The Best SNES Adventure Games

The Super Nintendo Entertainment System was a revolutionary console for its time, and features a library of some of the best games ever made. From 2D platformers like Super Mario World to the earliest rail shooters like Star Fox, the console had a smorgasbord of genres for players to dive into. However, some games were much more immersive than others.

The SNES had a strong catalog of adventure games, ranging from sidescrollers to top-down RPGs. These games introduced players to fascinating new worlds, intricate stories, and lovable characters, some of whom are among the most iconic in gaming history. No matter the genre, these SNES games are the best at sending players on grand adventures.

8 Final Fantasy 6

The Final Fantasy games are among the most iconic role-playing games of all time, but the SNES title Final Fantasy 6 is one of the best in the series. It was one of the most critically-acclaimed titles for the Super Nintendo when it was first released, and is still beloved by fans of the game. Additionally, it has one of the most intricate plots in the entire franchise.

The game centers on Terra Branford, a half-human, half-mage who spent her life mind-controlled by the villainous Gestahlian Empire. After she's rescued, she joins a party of rebels fighting against the tyrannical superpower, in one of the most mature adventures in the Final Fantasy franchise. Just exploring the overworld with the game's iconic music is nostalgic.

7 Yoshi's Island

After the character's introduction as Mario's rideable sidekick in Super Mario World, Yoshi got his chance to become a playable character in the prequel Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island. In the game, Yoshi encounters Baby Mario after the infant is stolen by Kamek, and must return the child to their parents by traversing worlds en route to the Mushroom Kingdom.

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As an adventure game, Yoshi's Island is one of the most story-centric Mario games, aside from RPG series like Paper Mario or Mario & Luigi. It features platforming gameplay much like other Mario games, but its world-building, level design, and coloring book-inspired art style remain among the entire Mario franchise's best.

6 Donkey Kong Country

Rare is known for developing some of the best adventure games of all time, especially on the Nintendo 64. However, the company's relationship with Nintendo dates back to the SNES, where they created the sidescroller Donkey Kong Country. The game established a lot about the Donkey Kong franchise, including characters like Diddy Kong and King K. Rool.

As far as adventure games go, Donkey Kong Country has a simplistic story but really shines in its level design and aesthetics, much like Yoshi's Island. The game was also notable for introducing Donkey Kong's modern design, including his signature red tie. Overall, it created a warm atmosphere to adventure through for fans of SNES platformers.

5 Kirby Super Star

Kirby Super Star is quite different from other adventure games, as it features numerous mini-stories that are unlocked as players progress. Some of them are classic Kirby platformers, like "Dyna Blade" and "Milky Way Wishes." However, other game modes are more story-driven and reminiscent of similar adventure games on the SNES.

One of them, "The Great Cave Offensive," allows Kirby to explore a vast map in search of treasure. Another, "Revenge of Meta Knight," is more of a linear adventure in which Kirby has to infiltrate the battleship of his arch-nemesis, Meta Knight, and slowly prevent an invasion of Dream Land. Kirby Super Star offers not just one, but many adventures for its players.

4 Earthbound

Released in 1994, few JRPGs have been as influential to the genre as Earthbound, which takes place in the modern day. It centers on a young boy named Ness, who finds himself at the center of an invasion from a cosmic entity known as Giygas, recruiting other children from across the world in his journey to stop the world's destruction.

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Earthbound features one of the most heart-wrenching and mature stories in any first-party Nintendo game, and takes fans on an incredible journey to the end. Nowadays, it's considered one of the greatest video games ever made, and has since seen re-releases on Nintendo's Virtual Console services, as well as Nintendo Switch Online.

3 Chrono Trigger

Speaking of the best RPGs of all time, Square Enix's Chrono Trigger has one of the most beautiful stories in video game history. In the game, players control Crono, a teen living in the Kingdom of Guardia, who is whisked away through a teleporter to another era after his friend Marle is sucked through, traveling through time and facing down a future threat.

The adventures in Chrono Trigger take players through epochs of time, such as prehistoric eras and post-apocalyptic dystopia. There's plenty of opportunities throughout the game to explore and travel between time periods, all while encountering various enemies and building your party of characters, but it's the game's narrative that will really pull you in.

2 The Legend Of Zelda: A Link To The Past

The Legend of Zelda is Nintendo's premier adventure series, spanning their entire history of consoles. Although the adventures found in recent titles like Tears of the Kingdom are more vast, A Link to the Past on the SNES was the first title to offer players a chance to really explore a rich iteration of Hyrule, discovering side quests and dungeons.

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The narrative of A Link to the Past is one of its strongest elements, as well as the freedom it allows players in navigating Hyrule. Players also get to travel to an alternate dimension known as the Dark World. It's one of the best adventure games on the Super Nintendo, but there's one title that is an even greater experience to explore.

1 Super Metroid

By far one of the best games Nintendo has ever developed is the SNES sidescroller Super Metroid. A continuation of the series that began on the NES, players control intergalactic bounty hunter Samus Aran, who is given the responsibility of protecting an infant Metroid from the evil forces of Mother Brain, led by the now-iconic Space Pirate known as Ridley.

Most of Super Metroid takes place on the planet Zebes, which players will become familiar with as they explore its nooks and crannies. Along the way, they face intimidating bosses, from Ridley to others like Kraid and Crocomire. It's an incredibly dark story, with a sinister world for players to navigate, making the adventure one of gaming history's most worthwhile.

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