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Fire Emblem: Mystery Of The Emblem (SNES)
This lavish remake of the Famicom original expands and improves on the solid foundations laid down by that esteemed 8-bit outing (even going so far as to include its own all-new sequel) without making the mistake of reinventing for reinvention’s sake and ending up the same game in name only. Character animations on the map and in those tense fight scenes are always incredibly fluid and bursting with personality, and small new additions like pre-battle inventory sorting and cavalry needing to dismount indoors have a direct impact on your battle strategy even on familiar battlegrounds. Fire Emblem wasn't a known series in the west when this was released – that didn't change until the Game Boy Advance turned it into a fan favourite outside of Japan – so it never got released outside of Japan. But worry not, you can still play it in English via this patch.
Final Fantasy: Mystic Quest (SNES)
Rejected by many on release as being Final Fantasy: For Babies (or for Europeans, Final Fantasy: Sorry No Mainline Games For You Edition), later revisits after the annoyance has died down have revealed this spinoff to be a thoughtfully streamlined adventure containing some incredible monster art accompanied by a fantastic soundtrack. There are other games with more depth to their combat systems, and others with stronger characterisation, but when you’re playing Mystic Quest you’re unlikely to care about anything other than the engaging RPG playing out before you. While history hasn't been kind to Mystic Quest, we'd urge you to give it another chance (or a first chance, if you're a newcomer).
Dungeon Master (SNES)
This first-person dungeon crawler felt truly revolutionary on its floppy disc debut back the in late '80s, and was no less impressive when it appeared on the SNES a few years later. In this inescapable underground labyrinth fiendish puzzles combine with real-time combat to create a deadly dungeon filled with traps and monsters that must be defeated… and then eaten if you don’t want your team to slowly starve to death. The freeform character growth system gives players more opportunities to customise their party than many of the similar games that would follow in its footsteps, and help to make every trip through Lord Chaos’ dimly-lit halls (did we mention you have to maintain your own source of illumination, too?) feel different from the last. Sure, it's somewhat sluggish on Nintendo's console and really needs mouse control to feel natural, but the scope of the experience remains remarkable, even today.
FEDA: The Emblem of Justice (SNES)
This SRPG will look and feel very familiar to fans of Sega’s Shining Force series thanks to the direct involvement of several key members of the popular Mega Drive game’s staff; however, take a moment to peek underneath the incredible battle cutscenes and animal people expected of this team and you’ll find several significant tweaks to that already enjoyable formula, giving FEDA an identity all of its own. Most notable is the law/chaos behaviour system, which alters your alignment – and the people willing to join you – based on whether you minimise casualties and carefully follow mission objectives or mindlessly slaughter your way across the map. While it was only ever released in Japan, a fan translation patch can be found here.
Final Fantasy II (SNES)
Final Fantasy II really does show its age when compared to other entries in the series, but there's still something quite charming and engaging about this classic. Released as Final Fantasy IV in Japan, this instalment introduces the iconic "Active Time Battle" system which would underpin many future Final Fantasy entries. A Nintendo DS update arrived in 2007 which spruced up the visuals while expanding some gameplay and story elements, but we have to admit it's the 16-bit original that is closest to our hearts. While SNES stablemate Final Fantasy VI (released as Final Fantasy III in the west) is arguably the better game, this one is still worth a look.
Illusion of Gaia (SNES)
Developed by Quintet – the same team which produced the excellent ActRaiser, Soul Blazer and Terranigma – Illusion of Gaia (or Illusion of Time if you're in Europe) is an Action RPG that boasts neat puzzles, awesome visuals and a fine soundtrack. Little wonder, then, that it was a solid seller globally, shifting around 650,000 copies worldwide. The story, too, is noteworthy, even if it does tone-down the spiritual core seen in the likes of the aforementioned Soul Blazer and Terranigma.
Breath of Fire II (SNES)
Capcom wasn't famous for its RPG titles prior to the release of the original Breath of Fire in 1993, but the company quickly gained a solid reputation on the basis of that well-liked RPG. The sequel – which, like its predecessor, was lucky enough to get a western localisation – is more of the same, boasting colourful visuals and some fetching character design. While the two SNES entries in this series aren't quite as critically-lauded as the 16-bit Final Fantasy outings, they're still worthy of your time if you're looking for some old-school JRPG action. Both Breath of Fire and Breath of Fire II were re-released on the Game Boy Advance.
Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals (SNES)
Released very late in the SNES' lifespan and perhaps unfairly ignored by most people, Lufia II is easily one of the top-tier RPGs for the SNES. When you combine the game's unique visual stylings, the efficient turn-based combat system and the beautifully orchestrated soundtrack, you get one absolutely unforgettable experience. 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 Lufia II that had a lot more to them than flashy visual effects and voice-overs. The DS remake is also worth a look, even though it changes a lot of what made the original so great.
Bahamut Lagoon (SNES)
Squaresoft’s pastel-hued world of floating islands in an endless sky combines its beautiful fantasy stylings with a unique battle system that merges strategic decisions usually associated with SRPGs such as terrain type, attack range, and positioning with the familiar side-on swords and spell-flinging of their evergreen Final Fantasy games. Feeding your army of dragons weapons, items, and armour not only boosts their stats but determines the sort of mythical beast they’ll grow into, making every game different from the last. Released in 1996, there was never going to be any reasonable chance of this coming to the west, but you can play it in English thanks to an excellent fan-made transition patch.
Soul Blazer (SNES)
Also by Quintet is this early example of a SNES Action RPG. Like its stablemate ActRaiser, Soul Blazer places you in the role of a 'servant' warrior who is sent to a troubled world by "The Master" – a god-like deity who wishes to destroy the monsters which hold the captured souls of the world's inhabitants. During the dungeon segments, slaying certain enemies releases the soul of an NPC which can impact the story in the game's many towns and settlements. It's a unique approach that gets a little goofy at times (you talk to a flower and dolphin during your quest, for example), but, despite its rough edges, remains a likeable example of the genre.
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Comments 147
Did not expect Mystic Quest to be on here to be honest but I am one of its few fans. It's not a tough journey for sure but it's fun and indeed the soundtrack is great, particularly that of the final dungeon.
Glad to see Ogre Battle included on this list!
Lol that list
Wooooow, Mystic Quest but not FF6? Final Fantasy VI is considered by many to be the greatest RPG or even greatest game of all time. Regardless of your feelings on that, general consensus is that it’s about 4 million times better than Mystic Quest.
Made my day seeing Ogre Battle listed there! I wonder if someday we could get a new game in the series....
@Beatrice 100% this. I do wonder how many people who champion SoM as a masterpiece 1) played it for the first time as an adult or 2) played it exclusively in single player. Don't get me wrong, the art and music are gorgeous, but the gameplay is a frustrating mess.
I think this is the best diverse list of RPGs but maybe not the list of best RPGs. Are they all great and unique, yes. Are they the best... That's a hard argument to make if you have Mystic Quest but not FFlII/6. Are they all the best in their subcategory, probably.
Either way I'm glad to see this here and I look forward to the next write up!
I know it is all a matter of subject opinion, but looking at this list made me have a subjective opinion that this journalist has to play the snes a lot more.
Final Fantasy 6?
Dungeon Master?
Robotrek got robbed. Seriously, that game is criminally under appreciated
@ZeldaFanboy78 Yep, I’d even go as far as to say that Final Fantasy V should be there above Secret of Mana. And FE4 is better than Tactics Ogre. But then they might not be including Japan-only games.
I don't think I've ever seen a list done this badly before.
The Final Fantasy game doesn't even match the description of the one you listed.
The first two RPGs that I played were Chrono Trigger and Super Mario RPG. Then I finally acquired FF 2 and FF 3 (NA numbering) — and found that I could not enjoy them because of the random battles.
It would be nice to see a bunch of these on NSO. That would go a long way to making me actually make use of that service.
They need to give Terranigma the Trials of mana treatment. It was just soooooo good. I'd buy a port and a remake if I could. Hell, Soul Blazer and Illusion of Gaia were both great games too. Give me a cart of all 3 and then remake Terranigma!
There are 3 Fire Emblem games missing from this list 🤓
Secret of Mana, Shadowrun, Mystic Quest and Dungeon Master have aged extremely poorly. Final Fantasy 3/6 and Final Fantasy 5 not being on the list is making my shuriken hand twitch. LOL
I'm kidding though
For the rest
PEACEFUL NINJA APPROVED
Edit: Oh! Final Fantasy 2 is a typo! It should still be on the list, though!
Ahaha, March fools! You certainly got us with this cheeky list!
