13 Best Switch SNES Games: Retro Hits Worth Revisiting in 2025

The best Switch SNES games bring back the 16-bit magic that defined an era, but now it’s all packed into Nintendo’s modern console. You get the nostalgia without dragging out old cartridges or hunting for dusty hardware.

I’ve played through the classics again on Switch, and the jump from TV sets with fuzzy inputs to crisp handheld or docked play makes these games feel alive in a new way.

In this guide, I’ll cover the best picks, why they still matter, and which ones are worth sinking your time into today.

Our Top Picks for Switch SNES Games

I didn’t just pick these games because they’re classics; plenty of SNES titles are. What sets these apart is how well they hold up today. They’re still fun, clever, and capable of pulling you in for hours at a time. That’s why these five deserve the top spots.

1. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (1991) – The adventure that defined Zelda. Two worlds to explore, dungeons stacked with puzzles, and gear that constantly changes how you play. It’s the perfect mix of action, exploration, and discovery.
2. Super Metroid (1994) – This is the reason “Metroidvania” exists. You’re dropped on Zebes with barely a clue, left to explore a maze of corridors and alien lairs that only open up as you gain new abilities. Every upgrade feels earned, every boss fight pushes you, and the atmosphere is unmatched.
3. Donkey Kong Country (1994) – Rare’s jungle run still feels sharp. The tag-team swap between Donkey and Diddy keeps the platforming dynamic, and levels like mine cart mayhem and barrel blasts never get old. The soundtrack alone is worth the trip back.

These five games are the heart of the SNES lineup on Switch. Up next, I’ll dig into each one, showing why they’re still essential and how they stack against the rest of the library.

13 Best Switch SNES Games: Top Picks for Retro Fans

The SNES lineup on Switch is packed with games that still hold up decades later. Tight platformers, deep adventures, and pure retro fun that hasn’t aged a bit. How many of these classic games have you actually played?

1. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past [Overall Best SNES Switch Game]

Our score	10 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Type of game	Action-adventure
Platforms	SNES, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo Switch Online
Year of release	1991 (JP), 1992 (NA/EU)
Creators	Nintendo (Shigeru Miyamoto, Takashi Tezuka)
Average playtime	15-20 hours
Best for	Fans of puzzles, exploration, and classic Zelda action
What I liked	Dual-world design, dungeon variety, clever item progression, unforgettable boss fight

A Link to the Past doesn’t waste time. You grab a sword in the rain, sneak into Hyrule Castle, and the story snowballs into a fight to save two worlds. This simple premise somehow gave us one of the best SNES games ever.

Every dungeon is a new test. The Hookshot turns pits into shortcuts. The Fire Rod clears dark rooms and fries bosses. Moldorm knocks you into the abyss if you slip. Blind traps you in a cramped room full of fireballs. Each fight sticks in your head because it’s built around the tools you’ve earned.

The Light and Dark World system keeps the pace sharp. A dead end in one world becomes a path in the other. You’re always checking and prodding the map for hidden angles. My exploration felt much better once I started using a solid Switch controller, though.

And outside the main quest, there’s plenty to chase. Heart pieces tucked in caves, the Lost Woods waiting with secrets, quirky side characters dropping odd rewards. It’s packed with those small wins that keep you moving.

My Verdict: A Link to the Past nails the two-world mechanic, delivers dungeons that push your tools to the limit, and caps it with boss fights you won’t forget. It’s the SNES game I still come back to, and on Switch, it feels as tight as ever.

2. Super Metroid [Metroidvania Formula Perfected]

Our score	9.9 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Type of game	Action-adventure, Metroidvania
Platforms	SNES, Nintendo Switch Online
Year of release	1994
Creators	Nintendo (Gunpei Yokoi, Yoshio Sakamoto)
Average playtime	10-15 hours
Best for	Players who like exploration, atmosphere, and tough bosses
What I liked	Nonlinear map, upgrades that reshape play, moody world design, unforgettable encounters

Super Metroid doesn’t babysit you. You land on Zebes, the doors slam behind you, and you’re left to figure it out. No glowing waypoints. No tutorial pop-ups. Just you, a pea shooter, and an alien maze that keeps twisting back on itself. This title was a huge influence on so many best-selling Switch games and such a fond memory from my own childhood. Fortunately, this one has a map, unlike the original.

