For many, the Super Nintendo was a sort of golden age for gaming - a bastion of warm and fuzzy nostalgia wrapped in delightful 16-bit sprites. The console offered a nice balance of arcade-style romps and deeper, more visually detailed games. The console was arguably the pinnacle for 2D gaming - with graphics and sound that were capable of providing some truly lavish, atmospheric experiences. Moreoever, it was home to a number of games whose quality managed to transcend the era, and remain appealing today.
Still, being a console so steeped in the culture of the early '90s, it's inevitable that certain software wouldn't - and hasn't - aged all that well. This is especially the case for titles that perhaps tried to get a little too ambitious in of graphics.
Here are some of the most shining examples of the SNES' timeless classics, along with some that didn't quite stand the test of time.
Aged Well: Yoshi's Island
While they may not always look amazing at the time - games that lean on more stylistic visuals often have the benefit of aging like a fine wine rather than milk. Such is the case with Shigeru Miyamoto's semi-sequel to Super Mario World. Indeed, the charming coloring book vibe of the graphics allows the game to mask the graphic limitations and exude artistic flair.
In a way, it resembles the visuals of various indie platformers and adventure romps and even some bigger-names like Rayman Legends. Not only this but the sharp mechanics and dynamic gameplay - with a range of collectibles - allows it to hold water despite being over two decades old.
Didn't: Madden NFL '94
It's probably not too fair to knock an old sports title for its dated graphics - given the contrast set by flashier modern sports games and their 3D emphasis. Still, one can't help but make the comparison to modern-day Madden titles - which verge on photorealistic at this point, especially given how crude this ancestor looks.
Despite not being terribly old, Madden NFL '94 almost appears to have come from the '80s, being one of the final games in the series to occupy the 2D space. On top of this, the level of simplicity in the gameplay compared to the nuance of recent entries is as vast as a football field.
Aged Well: Secret Of Mana
This spinoff to the iconic Final Fantasy series may have looked a bit dated at one point with its basic story and relatively simple combat. Still, the (semi) open-world gameplay and fast-paced battles that comprise Secret of Mana actually resemble many modern RPGs. This ironically gives it more of a modern-day feel than some of the more complex turn-based RPGs.
Many role-playing romps on the Japanese and indie front, in particular, adhere to a similarly colorful aesthetic and arcade-style gameplay. This majestic adventure is also great in of its presentation, with an excellent soundtrack and crisp, vibrant visuals. When it comes to appealing gameplay and aesthetics - it arguably even goes toe-to-toe with the recent sequel-remake, Trials of Mana.
Didn't: Super R-Type
In fairness, there's certainly nothing wrong with this retro space-shooter; far from it. Unfortunately, this once-renowned franchise somewhat falls victim to its own genre, which feels tired, bland, and rather dated itself. Of course, one shouldn't expect super interesting backdrops or mindblowing action when flying through the depths of space.
Still, you'll often find NES and Genesis games more colorful and visually appealing. Some stiff controls and punishing one-and-done gameplay also add to Super R-Type's fairly dated vibe.
Aged Well: Super Mario RPG
It's fairly rare to find an RPG from the '80s or '90s that can still feel epic and timeless; especially one that leans on increasingly-dated turn-based battles. Yet, Square Enix (then SquareSoft) has pulled this off with this grand, imaginative take on a Mario adventure.
Outside of Rare's Donkey Kong Country, Super Mario RPG just may be the sleekest looking SNES game there is. But the refined, addictive gameplay is where this RPG really shines - as bright as the seven stars this journey revolves around.
Didn't: Star Fox
3D graphics of any kind on the SNES - by way of its Mode 7 graphics - may have seemed pretty impressive in the early '90s. Yet, to modern eyes, they don't quite have the visual luster they once had. In fact, in a sense, they ironically tend to look even cruder than most of the sprite-based offerings on the SNES.
This is certainly the case when it comes to the jaggy-laden flight game, Star Fox. While it's still a solid space-shooter in its own right, it certainly isn't because of its primitive 3D polygons.
Aged Well: Super Metroid
The original Metroid - for all its classic elements and historic significance, can prove tough for younger players to get into, with some bland visuals and cryptic gameplay. Not so for this sleeker sequel; a game that draws from the distinct, isolated feel of its predecessor while making the experience smoother and more thrilling. Super Metroid offers a fine blend of action-laden shooting and exploration, whose satisfying gameplay is simply timeless.
It provides a thick sense of atmosphere with neat sci-fi settings and memorable music to boot. Really, this could as a solid sidescrolling shooter coming out of the indie scene today.
Didn't: Final Fight
Final Fight remains a solid beat 'em up, and for many, is still regarded as a classic brawler. Still, the fact that the genre itself has become a tad outdated tends to condemn this game to a degree. It doesn't help that the first game in this series is hindered by more basic mechanics and a more restricted moveset than its sequels. Nor does the fact that this is basically a port of the '89 original do it any favors.
Not only this, but Final Fight for the SNES is actually lacking multiplayer, which is a key component to this series and the genre at large. It makes the experience more enjoyable and gives it more replay value.
Aged Well: Donkey Kong Country 2
Nintendo fans - and seemingly the company themselves - were unsure of where the Super Mario series was headed following Super Mario World and Yoshi's Island. Who would have thought that a little-known British studio by the name of Rare would step in and deliver what may be a better platforming series than the SNES Mario games?
Donkey Kong Country - and its sequels - managed to exude style, flashy visuals, and most importantly, delightful gameplay that never seems to age. The original was groundbreaking - but DKC2 built on this solid foundation with even more dynamic gameplay and lavish settings.
Didn't: Pilot Wings
Like Star Fox, this SNES flight romp also stands on the strong foundation of some appealing gameplay and a recognizable brand. But even more so than that game, the original Pilot Wings' aesthetic manages to look pretty dated and simple.
Despite the 3D foundation, most of the landscapes just tend to look flat, and the general flow of the animation can feel a bit choppy. This can be problematic for a title that demands precision when completing tasks and making landings.