It’s amazing that almost two decades later FF6 and Chrono Trigger are still the two best JRPGs of all time.
Oh, and while I enjoyed Mystic Quest a ton as a kid, both SNES Breath of Fire games and Lufia II were all significantly better.
Still love Ogre Battle to this day. Another game I'd love to see on SNES Online.
Mystic Quest Was my first rpg so I’m completely okay with it being on this list. I play it every couple years as comfort food.
I’d ditch Ogre Battle, Shadowrun, and Dungeon Master. They’re not bad games but we can do better.
Instead, add in FF2 (or 3, whichever one you didn’t mean to mention), Illusion of Gaia, and Lufia 2. For some reason, Illusion of Gaia doesn’t get much love these days. Terranigma absolutely deserves to be a top game, and Soul Blazer has gotten a lot of attention lately, but Illusion of Gaia is a fantastic title that was fairly popular at the time.
You already know what I'm going to say!
Nice to see Mystic Quest Legend on there. That was the first PAL game I play and did not know it was a Final Fantasy game until YouTube exist. That game had a kickass soundtrack.
The best 10 SNES RPGs (including fan translations):
Final fantasy 3/6
Chrono trigger
Bahamut lagoon
Tactics ogre
Chaos Seed
Earthbound
Fire emblem 4
Seiken densetsu 3
Tales of phantasia
Dragon quest v
@Spookles I see a fellow fan of Chaos Seed
The final dungeon theme in Mystic Quest is pretty badass. I never played the snes version of Shadowrun but I still love the Genesis version.
Since I've never been a huge final fantasy fan and not particularly great at complex RPG's I'd probably enjoy mystic quest. I always avoided it because the hardcore fans told me to. Would you say it was simplistic in the same way as Mario RPG or Chrono trigger? I love those two!
@Kimimi While I have strong disagreements with you overall here (characteristic of a careful list, right?), I want to give you credit for including Dungeon Master. Rather unappreciated today, it was a revolutionary game and still one of the best dungeon crawlers ever. What tension in the minimalistic sound!
Chrono Trigger for life. I love how FF4 is on the thumbnail but not even in the article. Lol
I've heard great things about Terranigma over the years! If only it was brought to the US.
Also what happened to Final Fantasy IV? I'm speechless!
@Bobb one of, if not THE most underrated game on the super famicom. That game is light years ahead of most other titles released at that time (with the exception of tactics ogre)
Final Fantasy VI (III in US), Chrono Trigger, Earthbound and Super Mario RPG are my favorite four, in no particular order.
@kickerofelves I have played Secret of Mana many times in single player and multiplayer. It's still my joint favorite game of all time.
If we're only gonna count those released in the west, you should put Final Fantasy IV in there instead of Final Fantasy: Mystic Quest. Otherwise don't forget Final Fantasy V, Dragon Quest V/VI, Seiken Densetsu III, Tales of Phantasia and Star Ocean.
I even enjoyed Soul Blazer and Illusion of Gaia/Time a lot back in the day, but I understand those are perhaps a bit more niche.
Adored Shadowrun when I got the import version back in 94. Got really immersed in it. Great mysterious intro, characters, fights and jacking into the (original) Matrix made for a surprisingly fun minigame. I replayed again it recently and found it really hard. Fortunately I was playing on Retroarch with the trusty rewind button and save states. Still a great, challenging game.
@Zeldafan79 it's a bad game. Avoid it not because it's simple, but rather because it's not fun. Super Mario Rpg is a great example of a really great simple RPG.
Chrono, Mana, FF6, not just some of the best RPGs ever, but the most amazing soundtracks as well. Nintendo wasn't kidding about "Play it Loud"
Terranigma ABSOLUTELY deserves a rerelease. It doesn't even need any remastering.
Few games have guven me chills multiple times. FF VI is one, for sure, but Terranigma definitely too. Amazing game and honestly, a crime that the US STILL hasn't been given the chance.
Illusion of Gaia/Time gets an honorable mention from me, cuz that one has such a sweet story as well.
@Ziondood I played Terranigma via emulator. It really is a great game, visually a treat and fun gameplay.
And it seems most people don't realize that Final Fantasy VI was named Final Fantasy III in the West. They were trying to be consistent with the numbering of the games released in the west at the time (the west also got FFIV but it was named FFII), but they threw away that idea when FFVII came out. The FFIII listed in this article is the Final Fantasy game that came directly before FFVII.