Every upgrade flips the script. The Morph Ball sneaks you through crawlspaces. The Grapple Beam turns bottomless pits into playgrounds. The Screw Attack makes you feel untouchable. That moment when a dead end from hours ago suddenly cracks wide open? That’s the core of the game, and it never stops hitting.

The bosses don’t mess around either. Crocomire melts the floor as you push him back inch by inch. Ridley is pure chaos, darting around the screen and forcing you to stay aggressive. And Mother Brain? That fight goes full spectacle. The second phase blew my mind in ’94 and still lands today.

Zebes itself does half the heavy lifting. The sound design is all pressure and dread – doors hissing shut, eerie hums filling the empty halls, music that makes you feel trapped. It’s not just set dressing; it makes every step forward feel risky.

My Verdict: Super Metroid is one of the reasons Metroidvania became a genre. Smart upgrades, unforgettable bosses, and a world that pushes you to keep poking at its edges. It took the original Metroidvania formula and shaped it into what it is today.

3. Donkey Kong Country [Best Graphics on the SNES]

Our score	9.8 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Type of game	Platformer, side-scroller
Platforms	SNES, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo Switch Online
Year of release	1994
Creators	Rare, Nintendo
Average playtime	6-10 hours
Best for	Players who love tough platformers with style
What I liked	Varied levels, tight controls, iconic music, tag-team mechanics

Donkey Kong Country started turning heads the second it dropped. The pre-rendered 3D models looked nothing like the flat sprites everyone was used to, and on the SNES, it felt like black magic. But it’s much more than a pretty face, because the platforming still holds up. If you prefer Mario, I understand, but, for me, this is the best platformer game on the console.

You control Donkey and Diddy, swapping between them for different strengths. Donkey hits harder, Diddy moves quicker, and losing one changes how you approach each level. The game constantly mixes things up – vine swinging, barrel blasting, underwater stages with Enguarde the swordfish, and those infamous mine cart runs that punish sloppy timing.

What seals it is the pacing. Levels are short but packed with secrets. Bonus rooms, hidden bananas, and animal buddies waiting to be found. And that soundtrack? David Wise’s score still rocks, with tracks like “Aquatic Ambience” and “Stickerbush Symphony” being SNES legends.

It’s not perfect, though. The difficulty spikes can be rough, and late-game stages don’t go easy on you. But that challenge is part of the appeal. Beating a tough stage feels like a true accomplishment.

My Verdict: Donkey Kong Country has amazing graphics, but it’s the level variety, tag-team mechanics, and music that keep it timeless. It’s still one of the best platformers on the SNES, and a must-play on Switch. Without the Donkey Kong Country Trilogy, SNES wouldn’t be the console we all know and love.

4. Kirby Super Star [Eight Games in One]

Our score	9.7 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Type of game	Action-platformer, collection
Platforms	SNES, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Switch Online
Year of release	1996
Creators	HAL Laboratory, Nintendo
Average playtime	8-12 hours
Best for	Players who want variety and quick pick-up-and-play sessions
What I liked	Eight game modes, copy abilities, couch-friendly co-op, light but clever design

Kirby Super Star is a whole gaming buffet. You get eight modes that range from quick snack-sized challenges to full adventures. One run has you treasure hunting through the Great Cave Offensive, another drops you into a boss rush gauntlet. And then there’s Milky Way Wishes, which plays like a full-blown Kirby campaign.

The hook is Kirby’s copy ability. Swallow an enemy and suddenly you’re throwing bombs, swinging swords, or zipping around with jet power. Each mode plays with these abilities in different ways, so nothing overstays its welcome. And if you want to mix it up further, you can summon a CPU helper or pass the controller for two-player co-op. It’s a great co-op game, and I remember spending hours playing with my baby sister.

It’s approachable in the best way. You can knock out a quick game in minutes or sink days in different modes. The colorful graphics and breezy pacing make it easy to dip in and out, which is exactly why it has aged so gracefully – and why fans still count it among the best Kirby games to this day.

My Verdict: Kirby Super Star is variety done right. Eight modes, tons of copy abilities, and an easy co-op option keep it endlessly replayable. On Switch, it’s still one of the most fun and flexible SNES games you can fire up.

