Super Nintendo/Famicom

ConsoleNameReleaseGenreDeveloperLucca's Notes
SNESActRaiser1991ActionQuintetA strange mashup of city-building simulator and 2D platformer, where population functions as XP and you must protect your people
JP SFCAlcahest1993ActionHAL LaboratoryARPG featuring item-based stat growth and a password system rather than traditional saves
JP SFCAncient Magic: Bazoo! Mahou Sekai1993Turn-BasedHot-BGeneric turn-based affair with male/female protagonists with an emphasis on magic
JP SFCArabian Nights: Sabaku no Seirei-o1996Turn-BasedPandora BoxApparently rushed toward the end of development
SNESArcana1992Dungeon CrawlerHAL LaboratoryCard-focused 1st-person dungeon crawl
JP SFCAretha1993Turn-BasedJapan Art MediaA sequel to the Game Boy trilogy of the same name, neat multidirectional turn-based combat
JP SFCAretha II - Ariel no Fushigi na Tabi1994Turn-BasedJapan Art MediaPretty similar to the first
JP SFCBahamut Lagoon1996StrategySquareSquare's oft-forgotten SRPG child, divine spritework
JP SFCBishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon: Another Story1995Turn-BasedAngelAdorable digitized voices, Senshi combo attacks, what's not to love?
SNESBrain Lord1994ActionProduceARPG featuring dungeon puzzles and little monsters that follow you
SNESBrandish1995ActionFalcom/KoeiTop-down dungeon crawl, the only entry in the series to be localized
JP SFCBrandish 2: The Planet Buster1995Dungeon CrawlerFalcomSimilar top-down dungeon crawling as the first
SNESBreath of Fire1994Turn-BasedCapcomCapcom's take on the traditional JRPG with a lot of dragons
SNESBreath of Fire II1995Turn-BasedCapcomDirect sequel to BoF I
JP SFCBushi Seiryuuden: Futari no Yuusha1997Turn-BasedGame FreakZelda-like exploration; combat is 2D platformer-like, but still turn-based (enemies only act when you do); pretty spritework
JP SFCCaptain Tsubasa III: Koutei no Chousen1992SportsTecmoContinues the alternate universe plot of the second game, otherwise an incremental/generational improvement over its predecessor
JP SFCChaos Seed: Fuusui Kairouki1996ActionNeverlandLots of resource management! Multiple endings!
JP SFCChou-Mahou Tairiku Wozz1995Turn-BasedRed Company Corporation8 playable characters, branching storylines, invention systems- this game truly tries to do it all!
SNESChrono Trigger1995Turn-BasedSquareA shining example of the genre as a whole, a time-travel story done right
JP SFCCrystal Beans: From Dungeon Explorer1995ActionBirthday/Hudson SoftStraightforward ARPG gameplay, hidden playable characters, leveling stats through gems
JP SFCCyber Knight1992StrategyAdvance Communication CompanySRPG/turn-based hybrid combat, also: SPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACE exploration
JP SFCCyber Knight II: Chikyuu Teikoku no Yabou1994StrategyAtelier Double/Group SNESimilar gameplay but massive graphical leap over the first
JP SFCDai-3-Ji Super Robot Taisen1993StrategyWinkysoftFirst in the series to have a branching storyline
JP SFCDaikaijuu Monogatari1994Turn-BasedBirthday/Hudson SoftHidden characters and adorable sprites!
JP SFCDark Half1996Turn-BasedWest OneItem-based leveling system; also, spoiler alert (not really): You play the antagonist!
JP SFCDark Law: Meaning of Death1997Turn-BasedSakata SASSuper duper hard! Also featuring rudimentary 3D!