I know my favorite game of all time when I see it.
Chrono Trigger and Super Mario RPG remain my two favourite RPGs of all time.
Secret of Mana is not a top 10 SNES RPG. Great music aside, the combat is super choppy and suffers from a pretty horrendous flaw of not having any invincibility frames, making it possible for enemies like werewolves to actually combo you to death. The ally AI is also awful. The sequel's not half-bad? You're right, it's significantly better than SoM in just about every way possible.
I don't remember much about Shadowrun except that I really enjoyed it back in the day.
Also remember enjoying Secret of Mana back in the day, but when I tried to play it more recently, experienced the 'Rose Colored Glasses' effect. It just didn't grab me.
@nessisonett ffv didnt come to the west until playstation, gba and mobile releases tho
@Zeldafan79 “Mystic quest” is really really simplified, 12 spells, a few weapon types with 3 or 4 each, 4 armours, 4 necklaces, 4 shields, all handed out as you progress through the story.
It’s fun enough, especially as an introduction to the RPG genre (As it was to me), but not what i’d personally put in a “10 best SNES RPGs” list...
@Beatrice I kind of agree. I mean it has great art and music, and I think it has a pretty charming atmosphere, but it has so many problems it's not even funny.
Seiken densetsu 3 is a million times better than secret of mana. Hell, final fantasy adventure is million times better than secret of mana. Too bad its a gameboy game
6 of these I've never played, and of those 6, I've only heard of Shadowrun and Chrono Trigger. I'm surprised not to see either of the BoF games on here. Interesting list.
Earthbound is my favorite of the bunch. I didn't like SoM, Legend of the Seven Stars is so-so and I can't really get into FF3.
@Ghost_of_Hasashi
Love the Soundtrack.
Great list of great RPG’s but chronic trigger yo!
I still think Secret of Mana is a great RPG.
People complaining about the FFVI typo, but I'm here to say that FFIV deserves to be on this list ahead of FFVI, anyway. Fight me.
Dragons Quest should be on there but the FF games do not appeal to me. SOM and Shadowrun is good as well as is Chrono Trigger.
@nessisonett @Expa0 "Final Fantasy VI" is on the list under its Western SNES title "Final Fantasy III." Meanwhile some of Expa0's other choices were Japanese exclusives on the SNES, which they were purposely excluding.
As for including "Mystic Quest," they said they were excluding a few big names to showcase more variety. I don't agree with them doing that on a list that includes the word "best," but they did warn us. You guys need to pay better attention before complaining in the comments.
@Expa0 agree my dude, no evermore and bof2, crazy
@Dr_Corndog I'll join your fight. I love VI, but outside of the soundtrack IV is the superior experience. The curve balls the game throws with your ever-changing party lineup and the unborkable combat system with more unique character traits makes for a much more challenging and rewarding game. And I vastly prefer Cecil as the leading character over VI's revolving door of semi-lead characters.
With a top ten RPGs list like this, it really makes you wonder why people remember the SNES as some sort of JRPG powerhouse.
Although, I'll confess, I love me some FF IV & VI.
You got Mystic Quest but no Tales of Phantasia?
Shenanigans.
@Yosher Never finished MQ, but damn, that battle music stayed with me! It's so EPIC!! Loved that enemy sprites changed as you damaged them as well.
Yasss! Shadowrun is on the list.
I came here prepared to be angry if it wasn't on the list. It is a really, really good game! It's an action RPG on-par with LttP.
Can you believe I've never played any of these? Never been much of an RPG fan growing up. Although, I am tempted now, esp FF3, Earthbound and Chrono Trigger (and Zelda ).
@Sirloto FF6 is on the list. It was called FF3 in the UK
Mystic Quest over FF II? What madness is this.
Chrono Trigger and EarthBound are what I consider the best of the best, personally, so I'm pretty happy with the list for just those; they are the essential two, but a list is going to be subjective and I think they were going for something pretty broad but still respecting the consensus here.
Nice top 10! I shared many of the same SNES top 10's, but I would have swapped Breath of Fire 2 with something.
BREATH OF FIRE II
@Beatrice 100% disagree with you. Secret of Mana is still amazing to this day and holds up incredibly well.
Shadowrun is one of my favorite SNES RPGs that are not well know, but it brings a lot of the frustrations of western RPGs of the time. Surprised Mystic Quest got anywhere near this list as it made The Final Fantasy Legend look deep and complex.
