30. Illusion of Gaia (SNES)

Illusion of Gaia (SNES)
Illusion of Gaia (SNES)
Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Quintet
Release Date: 1st Sep 1994 (USA) / 27th Apr 1995 (UK/EU)

Although not as close to perfection as its two brothers (Soul Blazer and the later Terranigma), it's not hard to see why Nintendo themselves published Illusion of Gaia (or 'Time' in Europe) outside Japan. It still manages to be one of the most entertaining action RPGs available on the SNES, and a fitting second game in the trilogy.

29. Super Bomberman (SNES)

Super Bomberman (SNES)
Super Bomberman (SNES)
Publisher: Hudson Soft / Developer: Hudson Soft
Release Date: 10th May 1993 (USA)

One of Hudson's many Bomberman series, 1993's Super Bomberman was a hoot with up to three friends and a Super Multitap. There's an argument that says the more, the merrier when it comes to Bomberman multiplayer, but this first effort on the SNES (the first of five, of which we saw three in the West) nails the basics beautifully.

28. Zombies Ate My Neighbors (SNES)

Zombies Ate My Neighbors (SNES)
Zombies Ate My Neighbors (SNES)
Publisher: Konami / Developer: LucasArts
Release Date: Sep 1993 (USA) / 1993 (UK/EU)

Zombies Ate My Neighbors feels like what you get if you somehow turned Contra into a second rate horror movie. Suffice it to say, if shooting everything in sight and blowing stuff up is your thing, you're going to love this unusual Super Nintendo action title. It might be a little on the strange side, but any time you're given the opportunity to shoot a zombie in the face with a bazooka, you know you're in for a real treat.

27. Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals (SNES)

Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals (SNES)
Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals (SNES)
Publisher: Natsume / Developer: Neverland
Release Date: 23rd Feb 1995 (USA)

Lufia II is easily one of the top tier RPGs for the Super Nintendo and a game that is challenging, humorous, and a joy to play. Combine the game's unique visual stylings, the efficient turn-based combat system and the beautifully orchestrated soundtrack, and you get one absolutely unforgettable RPG experience on a system with its fair share of those. Before we all got spoiled with the full-motion video and millions of polygons per second of today's epic RPGs, we had games like this that had much more to them than flashy visual effects and voice-overs.

26. Street Fighter II: The World Warrior (SNES)

Street Fighter II: The World Warrior (SNES)
Street Fighter II: The World Warrior (SNES)
Publisher: Capcom / Developer: Capcom
Release Date: 15th Jul 1992 (USA) / 19th Jan 2007 (UK/EU)

Capcom essentially created a genre with this game; while one-on-one fighters existed prior to its release (the original Street Fighter being one example), the game pioneered many concepts which are now commonplace. The first Street Fighter II on the SNES remains a solid game, but pure nostalgia might not be enough for some players. When you consider the two direct SNES sequels added so much, it can be hard to go back. If you're one of the few people who preferred the pure nature of the game before Capcom started tweaking and adding new fighters, this still packs a punch, though.

25. The Legend of the Mystical Ninja (SNES)

The Legend of the Mystical Ninja (SNES)
The Legend of the Mystical Ninja (SNES)
Publisher: Konami / Developer: Konami
Release Date: Feb 1992 (USA) / 1994 (UK/EU)

Konami's The Legend of the Mystical Ninja is a fun, colourful, challenging adventure of a kind that the games industry just doesn't see much of any more. If you're looking for an adventure that's light-hearted but addictive, difficult but rewarding, it's hard to go wrong with this one.

24. Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! (SNES)

Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! (SNES)
Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! (SNES)
Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Rare
Release Date: 22nd Nov 1996 (USA) / 19th Dec 1996 (UK/EU)

Rounding off the Super NES DKC trilogy nicely, Dixie and Kiddie's adventure is still a pleasure today. It arguably can't quite reach the highs of the second chapter in Rare's trio of DK delights, but Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! looks better than ever and gives you some choice with a non-linear map to explore and options should you hit a roadblock on your adventure.

23. Sunset Riders (SNES)

Sunset Riders (SNES)
Sunset Riders (SNES)
Publisher: Konami / Developer: Konami
Release Date: 6th Aug 1993 (USA) / 30th Sep 1993 (UK/EU)

Sunset Riders can hold its head up high and stand tall amongst the plethora of amazing side-scrolling run and gun games on consoles of the era. It is bright, colourful, fantastically well animated, with superb music and sound. It understands its place as a Western game and within the run-and-gun genre, by combining imaginative characterisation and humour, with well-paced action set-pieces, plus variety in its gameplay. It is 'pulp' gaming and possibly the most fun and entertaining 16-bit Wild West game that money can buy.

22. Mega Man X2 (SNES)

Mega Man X2 (SNES)
Mega Man X2 (SNES)
Publisher: Capcom / Developer: Capcom
Release Date: Jan 1995 (USA) / 18th Oct 1995 (UK/EU)

Like so many games in Capcom's blue-hued back catalogue, Mega Man X2 doesn't really do much in the way of innovation, but there's not really any need to. Mega Man X was a great game, and while it's obviously a bit less original, X2 is a very solid experience that does more of the same really, really well.

21. Kirby Super Star (SNES)

Kirby Super Star (SNES)
Kirby Super Star (SNES)
Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: HAL Laboratory
Release Date: 20th Sep 1996 (USA) / 23rd Jan 1997 (UK/EU)

This is less a game and more a smorgasbord of ideas thrown at the SNES which — somewhat unexpectedly — congeals into a satisfying blend of games, sub-games and mini-games. There are nine in total and the titular character is a versatile hero that manages to suck up these experimental bits and pieces and meld them into a whole greater than the sum of its parts. 'Cohesive' might be generous, but Kirby Super Star is thoroughly entertaining and well worth a look.