5. Yoshi’s Island [The Best Coloring Book I’ve Ever Played]

Our score	9.6 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Type of game	Platformer, side-scroller
Platforms	SNES, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo Switch Online
Year of release	1995
Creators	Nintendo (Shigeru Miyamoto, Takashi Tezuka)
Average playtime	12-15 hours
Best for	Players who want platforming with creativity and challenge
What I liked	Hand-drawn art, egg-throwing mechanics, inventive levels, boss variety

Yoshi’s Island doesn’t look like any other SNES game. The crayon/watercolor art was so bold in 1995, and still pops today. It’s pretty, sure, but it also changes the feel of the game. It looks like developers hand-crafted every stage and packed it with unique tricks. It’s still an amazing Switch game for kids, teleported from the before times.

Instead of Mario, you control Yoshi carrying Baby Mario on his back. Take a hit, and the baby floats off in a bubble while a timer ticks down. It’s a clever twist that adds tension without cheap deaths. Yoshi’s arsenal is just as inventive. Swallow enemies, turn them into eggs, and use those eggs to solve puzzles, hit switches, or pelt bosses from a distance.

The level design keeps pushing new ideas. Shy Guy factories, ski slopes, rotating platforms, and giant bosses that fill the screen – each world drops something fresh. It’s never just “another level.” And the difficulty curve sneaks up on you. The later worlds throw some of the toughest platforming on the SNES, hidden collectibles included. I have to admit, this is one of the few games that made me throw my controller in anger and storm out for a breather.

My Verdict: Yoshi’s Island looks like a children’s book, but underneath the pastel art is one of the smartest and most demanding platformers of the 16-bit era. On Switch, it’s still as inventive and satisfying as it was in ’95.

6. Super Mario World [Yoshi’s First Ride]

Our score	9.5 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Type of game	Platformer, side-scroller
Platforms	SNES, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo Switch Online
Year of release	1990 (JP), 1991 (NA), 1992 (EU)
Creators	Nintendo (Shigeru Miyamoto, Takashi Tezuka)
Average playtime	10-15 hours
Best for	Players who want tight platforming and tons of secrets
What I liked	Yoshi’s debut, branching paths, cape power-up, hidden exits galore

Super Mario World was a launch game for the SNES, and it set the tone for the whole console. The setup is classic: rescue Peach from Bowser, clear themed worlds, and stomp Goombas along the way. But the scale here blows past the NES entries.

The overworld map is packed with branching routes, ghost houses, and secret exits that unlock entire hidden areas. Star Road and Special World turn the game into a massive playground, and discovering those paths felt like cracking codes with every level I revisited.

Yoshi makes his debut here, and he’s more than a sidekick. He gives you new moves like tongue grabs, enemy-swallowing, and the flutter jump that changes how you approach tough stages. The cape feather is another game-changer, letting you take to the skies if you master its tricky flight mechanic.

The levels themselves keep a perfect rhythm – short, punchy challenges stacked with surprises. One minute you’re dodging saw blades in a fortress, the next you’re coasting on flying blocks or racing Lakitu’s camera speed. Every world has at least one stage you’ll remember. The competition for the best Mario games for Switch is tough, but this one is definitely up there.

My Verdict: Super Mario World is peak 2D Mario. The controls are razor sharp, the secrets never stop, and the mix of Yoshi, power-ups, and branching routes makes it endlessly replayable. It’s the SNES game I’d put on any Switch must-play list.

7. Chrono Trigger [One JRPG to Rule Them All]

Our score	9.4 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Type of game	JRPG, turn-based
Platforms	SNES, PS, Nintendo DS, PC, iOS, Android
Year of release	1995
Creators	Square
Average playtime	20-35 hours
Best for	Players who want classic JRPG storytelling and depth
What I liked	Time travel plot, multiple endings, combo techs, amazing soundtrack

Chrono Trigger opens with a fair, a teleport machine gone wrong, and a trip straight into the past. From there, it keeps throwing you through different eras – prehistoric hunts, medieval wars, ruined futures, and a showdown with the apocalypse itself. It’s one of the best JRPG games out there.

The cast makes it work. Frog wields a sword and a curse, Robo tries to find his place in a world that’s moved on, and Magus is the kind of “enemy turned ally” twist that still hits. Every character brings something unique into both the story and combat.

The battle system keeps things fast. Enemies are on the field, no random encounters, and the Active Time Battle meter pushes you to act quickly. The real hook is the team-up attacks. Dual and triple-techs turn standard fights into fireworks, and swapping party members changes the way you play.