Wizardry V (well really the series) has so much history in the forming of what we consider JRPGs, but it too suffers from the porting.
Chrono Trigger was the best JRPG at the time, and Terranigma the best action RPG. Love those two.
@SleeplessKnight Terranigma is WAY better than Ilusion of Gaia, dude XD. A sequel of that game that improves absolutely everything.
a list is going to be subjective and I think they were going for something pretty broad but still respecting the consensus here.
@dronesplitter LOL There is a near-consensus about Mystic Quest here, but I'm not sure it has been respected (or respectful)...
I'm here to say that FFIV deserves to be on this list ahead of FFVI, anyway. Fight me.
@Dr_Corndog @Curbie I have great respect for Final Fantasy IV; it is nearer the spirit of the series overall and has a narrative that builds very very nicely. I do not wish to pit IV against VI, as their strengths are quite different, and they have non-overlapping weaknesses (characters that do not truly die, and a lack of consequential changes in IV, versus weaker gameplay and dungeons in VI). Both games made me a better furball.
I am pleased to see that people remember it kindly; the SNES titles deserve more respect today.
@mjharper BAN THIS YOSHI FOR SUCH LANGUAGE
Man... What is Mystic Quest doing there? XD
At least it's not Paladin's Quest, then I'd REALLY have to wonder what narcotics were involved, haha.
Super happy that you chose Shadowrun, as that was and still is my favorite SNES RPG game of all time, followed by FFII (IV), Zelda: ALTTP, FFIII (VI), Secret of Mana, Chrono Trigger and Super Mario RPG, (in that order), but how in the h@%$ did you choose Mystic Quest and not FFII (IV)??? 😳😳😳
@nessisonett it's on the list. After Shadowrun.
@Scoopz it was 3 in the US, too.
I sure am impressed by the, um, editorial judgment involved in selecting Mystic Quest on a top ten list of anything.
@Airdrighmor For the millionth time, read the comments further down.
very bad list... first of all, it's Final Fantasy 6 not 3 (idc for american numbering, it's been over 25 years, it's time to forget it), then Secret of Mana is not an RPG and also adding Mystic Quest to a the best RPG list instead of SMT or Breath of Fire 2 is a crime
I still love me a bit of E.V.O.: Search for Eden (kinda rpgish)
@BlackenedHalo Since when has Secret of Mana not been an RPG?
@Sabrewing You better believe there are Paladin's Quest fans.
It certainly has a good soundtrack.
Though it might be one of the worst official translations I've seen. (with item translations that are almost incomprehensible. To be fair, at least the infamously bad BoF2 translation didn't have that problem.)
I find it funny that despite it's unusual D-Pad-based battle menu, they still let you alternatively Mash A To Win.
@Expa0 ffvi is right there and v was never translated
Some all time greats & superb memories in there but some odd choices (and therefore odd omissions) too. Even with the SNES' incredible library of RPGs taken into account.
The thing I will always remember the most about Dungeon Master: you can die from walking into walls! It provided me with hours of laughter as a child.
@Terra Ark is mine in many games.
@Daniel36 I see you're a man of culture as well
Lufia II is criminally underrated.
@Purgatorium @Grandiajet @AgentGuapo Did any of you play it in the 90s when it first came out? I'm genuinely curious. I played it for the first time about 10 years ago, but I bounced off it because the lack of invincibility frames made the combat extremely frustrating. Kept getting stun-locked in that wolf fight ...
@kickerofelves I got it when it first came out, back when I was in school.
The bosses can be hard. I found that directing your allies to use magic etc is key. You have to be really quick with the menus.
still could have been better choices than lousy ports of PC games or Mystic Quest which is infamously a hated game since its more of a tutorial than a standard game.
I'd add Trials Of Mana, Secret Of Evermore, A Link To The Past, Dragon Quest 5 and 6, Breath Of Fire 1, Star Ocean, Treasure Of The Rudras, Paladins Quest 1 and 2, and Robotrek.
@Terra '90s culture for sure haha.
@SleeplessKnight Not having heard of Terranigma makes sense if you are American as it never got a US release. It is considered to be part of a collection including Illusion of Gaia and Soul Blazer and is best described as similar but with a more epic storyline that Gaia.
Also, it ABSOLUTELY deserves to be on this list.
