After the Nintendo Entertainment System popularized console video games, the big question was, ?What?s next?? Enter the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. The 8-bit era had come to a close, and the 16-bit era began, filled with console wars and all-time classics. Through all of Nintendo?s systems, none top the amount of quality games on the SNES. From RPGs to platformers, and on-rails shooters to adventure, this system had everything, hosting some of the best games of all time.
Naturally, it?s difficult to choose favorites. Many of us staff members spent hours deciding which games would make their top ten. We?ve compiled ZI?s favorite SNES titles into one expansive list, paying tribute to these all-time classics.
Which games in the console?s expansive library made the cut? Which ones are sorely missed? Here are our choices.
?
#10: Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy Kong?s Quest
For a sequel to a game as significant as Donkey Kong Country, Diddy?s Kong Quest stands strong. Starting on the ship of King K. Rool, where the last game left off, Diddy Kong and his new pal Dixie are crashed on Crocodile Isle, K. Rool?s new lair. Dropping these two monkeys off in a pirate setting remains one of the most charming scenarios out there, and the gameplay holds up just as well. Of course, it wouldn?t be quite the same with the genius of David Wise, the game?s composer. With Dixie?s flight ability, new useful animal buddies, and level designs completely different from the first game, Donkey Kong Country 2 shows that sequels can be just as good as originals?perhaps better.
?
#9: Super Mario RPG: Legend of Seven Stars
Bringing Mario from his platforming roots to the RPG scene was no easy feat, and Nintendo knew that. Taking the idea to none other than the masters themselves, Nintendo collaborated with Square to create what remains an essential game for any RPG fan: Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. Super Mario RPG combines the best of Mario?s platforming history with everything that Square does right, and it seamlessly captures the magic. With a wide cast of cartoony characters, a great soundtrack, brightly colored landscapes, and the very first use of action commands, Super Mario RPG remains to this day one of the best Mario games out there. It may have greyed a tad thanks to the Mario & Luigi series, but there?s no game quite like this one.
?
#8: Super Metroid
Samus Aran?s adventure on the Super Nintendo holds up today, and it stands as, arguably, the best entry in the Metroid franchise. From the introduction told by the famous bounty hunter herself, to the climactic Mother Brain battle, Super Metroid never dips in quality. The expansive overworld returned, bigger and more intimidating than ever, with hundreds of secrets to discover. The story stands as one of the greatest of the 16-bit era, with the Metroid baby?s sacrifice remaining one of the most tearjerking and memorable moments in gaming. Fantastic boss fights and fascinating upgrades are the icing on this cake. Super Metroid is the definitive 2D Metroid title, offering up one of the best gaming experiences of all time.
?
#7: Chrono Trigger
Square?s original master piece, Chrono Trigger is often called the pinnacle of the JRPG genre. The game follows a group of heroes traveling through time to prevent a global catastrophe, but the story delves far deeper, containing multiple endings and memorable set pieces. The gameplay reaches new heights for the medium as well, such as the ability to combine techniques and the active battle system, combining innovation with the classic elements we know and love. Rewarding multiple playthroughs make gamers come back for more, constantly being drawn to Crono?s adventures through time. After seventeen years, Chrono Trigger hold its place among many gamers as one of the greatest games ever created.
?
#6: Earthbound Nothing is quite as quirky and hilarious as Earthbound, a game with a klutzy atmosphere, a great sense of humor, and a fantastic collection of enemies. The game is set in a world inhabited by kids who must defeat aliens with psychic powers in a society that pokes fun at American culture. Earthbound mocks RPG genre clich?s, simultaneously creating one of the best RPG experiences ever. Some insane events happen in the game, involving zombies, dinosaurs, invaders from outer space, and a really chubby antagonist. Looking past the hilarious antics Earthbound creates, you find a great battle system, an inspiring cast of characters, and an unfamiliar, new take on the RPG genre. Replacing swords with yo-yos, Earthbound was in its own league, and a fantastic one at that.
?