SNESDemon's Crest1994Action-PlatformCapcomA sequel to Gargoyle's Quest, with mild RPG elements (similar abilty progression), but with equippable crests to change abilities and reach otherwise inaccessible areas
JP SFCDer Langrisser1995StrategyNCSRemake of Langrisser II, with branching storylines
JP SFCDokapon Gaiden - Honoo no Audition1995Board GameEarthly SoftLeans more heavily into comedy than previous games in the series, with greater board variety
JP SFCDragon Ball Z: Super Saiya Densetsu1992Card-BasedD&D Corp/ToseCombo of two of the FC DBZ games, still with card-based battles
JP SFCDragon Quest I + II1993Turn-BasedChunsoftCombined, debatably definitive version of DQ I and II
JP SFCDragon Quest III1996Turn-BasedHeartbeatArguably the definitive version of the game
JP SFCDragon Quest V: Tenkuu no Hanayome1992Turn-BasedChunsoftMonster capture and marriage/children ahoy!
JP SFCDragon Quest VI: Maboroshi no Daichi1995Turn-BasedHeartbeatThird game in the Zenithian trilogy, return of the class system
SNESDragon View1994ActionKemcoSequel to Drakkhen, interesting pseudo-3D overworld system
SNESDrakkhen1991ActionKemco/InfogramesSparsely populated, customizable characters that attack using AI, and lots of water to hilariously drown in
JP SFCDual Orb II1994Turn-BasedI'MaxUltra-high encounter rate, a difficult game without grind dedication
SNESE.V.O.: Search For Eden1993ActionAlmanicEvolution: the game!
SNESEarthbound1995Turn-BasedApe/HAL LaboratoryAKA Mother 2, a more modern-themed game with some surprisingly heavy themes
JP SFCEmerald Dragon1995Turn-BasedAlfa SystemBreath of Fire's cousin with a unique battle system
JP SFCEnergy Breaker1996StrategyNeverlandSRPG with town exploration and an action point-based economy for combat
JP SFCFEDA: The Emblem of Justice1994StrategyMax EntertainmentSRPG developed by some of the Shining Force team, features a morality-based system
SNESFinal Fantasy II1991Turn-BasedSquareActually Final Fantasy IV, Introduced the Active Time Battle system and removed the ability to customize party members
SNESFinal Fantasy Mystic Quest1992Turn-BasedSquareBaby Final Fantasy!
JP SFCFinal Fantasy V1992Turn-BasedSquareSo many jobs-
SNESFinal Fantasy VI (on cart as III)1994Turn-BasedSquareFeatures a more tech-based story than previous entries and a train to suplex
JP SFCFire Emblem: Monshou no Nazo1994StrategyIntelligent SystemsDivided into 2 "books": Book 1 is an abridged remake of FE1, Book 2 is a direct sequel to FE1
JP SFCFire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu1996StrategyIntelligent SystemsIntroduced the marriage/children mechanic that would be seen in later FE entries
JP SFCFire Emblem: Thracia 7761999StrategyIntelligent SystemsTakes place during the middle of FE4, initially distributed as a Nintendo Power ROM cartridge
JP SFCFront Mission1995StrategyG-CraftMech-focused SRPG with a ton of units and customizability
JP SFCFront Mission: Gun Hazard1996ActionOmiya SoftSide-scrolling ARPG with incredible graphics, separate universe from mainline series
JP SFCFushigi no Dungeon 2: Fuurai no Shiren1995Dungeon CrawlerChunsoftFollow-up to Torneko no Daibouken, a roguelike before they were cool
JP SFCG.O.D.: Mezameyo to Yobu Koe ga Kikoe1996Turn-BasedInfinityIf Earthbound had a child with Phantasy Star IV's battle system, this would be it
JP SFCGalaxy Robo1994StrategyCopya SystemsSRPG with mechs
JP SFCHeracles no Eikou III: Kamigami no Chinmoku1992Turn-BasedData EastStandard turn-based combat like the rest of the series, but also has a day/night cycle for NPCs to follow
JP SFCHeracles no Eikou IV: Kamigami Kara no Okurimono1994Turn-BasedData EastA multitude of different avatars to play as, each with its own attributes and perspectives on storyline events
JP SFCHero Senki: Project Olympus1992Turn-BasedWinkysoftA bit of Gundam, a bit of Kamen Rider, a bit of Ultraman, a bit of traditional JRPG!