Mystic Quest? Not so much.
@Expa0 "Where's Final Fantasy 5 & 6, Breath of Fire 2, Lufia, Fire Emblem 3, Shin Megami Tensei 2 etc..."
FF5 and 6, BoF 1 and 2 and Lufia 1 and 2 are all excellent games. But my goodness the SMT games for the snes are appallingly bad. I beat all of them, somehow: SMT 1, 2, SMT if... and Kyuuyaku Megami Tensei. Those early SMT games were brutal, in a very bad way.
FE3 is...decent.
Hot take: Lufia II is the best 16-bit RPG, period. Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy IV are both incredible as well. Final Fantasy VI is overrated. There, I said it.
@COVIDberry @Curbie I'll give FFVI the edge in story, characters, music, graphics (obviously), and breadth of content. So, a lot. But I've never been able to get past its numerous gameplay issues. Even setting the bugs aside, the game is notoriously imbalanced. To me, gameplay trumps everything else, and FFVI is the only game in the series I've ever found boring. (I enjoy it fairly well now.)
@kickerofelves
I played it the 90s and have played it more recently as well. The problems you and others have described never bothered me and I can't say that I really noticed them.
@Muh-ario
O_o There is a Paladin Quest 2?
Wow that just seriously blew my mind, one more game to add to my never-ending list.. But thanks, seriously, I could've gone my entire life not knowing that Paladin Quest had a sequel.
@Expa0 yup, it was Japan only, but there's a fan translation
@Travelguy36 if you think MQ is the worst SNES RPG, 7th Saga is even worse. There’s a reason exactly nobody has suggested that it should be on this list.
@riki_sidekicks
There's enough better RPGs to keep it from top 10 but 7th Saga is quite decent and certainly a better game than Mystic Quest is.
I love lists so I enjoyed reading this one. I will, however, offer a couple of thoughts:
First off, Ogre Battle, Soul Blazer, Illusion of Gaia, and Terranigma are some of my favorite SNES games but they are NOT RPGs. OB is a Tactical Strategy game and the Quintet trilogy games are Adventure titles in the same genre as Zelda and Metroid.
Secondly, as others have noted, Dungeon Master, Shadowrun, Mystic Quest, and Arcana don't belong anywhere near the top of a "best SNES RPGs" list. I get that you were trying to include something other than JRPGs but frankly none of the western or dungeon crawler RPGs on the SNES were or are near the quality of the JRPGs that we got.
Lastly, I would suggest adding Robotrek and Uncharted Waters: New Horizons.
@Expa0 Yes, there is a Paladins Quest 2, called Lennus, and it is a solid game. I'd give it a solid 8/10 (where as Paladins Quest might get a 6.5/10).
@riki_sidekicks I have played 7th Saga and it is not worse than FFMQ. It is a perfectly average, or perhaps slightly below average RPG. Just because ppl don't mention something, doesn't mean that lack of a mention is really making any point. No one mentioned The twisted Tales of Spike McFang and that is a pretty decent action RPG, like if zelda morphed with a Vampire. 6.5/10, maybe a 7 even.
@Oh_Well I would not say Lufia 2 is the best. Tons of Japanese-only games were better. But it is a good, or even, great game. 8.5/10 perhaps.
I loved Soul Blazer back in the day but it was pretty soft on the RPG side of things. Also, there were so many better RPGs than a few on this list. Final Fantasy Mystic Quest was not a good RPG (it was not a good game for that matter).
This list is missing:
Tales of Phantasia
Star Ocean
Live A Live
Zelda a Link to the Past (if you are okay with Soul Blazer being here)
Dragon Quest 5 and/or 6
Seiken Densetsu 3 (Secret of Mana 2)
Final Fantasy 5
@Yosher Love mystic quest. I still have my original copy.
IGN's Top Ten SNES RPGs (released in North America):
1.) Chrono Trigger
2.) Final Fantasy VI (aka III)
3.) Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
4.) Secret of Mana
5.) EarthBound
6.) Final Fantasy IV (aka II)
7.) Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals
8.) Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen
9.) Breath of Fire
10.) Breath of Fire II
@BloodNinja
No problem: Science Girl is developing multiple forms of throwable metals for you in the lab! You will need an Ethernet connection...my lab director thinks it’s a new ceramic-bonding photonics experiment. For now...
