10 Best SNES Games on Nintendo Switch Online (2024)

Among the old-school platforms that make it to the Nintendo Switch Online subscription is the SNES. It was a classic platform where tons of retro games have resurfaced to be playable in the modern day and online too. As such, you’ll find cult classics like Super Mario Kart and Donkey Kong Country. It’s all a matter of choosing your best pick from the best SNES games on Nintendo Switch Online below.

What is an SNES Game?

An SNES game, or Super Nintendo Entertainment System, is any game launched on the 16-bit Nintendo gaming platform. To date, over 1,700 games have been launched on the SNES, with the most popular ones being playable via a Nintendo Switch Online subscription plan.

Best SNES Games on Nintendo Switch Online

Here are some of the most popular SNES games you can play right now, making up the best SNES games on Nintendo Switch Online.

10. Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island

Launched in 1995, Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island caused a massive stir in the gaming community for its exciting platforming challenges. You control Yoshi, a friendly dinosaur who embarks on a quest to find baby Luigi. Strapped on his back is baby Mario, who, although he does very little to help out, adds to the charm of the game. With Kamek as the primary antagonist, Yoshi’s Island holds lots of ways to entice both young and old gamers.

9. Earthbound

Earthbound is perhaps among the trailblazers for the party-based concept in gaming. It launched in 1994 and follows Ness, Paula, Jeff, and Poo, as they embark on a quest to collect melodies. The melodies are dispersed across eight Sanctuaries, paving the way for bountiful adventure and enemies to fight. At the spotlight of the enemy’s frontline is the cosmic destroyer Giygas. Yet, no matter the gravity of the challenge ahead, against all odds, you emerge victorious.

8. Super Mario World

Super Mario World is not only one of the best SNES games on Nintendo Switch Online but also one of the best games ever made. Having launched in 1990, it’s surprising that the gameplay already nailed down an exciting platforming formula. This is the formula that went on to shine in the sequel, Yoshi’s Island. However, this time, Mario is all grown up and, once again, on a quest to save Princess Peace from Bowser and the Koopalings.

7. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past takes you on a rollercoaster ride through the 1992 Kingdom of Hyrule. This action adventure takes you before the events of the first two Zelda games. Link is still at the wheel, steering a new adventure to rescue the descendants of the Seven Sages from ruthless King Ganon. You also grapple with parallel worlds, a gameplay element that was so good that it is stuck to the rest of the series.

6. Super Metroid

In 1994, Super Metroid introduced a space action adventure for the books. Following bounty hunter Samus, players, once again, traversed the depths of space in search of a Space Pirate leader, Ridley. The planet Zebes is ripe with lots of enemies and secrets to discover. You run into plenty of power-ups that open up new routes of exploration. Meanwhile, you have a handy inventory and automap showing you what’s still left to unravel.

5. Super Punch Out

Super Punch-Out!! revolutionalized boxing in gaming. Granted, the game launched in the ‘90s. So, there wasn’t really an excellent in-depth gameplay system in place. Still, it captured the thrill of the fight. From uppercuts to launching jabs, matches were a blast. And since they were short-lived, too, they made for the perfect in-and-out gaming spur with friends.

4. Super Mario Kart

Super Mario Kart is also quite a treat, just like all the games in the long-running franchise. It launched in 1992, much to the pleasure of platforming fans. It was so good it became the fourth best-selling SNES game of all time. Besides Mario, you control seven more characters who switch up the flow of the game. What’s more? You can race against computer-controlled characters in 20 tracks across three difficulty levels. What’s not to love?

3. Star Fox 64

A 1997 on-rail shooter game called Star Fox 64 changed the sphere of the genre for the better. It not only incorporates intense space battles but also a captivating story-based campaign. Moreover, you also explore far-ranging planets, discovering new species and quests to complete. Even though the game launched in the ‘90s, it still managed to achieve a high replay value, thanks to attention to nearly every aspect of a proper single-player campaign.

2. Kirby's Dreamland 3

Kirby’s Dream Land 3 is another viable option for platforming fans. It follows the cute, little, puffy ball called Kirby, who has the power to swallow enemies. Gulping enemies lets you gain new powers, which come in handy in the more difficult sections of the game. Since 1997, the series has only grown better. However, none of the modern entries compare to the simplicity and downright exciting playthrough of Kirby’s Dream Land 3.

1. Donkey Kong Country

There are, in fact, three games in the Donkey Kong Country, all of which are great in their own right. So, feel free to check them all out. However, we suggest playing Donkey Kong Country 2 as a priority. It has swashbuckling themes with lots of hidden secrets and surprises. The secrets are nicely balanced with actual platforming, too, so both skill and strategy go a long way toward beating the game. You have multiple levels to churn through, each skillfully designed. And the bopping soundtrack just adds to the overwhelming charm of playing the game.

So, what's your take? Do you agree with our top five? What do you think are the best SNES games on Nintendo Switch Online? Let us know in the comments below or over on our socials here!