JP SFCHiouden: Mamonotachi to no Chikai1994StrategyWolf TeamPoint-and-click style SRPG, made by Team Wolf of Tales of Phantasia fame
JP SFCHoly Umbrella: Dondera no Mubou!!1995Action-PlatformEarthly SoftMore of a sidescrolling platformer, but does have some stat increases via items, very cheeky tone
JP SFCHourai Gakuen no Bouken!: Tenkousei Scramble1996Turn-BasedDynamiteHigh school: the JRPG! Join clubs to gain abilities!
SNESIllusion of Gaia1994ActionQuintetPart of the Quintet trilogy, ARPG with non-traditional stat increases
SNESInindo: Way of the Ninja1993StrategyKoeiPart of the Nobunaga's Ambition series; recruiting party members is crucial
JP SFCJojo no Kimyou na Bouken1993Turn-BasedWinkysoftRPG adaptation of Part 3, quite abridged; a very short game overall, point-and-click elements
JP SFCJutei Senki1993StrategyTamTamSRPG with circle-limited movement and neat cutaway battle animations, high difficulty
JP SFCKidou Senshi Gundam: Cross Dimension 00791995StrategyBandaiSRPG based on OG Mobile Suit Gundam, utilizes button combos to use attacks
JP SFCKouryuu Densetsu Villgust: Kieta Shoujo1992Turn-BasedWinkysoftBased on an anime of the same name, ridiculous stat levels before Disgaea made it cool
JP SFCKuusou Kagaku Sekai Gulliver Boy1996ActionAmbleVery short ARPG with ungodly levels of hair spikiness on the protagonist
JP SFCKyuuyaku Megami Tensei1995Turn-BasedAtlus/Opera HouseEnhanced remake of Megami Tensei 1 and 2
SNESLagoon1991ActionKemcoDollar-store Ys
JP SFCLaplace no Ma1995SurvivalHumming Bird SoftLovecraftian spooky JRPG
JP SFCLast Bible III1995Turn-BasedMultimedia Intelligence TransferSequel to the Game Boy games, featuring monster recruitment and customization
JP SFCLennus II: Fuuin no Shito1996Turn-BasedFill-In Cafe/Copya SystemsSuperior sequel to Paladin's Quest, more risque themes, loads of recruitable characters
JP SFCLive A Live1994Turn-BasedSquare7 different scenarios in different time periods, shared action bar amongst party in combat
JP SFCLodoss Tou Senki1995StrategyThinking RabbitPlot-wise is more of a side story to the main novels, tactical combat engine
SNESLufia & the Fortress of Doom1993Turn-BasedNeverlandStandard turn-based combat, but targeting dead enemies will lead to a wasted turn
SNESLufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals1996Turn-BasedNeverlandPrequel to and much more Zelda-like than the first
JP SFCMadou Monogatari: Hanamaru Daiyouchi Enji1996Turn-BasedCompileExtremely unconventional attack and leveling system, but cookies are currency and it's cute!