@Beatrice @kickerofelves
Thanks for the thought~
On the Secret Mana game, I think kickofelves is on to why it has aged a bit: the multiplayer aspect-
Though there were other oldie simultaneous multiplayer games, Mario kart and Secret Mana were actually good although games of the time; but the group play was a major draw - maybe?
I could be way off.
(Pardon if I missed a similar comment I am lost on what many of the bigger gamers are talking about)
@Dr_G_Lemaitre LOL
@GoBoSox20 Same! Did you also notice that on the back of the box, Phoebe is called Tea? Or something like that. That was always odd to me.
@nimby Except for the fact they explicitly stated they didn't include releases that didn't, at the time, have an official English version.
Also, I agree on Lufia II. I loved that it came in a big box and while at first I was appalled to find out my version was Dutch only, it actually grew on me and was one of the first games that actually had a decent Dutch translation.
No Dragon Quest V?
@Expa0
FF6 is on the first page.
Some editor just weirdly chose to call FFIV and FFVI by their NoA early-localization names and confuse everyone. Just because the SNES release changed their names because they didn't want to release FFII-III or FFV, doesn't mean somehow make FFIV into FFII or FFVI into FFIII, when ALL other localizations use the corrected names.
@clvr
That's a game better than many of this list (though I prefer DQVI, personally). But it's a Super Famicom exclusive when it comes to region releases, and this list seems to only consider games that were released in either the US, the UK, or Europe, or in some combination of the above, on the SNES or on the Super Nintendo. Super Famicom games sadly are missed from this list, even if we got localisations later on other consoles or on the virtual console for the Super Nintendo.
@Kimimi I recall the author of the English translation patch for Tactics Ogre said he had, essentially granting ROM Kiddies wishes a decade after they stopped caring, ripped the official translation from the PS1 version and put it in the SFC ROM.
@marandahir ah that's right, I always forget that some DQ titles of that era didn't come to the West.
Dragon Quest I & II but not III, V and VI? Lol, ok...
eyyyy, SMT love! the second one is also fantastic. keep forgetting about laplace no ma, looks like my jam.
also great, i'm already listening to the mystic quest ost, thanks for that
Of the 4 DQ Snes games, you put the 1 & 2 pack? 3 & 5 are both a lot better than 1 or 2 ever was, and that's coming from someone who actually liked DQ1. Also, FF5 not being on here is a travesty.
Nice to see Bahamut Lagoon here. It was a very fun game and I think any Fire Emblem fan would appreciate the array of characters within. Love that battle theme too.... to Youtube!
I'm including Japan exclusives, since fan translations mean they're not exclusive anymore. My top ten, in random order:
Dragon Quest V
Dragon Quest VI
7th Saga
Breath Of Fire II
Cyber Knight II
Dual Orb II
Glory of Heracles IV
Might and Magic III
Lufia II
Silva Saga II
"Live A Live"? The title is "A Live Evil", where "live" is pronounced as in "a live concert". Just look at the title screen, where the word "A" is clearly in the foreground, and the last word is clearly "evil".
The Dragon Quest games should be played in the following form:
Dragon Quest I (NES)
Dragon Quest II (NES)
Dragon Quest III (NES)
Dragon Quest IV (NES or DS)
Dragon Quest V (SNES or DS)
Dragon Quest VI (SNES or DS)
Dragon Quest VII (3DS)
Dragon Quest VIII (3DS or PS2)
Dragon Quest IX (DS)
Dragon Quest XI (any version, but preferably Switch)
Avoid any other version of these games, as they are usually dumbed-down in order to make the game beatable in a day or two. They took away all the challenge!
Action RPGs, turn-based RPGs and strategy RPGs don't belong in the same conversation, and it's pointless to compare them to each other. It's like comparing Shinobi to Sonic the Hedgehog.
@nessisonett actually it’s about at the bottom of page one. It’s originally released as FF 3 in US. My brother played it tons when we were kids. Cool game indeed.
@nimby I think Secret of Mana 2 and Live a Live are on page 2 or 3. Totally with you on Link to the Past though. That’s my favorite RPG of all time I’d say.
@gabescc85 For the millionth and second time, read the comments further down.
Why isn't Dragon Quest V on here? It is considered by many to be the best of the series.
I've never played Mystic Quest but I'm beginning to learn something from the comments here. There is a lot of groupthink when it comes to whether a game is good or not and these opinions tack towards extremity as time goes on.
