40. Super Mario Kart (SNES)

The game that birthed an entire genre (albeit a genre it dominates to the point where you wonder why any other company decides to make their own kart racer), Super Mario Kart got so much just right from the starting line that it still remains surprisingly playable and accessible decades later. There's no worrying about picking karts or wheels here; you select your character and hit the track. The split-screen layout (which is present even when racing solo) encourages a second player to pick up the pad, and it's certainly a game that is best enjoyed with a friend (or foe). The Battle mode has also stood the test of time superbly, and that iconic power-slide move still feels natural and intuitive.

The mainline games that followed may have refined the formula to the Nth degree, but despite feeling barebones by comparison, controls, track design, and item balance are still nigh-on perfect in this first outing, and getting behind the wheel still feels good. Super Mario Kart is fun distilled, and its narrow focus can actually end up being a benefit – especially if you're looking for the ideal pick-up-and-play multiplayer challenge.

39. The Lost Vikings (SNES)

This puzzle-platformer has you taking control of three Vikings (Baleog, Erik and Olaf) was they try to change their status from lost to found. The Lost Vikings subsequently appeared on various systems, but it started out on SNES and it's a top quality production with great animation, tight controls and a good dose of humour.

38. Secret of Evermore (SNES)

Secret of Evermore is quite a refreshing take on the Secret of Mana gameplay formula and serves up one of the more unique and interesting Squaresoft RPG story lines of the 16-bit generation. The high level of difficulty at times might turn you off, but if you've got the mettle to stick it out, you'll find that the quest is one well worth experiencing. If you enjoyed Secret of Mana, you'll likely find a lot to like here as it's very similar in style and presentation.

37. F-Zero (SNES)

F-Zero was an incredible template on which its sublime successors were modelled, and for that we shall forever be thankful. That's not to say the original isn't a gem in its own right; it's a racing classic that feels fast and tight to this day, but its lack of multiplayer tends to put it behind its sequels, at least in our minds (a criticism that F-Zero 99 addresses). Still, this remains a thrilling 16-bit ride, and we're more than happy to fire it up again — via Nintendo Switch Online if we don't happen to have our SNES hooked up — whenever the notion takes us.

36. Harvest Moon (SNES)

Harvest Moon's brand of wholesome fun is uniquely appealing, and for the most part, it's a well-constructed, addictive simulation with huge spadefuls of charm. The SNES edition is a superb starting point for Natsume's series, and it's still one of the stronger entries in the franchise even today. Go ahead and grab it on NSO to find out for yourself where this wholesome series started off.

35. NBA Jam (SNES)

With fast-paced, addictive gameplay, a catchy musical score and graphics that are still easy on the eyes today, NBA Jam has certainly aged well and stands as the definitive basketball game of its generation. Although there were many sequels that tweaked the formula with extra bells and whistles, none exceeded the original in core gameplay quality.

34. Super Bomberman (SNES)

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.

33. Super Punch-Out!! (SNES)

It's Punch-Out!! with more colour, more character, 16-bit visuals and the same timing-based gameplay that's made every entry in this series a pleasure to revisit. The arcade original is also available on Switch as part of Hamster's Arcade Archives line, and Super Punch-Out!! comes as part of the Nintendo Switch Online collection, so it's easy to get your hands on these days. Which is nice, because it's up there with the finest games on the system.

32. SimCity (SNES)

An incredibly charming port of a huge experience, SimCity is one of the best value-for-money propositions in the 16-bit console's library, potentially offering months and months of gameplay. Developed in-house by Nintendo itself, if you're looking for something that offers long-term challenge and will tax your brain, then you really should track this down. Action fans are obviously going to be disappointed by the lack of instant gratification, but if you're after a title that will challenge your grey matter then this excellent Nintendo-flavoured port of Will Wright's classic is it.

31. ActRaiser (SNES)

Combining an overhead 'god' mode with some side-on, sword-swinging, platforming goodness, ActRaiser wraps put two distinct styles of gameplay with an incredible score by Yuzo Koshiro (you may have noticed that we're quite partial to his tunes around these parts). In isolation, the component gameplay parts perhaps don't hold up as well as they might have, but taken as a whole with its brilliant soundtrack, Quintet's game is unmissable.