We continue our round-up of SNES Classic Mini games, with this second part taking us through the SNES classics Matt Lambourne scores from 16-12, in this look back at some of the greatest retro games of the 16-bit era…
PART 1 (21-17) – PART 3 (11-7)
16. Kirby’s Dream Course (1994)
Kirby’s Dream Course is a Nintendo take on crazy golf, featuring an isometric grid/viewpoint, the player will attempt to shoot poor old Kirby around the course, negotiating various traps and 3D geometry, deposit Kirby in the hole and you’re off to the next course.
It sounds incredibly simplistic, and it really is. However the challenge becomes technical as you go along, with players needing to learn how to angle and power their shots appropriately, as well as lot of Power Ups that Kirby can obtain along the way to aid in his quest. The game also sells with a fun 2-player mode that will greatly extend the shelf-life of the game beyond your initial play-through.
With direct involvement in production coming from Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamoto himself, you can be sure of very whacky and innovative experiences in this Marble Madness meets Mario Golf genre mashup.
15. Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (1996)
Super Mario RPG is a big game in the history of the Super Nintendo. It was developed by SquareSoft who licensed characters from Nintendo in what ultimately became a swan song, not only for Square’s incredible run on the console following classics like Final Fantasy 6, Secret of Mana and Chrono Trigger, but also their parting gift before moving their direction over to Sony’s PlayStation.
Unfortunately it’s one we didn’t get in the PAL territory but it was very well received in the US and Japan. Coming so late in the SNES’ lifecycle it stands out graphically, with 3D rendered characters and use of the isometric view point. Of course, a game this big couldn’t just run on standard SNES technology and is one of few games using Nintendo’s SA-1 (Super Accelerator) chipset in the cartridge itself to power the game.
It’s Mario meets Final Fantasy in one of the greatest adventures the big M has experienced outside of the main Mario Bros series of games, and is much loved by fans of Mario and the RPG genre, going on to leave a strong legacy, inspiring loosely connected series like Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi. It may well be a first time play through for many PAL gamers and one you should seriously consider as a priority when receiving your SNES Classic Mini.
14. Star Fox 2 (2017)
When the news broke of Nintendo launching the SNES classic, the news of an official release for Star Fox 2 nearly twenty-five years after its intended release was Nintendo’s big marketing push for this product.
The game has been somewhat accessible amongst the Emulator community, with incomplete ROMs circulating the internet for many years, but we’re all curious as to what the finished product will be like. Whilst having superior 3D graphics, animation and frame rate to the original Star Fox, the game was cancelled due to the impending release of the PlayStation/Saturn whose 3D games made the technology of the SuperFX chip look entirely dated. With the N64 on the horizon, the decision was made to shelve the project entirely.
For those who have played the incomplete version, there will be massive optimism that the game will be finished strongly by Nintendo and thus a new ‘classic’ will officially enter into the SNES library, that again so few people will have enjoyed before. No doubt that the hype behind this new game justifies its entry so high amongst our list.
13. Donkey Kong Country (1994)
Imagine the gaming world in 1993/4, Project Reality (N64) was in the public consciences, but still several years away and the SNES still had plenty of life left in it. Donkey Kong, one of Nintendo’s greatest characters was finally resurrected after years without a starring role.
Needless to say, the gaming world was stunned. How could the SNES produce such fantastic graphics? Was this really an N64 game in disguise? Rare’s 3D pre-rendered artwork absolutely WOW’d the world back in 1994 and fortunately the game play also lives up the impressive visuals. It’s one of the Super Nintendo’s essential platformers, and plays at an impressive change in pace compared to Super Mario World, with lush environments and quirky loveable characters.
And lets not forget the excellent music, with the infamous Aquatic Ambience regularly featuring on lists of the ‘all time greatest game music’. DKC is an impressive package that will surely feature amongst some of the most heavily rotated games on the SNES Classic Mini.
12. Super Punch-Out (1994)
The sequel to one of the best arcade boxing games ever! Super Punch Out is the classic formula re-vamped and upgraded for 16-bit technology and it works superbly.
The control system is super simple, with the player being able to punch low or high with their left and right hand, and deliver a special Super Punch/Combo once the special metre has fully charged. The game isn’t a straight-up rock’em sock’em, your opponents attack in set patterns with each having an individual weakness that you must identify and exploit, you can’t go in all guns blazing, or you’ll be laid out on the canvas in no-time.
It’s very much a call-back to when games were entirely pattern based, as such takes patience and timing to learn and do well, but delivers a very satisfying combination of challenge and achievement, with just the right learning curve.
If you picked up the NES classic mini last year and enjoyed Punch-Out, then you’ll absolutely love this Knockout Sequel!
We’ll be back with Part 3 of our SNES Classic Mini round-up tomorrow. let us know what you’re favourite games are on the list via Twitter (@SetTheTape) and in the comments below.