JP SFCMagna Braban: Henreki no Yuusha1994Turn-BasedLenarGambits and auto-combat long before FFXII was even a thing
JP SFCMahou Kishi Rayearth1995Turn-BasedPandora BoxPlays vastly differently than the Saturn version! Beginner-level JRPG, follows the OG story closely
JP SFCMajin Tensei1994StrategyAtlusSRPG SMT spinoff with (naturally) demon recruitment and fusion
JP SFCMajin Tensei II: Spiral Nemesis1995StrategyAtlusMore or less the same as the first, but with an isometric battle view as opposed to top-down
JP SFCMetal Max Returns1995Turn-BasedCrea-TechRemake of Metal Max, naturally much prettier but more difficult
JP SFCMonstania1996StrategyAmccus/Bits LaboratorySRPG featuring puzzles, a party size of two, and a progress-based leveling system
JP SFCMystic Ark1995Turn-BasedProduceA cousin to The 7th Saga, super grindy
JP SFCNekketsu Tairiku Burning Heroes1995Turn-BasedJ-Force8 scenarios to beat for the true ending, characters other than the protagonist are AI in battle
JP SFCNeugier: Umi to Kaze no Koudou1993ActionWolf TeamAn almost-localized ARPG with attacks that can level up, a rather short game overall
SNESOgre Battle: The March of the Black Queen1995StrategyQuestEpic overarching story with RTS elements
SNESPaladin's Quest1993Turn-BasedCopya SystemUtopian-themed turn-based game where casting magic costs HP instead of MP
JP SFCPower of the Hired1994StrategyMasayaSRPG where the party can summon monsters to help in battle; monster selection determines the party's available spells
JP SFCPrincess Minerva1995Turn-BasedAtelier Double/RiverhillsoftGIRL POWER ANIME-BASED ROAD TRIP!
JP SFCRanma 1/2: Akanekodan Teki Hihou1993Turn-BasedAtelier DoubleBased on the anime/manga, otherwise pretty standard
SNESRobotrek1994Turn-BasedQuintet/AncientCustomize your robo-buddy party!
JP SFCRomancing Saga1992Turn-BasedSquareA very sandboxy JRPG; multiple playable characters, non-linear in fashion
JP SFCRomancing Saga 21993Turn-BasedSquareNo complete English translation on this console, sandobxy multi-generation spanning story
JP SFCRomancing Saga 31995Turn-BasedSquareNo complete English translation on this console, sandboxy, gorgeous spritework, but difficult
JP SFCRudra no Hihou1996Turn-BasedSquareCreate your own spells! Ultra-pretty sprites!
JP SFCRyuuki Heidan: Danzarb1993Turn-BasedPandora BoxEpic sci-fi story marred by lackluster graphical presentation
SNESSecret of Evermore1995ActionSquare SoftAn ARPG featuring a boy and his dog traveling through different eras; never released in Japan
SNESSecret of Mana1993ActionSquareActually the second Mana game, up to 3-player co-op
SNESSecret of the Stars1995Turn-BasedTecmoSuper slow and super mundane
JP SFCSeiken Densetsu 31995ActionSquareThe character you choose at the start determines your storyline, otherwise plays like SoM
JP SFCShiki Eiyuuden1995Turn-BasedOutrigger Koubou/Be-On WorksA brutally hard turn-based historical JRPG set in the Warring States period of China; puzzles and quizzes found throughout
JP SFCShin Megami Tensei1992Dungeon CrawlerAtlus1st-person dungeon crawl with demon recruitment/fusion, only localized on mobile
JP SFCShin Megami Tensei if…1994Turn-BasedAtlusLike regular SMT, but in a centralized high school setting. This is Persona's daddy!
JP SFCShin Megami Tensei II1994Dungeon CrawlerAtlusSimilar to but easier than the first game
JP SFCShin Seikoku: La Wares1995Turn-BasedJ-ForceBased off a Japanese TTRPG, featuring mech combat
JP SFCShodai Nekketsu Kouha Kunio-kun1992ActionTechnos JapanMore or less River City Ransom 2, but you gain actual XP instead of using cash to buy stat upgrades (for better or worse)
JP SFCSilva Saga II: The Legend of Light and Darkness1993Turn-BasedSetaHire mercenaries to help in combat!
JP SFCSlayers1994Turn-BasedBECBased on the anime of the same name, plays typically for the era
SNESSoul Blazer1992ActionQuintetPart of the legendary Quintet trilogy, an ARPG with some town-reconstruction elements
JP SFCStar Ocean1996ActionTri-AceLook at that spritework!