Exploring every corner pays off, too. With 13 endings, side quests that flesh out your team, and optional bosses that push your limits, it’s a game that wants to be replayed. The soundtrack ties it all together – moody, triumphant, and unforgettable.

My Verdict: Chrono Trigger gets time travel right, gives you interesting characters, and backs it with a battle system that still feels modern. On SNES or Switch, it’s the JRPG I always tell people to play first.

8. Super Mario Kart [The Start of Kart Racing]

Our score	9.3 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Type of game	Kart racing, multiplayer
Platforms	SNES, Nintendo Switch Online
Year of release	1992
Creators	Nintendo (Shigeru Miyamoto, Tadashi Sugiyama)
Average playtime	Endless
Best for	Players who want competitive racing with a side of chaos
What I liked	Split-screen battles, mode variety, simple but addictive tracks

Super Mario Kart kicked off an empire with Mode 7 trickery that turned flat tracks into something that looked 3D. It’s clunky by modern standards, but in 1992, it felt like the future. It’s still one of the best multiplayer Switch games that came from the SNES.

The Grand Prix mode gives you 20 tracks across four cups, each with sharp corners, ramps, and hazards to ruin your run. Rainbow Road debuted here and was already a nightmare of no guardrails and punishing turns. The roster is tight, too – eight racers with different weights and handling, so Bowser barrels through while Toad and Koopa zip around corners.

But I always enjoyed Battle Mode the most. Two players, four arenas, three balloons each. No laps, no finish line, just hunting your friend with shells until their balloons popped. It’s the blueprint for every late-night Mario Kart rivalry.

The items keep races unpredictable. A perfectly timed green shell, a lightning bolt that shrinks everyone, a feather that lets you leap over obstacles. They’re small touches that make every race different.

My Verdict: Super Mario Kart set the tone for 30 years of chaos. Tight tracks, brutal items, and Battle Mode made it a classic. It’s rough compared to later entries, but it’s still worth firing up on Switch to see where kart racing began.

9. EarthBound [The Weirdest SNES RPG]

Our score	9.2 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Type of game	JRPG, turn-based
Platforms	SNES, Wii U, 3DS, Nintendo Switch Online
Year of release	1994 (JP), 1995 (NA)
Creators	Ape, HAL Laboratory
Average playtime	25-35 hours
Best for	Players who want quirky humor and a different kind of RPG
What I liked	Modern-day setting, offbeat humor, strange enemies, unique combat

EarthBound flips the RPG script. No knights or castles here – you’re swinging baseball bats, tossing yo-yos, and blasting psychic powers. The world looks like small-town America mashed with fever-dream nonsense, and that’s why I love it. If you want a break from top-tier Switch RPG games that fit the norm, this is your bizarre playground.

You play as Ness, a kid who stumbles into a fight against the alien Giygas. The party you build along the way is just as odd: a psychic girl, a gadget-obsessed nerd, and a martial arts prince. They’re powerful, sure, but they still wrestle with normal problems like bullies, bad luck, and even homesickness.

The combat looks standard at first, but the rolling HP meter is a huge twist. Take a big hit, and your health ticks down instead of dropping instantly. If you’re fast enough with healing, you can save yourself from a knockout. That one tweak makes battles feel tense and rewarding.

Then there’s the humor. Talking mushrooms, hippie enemies, bizarre NPCs spouting nonsense. It’s funny, but never random for the sake of it. The whole game feels like satire wrapped in an RPG.

My Verdict: EarthBound is bizarre, funny, and secretly brilliant. The rolling HP, the modern setting, and the offbeat vibe make it unlike anything else on SNES. It’s a cult classic for a reason, and on Switch, it’s finally easy to see why.

10. Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars [Mario’s First RPG]

Our score	9.1 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Type of game	JRPG, turn-based
Platforms	SNES, Wii Virtual Console, Wii U, Nintendo Switch Online
Year of release	1996
Creators	Square, Nintendo
Average playtime	15-20 hours
Best for	Players who want RPG mechanics with Mario’s humor and charm
What I liked	Timing-based combat, crossover cast, colorful world, great pacing

Super Mario RPG takes the Mushroom Kingdom and spins it into a full JRPG. Peach and Bowser are here, but for once they’re on your side. You also get new faces like Mallow, the crying cloud, and Geno, a puppet with laser arms. It feels strange at first, then you realize how much it works.

