
F-Zero Turned the Racing Game Into a Test of Nerve
F-Zero launched the SNES with Mode 7 racing at 2560 speed, four hovercars, and a power meter that made going fast cost something.


F-Zero launched the SNES with Mode 7 racing at 2560 speed, four hovercars, and a power meter that made going fast cost something.

Contra III: The Alien Wars review — Konami's SNES run and gun shooter with six stages, Mode 7 boss fights, and a harsh power-up system that punishes death.

A Link to the Past review: Nintendo's 1991 SNES classic restored the overhead view, added diagonal movement and parallel worlds, and set the standard. 9.5/10.

Super Metroid review: Nintendo R&D1's 1994 SNES classic that defined the Metroidvania genre, scored 9.1/10 for its map design and wordless ending.

A retro review of Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, Nintendo's 1995 crayon-drawn SNES platformer starring Yoshi and Baby Mario.

Super Mario World review: how Nintendo built the SNES platformer around Yoshi, the Cape Feather and a branching Dinosaur Land map. Score: 9.2 of 10.

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars review — Square's 1996 SNES crossover put Bowser on Mario's side, destroyed the Star Road, and scored 8.4.

Super Mario Kart launched September 1, 1992, sold 8.76 million copies, and set the template for the series. A retrospective review scoring 7.4/10.

Super Castlevania IV review: Konami's 1991 SNES classic, its eight-direction whip, eleven levels, Mode 7, bosses, and why it still holds up.

A retro review of Secret of Mana, Square's 1993 action RPG: real-time combat, Ring Commands, three-player co-op, and a story that still holds up.

Mega Man X brought 16-bit reinvention to the series in 1993 with eight selectable stages, stolen weapons, and a darker story. Review score: 8.4/10.

EarthBound, Nintendo's 1994 SNES RPG, swapped swords for a meteorite in the backyard. A look at Ness, Giygas, and why it still scores 8.9/10.
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