JP SFCSuper Chinese World 21993ActionCulture BrainSuper Ninja Boy sequel, has ARPG battles instead of its predecessor's turn-based combat
JP SFCSuper Chinese World 3 - Chou Jigen Daisakusen1995ActionCulture BrainTwo different battle modes to choose from: ARPG or turn-based, each with their own storylines
JP SFCSuper Famicom Wars1998StrategyIntelligent SystemsTechnically a digital-only title (released via Satellaview), units can gather XP in combat that does not carry between maps
SNESSuper Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars1996Timed Turn-BasedSquareFun little turn-based game with a cute artstyle and rhythmic button pressing to maximize damage
SNESSuper Ninja Boy1993ActionCulture BrainCan be played multiplayer, combat is done in side-scrolling ARPG format, sequel to Little Ninja Brothers
JP SFCSuper Robot Taisen EX1994StrategyWinkysoftSRPG, branching storyline, uses the SRW3 engine
JP SFCSuper Robot Taisen Gaiden: Masou Kishin - The Lord of Elemental1996StrategyWinkysoftSRPG, focuses on one of the original characters in the series, directional damage
JP SFCTactics Ogre1995StrategyQuestEpic storyline, lots of important choices to make - even at the very beginning of the game!
JP SFCTales of Phantasia1995ActionWolf TeamMind-bogglingly pretty, a technological marvel for the time
JP SFCTenchi Muyo!: Game Hen1995Turn-BasedTamTamIsometric turn and grid-based combat, based off the anime!
JP SFCTengai Makyou Zero1995Turn-BasedRed Company CorporationUtilized special technology to allow for a real-time clock, more dialogue
JP SFCTenshi no Uta: Shiroki Tsubasa no Inori1994Turn-BasedTelenet JapanNot only can you negotiate with monsters, you get special experience points for doing so!
SNESTerranigma (PAL/JP only)1995ActionQuintetStrangely never localized, last in the Quintet ARPG trilogy; spells can only be cast via one-time use items
SNESThe 7th Saga1993Turn-BasedProduce7 different playable characters, way harder in the US than Japan
SNESThe Twisted Tales of Spike McFang1994ActionRed Company CorporationSuper cutesy ARPG
JP SFCTorneko no Daibouken: Fushigi no Dungeon1993Dungeon CrawlerChunsoftFirst game in the Mystery Dungeon series, with a Dragon Quest coat of paint
JP SFCTreasure Conflix1996ActionSquaresoftA Satellaview-only game with soft RPG elements (upgrading your airship's parts to use in dogfights) where you hunt for treasure and sell it at auction
JP SFCTreasure Hunter G1996StrategyStingAnother forgotten Square-published game, action point-based SRPG
SNESUncharted Waters: New Horizons1994SimulationKoei6 different protagonists with different careers to balance the books with in a mercantile JRPG
JP SFCWonder Project J: Kikai no Shounen Pino1994SimulationAlmanicRaise your robo-boy to follow commands, improve his stats, and rescue his creator (Think Pac-Man 2)
JP SFCXak: The Art of Visual Stage1993ActionMicro Cabin/Tokai EngineeringYs' cousin, but the story only covers the first half of the first game on MSX
SNESXardion1992Action-PlatformJorudanA mech-based action-platformer with each robot having its own set of XP to gain and exploration elements, made by members of Gainax among other big names
SNESYs III: Wanderers From Ys1991ActionFalcom/Advance CommunicationSimilar to the FC version, but with cleaner graphics and arguably worse hit detection
JP SFCYs IV: Mask of the Sun1993ActionTonkin HouseNon-canonical to the Ys series after the release of Memories of Celceta
JP SFCYs V: Ushinawareta Suna no Miyako Kefin1995ActionFalcomOnly game in the series to have never been localized (hopefully this will change?)
JP SFCYume Meikyuu: Kigurumi Daibouken1994Turn-BasedAxes Art AmuseFirst-person dungeon crawl; kill the enemies and take their costumes!