10 SNES Games That Deserve a Modern Remake on the Nintendo Switch 2

Many of the greatest games of all time are part of the Super Nintendo library. While some classics, like A Link to the Past, can’t be improved upon, others could benefit from a modern remake on the Switch 2. These retro games haven’t necessarily aged poorly, but a few updates would make them more accessible and appealing to modern players.

Not only are there plenty of classic SNES games in need of a remake, but some of the system’s best titles have been all but forgotten. With the Switch 2 on the horizon, it’s the perfect time for Nintendo to revisit its back catalog and give fan-favorite games like Earthbound and Chrono Trigger a fresh coat of paint. Remakes of these SNES games would take the Switch 2 to the next level.

10

Terranigma Was Never Released in North America

Nintendo Needs to Bring the Quintet Trilogy to the Switch 2

Throughout the ’90s, developer Quintet released three standout action RPGs: Soul Blazer, Illusion of Gaia, and Terranigma. All three are excellent and deserving of a modern revival, but since Terranigma was never released in the U.S., a remake would finally give fans the chance to experience this exceptional game. In Terranigma, players take on the role of Ark, a young boy tasked with reviving a lifeless planet Earth.

Thanks to its unique premise, Terranigma is about more than fighting monsters and exploring dungeons, though there’s plenty of that, too. Players must resurrect plants, animals, and eventually humans, watching the world evolve and rebuild as life returns. While some elements may feel tedious or dated by modern standards, a thoughtful remake could address those issues and introduce this incredible RPG to a whole new audience.

Terranigma

Released

October 20, 1995

ESRB

e

9

Zombies Ate My Neighbors Needs a Remake to Go With Its Re-Release

This Classic LucasArts Game Could Use a Few Updates

Developed by LucasArts and published by Konami, Zombies Ate My Neighbors is a run-and-gun game that lives up to its title. A mad scientist has unleashed zombies and other monsters upon the suburbs, and it’s up to two teenagers to stop them. Not only do they have to fight off these creatures, but they must also rescue their neighbors before it’s too late.

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Zombies Ate My Neighbors was re-released alongside its sequel, Ghoul Patrol, in 2021, but the port didn’t address many of the original game’s issues. Elements like poor hit detection and a clunky inventory system feel frustrating by modern standards. A full remake could smooth out those rough edges and modernize an otherwise entertaining and nostalgic experience.

Zombies Ate My Neighbors

Systems

Released

July 19, 1993

ESRB

E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Cartoon Violence

Developer(s)

LucasArts

8

E.V.O.: Search for Eden Is One of the Weirdest SNES Games of All Time

Fans of Tokyo Jungle Will Love E.V.O.

E.V.O.: Search for Eden is one of the most underrated SNES games ever made, and sadly, it’s largely been forgotten over time. In E.V.O., players guide a creature through evolution, starting in the Age of Fish and progressing all the way to the Age of Man. Along the way, players choose how the creature evolves, selecting upgrades that enhance its abilities and alter its appearance.

With its incredibly unique premise, a remake of E.V.O. would be a standout addition to the Switch 2’s library. A modern version could expand on the evolutionary mechanics, offering players even greater control over the creature’s development and form. It may not be the most famous SNES title, but E.V.O.: Search for Eden is absolutely a game worth revisiting.

E.V.O.: Search for Eden

Systems

Released

December 21, 1992

ESRB

e

Publisher(s)

Enix

7

Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War Is One of the Best Games in the Franchise

Genealogy of the Holy War Needs to Be the Next Fire Emblem Remake

Even though Genealogy of the Holy War has never been officially released outside Japan, fan translations have helped it become a favorite among Fire Emblem fans worldwide. It has everything a great strategy RPG needs: deep gameplay, an incredible cast of characters, and some of the best lore in the entire franchise. It was also the first game in the series to introduce the Child Character mechanic, which later appeared in titles like Fire Emblem Awakening.

Several older Fire Emblem games, such as Mystery of the Emblem and Gaiden, have already received full remakes, and rumors of a Genealogy of the Holy War remake have been circulating for years. A remake wouldn’t just make it easier for fans to experience this classic; it could also introduce modern quality-of-life features, like the option to turn off permadeath.

6

Earthworm Jim Would Look Even Better With a Remake

A Switch 2 Version of Earthworm Jim Would Be Groovy

There’s no shortage of incredible platformers in the Super Nintendo library, but Earthworm Jim still stands out as a truly unique and entertaining title. The story follows Jim, an ordinary worm who stumbles upon a high-tech suit that transforms him into a humanoid hero. Unfortunately, a cast of bizarre antagonists will stop at nothing to steal the suit for themselves. The game was a major success, spawning multiple sequels and even an animated series.

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An HD remake, Earthworm Jim HD, was released in 2010, but it received a mixed reception, and rights issues have since made the game difficult to access. The original SNES version required significant compression of Jim’s detailed animations, but a modern Switch 2 remake could finally showcase the game’s full visual potential and bring it to a new generation of players.