The combat mixes traditional turn-based battles with action. Time your button presses right, and you’ll block attacks or land critical hits. That extra layer of skill keeps fights engaging, especially in tougher boss battles.

Exploration feels lively, too. The isometric maps are packed with secrets, goofy NPCs, and mini-games that break up the quest. One minute you’re platforming across moving blocks, the next you’re chasing a thief or jumping into a minecart ride.

The humor lands throughout. Mario’s pantomime cutscenes are still hilarious, and the script balances lighthearted jokes with the more epic moments of chasing the seven star pieces.

My Verdict: Super Mario RPG blends Square’s RPG chops with Mario’s playful world and nails it. Fun combat, memorable characters, and plenty of weird surprises make it one of the best SNES experiments. And one that still feels fresh on Switch.

11. Street Fighter II Turbo: Hyper Fighting [The Fastest Street Fighter on SNES]

Our score	9 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Type of game	Fighter
Platforms	Arcade, SNES, Nintendo Switch Online
Year of release	1993
Creators	Capcom
Average playtime	Endless
Best for	Players who love competitive fighting and high-speed matches
What I liked	Fast pace, balanced roster, iconic stages, pure arcade feel

Street Fighter II Turbo tightened everything up and cranked the speed. Combos hit harder, matches ran faster, and suddenly, you have one of the best fighting games on SNES. It quickly became the go-to multiplayer arena for anyone who wanted bragging rights.

The roster still defines fighting games. Ryu and Ken’s fireballs and dragon punches, Guile’s sonic boom traps, Chun-Li’s flurry of kicks, Zangief’s devastating grabs – every character feels distinct. Learning their quirks is half the fun, and figuring out counters against friends is the other half.

Stages are just as iconic. Fighting in front of Guile’s jet, Chun-Li’s bustling market, or Ryu’s dojo burned these backgrounds into my mind. Add in the legendary music (Guile’s theme goes with everything, apparently), and the whole package screams arcade energy.

What made Turbo stand out was its speed. The faster pace didn’t just look better but raised the skill ceiling. Timing became critical, and matches demanded precision. It’s why this version became the competitive standard for years.

My Verdict: Street Fighter II Turbo: Hyper Fighting is pure fighting perfection. Tight mechanics, a legendary cast, and a pace that rewards skill keep it timeless. On Switch, it’s still one of the best couch-versus experiences you can fire up.

12. Star Fox [Polygons Take Flight]

Our score	8.8 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Type of game	Rail shooter, 3D action
Platforms	SNES, Nintendo Switch Online
Year of release	1993
Creators	Nintendo, Argonaut Software
Average playtime	3-5 hours
Best for	Players who want classic arcade shooting with a 3D twist
What I liked	Super FX chip visuals, branching routes, iconic team banter

Star Fox was Nintendo flexing tech on the SNES. Thanks to the Super FX chip, it pushed polygons where no one expected them and turned a 16-bit console into a pseudo-3D dogfighting machine. Flying an Arwing across Corneria in ’93 felt like magic.

The gameplay is simple but effective. You’re locked on rails, blasting enemy waves, dodging obstacles, and chasing down bosses. The Arwing controls tight, with barrel rolls and lock-ons that make fights satisfying even today. Andross, the giant floating head of a villain, is still one of the SNES’s strangest final bosses.

Branching paths keep runs fresh. Take one route and you’ll hit a straightforward campaign; pick another and you’ll be dodging space mines or dueling in asteroid fields. Short playthroughs mean it’s easy to replay, which was the point. It’s an arcade-style game at heart.

The cast adds charm. Fox, Falco, Peppy, and Slippy don’t just tag along; they chatter mid-flight, giving the game personality beyond the shooting. That banter became the series’ trademark.

My Verdict: Star Fox is rough around the edges, but it showed what the SNES could do with some extra silicon. The mix of 3D visuals, team banter, and arcade pacing made it a standout then – and still worth a flight on Switch.

