The first half of the 1990s was the golden era of 16-bit gaming. It was then that the Super NES (SNES) and SEGA Genesis (Mega Drive) fought for 16-bit console dominance. That console war was one of the more memorable, with Nintendo and SEGA pushing the SNES and Genesis to the limits. Today, you can play some of the best Super NES and Genesis games with a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership. These are some of the best 16-bit games you can play on your Switch with that membership.
Gunstar Heroes (Sega Genesis)
Treasure’s Gunstar Heroes was one of the best 16-bit games for the Genesis that perfected the run-and-gun genre. This game pushed the Mega Drive’s Motorola 68000 processor to the limits for some blistering platforming frolics. Players still love this game for its terrific weapon combinations, versatile combat, and creative level design. This chaotic and graphically impressive Genesis game showcased the raw arcade-style energy for which its console was renowned.
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island (SNES)
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island is a great Nintendo platformer that places Yoshi, rather than Mario, at the heart of the action. This is one of the best 16-bit games because of its unique hand-drawn aesthetic that remains visually impressive today. The game’s gameplay is just as brilliant, with Yoshi’s unique toolkit that includes the flutter jump, ground pound, and gobble up for firing egg ammunition. It flipped the more traditional Mario formula on its head for an enthralling platforming romp.
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest (SNES)
While a lot of hype surrounded the original DKC game, many players rate Donkey Kong Country 2 to be a better platformer than the original. DKC 2 replaces Donkey Kong with Diddy and Dixie for an altogether more vertical platforming game. This game has revolutionary pre-rendered 3D graphics, a legendary soundtrack, unforgettable atmosphere, and flawless level design.
Super Mario World (SNES)
Super Mario World is the SNES platformer mostly renowned for introducing the Yoshi character. Yoshi added a completely new dynamic to classic Mario gameplay by letting players gobble up enemies and spit them out. He is a dinosaur sidekick that has remained an integral part of the Mario franchise.
However, there’s quite a bit more to Super Mario World than just Yoshi. Mario World is one of the classic 16-bit games for how it perfected the jumping and moving mechanics with some of the most intuitive and responsive controls. It also broke free of the more linear nature of earlier platformers with interconnected worlds and non-linear levels that encouraged greater exploration to discover secrets.
Streets of Rage 2 (Sega Genesis)
If you want to play one of the best 16-bit beat ‘em ups, look no further than Streets of Rage 2. This is a classic side-scrolling brawler that perfected the beat ‘em formula on the Genesis with its impactful combat system, distinct playable characters, dynamic environments, and detailed sprites. The legendary, dynamic soundtrack in Streets of Rage 2 also makes it one of the best 16-bit games to play on the Switch today.
Super Metroid (SNES)
Super Metroid is one of the few games that can lay claim to establishing a whole new genre. This is among the best 16-bit games for how it defined the Metroidvania genre with its large interconnected map and item-gated progression. Super Metroid is renowned for its non-linear design, haunting atmosphere, and rewarding environmental storytelling that set it apart from other SNES games. Exploring planet Zebes with the bounty hunter Samus Aran is truly absorbing in Super Metroid.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES)
Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past laid a blueprint for action-adventure RPG games, and many players rate this as the best top-down Zelda game before the era of 3D. This game expanded the scope and allure of Hyrule quite brilliantly with its dual-world mechanic and intricately designed dungeons. It established some of Zelda’s more defining tropes, such as the Master Sword and parallel worlds. Zelda also set a visual standard for 16-bit games with its vibrant colors and dynamic weather effects.
There hasn’t been any official A Link to the Past remake to date. However, Nintendo bundled A Link to the Past alongside Four Swords Adventures for the Game Boy Advance. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, which was originally conceived as a remake, is almost like a spiritual successor as an original sequel to A Link to the Past.
The great 16-bit games above almost represent the pinnacle of 2D gaming before the transition to 3D kicked in on more advanced consoles. They make up a small portion of the exciting 16-bit gaming library you can explore with Nintendo Switch Online. However, they’re the first 16-bit games you should check out on the Switch for a true blast from the past.
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