10 Best SNES Games on Nintendo Switch Online (December 2025)

You don’t have to miss out on the best SNES games released between 1990 and 2003. Thanks to Nintendo Switch Online, you can access some of the biggest cult-classics. And not to worry, they won’t all be outdated and difficult to play through. 

Nintendo has done a great job of revamping retro games, ensuring smooth controls and even better visuals. So, what are you waiting for? Here are the best SNES games on Nintendo Switch Online you absolutely must check out.

What is an SNES Game?

An SNES game is any title launched on Nintendo’s console: Super Nintendo Entertainment System. While the console was released in 1990, it did come with better visuals and sound that made room for a massive library of over 1,700 games.

Best SNES Games on Nintendo Switch Online

By now, hundreds of classic games have already made it over to the Nintendo Switch Online subscription platform. But what among them are the best SNES games on Nintendo Switch Online?

10. F-Zero

While F-Zero’s graphics may be looking a little shabby, its fast gameplay and smooth controls do hold it to a high standard to this day. It’s pretty simple, really, for any newcomer to hop into the game, weaving around the five tracks in your futuristic hovercraft vehicle.

You race through three leagues, each round bringing its steadfast enemy vehicles and obstacles to beat. And for extra challenge, you can always amp the difficulty across three modes.

9. Earthbound

Before RPGs got so complex with vast worlds that take hundreds of hours to complete, they were as simple as Earthbound. Simple in the sense that the combat didn’t demand much from you.

And instead, you were taken on a most captivating journey, unraveling an adventure featuring meteor strikes and alien invasions. You also explore a rich world full of fun settings and engaging features to discover.

8. Super Mario World

Next up, we have Super Mario World, which is remembered to be one of the greatest side-scrollers of all time. At least in the sense of introducing Dinosaur Land, which brought with it a whopping ton of secrets to discover, items to pick up, and power-ups to use to your advantage. The boss fights against Bowser and his minions are also fun, with Yoshi, the friendly dinosaur, by your side.

7. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

In the same breath, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past remains one of the most memorable adventures. It features the Light and Dark World, where players navigate twisted mazes and dungeons. And within them, solve engaging puzzles and discover secrets with every visit.

6. Super Metroid

Experience Super Metroid in 2D, taking you across the numerous labyrinths of Planet Zebes. Combat is stupid fun as Samus Aran, firing shots in eight directions. Meanwhile, exploring is filled with clever platforming, slowly coining the Metroidvania adventure games we know of today.

5. Super Punch Out

You can always challenge yourself to Super Punch-Out!! boxing game, which puts up 16 boxers to beat. It’s not always easy to win 16-0, but it remains a fun challenge for anyone keen on learning how far boxing in gaming has come.

As you rise up the minor, major, and world leagues, you face off against opponents who feel worthy of your time and skill. All while enjoying discovering the secret ending, diving into two-player mode, and overall, dipping into nostalgia.

4. Super Mario Kart

Racing for Mario has always been chaotic fun. And so, it makes sense to add Super Mario Kart to the best SNES games on Nintendo Switch Online. This was the first game to realize the potential that Mario characters in karts had on the arcade racing world. Switching up the characters and discovering their unique items and power-ups made for tons of replayable playthroughs.

And the tracks similarly kept things refreshing, while harkening back to the fan-favorite worlds in the larger Mario series. Over 15 tracks ensured that gamers kept coming back for more, boosted by smooth and precise controls.

3. Super Ghouls’n Ghosts

Merging platforming and combat, Super Ghouls’n Ghosts mastered the way to make a game challenging. Combat used running and gunning against swarms of demons that stood in your way to save the princess. And you just couldn’t stop yourself from wanting to inch a little closer to the end goal.

This series is, indeed, not for the faint of heart. Every level will get harder as you master combos and sword swings, and the nitty-gritty, including those tight jumps. Only two hits are enough to take you down, but if you’re not a quitter, it should make for a good challenge to strive to beat.

2. Kirby’s Dreamland 3

For the old farts, Kirby’s Dreamland 3 is perfect nostalgia bait. It comes with its colorful visuals that feature the adorable pink puffball called Kirby. She’s up against King Dedede, hoping to save her world from doom. And does so using the most bizarre ability: swallowing enemies. As much as you’re swallowing enemies for offense, you also inherit their abilities.

In addition to that variety is the fascinating group of Kirby friends who can also support you in combat. From turning into a fireball to using a broom to sweep enemies away and poking enemies with needles, Kirby’s platforming and combat seldom ever get boring.

1. Donkey Kong Country

You wanna know how Donkey Kong became the OG platforming series it is today? It all started with Donkey Kong Country. Or at least that’s when the potential was fully realized through the swashbuckling levels, humor, and constant surprises.

Donkey Kong has simply one of the best platforming and combat abilities, from swinging through vines to superhuman strength that allows him to break objects with his fists. And with the addition of Diddy Kong, you get a variation of moves from a side character who moves and climbs faster and jumps higher, and farther.