition possibly set to arrive this holiday season. And according to various GameStop managers, it is, in fact, happening.
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Earlier this year, we put together a list of ten essential games that we felt would be ideal additions to the system, naming obvious favorites like Super Metroid, Super Mario World, Yoshi’s Island, Donkey Kong Country and, of course, The Legend of Zelda: A Link To the Past. But, of course, the system will be capable of holding a number of other games besides that – it’s likely to have 30 games featured on the hardware, just like the NES Classic Edition before it.
So we decided to go back and look at other crucial additions that would be excellent for the hardware – and not just limited to first-party releases either. With companies like Konami and Capcom on board (amongst others), there’s really potential here when it comes to re-introducing fans and newcomers to the classics that really made the SNES shine back in its day.
So join us now as we look at ten additional classics that are absolute musts when it comes to being added to the SNES Classic Edition. We want to play these again!
Super Ghouls ‘n Ghosts
And you thought the previous games in the Ghouls ‘n Ghosts series were tough. Capcom saved the ridiculous challenges for the third time round with the 1991 debut of the series on the SNES, with insanely designed levels that had you battling all sorts of odds, whether you were defeating enemies during a storm at sea (while in your hearted underwear, no less) or jumping across lava pits while fire-breathing demons made the rounds. No matter – the third chapter is utterly fantastic, and plays like a dream, especially with its new double-jump mechanic. Plus, it looks and sounds great, even with minor bits of slowdown here and there. You just can’t stop a good Ghouls game!
Contra III: The Alien Wars
Considering that Super C made its way onto the NES Classic Edition (although, strangely enough, not the original Contra), The Alien Wars is a given for the SNES model. Even though it’s a bit on the short side (just six levels in all), Contra III is still a blast for one or two players, as you take on Red Falcon’s latest forces in a number of crazy scenarios, from a mid-air battle involving a bunch of missiles to a pair of top-down stages where you have to take on foes from every angle. And that final boss battle – especially on the highest difficulty – simply can’t be beat. This needs to be included, just to show players how kick-ass games used to be back in the golden age.
Secret of Mana
Considering that Square Enix actually went out of its way to produce a Secret of Mana compilation for the Nintendo Switch (in Japan, anyway – a U.S. release is badly needed), it would only make sense that the most defining entry in the series be included on the SNES Classic. Secret of Mana would complement the previously mentioned Chrono Trigger very well in terms of role-playing fun, with its beautiful music and awesome gameplay. For good measure, Nintendo could include an option to let three players go at it in co-op fashion – one of the few role-playing games to offer such an option. We need a return to Mana, and fast.
Super Castlevania IV
While there were two good Castlevania games for the hardware – it would see a revamped port of Castlevania: Dracula X years into its life cycle – nothing beats the original 1991 release. Super Castlevania IV pushed the series leaps and bounds forward, with innovative new gameplay techniques (like being able to swing across chasms with your whip), memorable boss battles, and some of the best music and visuals we’ve seen in a Castlevania game to date. If the original Castlevania games (save for Dracula’s Curse, which was conspicuously missing) can shine on the NES, then why can’t Super Castlevania do the same on the SNES?
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
A lot of people might have missed Super Mario RPG the first time around, merely because it came around the end of the SNES life cycle. But they shouldn’t have, as the final collaboration between Square Enix and Nintendo (before it would move on to the Sony PlayStation and Final Fantasy VII) proved to be triumphant. This isometric role-playing adventure is a lot of fun for all ages, with its deep tactical gameplay and its cute yet extraordinary visuals. For good measure, it’s packing a lot of secrets as well, and the story still holds up well today. Paper Mario may have since taken the trophy, but we dare not forget Mario’s first foray into RPG land.
StarFox
Even though the series has since taken huge leaps forward in evolution with StarFox 64 and the most recent StarFox Zero for Wii U, the original StarFox remains a unique, awesome shooter experience. This polygonal based game made fine use of the Super FX chip hardware at the time, and introduced us to Fox and company as they attempted to save the universe from the evil Andross. Featuring fun flight controls and a variety of missions to blast your way through, StarFox innovated in a number of ways. Plus, that secret jackpot level is still one of the best hidden levels in a game to date. Good luck tracking it down!
ActRaiser
At a time when we needed a game to provide as such, ActRaiser gave us the best of both worlds. Enix’s early release for the SNES gave us a one-two punch, as we would fight our way through enemies in a side-scrolling fashion with a mighty swordsman, then attempted to rebuild the world from above with the help of a delightful angel. On top of that, Yuzo Koshiro’s soundtrack is the stuff of legend, and the graphics are well done, even to this day. The series also saw a sequel, ActRaiser 2, though it was more action-based. Still, both of these games would be ideal additions to the hardware.
Zombies Ate My Neighbors
A cult classic if there ever was one, Zombies Ate My Neighbors from LucasArts and Konami is the stuff of legend – it’s a game that a lot of gamers remember fondly, and for good reason. You take control of two unlikely movie fans as they fight their way through a number of levels, rescuing innocents that have no idea what’s happening and shooting everyone from aliens to mad Chucky-like dolls (“MUHAHAHA!”) with a variety of weapons. What’s more, the game made fine use of its co-op mechanic, requiring players to work together to save the world from peril. You just don’t see games like this anymore, and that’s exactly why ZAMN needs to come back.
Super Punch-Out!
Although the original Punch-Out!! remains an iconic favorite amongst the Nintendo elite, Super Punch-Out!! is a very good sequel that’s worth its weight in gold. Once again, Little Mac finds himself stacked up against some of the best fighters from the boxing world, with even more diverse tactics than what they brought in the original game. Fortunately, he’s just as hard a hitter as ever, and excellent controls really help you feel every punch that gets delivered. This knockout punch would be right at home in the SNES collection – even if you don’t have Mike Tyson to go up against. (Hey, neither did the one in the NES Classic Edition.)
NBA Jam
Want to talk about party games? Well, there were a few to choose from back in the day on the SNES, like Super Bomberman. But if we had to pick one, it has to be NBA Jam for us. The rights to this would probably be tricky – more than likely, EA Sports would need to step in to license the port – but it’d be oh-so-worth it to deliver high-flying dunks in one of the best arcade-to-home ports ever made. Plus, if Nintendo could add in four player accessibility, this could easily go down as one of the best sports games in the package, mixing right in with all the action games. And, let’s be honest, we need 30 foot high dunks again. BOOMSHAKALAKA!
BONUS: Earthworm Jim
If we’re going to include iconic titles from the 16-bit era, there’s one name we need to turn to – Earthworm Jim. Sure, the Donkey Kong Country and Mario games are amazing, but Jim managed to deliver one of the best third-party experiences for the system, with its weird yet wonderful level design and Jim’s awesome super suit abilities, including being able to use his own head as a whip to hurt enemies and get across chasms. For that matter, the sequel is fun as well, though it is kind of weird seeing a larvae take part in a quiz show. Hey, it’s Earthworm Jim – we wouldn’t have it any other way.
