Nintendo did a better job giving Switch players Super Nintendo games more so than NES games in 2020. For comparison, there were fifteen SNES games released for the service in 2020 while there were only six NES games. While not great, to Nintendo’s credit, the NES games that are already on the service are some of the system's best.
There are still a lot of games missing though. Even though receiving 15 free SNES games was great, they were not all made equally. Some are barely worth a boot up even for a minute so let’s rank the SNES offerings from 2020 to see what was and what wasn’t so compelling.
15 Mario's Super Picross
Mario's Super Picross originally released for the SNES in September 1995 in Japan. It’s a fine Picross mashup, but it can be a bit obtuse to play because it’s all in Japanese. Consequently, this game has to rank quite low on this list. Mario's Super Picross was added to Nintendo Switch Online in September 2020.
14 Smash Tennis
Smash Tennis originally released for the SNES in June 1993 in Japan. Tennis games come and go on platforms and this is a pretty average attempt. The Japanese language is at least easier to parse through in Smash Tennis than Mario's Super Picross. Smash Tennis was added to Nintendo Switch Online in February 2020.
13 Tuff E Nuff
Tuff E Nuff originally released for the SNES in March 1993 in Japan under the name Dead Dance and later that September for North America. It’s about as barebones as one can get for a fighting game, and features a tiny roster accompanied by stiff animations. Tuff E Nuff was added to Nintendo Switch Online in December 2020.
12 Natsume Championship Wrestling
Natsume Championship Wrestling released for the SNES in June 1994 in North America. The Japanese version released earlier in December 1993 under the name Zen-Nippon Pro Wrestling Dash: Sekai Saikyou Tag, which is a bit of a mouthful.
Natsume is a good developer but like Tuff E Nuff, everything feels a bit rigid here. Natsume Championship Wrestling was added to Nintendo Switch Online in July 2020.
11 The Ignition Factor
The Ignition Factor originally released for the SNES in November 1994 in Japan and a couple of months later in North America. While fighting fires may not sound exciting, there actually are some good examples in this tiny genre. Unfortunately, this game is not one of them though. The Ignition Factor was added to Nintendo Switch Online in December 2020.
10 The Peace Keepers
The Peace Keepers originally released for the SNES in December 1993 in Japan, while North America had to wait until March 1994. There are plenty of other brawlers that are better suited for this SNES collection, but that said, this game isn’t terrible. Like a lot of these types of titles, The Peace Keepers is just kind of bland. The Peace Keepers was added to Nintendo Switch Online in September 2020.
9 Super Valis IV
Super Valis IV originally released for the PC Engine in August 1991 in Japan. This was succeeded by a 1992 Japanese port for the SNES and a 1993 version followed in North America. It’s a decent action platformer but nothing to write home about. Super Valis IV was added to Nintendo Switch Online in December 2020.
8 Operation Logic Bomb
Operation Logic Bomb originally released for the SNES in April 1993 in Japan and later that November in North America. Think of it as a top-down version of Contra mixed with a little bit of the Metal Gear on NES. It’s worth a look. Operation Logic Bomb was added to Nintendo Switch Online in May 2020.
7 Panel De Pon
Panel de Pon originally released for the SNES in October 1995. Strangely, in August 1996, Panel de Pon did release in North America but under the name Tetris Attack.
Both games are great puzzle titles but there is something more alluring about an actually good Japanese game that never truly hit Western shores. Panel De Pon was added to Nintendo Switch Online in May 2020.
6 Pop'n TwinBee
Pop'n TwinBee originally released for the SNES in March 1993 in Japan and later that November for Europe. Despite the existence of the latter, this digital release on the Switch marked the first time Pop'n TwinBee was released in North America. The wait for this colorful and co-op friendly vertical shooter was worth it even if it is short. Pop'n TwinBee was added to Nintendo Switch Online in February 2020.
5 Wild Guns
Wild Guns originally released for the SNES in August 1994 in Japan and a little less than a year later in North America. It’s like a railgun shooter in the third-person perspective and takes place in a steampunk Old West setting. Wild Guns is a lot of fun but super hard. Wild Guns was added to Nintendo Switch Online in May 2020.
4 Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble
Donkey Kong Country 3 originally released for the SNES in November 1996. This was the last entry in this series released for the system and saw the formula getting a bit old. Kiddy Kong was also a lame partner. However, as old as some things may be about it, Donkey Kong Country 3 still outranks a lot of these other games by a country mile. Donkey Kong Country 3 was added to Nintendo Switch Online in December 2020.
3 Donkey Kong Country
Donkey Kong Country originally released for the SNES in November 1995 in Japan and a couple of weeks later for North America.
This game and its sequels may not look as stunning now that there are true 3D games, but it is still a solid, challenging platformer. Donkey Kong Country was added to Nintendo Switch Online in July 2020.
2 Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
Donkey Kong Country 2 originally released for the SNES in November 1994. The best of these games, this title features a great pirate motif and awesome music to accompany it. Donkey Kong Country 2 was added to Nintendo Switch Online in September 2020.
1 Super Mario All-Stars
Super Mario All-Stars originally released for the SNES in July 1993 in Japan and a month later for North America. This has four remade Mario games in one. Enough said! Super Mario Bros. 3 alone was enough to make it number one even if there are some duds in there. Super Mario All-Stars was added to Nintendo Switch Online in September 2020.