Summary
As the JRPG started its rapid ascent to the top in the 1990s, one console that was able to produce some of the absolute best examples was the Super Nintendo. First released by Nintendo in 1990, the SNES went on to become one of the greatest consoles of the decade. But when itcomes to 1990s video gamesand the prospect of them holding up in modern times, that can be a bit iffy.
Thankfully, the SNES is one of the best-aged pieces of gaming hardware of all time, as its impressive roster of incredible 2D titles runs the gamut from platformers to shoot ‘em ups, all the way to adventure games and JRPGs. These SNES JRPGs have stood the test of time, and have aged gracefully in the face of their far more advanced contemporaries. Their stories of heroism and adventure are backed up by expertly designed worlds and battle systems, as they are still some of the best JRPGs that one can find on the market today.
This joint venture between Nintendo and SquareSoft came out of Shigeru Miyamoto’s desire to make an RPG starring Mario, which meshed well with Square’s interest in making a game that would do well outside of Japan. The harmonious mash-up of the two video game giants led to the creation ofSuper Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, which launched on the SNES in 1996.
In terms of SNES JRPGs,Super Mario RPGnot only held up against the hardware’s massive library of games in the same genre but is still absolutely lovely today. Its sharp writing and quirky sense of humor work remarkably well today, and it would later influence the direction oftheMario & Luigifranchise.Super Mario RPGwas fully remade for the Nintendo Switch in 2023, but the original game is still an absolute blast and is worth playing today.
What became SquareSoft’s final game for Nintendo until 2003’sCrystal Chronicles,Final Fantasy 6was launchedon the SNES in1994 and told the riveting tale of Terra and the Returners, a rebel group going up against a tyrannical government. It was Square at the top of their game, as they used all of their technical skill and wizardry to craft gorgeous 2D pixel art, pushing the SNES to its limit.
Featuring one of the best combat systems and stories in JRPG history,Final Fantasy 6is still one of the most incredible games of the 1990s and is just as spectacular today as it was upon release. Its eclectic cast of characters and amazing soundtrack work in tandem brilliantly, and this epic JRPG is readily available on modern hardware thanks to theFinal Fantasy Pixel Remaster.
Taking off from 1991’sFinal Fantasy Adventure, Square continued into these uncharted waters and the finished product resulted in the creation oftheManaspin-off series. Released in 1993,Secret of Manautilized action-based combat taking place in an inviting fantasy kingdom. Set in a world that fuses fantasy and advanced technology,Secret of Manais a fast-paced action JRPG with enticing combat and a compelling story.
Secret of Manawas also rather unique for a console role-playing game in that it offered multiplayer, allowing for another player to join as one of the party members. It is often forgotten thanks to the SNES’ massive library of JRPGs, but it is still a fantastic experience. It’s also easily playable on modern hardware, as it’s available both as an HD remake from 2017 and a faithful port for the Switch viaCollection of Mana.
Born from the eccentric mind of author Shigesato Itoi,EarthBoundwas developed over the span of five years and was launched for the SNES in 1994. Taking place in the fictional country of Eagleland,EarthBoundis a fascinating exploration of childhood and, despite being rooted firmly in a 1990s mindset, still feels remarkably fresh and relevant in today’s landscape.
Its rejection of traditional JRPG narrative and structure wastruly ahead of its time, as the genre was stuffed with high fantasy settings and kingdoms.EarthBound’s exploration of the mundane, of sinister intent hiding behind colorful pixels, was revolutionary and is still being sourced today.EarthBoundis available on Nintendo Switch Online, which means that this timeless game is easy to experience today.
Terranigmais the second chapter of an unofficial trilogy of games that started with 1993’sIllusion of Gaiaand concluded withThe Granstream Sagain 1997 and was thematically similar to developer Quintet’sActRaiserfrom 1991.Known for its high difficultyand explosive combat,Terranigmais still a truly exceptional title that holds up beautifully when compared to modern hack-and-slash action RPGs of today.
With its incredible sprite art, lush backgrounds, and amazing music,Terranigmais still one of the finest games available on the SNES. Its story was also fairly ahead of its time, as it focused on some rather dark subject matter in the form of death and what happens after the end of one’s mortal life. AlthoughTerranigmanever had a Western release, it is still a game worth playing and easily stands toe-to-toe with its contemporaries.
Conceived inside the offices of SquareSoft as a way to contrast their storytelling style withinFinal Fantasy,Live A Livewas an adventure so large that it required an expansion to the SNES cartridge. Featuring seven playable characters, each with their own unique story,Live A Liveis still one of the most ambitious and innovative games of its generation.
Each story withinLive A Livefeels wholly unique, as the Wild West-themed adventure of the Sundown Kid is markedly different from the futuristic adventure of a robot named Cube. The way they all come together in the end is excellent, having a major influence on similar games in the future, such asSaga FrontierandOctopath Traveler. This outstanding game just recently made its way out of Japan thanks to a full remakefor the Nintendo Switch, proving the longevity of this remarkable title.
Created by the legendary trio of Hironobu Sakaguchi, Yuji Hori, and Akira Toriyama,Chrono Triggerwas developed over the course of two years with a team of sixty people. This massive project was one of SquareSoft’s most ambitious to date, and despite it being over thirty years old, is still one of the most incredible games that one can find on the SNES.
Chrono Triggerhas shown no signs of age over the years, as everything from its music, to its epic story, all the way to its immensely satisfying combat system, is still absolutely fantastic. This time-traveling epic features one of the most welcoming JRPG parties of all time, with Lucca and Frog being two of the most charming characters in the genre. Everything aboutChrono Triggerstill works brilliantly, and the harrowing lead-up to the final battle with Lavos is one of the SNES' most incredible finales.Chrono Triggerhasn’t yet beengiven the remake treatment, but it is available on Steam and is still worth checking out today.