For example, because people can articulate the flaws in Zelda 2 and it has become accepted as "the worst" Zelda game, it comes to be considered much worse than it actually is. Similarly with Final Fantasy 2, which I played for the first time last year. Based on received opinion I expected it to be terrible, but it was actually quite good. It's so-called flaws didn't bother me at all.
I'm seeing this with Secret of Mana. I've seen reviews of the game that point out flaws but now I'm seeing it increasingly declared a bad game and with specific references to those flaws (wonky hit boxes, a lack of invincibility frames).
The very fact that there is an emerging consensus against games that I like makes me think that Mystic Quest deserves my attention.
@Purgatorium FFMQ is competent. It works as it's supposed to outside of some weird bugs. It has some nice ideas (interacting with the maps with your weapons and jumping, the soundtrack, the mildly parodic elements of the plot), but its conception was really cynical from Square's side. "Those silly Americans are too stupid to properly enjoy our games, so we'll try and make a beginner's RPG so they finally 'get it'," even though the big problem at the time was that D&D-style games were ridiculed as being "for nerds" which kept them from finding a wide audience until FF7 finally broke that stigma. It doesn't help that it was also the only FF game to come to Europe for years.
In short, it's a perfectly serviceable RPG, but it has no business being on a "best of the SNES" list.
@nessisonett VI was called 3 in the US, just like IV was called 2. Both are on the list.
@castigear For the millionth and third time, please read the comments further down.
@nessisonett Not sure what I'm supposed to be reading. The fact is your response was uneducated, you clearly didn't read the list as each title was described in detail within its entry, and I cannot wrap my head around why anyone would keep such a silly post rather than simply deleting it. Like the fact that they used the North American titles or not, you should have read the article.
@Purgatorium I loved Zelda 2 back when it came out, before it became the "anomaly" in the series. I also liked Wanderers from Y's which Falcom eventually decided needed a complete do-over.
I had a love hate with Secret of Mana from the beginning though, and it carried on through Legend of Mana...the Narrative is fuzzy.
@castigear Because the article has been edited at least three times since.
@BloodNinja PEACEFUL Ninja?
Unsubscribe and Mark As Spam.
@GannonBanned LOL
It's too bad Popful Mail never got a global release on Super Nintendo. Who knows when or even if someone will ever make an English patch for the ROM, but seeing as how the Super Famicom Goemon games eventually got translated after what seemed like forever (you can even find ROMs that are already translated if you look hard enough), I wouldn't be too surprised if a translation of Popful Mail shows up. Otherwise I might have to invest in a Sega CD add-on.
Weird title "...SNES/ Super Nintendo..." If you are going to write the full name, why writing the acronym too?? And why each game title has "(SNES)" added? We already know the articld is about SNES games (sorry, "Snes/ Super Nintendo")
@Sabrewing
I'm not sure why that makes the game unworthy of the list. It's designed to appeal to a specific audience? Says nothing about its quality, really.
@Purgatorium Because it's simplistic to a fault, and again, this is supposed to be for the -best- SNES RPGs. There's already very curious exclusions from this list, like Tales of Phantasia or the first Star Ocean, along with more understandable omissions like The 7th Saga or Tecmo Secret of the Stars, so FFMQ making the cut is very questionable. The only exceptional aspect of Mystic Quest is its soundtrack; is that enough to count it as a "best of the platform" entrant?
@Sabrewing
An exceptional RPG would be greater than the sum of its parts. More so than any other genre, I'd say. So to answer your question, no, an exceptional soundtrack is not enough. At the same time, I find narrow criticisms of a game to be unhelpful. "Secret of Mana has no invincibility frames" doesn't do it for me.
I've heard people call Mystic Quest simplistic before and that doesn't indicate anything to me about the quality of the game or whether or not I'd like it.
My initial point is that there seems to be a lot of groupthink about what deserves to be considered good or among the best. Experience has taught me not to trust these opinions.
Echoing what some above are saying, Mystic Quest is one game that has stuck with me throughout the ages. Playing it as a kid was my first introduction to RPGs, and I was enamoured with it at the time. I dont think i ever completed it (had only rented it from the video store) until its VC release on the Wii. Still love it.
Reading these comments I can see a lot of people here actually didn't read the list, or have no idea that Final Fantasy III IS Final Fantasy VI.
I thought that was pretty common knowledge, but apparently not.
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