13. F-Zero [The Fastest Racer on SNES]

Our score	8.7 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Type of game	Futuristic racing
Platforms	SNES, Nintendo Switch Online
Year of release	1990 (JP), 1991 (NA/EU)
Creators	Nintendo
Average playtime	3-6 hours
Best for	Players who want high-speed racing and tough tracks
What I liked	Mode 7 visuals, insane speed, iconic courses, tight controls

F-Zero hit launch day on the SNES and immediately showed off what the console could do. Mode 7 graphics turned flat tracks into twisting highways, and suddenly, modern racing games didn’t feel 8-bit anymore. The sense of speed still stands out. It’s blistering for a 1990 game.

You pick from four hovercraft, each with different stats. The Blue Falcon is balanced, the Golden Fox is fast but fragile, the Fire Stingray hits like a tank, and the Wild Goose sits in the middle. Mastering their handling is key, because one bad bump can send you flying off the track.

The tracks are just gravy. Mute City, Big Blue, Port Town – they’re all burned into SNES history. Each course has sharp turns, jumps, boost pads, and hazards that punish sloppy driving. By the later leagues, the game demands precision, and winning feels like pulling off a perfect run.

It’s light on modes compared to modern racers (no multiplayer in the original hurts), but the time trials and difficulty spikes give it legs. Beating your best lap time is its own addiction.

My Verdict: F-Zero is speed, pure and simple. The tracks are iconic, the controls tight, and the sense of momentum unmatched on the SNES. On Switch, it’s still worth booting up to see where futuristic racers started.

My Overall Verdict

The SNES lineup on Switch isn’t short on classics, but the right starting point depends on what you’re looking for. Some games are built for quick fun, others for long-haul grinding, and a few still define entire genres. Here’s where I’d point different players:

• For Adventurers: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. Exploration, puzzles, and dungeons that never get old make it my top adventure pick.
• For Families: Kirby Super Star. Light, colorful, and full of bite-sized adventures. Add in co-op, and it’s the easiest crowd-pleaser on the list.
• For RPG Fans: Chrono Trigger. Time travel, branching endings, and combat that rewards experimentation. It’s the JRPG I’d recommend first.
• For Casual Gamers: Super Mario World. Short levels, sharp controls, and plenty of secrets. Perfect for dipping in and out without losing progress.
• For Platformer Fans: Donkey Kong Country. Tight controls, wild variety, and a soundtrack that still hits. Platforming at its slickest.
• For Sci-Fi Fans: Super Metroid. A map that opens piece by piece, upgrades that reshape the game, and bosses that push your skills.
• For Creative Gamers: Yoshi’s Island. Looks like a coloring book, plays like a masterclass in platforming design. Every level has a new twist.
• For Retro Racer Fans: F-Zero. Blistering speed, Mode 7 wizardry, and tracks that still test your reflexes.
• For Competitive Players: Street Fighter II Turbo. Balanced roster, brutal pace, and the ultimate couch-versus game for bragging rights.

When you’re ready to move away from the retro, our list of the best Nintendo Switch games will show you what the console does right today.

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FAQs

What is the best Switch SNES game?

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past is the best Switch SNES game. It nails exploration, puzzles, and combat, all packed into a two-world system that still feels smart today. It hasn’t aged a bit and plays perfectly on Switch.

What is SNES?

The SNES, or Super Nintendo Entertainment System, is Nintendo’s 16-bit console released in the early ’90s. It followed the NES and delivered some of the most iconic games ever made. Titles like Zelda, Mario, Metroid, and Donkey Kong cemented it as one of the most legendary systems. A lot of NES and SNES games are cult classics today.

When did the SNES come out?

The SNES launched in Japan in 1990 as the Super Famicom, then hit North America in 1991 and Europe in 1992. It quickly became a global success, pushing the 16-bit era forward and bringing classics like Super Mario World, A Link to the Past, and Street Fighter II.

How many SNES games are there?

Nintendo officially released around 1,750 SNES games worldwide, though the number varies by region. North America and Europe saw fewer titles than Japan, which got the largest library. On Switch, you get a curated collection through Nintendo Switch Online, which features dozens of the system’s best and most iconic releases.

Can I still buy new SNES games?

No, Nintendo doesn’t make new SNES cartridges anymore. Original games are collector’s items now, often pricey, depending on rarity. Your best option is playing digitally through Nintendo Switch Online, where a big chunk of the SNES library has been re-released and preserved for modern players.

How to play SNES games on Switch?

You can play SNES games on Switch with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. The service includes a dedicated SNES app that lets you browse and play dozens of titles instantly. Just download the app, log in, and you’re ready to jump into retro classics on your console.