Although the SNES had a wonderful library RPGsNot all players were able to reach all of them in the 90s. Even today, with collections and online stores, it seems impossible to play the best of the best. It also doesn't take into account that some games have been lost to time, as they were never re-released through the proper channels or left Japan.
The best SNES RPGs that get better as you play
These games may start slow, but they will grow into some of the best RPGs the Super Nintendo has to offer.
Anyway, like the games Tales of Fantasia or Metal maximum returns Today is forgotten. Let's highlight why those games and others are worth remembering. Some are even celebrating an anniversary in 2026, so the timing couldn't be better.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
get started
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Easy (5) Medium (7) Hard (10)
Bahamut Lagoon
Dragon Strategy
Bahamut Lagoon One of the many Square-developed and published games on the SNES that has been forgotten and hidden from many as it never left Japan, but there is an English fan patch. It has an interesting approach to tactical combat, as the game is overall linear, but players are able to move their characters around the grid-based map.
Instead of units directly attacking others, touching an enemy icon will trigger a separate turn-based battle. final fantasy Fans might suspect that dragons were involved, given the title and Bahamut being the king of dragons, and they wouldn't be wrong, as dragons can be used to fight battles. Bahamut Lagoon, too
the dark half
Two opposing sides fight
- developer: West One
- publisher: Enix
- issued: 5/31/96 (Japan)
- platform: SNES
the dark half One of the most interesting RPGs on the SNES, and another example of a game that never left Japan, but also had a fan patch. Instead of trying to fight a dark lord in a fantasy world, players actually swap between the protagonist, Falco, and the main antagonist, Rukyu, who are fighting opposing battles.
As Rukyu, players can command demons into battle, while Falco will be joined by a party of adventurers. Most actions will tick down a meter, and if players, as any character, run out of said meter, it's game over. It's challenging and hard to master, but also appealing to any RPG fan who likes to go rogue.
Lufia 2: Rise of the Sinistrals
On scale with Final Fantasy 6
Despite the name, Lufia 2: Rise of the Sinistrals It's actually a prequel to the first game, so it's as good a place to start as the original game. The titular Sinistrals are the bosses that players must defeat to save the world, so overall, it's a cliche plot. That said, it had a lot of forward-thinking ideas on the SNES.
Dungeon puzzles were more involved than typical RPGs on the SNES at the time. Players could acquire items throughout their journey to solve similar puzzles Zelda games, monsters appeared in dungeons, battles were turn-based, and there was even a limited monster-catching mechanic. Although the game was released outside of Japan, it is one of those SNES games without a modern port.
More cartoony fallout
- developer: Crea-Tech
- publisher: data ex
- issued: September 29, 1995 (Japan)
- platform: SNES
The metal max The franchise started on the NES in Japan in 1991, with Metal maximum returns Released in 1995 only a few years after the SNES remake. There is a fan patch, and for more inside information, Metal Saga It was the first game in the series to officially launch in North America on the PS2 in 2006.
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History aside, Metal maximum returns Takes place in a post-apocalypse where battles are fought more safely with different vehicles. Mad Max. Players can acquire tanks and other vehicles with party members but fight in simple but satisfying turn-based battles in the post-apocalypse.
Shin Megami Tensei If…
One of the more forgotten SMT games
- developer: Atlas
- publisher: Atlas
- issued: 10/28/94 (Japan, SNES version)
- platforms: SNES, PS1, Mobile
Shin Megami Tensei If… there is one SMT The spinoff was released on the SNES in June 1994. Although the game has been ported to mobile devices and the PS1, North America has never officially received the game, but there is a fan patch. Fans of more modern Shin Megami Tensei Games won't miss out on this spin-off, as it follows traditional story and gameplay beats.
Taking place in modern day Japan, players will fight monsters and learn to summon them in turn-based combat. They also shouldn't be surprised by the dark content found within the game's story, which is not unusual in one SMT the game
star ocean
Blurring the lines between fantasy and sci-fi
star ocean
- issued
-
July 19, 1996
- ESRB
-
t
- developer(s)
-
Tri-Ace, Tose
The star ocean The series is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026 since it all started on the SNES with just a name. star ocean In 1996. It was only released in Japan, but this version has a fan translation, which is good because the only versions North Americans got were the PSP remake in 2008, followed by a more sophisticated remaster in 2019.
This is a big deal for game developer tri-Ace, as it was their first game. Like most games in the series, star ocean is a mix between sci-fi and fantasy, and is one of the earliest examples of a game with action combat in more traditional turn-based arena settings.
Tales of Fantasia
Back to where it all began
Tales of Fantasia
- issued
-
December 15, 1995
- ESRB
-
E10+ for everyone 10+ // fantasy violence
- developer(s)
-
Wolfteam
Tales of Fantasia predates star ocean A year on, and it also started a fine tradition of action RPGs in more traditional war contexts. The game was released in Japan in 1995 on the SNES, and there is a fan patch for it, but there is also a GBA version that is mostly the same game, which North America finally got to play in 2006.
The game features a powerful hero, Cress Alban, who with his party tries to stop the Dark Lord from destroying the world. In combat, players can run around in 2D planes, attacking monsters with weapons and skills, with the ability to pause to issue commands when they need to catch their breath. Tales of Fantasia Not the best Stories of game, but it is important in the history of the series.
The Twisted Tales of Spike McFang
Tomato loving vampire
The Twisted Tales of Spike McFang is a great little action RPG that was originally released in North America on the SNES. The game stars Spike as a vampire who loves tomatoes more than blood.
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Players explore dungeons, fight colorful enemies, such as anthropomorphic cloves of garlic, level up between powerful capes, hats and spell cards and battle in real-time. There is also a co-op mode, which is a bit rare for RPGs of this era. To make all these features and more The Twisted Tales of Spike McFang A true one of a kind experience.
Treasure Hunter G
Tactical Indiana Jones
- developer: Sting
- publisher: class
- issued: 5/24/96 (Japan)
- platform: SNES
Treasure Hunter G Hidden from the West is another game, published by Square and developed by the somewhat obscure Sting, that some may know. Evolution Worlds or Yggdra Union: We will never fight alone. The game has a similar faux-3D style Super Mario RPG: The Story of the Seven StarsWhich makes it stand out as the last SNES game of 1996.
As brothers Red and Blue, players explore caves and ruins and fight in small tactical battles while searching for treasure. It was, and still is, a nice change of pace from the usual saved-world plots, albeit with an evil lord in the background. Treasure Hunter G Still a bit more light than a typical RPG.
Treasure of Rudra
A hidden square RPG
Treasure of the RudrasDon't be confused Treasure Hunter GAnother Square RPG from 1996 that was only released in Japan. The game takes a different approach to its campaign, allowing players to start different characters out of order, each with their own stories to tell in their chapters.
Once all chapters are completed, it unlocks another story that ties the plot together. It's a typical turn-based combat system, but spells definitely feature heavily during combat, and the animations between heroes and enemies are next-level. As with all these Japanese exclusives, it's a shame Treasure of the Rudras is hidden from Western audiences.
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