When it comes to platformers, it’s hard not to think of eitherSuper Mario Bros.or Nintendo. TheSuper Nintendoin particular was arguably defined best by its platformers (if not itsJRPGs.) The console opened strong withSuper Mario World– arguably the greatest launch title of all time– and was followed up by one of the strongest libraries in gaming.
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Between theSuper Mario All-Starsremakes,Super Mario World, andYoshi’s Island, some of the best platformers on the SNES areMariogames. It’s not unexpected, but it overshadows other great platformers. WhileMariohas always been a trendsetter for platforming, some of the best platformers on the SNES are unique games with their own identities.
10Demon’s Crest
Demon’s Crestis worth playing for the atmosphere alone– one of the darkest games on the Super Nintendo tonally and thematically. The protagonist, Firebrand, is aSuper Ghouls n’ Ghostsenemy and the setting is jarringly dystopian. There’s little light to the world and the soundtrack brings with it a truly ominous vibe.
While overworld exploration is unfocused, the stages themselves serve as slower paced, action heavy alternatives to the many platformers on the SNES. The difficulty curve also skews higher than the average Super Nintendo game, a nice challenge for genre veterans.
9Donkey Kong Country
Donkey Kong Countryis pure atmosphere from top to bottom. A moody journey through beautiful landscapes grounded in reality. The difficulty curve gradually climbs throughout the game, offering continuous challenge as players progress. The best boss fights and stages demand sharp reflexes & an eye for telegraphs.
Donkey Kongas a franchise has a silly quality to it these days, but the originalDonkey Kong Countryhas an energy other games in the series lacks. It’s self aware of its role as a video game and quite funny, but the gameplay itself is downright artistry.
8Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest
Donkey Kong Country 2is a beast in and of itself. Where the firstDonkey Kong Countryhas a moody quality grounding the game’s overall aesthetic,Diddy’s Kong Questis far more chaotic– indulging in a level of spectacle that was rare for the original. All the same,DKC2is still grounded in the original’s world, yet to veer toDonkey Kong Country 3’s extremes.
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On a pure design level,Donkey Kong Country 2is a step up in every respect. Although a much harder platformer all around, stages are dense with fair challenges and the level design makes clever use of both Diddy & Dixie.
7Kirby’s Dream Land 3
Kirby’s Dream Land 3is a slow platformer by design, but that in itself is its strength. Reducing Kirby’s mobility and exchanging the series’ usual art style in favor of a soft & almost dream-like aesthetic,Dream Land 3is a one of the most unique games in its franchise. It’s as much a puzzle game as it is a platformer, featuring several brain teasers.
WhereKirbyis usually easy,Dream Land 3is hard. WhereKirbyis usually about letting you fly wherever & however,Dream Land 3greatly restricted Kirby’s abilities. It all leads to one of the most novel platformers on the SNES, however– a beautiful game that’s surprisingly morbid when all is said & done.
6Kirby Super Star
Kirby Super Staris the total antithesis toDream Land 3, a fast-pacedKirbygame that’s jampacked with action from start to finish. In many respects,Super Staris a love letter to the franchise, adhering as closely to the series’ history as possible– even remaking the original game in the process.
Super Staris a compilation of multipleKirbygames, all short but worth playing. Dyna Blade is a traditionalKirbygame, Revenge of Meta-Knight is its narrative driven & atmospheric sequel, The Great Cave Offensive is basically a Metroidvania, and Milky Way Wishes is arguably the bestKirbygame period.
5Mega Man 7
Mega Man 7is one of the more overlooked entries in theRockmanseries, but it’s a great platformer that offers a 16-bit alternative to the Blue Bomber’s adventures inMega Man X.Mega Man 7was compared (perhaps unfairly) toMega Man Xat the time of its release, but it offers a vastly different experience to its sister games.
Mega Man 7is classicMega Manthrough and through. While the level design does feature secrets ala theXsub-series,MM7feels like the logical next step coming off ofMega Man 6. It’s a slower paced game, and harder thanXto boot, butMega Man 7is nonetheless a great platformer.
4Mega Man X
One of the best games on the Super Nintendo,Mega Man Xis a fast paced experience that masterfully blends action with platforming. Giving X a dash fundamentally alters the gameplay loop for the better, and all the upgrades hidden across the game’s stages make exploration a rewarding part of the experience.
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Mega Man X’s music, graphics, boss fights, and level design are some of the best in the franchise– maybe evenMega Man’s peak.X’s attempts at telling a darker story are also as welcome as they are unintrusive, letting the gameplay speak for itself.
3Super Castlevania IV
Super Castlevania IVis beautiful. Visually, musically, and atmospherically, there’s nothing else quite likeSuper Castlevania IVon the Super Nintendo. Some might argue that Simon’s omnidirectional whipping makes the game too easy, butSCIVis designed with this mechanic in mind. More importantly, New Game+ is ostensibly a hard mode that showcases the merits of Simon’s new whip.
Even without playing through hard more,Super Castlevania IVis a fantastic platformer with incredible level design and some of the best bosses in the franchise. The difficulty curve is a step down from the NES games, but virtually everything else is a massive step up for the series.
2Super Ghouls N’ Ghosts
Super Ghouls N’ Ghostsis a brutally hard platformer that requires quick reflexes, pattern memorization, and a commitment to suffer anything & everything the game throws at you. Death happens fast, there are traps everywhere, and fully beating the game means making two full playthroughs back to back.
Super Ghouls N’ Ghostsis a hard game, but it’s an excellent platformer that offers some of the best challenge on the SNES. It also features a fantastic soundtrack, great 16-bit graphics, and a control scheme that’s surprisingly fun to master.
1Super Metroid
Super Metroidis arguably more of an action-adventure game than it is a platformer, but it does feature fairly involved platforming mechanics and level design that’s moreSuper Castlevania IVthan it isSymphony of the Night. Regardless of how one viewsSuper Metroid, it’s one of the best games on the Super Nintendo.
Beyond an incredible amount of secrets,Super Metroid’s controls are second to none and its level design masterfully plays off everything Samus can do mechanically. Few games are as brilliantly designed asSuper Metroid.
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