#5: Donkey Kong CountryRare was taking on a daunting task with Donkey Kong Country. The game was planned to reinvent the classic character in a brand-new adventure, without the help of Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of the franchise. The final product went beyond the developer?s initial task, creating a living, breathing world with fun-filled platforming. Running through the jungle, defeating Kremlins, and grabbing thousands of bananas never gets old, and a colorful new cast, with characters such as Diddy Kong and Rambi the Rhino, brought the world to life. The endeavor of recreating Donkey Kong for a new generation was a complicated matter, but Rare made one of the most incredible titles that holds up to this day, popularizing the Super Nintendo, and set the foundation for all future games featuring the first member of the DK crew.
?
#4: Mega Man X According to Dr. Light, Mega Man X (successor to the original blue bomber) was named such because the variable ?X? represents infinite potential, and it?s amazing just how true that was about the game itself.? The game had the same basic formula as the previous Mega Man titles on the NES: A set number of levels with robot masters, err mavericks, to beat, from which special abilities could be earned, plus at least one final boss stage. But thanks to the addition of two simple mechanics, wall jumping and dashing, the gameplay felt new and fresh. Now there were whole new ways to get past obstacles and the strategy required to beat bosses became that much more complex. Filled with faster gameplay, intuitive level design, and a simple, yet surprisingly more involved story than previous games in the series, Mega Man X truly stands out as one of the best in the series. No wonder it spawned so many sequels, as well as spinoffs like Mega Man Zero and Mega Man ZX.
?
#3: Yoshi?s IslandThere?s a bit of debate as to whether Yoshi?s Island can be considered part of the side-scrolling Mario series (having the subtitle ?Super Mario World 2,? but being the most derivative game in the series). But nevertheless, if it is, there?s no denying it?s quite possibly the most inventive Mario side scroller ever. Sure, the basic concept was the same, get through an obstacle course without touching enemies or falling into pits, but so much had been added and changed. No longer could you die by touching enemies, no longer could you throw fireballs, and no longer was it enough to just metaphorically dust off your your jeans whenever you got hit and keep on moving. The addition of Baby Mario with a counter as a newfangled ?life meter? element, as well as eating enemies and throwing them as eggs, added many new, unique gameplay elements, and the scoring system added for great replay value that?s arguably greater than even Super Mario World. And don?t even get started on the art style: The coloring book style of art might be seen as the Wind Waker of its time.
?
#2: Super Mario World No pack-in title has ever been able to top the glory that is Super Mario World. The SNES title was a departure from the franchise?s NES entries, sporting a completely new artstyle, and some dramatic changes. Gone were the Goombas and linear areas, replaced by hoards of dragons and an expansive overworld map. The level design is top-notch, and possibly the best the genre has ever seen, filled with fruited plains, towering mountains, haunted houses, and fearsome towers. The introduction of Yoshi provided a companion for Mario, bringing tons of new strategy and possibilities to the table. With dozens of fun levels and endless enemies to defeat, Super Mario World stands, arguably so, as the best 2D Super Mario title yet.
?
#1: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Often declared to be the best Zelda, especially amongst game developers, A Link to the Past is the definition of what a Zelda game is. After having his Uncle taken from him, Link must save Princess Zelda, the six Maidens, and stop the evil Agahnim. The gameplay in A Link to the Past was a large step up from the original NES Zelda and any improvements introduced have not been excluded from any future Zelda titles. Players could now move in 8 directions, attack in 90 degree ranges, use the 360 degree spin attack, but most of all, A Link to the Past introduced the Master Sword, the most commonly recognized weapon in the entire world of Zelda. The large and open world in A Link to the Past allowed for plenty of exploration and the world was effectively doubled thanks to the Dark World introduced partway through the game. A Link to the Past isn?t just a game all Zelda fans should play, it?s something every gamer should play due to its profound effect on the industry that can still be seen today. A game of this caliber should not be passed up, and for this reason, we name it our #1 SNES game of all time.
?
And that?s our SNES list! Which games were overlooked? Is this similar to your list? Do you hate us for having opinions? Sound off in the comments below!
Come back tomorrow for our Nintendo 64 list, and Nintendo?s jump into 3D gaming.
Source: http://www.zeldainformer.com/news/comments/zis-top-10-super-nintendo-entertainment-system
calipari national archives brock lesnar kentucky jayhawks wwe wrestlemania oakland shooting
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.