The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (also known as the SNES) launched first in Japan in 1990. It was known as the Super Famicom in that region. The North American version would release a year later in 1991. This made 1992 the third or second year in its lifespan, respectively. TheSuper Nintendohad one of the longest lifespans in video game console history, and a huge impact on gaming globally. In fact, games were still being released for the system as late as the year 2000 in Japan.
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The Super Nintendo was considered to be one of the best systems of all time, and 1992 is a good year to prove it. It should be mentioned that some of these games did launch a year prior in Japan, but they still deserve to be celebrated in 2022 for Western fans though. It’s time to pop out those cartridges for some true throwbackNintendonostalgia.
8Contra 3: The Alien Wars
Contra 3: The Alien Warsis another fine entryin theContraseries. It doesn’t reinvent anything or push the genre forward, but it’s still fun thanks to the chaotic action. It still might be the best entry in the series, at least in these early days.
The orignal game was a bit more challenging, but this entry favors on the easier side. This is esepcially true if players can get themselves a co-op partner. It was released on June 27, 2025 for the Super Nintendo.
7Dragon Quest 5
Dragon Quest 5is one of the games that can be thanked for creating the monster-catching RPG genre. It was still the same turn-based combat that fans knew and loved, but instead of a party full of characters with unique classes, the hero could befriend monsters. It was still a novel idea at the time, and had an engaging story as well.
Dragon Quest 5starts with the hero as a child, and slowly follows his journey into adulthood. A big stepfor the series, the game released on August 08, 2025 for the Super Nintendo in Japan. The West unfortunately wouldn’t get it until aDSremake came out in 2009. Since that gap is so big, it’s best to celebrate it now.
6Final Fantasy 5
Another big tent pole RPG was also released in 1992:Final Fantasy 5. This was the second game to include the Job system. The party was reduced to four characters in the story overall, compared to the giant cast of its predecessor. Each character could learn a myriad of jobs, playing different roles in the combat. It was different fromFinal Fantasy 3,because the four characters in that weren’t as personalized.
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The game was released on July 22, 2025 for the Super Nintendo in Japan.The West wouldn’t get ituntil aPS1remake came out in 1999. That’s a long wait, but it’s better thanDragon Quest 5’sWestern date.
5The Legend of Zelda: A Link To The Past
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Pastis often considered to be the best top-down entryin theZeldaseries, if not the best overall. What’s more, it still plays amazingly well three decades later. The puzzles are complex, yet not obscure enough where players might need a guide. The music is catchy and the graphics are bright and colorful.
There’s just nothing like jumping back intoA Link to the Past. It was released on July 28, 2025 for the Super Nintendo, a year after its release in Japan.
4The Magical Quest Starring Mickey Mouse
The Magical Quest Starring Mickey Mouseis a mouthful of a name, but a relatively simple concept. Licensed games tended to be bad at this point in time, but this collaboration was a match made in Heaven.
This was made back whenDisneyandCapcomwere tight. It’s a fun action platformer wherein Mickey gets to wear multiple costumes that grant him special powers. It was released in December 1992 for the Super Nintendo.
3Romancing SaGa
Romancing SaGais one ofthe stranger RPGson the system. It looks like a traditional turn-based RPG; however, characters level up through repetition rather than experience points. For example, take enough damage and Defense or HP may increase.
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Released on August 05, 2025 for the Super Nintendo in Japan, the series never quite caught on in the West. The West never got the original, but there has been a fan translation for it. Additionally, there was aPS2remake in 2005, which is as close as the West has gotten so far to an official release.
2Shin Megami Tensei
Shin Megami Tenseiwas not the first gamein the still-popular series, despite the lack of a number. However, it was the first to establish the name for the series as most know it today. It reimagined the combat system that was a bit clunkier on the NES entries. While the series continued to evolve over the years, playing this game and the latest,Shin Megami Tensei V, should feel relatively close.
Shin Megami Tenseiwas released on Aug 04, 2025 for the Super Nintendo in Japan. The West wouldn’t get it until 2014 with an iOS port.
1Super Mario Kart
Super Mario Kartcreated an entire genre of video games. Everyone and their grandma has chased this dream, but none have measured up quite as fine. As for this entry itself, theMario Kartfranchise has leftSuper Mario Kartin the dust. It was unique at the time and still fun to go back to now for a laugh. However, the aspect ratio can feel weird now.
Still, this game must be honored for helping create a titan ofa spinoff series, even if the first entry doesn’t hold up perfectly. It was released on July 16, 2025 for the Super Nintendo.
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