Earthworm Jim

Systems

Released

December 16, 1994

ESRB

e

Developer(s)

Shiny Entertainment

Publisher(s)

Interplay

5

Now’s the Perfect Time for an EarthBound Remake

Nintendo Needs to Remake EarthBound and Mother 3

While EarthBound struggled to connect with North American audiences when it launched in 1995, its modern-day setting and quirky sense of humor went on to inspire countless RPGs, from Eastward to Undertale. Today, players are far more receptive to its offbeat charm, and its hero, Ness, is widely recognized thanks to his inclusion in the Super Smash Bros. series.

EarthBound is currently available through Nintendo Switch Online and is as charming as ever. However, a remake could update some of its more dated mechanics, such as clunky menus and the need for grinding. A new version could also adopt a fresh visual style, like something similar to the cutesy 3D aesthetic used in the 2019 Link’s Awakening remake. Most importantly, a modern remake might finally convince Nintendo to bring Mother 3, the third game in the series, to the West.

Earthbound

Released

June 5, 1995

ESRB

T For Teen due to Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Suggestive Themes, Crude Humor

Developer(s)

HAL Laboratory, Ape Inc.

Publisher(s)

Nintendo

Engine

unity

Franchise

EarthBound

4

The Entire Donkey Kong Country Trilogy Needs a Switch 2 Remake

Donkey Kong Bananza Isn’t Enough

When the first Donkey Kong Country was released in 1994, it was ahead of its time, so much so that it still holds up beautifully today. Rare used 3D pre-rendered images on a 16-bit console, making Donkey Kong Country stand out from everything else in the SNES library. The sequels, Diddy’s Kong Quest and Dixie Kong’s Double Trouble, introduced new characters and features, rounding out an incredible trilogy.

While it wouldn’t be easy to improve on the Donkey Kong Country trilogy, a Switch 2 remake could give the games a modern visual overhaul, bringing them closer in style to Tropical Freeze or the upcoming Donkey Kong Bananza. In addition to graphical upgrades, remakes could offer modern features like widescreen support and even remastered versions of the iconic soundtracks.

Donkey Kong Country

Released

November 24, 1994

ESRB

e

Developer(s)

Rare

Multiplayer

Local Multiplayer

3

Final Fantasy VI Needs a Remake Like FFVII

Terra, Locke, and Celes Should Be On the Switch 2

Final Fantasy VII Remake showed just how impactful a reimagined JRPG can be, and now, it’s time for Square Enix to revisit an SNES classic: Final Fantasy VI. While there’s plenty of debate about which Final Fantasy game is the best, many fans consider FFVI the pinnacle of the series, thanks to its world-shattering story, a cast of fourteen playable characters, and one of the most shockingly evil villains in gaming history.

Fans got a small taste of what an FFVI remake could look like with the PS1 release of Final Fantasy Anthology, which bundled FFVI and FFV together. While the gameplay remained unchanged, the collection introduced new CGI cutscenes. If Square Enix were to remake the entire game with modern visuals, it would be a must-play, even if they didn’t make any changes to FFVI‘s story.

Final Fantasy VI

Systems

Released

April 2, 1994

ESRB

Teen // Fantasy Violence, Partial Nudity

Developer(s)

Square

Publisher(s)

Square

2

Super Metroid Could Be Even Better On the Switch 2

A Remake Could Take a Page From Metroid Dread’s Playbook

The third entry in the Metroid series, Super Metroid, built on everything its predecessors established and became a genre-defining classic. Not only did it help shape the Metroidvania genre, but it also made side-scrolling action gameplay feel cinematic. With one of the greatest video game soundtracks of all time and deeply addictive gameplay, Super Metroid has earned its legendary status.

While the original has withstood the test of time, a Super Metroid remake could benefit from using the same engine as 2021’s Metroid Dread, which successfully blended classic side-scrolling gameplay with modern visuals. A remake could also smooth out some of the original’s rougher edges, like its clunky weapon swapping, and offer a more polished experience for both longtime fans and newcomers.

Super Metroid

Released

April 18, 1994

ESRB

e

1

Chrono Trigger Is One of the Greatest JRPGs Ever Made

A Remake of Chrono Trigger Would Be Amazing

Since its release in 1995, Chrono Trigger has consistently been ranked as one of the greatest games of all time, and for good reason. It was developed by a “Dream Team” that included the creators of Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, with character designs by Dragon Ball’s Akira Toriyama. Its time-bending plot and multiple endings set a high bar that many JRPGs still struggle to reach today.

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Improving on a game as beloved as Chrono Trigger wouldn’t be easy, but it’s not impossible. Like Final Fantasy VI, Chrono Trigger received a PS1 release that featured new animated cutscenes. A Chrono Trigger remake for the Switch 2 could expand on that by integrating cutscenes throughout the game and even introducing brand-new endings for players to discover. That way, it could deliver a fresh new experience while still staying true to the near-perfect original.

Chrono Trigger

Systems

Released

March 11, 1995

ESRB

T for Teen: Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood

Developer(s)

Square Enix

Publisher(s)

Square Enix

Engine

Cocos Creator Engine