SNES Gems: Games That Predicted the Future

For the first time, game developers were able to unleash their creativity without the limitations imposed by the NES’s strict hardware restrictions. Over the years, certain games have proven more resilient than others, leading to titles that are even more enjoyable today than when they initially debuted.

There are some exceptional titles within the Super Nintendo collection, such as “Chrono Trigger”, “Donkey Kong Country”, “Final Fantasy VI” and “Super Mario World”. These games are timeless classics that have left a lasting impact on their respective genres. They aren’t just standouts in the library; they were pioneers, pushing boundaries with innovative gameplay, making them as enjoyable to play today as they were back then.

The QTEs in Super Mario RPG Improved JRPG Combat

The initial “Super Mario RPG” spawned an extensive role-playing game (RPG) franchise, a collection that transported the renowned Mario siblings into turn-based journeys spanning the Mushroom Kingdom and beyond. A notable feature of this series is its interactive combat system, where players are required to press buttons during attacks/defenses, thereby influencing the damage dealt.

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars pioneered a mechanic, incorporating Quick Time Event (QTE) elements into combat, which significantly enhanced the thrill of battles. It’s astonishing that more turn-based Japanese Role Playing Games (JRPGs) haven’t adopted this tactic, as it provides an effortless means to boost the excitement level in combat.

Quintet’s SNES Games Are All Standouts

In essence, creating a game that blends two distinct genres can be quite challenging, as it decreases the likelihood of appealing to fans of both styles. However, the game ActRaiser successfully achieved this feat by combining side-scrolling platformer action with top-down god simulation sequences.

In ActRaiser, players take on two roles: one as an angel safeguarding innocent people worldwide, and another as a hero engaging in hand-to-hand combat against minions of evil. This unique game combined elements from different genres, but unfortunately, it didn’t receive the attention it deserved during its time.

There Was Also a Shadowrun Game On the Sega Genesis

Since their inception, video games have been striving to digitalize tabletop role-playing games, with many adaptations of “Dungeons & Dragons” over the years. Interestingly enough, one of the best tabletop RPG-inspired games on the SNES originated from an unusual source within the genre: “Shadowrun”. This game stands out as one of the finest and does a fantastic job of immersing players into the “Shadowrun” universe.

Shadowrun is a game set in a world where magic and science fiction coexist. The main character, Jake Armitage, who has lost his memory and carries a bomb inside him, navigates through the strange denizens of Seattle while the specter of a dragon looms over the narrative. Despite its challenging nature, Shadowrun offers a rich gaming experience that mirrors the depth found in its tabletop counterpart.

The Original Final Fantasy Tactics

One of the big tragedies of the Super Nintendo era is that some of its .

The player possessed an extraordinary degree of influence over the transformation and development of the dragons, even altering their fundamental shapes. It seems as if the Pokémon series might have been inspired, but surprisingly, both games were released concurrently in 1996.

Who Knew Farming Games Could Be Much Fun?

Back in the day, when Harvest Moon debuted in 1996 as part of the Story of Seasons series, many folks probably thought it was a flop. After all, video games were all about action, magic, and speed. Who’d prefer to do virtual farm work instead of real-life chores? Little did they know…

It’s interesting to note that many individuals have a soft spot for farming games, particularly when they incorporate role-playing game (RPG) and dating aspects. The game “Harvest Moon” was instrumental in establishing this genre, which continues to flourish today. This achievement came about due to a daring decision made in the ’90s: introducing the idea of a farming simulator to the arcade generation and questioning whether young gamers would find it appealing.

E.V.O. Is One of the Weirdest SNES Games

There’s a compelling case that E.V.O.: Search for Eden could be considered as a unique blend of Role-Playing Game (RPG) character customization and Action RPG combat. In this game, players have the ability to craft various life forms and guide their evolution for battles, progressing from aquatic creatures like fish, through reptiles such as lizards, onto dinosaurs, and eventually, mammals.

It’s quite intriguing that despite being an era where numerous classic games remained exclusive to Japan, E.V.O.: Search for Eden was localized. This means it was adapted for release in regions outside of Japan. The game provides a one-of-a-kind experience on the platform, allowing players to create and refine their combat fish lifeform to dominate other aquatic creatures.

Packing a Fantasy War Into an Super Nintendo Cartridge

On the Super Nintendo, strategy games weren’t as abundant since it was primarily a controller-based system and mice were costly for that period. Consequently, there were numerous turn-based strategy and RPG games available, but real-time strategy titles were less common. Among the few real-time tactics games on the SNES, Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen stood out, offering players a swift pace to move their units across the map to avoid being overwhelmed in the early stages of the game.

In the heat of battle between the units, the game Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen momentarily halted and transformed into turn-based skirmishes. This innovative blend of gameplay styles kept the game fresh, mirroring the experience of commanding troops during a grand fantasy war without ever becoming too complex for the player to handle.

The Mana Sequel Fans Waited Decades For

Fans were eagerly awaiting the next installment of “Secret of Mana”, but due to its release towards the end of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System’s lifespan and Square not localizing it at the time, many players missed out on what could have been one of the best action RPGs on the system. The game offered multiple protagonist choices, branching storylines, an impressive combat system, and a class progression system that set it apart from its contemporaries.

Fortunately, contemporary game enthusiasts can now savor a translated edition of the game within the Collection of Mana on the Nintendo Switch, along with its impressive 3D remake, known as Trials of Mana, which is accessible on all current gaming platforms. Prior to this, the sole means of experiencing Trials of Mana was through an unauthorized fan translation that emerged in 1999.

Even Today, Live A Live’s Blend of Genres Feels Ahead of the Curve

Live A Live, perhaps, stands out as one of the most innovative JRPGs for the Super Nintendo, due to its unique structure that doesn’t follow a conventional narrative. Instead, it presents various characters, each set in different eras and genres. For instance, there’s a chapter reminiscent of the Wild West, where two gunslingers work together to safeguard a town from marauding bandits. Another example is a story about a charming robot aboard a spaceship, whose mission is to shield the crew from an enraged alien.

Although they may appear unrelated, the tales within Live A Live intertwine towards the end, culminating in a thrilling final chapter that unveils the real antagonist of the narrative.

The Second Mother Game Offered a New Spin On JRPGs

Oh, poor EarthBound! It was a game that leaped so far ahead of its era that it left ’90s players trailing behind. As a satirical spoof of JRPG conventions and American culture, it was remarkably forward-thinking when it debuted, given the scarcity of JRPGs outside Japan at the time. The mere fact that EarthBound was localized is somewhat miraculous, considering the skepticism towards console RPGs back then.

EarthBound is fondly recalled for its distinctive approach to the role-playing game genre and exceptional writing, localization playing a significant part too. Although it might have been beyond the grasp of many ’90s viewers, it garnered admiration from numerous individuals in later years, who cited it as an influential factor in the creation of some of the finest indie games ever made.

2025-04-18 23:57