10 Best SNES Games on Nintendo Switch Online (April 2024)

The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) rocked the 16-bit gaming era, with plenty of games available today. With Nintendo Switch Online, you can access the best of the best retro games from the SNES era. Nintendo has outdone itself, in fact, by offering nearly 60 SNES games available to boot up on the Switch today. Among the SNES games we could find, here are the best SNES games on Nintendo Switch Online worth your time.

10. Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island

The 1995 Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island returns. It picked up from Super Mario World, with the benefit of inheriting features from an already fabulous game. You play as Yoshi and his clan, whose mission is to carry baby Mario across Yoshi's Island to reunite with his baby brother, Luigi, who has been kidnapped by Kamek. Its hand-drawn pixel art visuals have aged quite well. Meanwhile, platforming feels both familiar and challenging.

9. Earthbound

The RPG Earthbound can be an alternative for platforming, especially for fans of Dragon Quest. You will enjoy a compelling story with mature themes of corruption, abusive parents, and more. It uses a modern, satirical Western setting, with charming suburbs and stunning lawns included. Keep in mind that Earthbound isn’t nearly as complex as modern RPGs. However, its story and gameplay are straightforward enough for a genuinely memorable experience.

8. Super Mario World

Among the must-play Mario games, Super Mario World stands as one of the top few worth checking out. It's especially perfect for gamers who are curious to play the origins of Mario, complete with the original worldbuilding and the introduction of Dinosaur Island. Yoshi also made his first appearance in Super Mario World, going on to become a prominent character in the franchise. Controls don’t disappoint, with super fluid and responsive mechanics for its age. Plus, navigating its 72 levels and donning the cape power-up is simply a blast.

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

So many years later, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past remains a worthwhile venture to take on. For its time, it stands among the most impressive 8-bit games, with vibrant visuals and engaging gameplay. Sprites jump off the screen, bursting with color and sheer joy. Puzzles can still be a head-scratcher, while combat only requires a reasonable amount of strategy. Still, you’ll find far more worthwhile games today, making it an experience better suited for nostalgia.

6. Super Metroid

One of the must-play SNES games is Super Metroid, thanks to a well-balanced overall playthrough. You enjoy a fresh story and gameplay that has inspired many gamers after it. Its classic appeal stays put, perfectly blending progression and level design. Controls, as well, are smooth, even as you use its helpful map to comb through places you may have missed for secrets, better weapons, and new abilities. While the Metroid series has released some worthwhile games, Super Metroid stands tall as the iteration that perfected the series' formula.

5. Super Punch Out

Any boxing fan will want to get their hands on the retro Super Punch Out edition. It's a quick pick-up-and-play game that has the usual ducks, blocks, and “super punch” hits. Furthermore, you use strategy to win, timing your punches at the most opportune times and ducking out of the way in time. You even study enemy patterns to find openings to take the final punch. It's not entirely void of button mashing and trial-and-error, but it sure does push you to put some thought into your next play.

4. Super Mario Kart

Super Mario Kart is one of the few games that puts a fun twist on racing. It injected adventure into a genre that focuses primarily on speed. You’ll cruise by cartoonish landscapes inspired by the Super Mario World universe. Meanwhile, equipping weapons turns the tides of the games. The idea obviously worked so well, with the spin-off going on to release several Mario Kart racers. For its time of release, Super Mario Kart is pretty impressive, and with the Nintendo Switch Online adaptations, controls work more smoothly.

3. Star Fox 64

While the Star Fox franchise has dwindled over the years, very few games could compare to Star Fox 64 back then. It coined a profound narrative that gave purpose to all the blasting off enemies in space. It’s sad that the game hasn't aged so well, with the graphics evidently in desperate need of a facelift. But no love is lost there. Shooting everything still packs plenty of fun.

2. Kirby's Dreamland 3

Kirby's Dreamland 3 is perfect for moments when you're looking for a laid-back platforming experience. It’s core gameplay remains as always: get to the end of the stage, having fought enemies, evaded obstacles, and defeated a boss at the end of each world. Of course, the fun crayon-like visuals return, inducing a charming effect while playing. Sucking enemies and absorbing their powers will never grow old, either. You can instantly shift abilities, creating lots of possibilities for taking down enemies. You can experiment to your heart's content without necessarily feeling pressured to perfect your craft.

1. Donkey Kong Country

Donkey Kong Country comes in threes: Donkey Kong Country, Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, and Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble. While each entry has something to offer, the second iteration knocks it out of the park. Its swashbuckling themes aim to impress, while overall, it improved significantly over the first game. However, the first iteration was the proof of concept that solidified Donkey Kong’s entertainment value without Mario’s help. Meanwhile, the last of the trilogy carried double trouble Dixie Kng with its well-balanced mix of puzzle solving and platform maneuvering.

So, what's your take? Do you agree with our top five? What do you think are the best SNES games on Nintendo Switch Online? Let us know in the comments below or over on our socials here!