The office SNES Mini has seen plenty of action over the past couple of weeks as we get to grips with all 21 classics from yesteryear. With a huge library of classic titles there are plenty of incredible SNES games that didn’t make the final cut however, so here’s a few we wish had made it…
1. UNIRALLY
We’ll start with one of the finest SNES games to come from Dundee. Unirally was a fast, frantic and very abstract racer with some of the most vibrant graphics on the console. It was sadly withdrawn from sale after Pixar took umbrage with the design of the game’s unicycles, but remains fondly remembered among SNES fans and the Dundee development community alike.
2. PILOTWINGS
A surprising omission from the SNES Mini lineup, Pilotwings was a SNES launch title that brought with it a sense of freedom and gentle pace that contrasted well with the more fast-paced action titles that dominated the launch window. The game’s Mode 7 graphics dropped many a jaw back in ’92 and the series popped up again on N64 and 3DS.
3. TURTLES IN TIME
A sequel to Konami’s hugely successful 4-player arcade hit, Turtles in Time made its way to the SNES early in the console’s lifespan and saw our favourite reptilian heroes hack and slash their way through history. While the home version only supported 2 players, it at least meant some of the older generation at Tag Towers spent less time hassling their parents for 20p pieces.
4. NBA JAM
The very definition of “rad”, NBA Jam arrived in 1994 with fully licensed teams, incredible graphics and an endless supply of highly quotable sound clips. The game’s exaggerated style of 2-on-2 basketball filled with gravity-defying special moves made it a pioneer in the genre and its extreme take on sport has arguably never been bettered.
5. MORTAL KOMBAT 2
The original Mortal Kombat drew the ire of parents and lawmakers alike for its brutal and over-the-top gore, but with its more refined gameplay and extra characters, it was this sequel that truly established the series as one of the best in the fighting genre. After Nintendo relaxed their rules on depictions of violence, SNES players also got to enjoy the game’s decapitations and mutilations in all their glory.
6. ACTRAISER
Filled with religious allegories, part platformer and part god sim, Actraiser is often considered one of the best games on SNES and this is another one we’re surprised to see didn’t make the final cut. The dramatic orchestral score is one of the best of the entire 16-bit era.
7. HARVEST MOON
A favourite of our very own CEO Paul Farley, tracked down an import copy long before its European release. Cute graphics gave no clues to the deep gameplay, oddball storyline or frankly insane UI design that could be found within Harvest Moon. Paul couldn’t read much of the Japanese text in the game, but remains convinced it made more sense to him than the English translation!
8. JURASSIC PARK
Back in the 90s, cash-grab games were wheeled out to accompany almost every major film release, which made the ambitious and technically impressive Jurassic Park on SNES stand out all the more. Particularly memorable were the games indoor sections, which racked up the tension and switched to a 3D style reminiscent of Doom and Wolfenstein 3D.
9. NOSFERATU
A dark, sinister platformer with more than a hint of Prince of Persia, Nosferatu brings the famous vampire story to life in an obscure yet fascinating title from later in the SNES’s life. The difficulty ramps up very quickly, but persevere and you’ll find one of the most unique and cinematic experiences on the SNES.
10. REX RONAN: EXPERIMENTAL SURGEON
An educational platformer where you play as a microscopic surgeon who travels inside the body of a heavy smoker to remove tar, nicotine and precancerous cells. They really don’t make ‘em like this anymore!