Illusion of Gaia (SNES)

Another Quintet classic, Illusion of Gaia – or Illusion of Time, if you're in Europe – is an action-adventure that, rather uniquely, takes place on a planet which has many features that are instantly recognisable as real-world landmarks, such as the Great Pyramids and the Great Wall of China. Many of the themes touched upon in other Quintet titles are found here, and the visuals and audio are up to the high standard one expects from the studio's work.

There are some clever puzzles and the challenge is pitched perfectly for genre newcomers, but ultimately, it's the engrossing story which makes this one stick in the memory.

Mega Man X (SNES)

After what felt like an endless production line of sequels on the NES and Game Boy, the Mega Man blueprint was feeling a little bit tired by the time the character made his 16-bit debut, but Mega Man X was the shot in the arm the franchise so badly needed.

While the core appeal of the series remains intact, everything from the visuals to the gameplay is upgraded and improved – although some purists still insist it's not difficult enough. Mega Man X would kickstart a new sub-series of games that would later arrive on consoles such as the PlayStation and Saturn.

Super Smash TV (SNES)

Based on the 1990 arcade machine (which, in turn, owes something of a debt to the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie The Running Man), Smash TV takes place in a futuristic TV show where contestants have to fight for their lives to win cash and prizes, much to the amusement of the live global audience.

The coin-op version used a twin-stick control system where the left stick was in charge of movement while the right could influence where your character shot their weapon – a setup that allowed you to move in one direction and shoot in the other. The SNES pad's four-button 'diamond' cluster was able to replicate this configuration quite convincingly, making this the definitive home port for a long time. As a two-player title, Smash TV is one of the console's most appealing releases.

Final Fantasy III (SNES)

Considered by many to not only be one of the best Final Fantasy entries, but one of the greatest video games of all time, Final Fantasy VI (initially released in North America as Final Fantasy III, due to the fact that only two other mainline series titles had been localised at that point) boasts a dazzling cast of characters and some surprisingly mature and dark themes.

All of the SNES-based entries are worth a look, but this is perhaps the one you should start with first; it's an emotionally-driven JRPG masterpiece that only seems to get better with age.

Super Bomberman 3 (SNES)

To be fair, all of the Super Bomberman titles on the SNES are worthy of your attention, but this third entry is the one that sticks out the most, thanks to its excellent additions, fantastic visuals and amazing techno-inspired soundtrack. A single-player mode will keep you busy when you can't find friends to play with, but it's as a party game that Super Bomberman 3 truly excels; up to five players can participate when using a multitap accessory.

No North American release was forthcoming for this one; it only saw release in Japan and Europe.

Breath of Fire (SNES)

In the early '90s, Capcom was famous for its platformers, shooters and fighting games, but had less experience in the realm of RPGs. Breath of Fire was the Japanese veteran's first real attempt to capitalise on the incredible popularity of Japanese adventure titles like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, and the game places you in the role of Ryu (no, not that one), a young boy who can shapeshift into a dragon.

Ryu begins the story aiming to locate his sister but quickly becomes embroiled in a conflict with the sinister Dark Dragon Clan. Breath of Fire got a direct sequel on the SNES and subsequent entries on PlayStation consoles, and was ported to the Game Boy Advance in 2001.

Kirby Super Star (SNES)

Also known as Kirby's Fun Pak in some parts of the world, Kirby Super Star takes the core platforming gameplay seen in previous entries and places it within smaller games, each with different storylines and goals.

Spring Breeze, for example, plays like a shortened version of Kirby's original Game Boy outing, while The Great Cave Offensive is a Metroidvania-style adventure. Meanwhile, Gourmet Race is, as the title suggests, a racing title. This variety makes Kirby Super Star a real joy to play; it's available on the SNES Classic Edition and as part of the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service.

Harvest Moon (SNES)

Today, Harvest Moon is a franchise which spans multiple formats and has inspired countless imitators, but this is where it all began. You assume the role of a young man who has inherited a farm from his grandfather; the objective is to turn it into a successful business by growing crops and raising livestock.

However, there are many RPG-like elements involved, too, such as interacting with other villagers and running errands. While the Harvest Moon series evolved over the next few years, its debut is still surprisingly solid and well worth a look today.

Super Punch-Out!! (SNES)

Punch-Out!! made waves in the arcades and on the NES, but this SNES sequel improves on its predecessors in every way imaginable.

Boasting big, bold sprites and a surprising degree of depth to its pugilistic gameplay, it's easy to see why this game has remained such a firm favourite with Nintendo fans over the years. You can play Super Punch-Out!! on the SNES Classic Edition micro-console, as well as part of the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service.

R-Type III: The Third Lightning (SNES)

This console-exclusive sequel is considered by many R-Type fans to be one of the best entries in the series, and with good reason; it's relentlessly polished and uses the SNES' Mode 7 effects brilliantly.

Add in some gorgeous visuals and fantastic music and you've got one of the best 16-bit shmups money can buy – sadly, it will take a lot of money these days as R-Type III is very desirable on the secondary market and often fetches insane amounts.

The GBA port is a pale imitation and should be avoided at all costs.

When did the SNES come out?

The release date for the SNES was November 21st, 1990 in Japan, where it was known as the Super Famicom.

When was the SNES released in North America?

The SNES was released in North America on August 23rd, 1991. It would come to the UK and Ireland on April 11th, 1992, and would hit the rest of Europe in June of the same year.

What is the highest-grossing SNES game?

The best-selling game on the SNES is Super Mario World. Bundled with the console in its early years, it would sell 20 million units worldwide.

What was the last game released for the SNES?

It depends if you mean as a physical release, or as a download.

The last game to be officially published on a cartridge was Fire Emblem: Thracia 776, which was released in Japan on January 21st, 2000. However, Metal Slader Glory: Director's Cut was released on November 29th, 2000, via the Nintendo Power downloadable cartridge system, so that is technically the last officially licensed SNES game – although there have been unlicensed releases since then.

How many SNES games are there?

The SNES library stands at 1,751 official releases across all available regions.

When was the SNES discontinued?

Nintendo ceased production of the SNES in North America in 1999. However, Nintendo continued production of both the Family Computer and the Super Famicom until September 25th, 2003 in Japan.