Welcome to our Top Five Virtual Console feature, where we’ll be listing the top five games available for download on each system on the Wii’s Virtual Console. Next up: the Super Nintendo!
#5. Super Mario World
Super Mario World took all the platforming goodness of its NES predecessor and upped the ante with better graphics, new allies (Yoshi!) and a slew of new powers to aid the Bros in their quest to once again save Princess Toadstool from the evil Bowser.
One of the new powers players get access to in this game is the Cape Feather, which allows Mario to soar in to the air, glide over obstacles and also gives him a powerful spin attack.
Super Mario World‘s gameplay may be simple, but it remains fun and challenging throughout. If you’re looking for an all around great game to kick start your Virtual Console library, look no further.
#4. ActRaiser
ActRaiser was a game unlike another, as it was one of the first games to successfully mix such disparate gaming genres as platforming, city building and RPGs. Requiring players to take on the role of a God, players are tasked with building a flourishing town, which sometimes requires them to come down to earth and kick some old fashion demon ass.
To satisfy the towns they build, players must some times retrieve items from other towns and return them to earlier villages. This generally means entering a 2D, side scrolling level, complete with power-ups and big boss battles.
If you keep the townspeople safe and satisfied, their “faith” in you is restored (you are a god after all!), allowing you to move on to new areas. If you like unique RPG’s or just loved Sim City, give this quirky classic a try.
#3. Secret of Mana
Secret of Mana was more than simply another Zelda clone. The game had a unique battle system that discouraged players from mindlessly mashing the attack button, requiring weapons to “recharge” after each swing.
Almost the entire game could be played with up to three player co-op, and those who prefer a single player experience had the ability to switch between characters on demand.
Add to this some core RPG elements like weapon upgrades, armor to equip and stat boosting level upgrades, and you have a massively deep action RPG experience for the low price of 800 Nintendo Points.
#2. Super Metroid
Super Metroid was an epic adventure that took all the exploration and core gameplay from the series and added more suit upgrades, bigger weapons and the ability for Samus to shoot in a full, 360 degree range.
The game was epic, with a large spanning map that required players to frequently return to older areas. As Samus gains new powers, she also gains access to new areas, requiring the classic gameplay mechanic the series is famous for: backtracking.
Super Metroid isn’t for everyone, as its frequent backtracking can seem tiresome to those used to being coddled through a games progression. But gamers willing to traverse the alien depths of this game are steadily rewarded with challenging gameplay, a sprawling adventure and epic boss battles.
#1. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Come on, do you really not see this one coming? The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past consistently lands in the number one spot on lists of the top game of all time, let alone the best games on the SNES—and this is just a list of the best SNES games available on the Wii!
A Link to the Past was is considered by many to be the true successor to the original Zelda game for the NES. Zelda 2 was good game, but it was nothing like the original, employing side-scrolling action sequences, mild RPG elements and an overworld featuring random battles. Like the original, A Link to the Past returns to the classic 2D top down view, but this time in lush 16-bit.
If it wasn’t for Ocarina of Time, this would be hands down the best Zelda game to date. The game was chock full of secrets (throw your sword in the fairy pond!), complex dungeons, quircky NPCs, and new weapons for Link to utilize in his quest to defeat Ganon. If you have never played this game, then go buy it and call out of work right now.
Honorable Mentions:
Super Castlevania
Contra III: The Alien Wars
Super Mario RPG
Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen
Patrick once saved a drowning dog from an icey pond, so he is probably better than you. 
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