The Japanese manufacturer’s classic 16-bit console continues to generate memorable memories even thirty years after its arrival on the market. Most fans associate the peak of this generation with walks through the kingdom of Hyrule or races through the castles of the Mushroom Kingdom. Such brands not only shaped the digital entertainment industry, but generated endless discussions about what the platform’s definitive title would be. However, a survey focused on the ratings given by magazines and portals from that time brings a surprising result for many enthusiasts.
The preference of specialized critics during the 16-bit era
Contrary to what common sense usually dictates, the highest positions on the podium do not belong to The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past or the iconic Super Mario World. The top of the list, according to the archives of the extinct aggregator GameRankings — a pioneering platform that later served as the basis for the creation of the current Metacritic — is dominated by a science fiction space adventure: Super Metroid.
Originally made available in 1994, the joint production between Nintendo and the Intelligent Systems studio reached the top with an impressive average of 95.17% approval among evaluators. This volume of praise from the specialized media placed the bounty hunter ahead of true industry giants. The space work left behind the acclaimed RPG Chrono Trigger, which secured the silver medal with 94.88%, and also the sequel Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island, responsible for closing the elite trio.
The ten highest rated titles in the history of the Super Nintendo
The complete list shows fierce competition between major productions. Samus Aran’s mission managed to displace projects that defined the rules of their own gameplay styles. The percentage gap in relation to other famous intellectual properties of the Asian company draws the attention of researchers:
- 1. Super Metroid (1994): 95.17%
- 2. Chrono Trigger (1995): 94.88%
- 3. Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island (1995): 93.41%
- 4. Final Fantasy VI (1994): 93.05%
- 5. Super Mario World (1991): 93.03%
- 6. Super Mario Kart (1992): 92.36%
- 7. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (1992): 92.05%
- 8. Star Ocean (1996): 89.37%
- 9. Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest (1995): 88.92%
- 10. Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 (1999): 88.52%
Parked only in seventh place overall, the acclaimed chapter of the Zelda franchise finished the race six steps below the solitary expedition on the alien planet Zebes.
The absolute dominance of the 1994 cartridge goes far beyond simple note mathematics. The project delivered a revolution in terms of graphic processing and audio design, in addition to building the foundations of a style of exploration that, years later, would combine with the success of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night to name the popular subgenre known today as Metroidvania.
The writers of that decade marveled at the structure of interconnected maps, the courage to remove excessive tutorials, the narrative told purely through setting, and the heavy atmosphere of solitude. Three decades later, even though the Mario and Link mascots have an immensely greater commercial appeal today, the trophy for the greatest critical triumph of the golden age of video games remains intact in the hands of Super Metroid.
