On the Wii and Wii U,Nintendofans could purchase old titles and add them to their library. The catalog grew over the years and consisted of some classics players had not seen for years. TheNintendo Switcheschews this model in favor of a subscription service.
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As a member ofSwitch Online, players are able to play a small handful of NES,SNES, and N64 games. This list focuses onSNESgames. Every game on the service is worth playing as a curiosity, but only a few hold up today. The games listed below are just as entertaining today as they were during their release.
9Super Mario All-Stars
To be fair, this is not so much a SNES game as it is acompilation of all the mainline NESSuper Mariotitles. There are four games in total and they all feature new graphics, though some might prefer the retro vibe of the original art.
The real treat isSuper Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels. Don’t be misled by the title; this is the true sequel toSuper Mario Brosthat was not released in the West because it was deemed too difficult.
8Super Puyo Puyo 2
Puzzle games have the luxury of aging better than most other genres. They don’t rely on graphics and forgo any semblance of a deep story.
As such,Super Puyo Puyo 2has aged like fine wine. Those who have played any otherPuyo Puyoknow exactly what to expect. Play it on this service or play thecombination of it and another legendary puzzle classic withPuyo Puyo Tetris.
7Star Fox
Star Foxwas a marvel to behold upon its releasedue to the extra chip in its cartridge. With it, the game managed primitive 3D graphics. It didn’t run well but that did not really matter at the time.
The gameplay is still fun today whether one plays the SNES debut orStar Fox 64. Unfortunately, the most recent entry in the franchise,Star Fox Zero, was not well received.Star Fox 2is also on the service.
6Kirby Super Star
Kirby Super Staris more than just another platformer. There is a wealth of content to explore ranging from combat challenges, a remake of the firstKirbygame, and even a Metroidvania mode focusing on collecting items and exploration.
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The ability to play the game cooperatively helps it feel fresh today. The game was directed by Masahiro Sakurai and the variety of gameplay options issomething players would see in theSuper Smash Bros.franchise as well.
5Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island
This is technicallySuper Mario World 2, butYoshi’s Islandis so unique people generally don’t mention its full title when talking about it. Players control Yoshi and escort baby Mario through a variety of levels.
This adds new possibilities to the platforming mechanics. It is also done in a beautiful hand-drawn aesthetic.The N64 Yoshi game did not live up to its predecessor, but a direct sequel came out on the Nintendo DS in 2007.
4Super Metroid
Metroidon the NES is a fun game to play to know where the series started, but most are likely to give up or closely follow a guide.Super Metroidis significantly more accessible.
It is still a classicMetroidtitle, with the sense of exploration and wonder when witnessing new discoveries, but players are less likely to become completely lost and frustrated. There is a reason why future games in the franchise are often held up toSuper Metroid.By most accounts, the recently releasedMetroid Dreadlives up to that legacy.
3Donkey Kong Country
TheDonkey Kong Countrygames used a unique graphical style to make some of the best-looking platformers of the generation. It also established the modernDonkey Kongaesthetic.
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Developer Rare would go on to makeGoldenEye 007andBanjo-Kazooiefor the N64 before being bought by Microsoft. NewDonkey Kong Countrygames came out in 2010 and 2014 by a different developer for the Wii and Wii U.
2The Legend Of Zelda: A Link To The Past
There was only one mainlineZeldagame on the SNES, but it was a real showstopper.A Link to the Pastremains one of the most beloved games of all time.
It tightens up the structure of the debut entry’s formula, more closely guiding the player through the world and dungeons, and has a more involved story. Future games in the franchise would stick closely to this structure until 2017’sBreath of the Wild.
1Super Mario World
This was a launch title for the SNES and showed that the console came out of the gate swinging.Super Mario Worldalso has the distinction of being thebest-selling SNES game of all time.
The gameplay remains similar to the NES titles in the franchise, but the levels are bigger and there are more than 70 of them. Many of them also have hidden exits,so hunting for secrets is a big part of the adventure. Most importantly, it just feels great to control Mario and Luigi.
