There’s a few reasons why I loved the SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System), but one of the main reasons is it was my first foray into the home console arena. Prior to this I had a computer (a Spectrum – popular in the UK around the early nineties) and a Gameboy, so I’d been gaming previously. Anyway, I fell in love completely with my SNES as soon as I had played Street Fighter Turbo – what a game. From then my love grew. Here are five reasons why.
Super Mario World – The legendary Mario game. This ip had everything, from good graphics to gameplay that featured over 100 levels. Mario never looked better than in a weird Superman-esque costume flying through the clouds and jumping on Yoshi’s back.
Super Metroid – What an adventure. If you ask me this shows why, although yes Retro studios did a good job, Metroid should have remained at its’ heart a 2D game. The reason being, I’m not sure I’ve ever played a better single player game. The scope was great, the action was superb and the graphics were phenomenal.
Secret of Mana – Possibly one of the best games ever. Where else could you fight werewolves, rescue Santa and fight a massive dragon? I still feel the pain of finding the level 10 spear and not managing to get the special attack for it.
Killer Instinct – They don’t make ‘em like this anymore, except for the not-that-great Mortal Kombat series that is. Killer Instinct was produced by Rare and offered some superb gameplay along with some fantastic combos and weird characters. You like juggle-combos? You got it.
Super Mario Kart – You couldn’t do better than to be tanked up on Coke (of the dark drink variety that is) and Asda pizza before embarking on an “I am the bloody best my red shells are deadly” rampage. The new one is good, but not a patch on this. Ah, to be 12 again.
Looking at this list, three things are clear. One, I’m a little nostalgic – but not so much that I’d give up my current crop of consoles. Two, a number of these games are first party, barring of course Killer Instinct. Three, in coming up to date, Nintendo have lost some of their magic. Where was such genius on the Cube? Maybe that’s where the Wii comes in. I can’t even say if it is possible to restore what is lost – but I for one sure hope so.