SNES Hidden Gems

[@mikedub]

Unirally is called “Uniracers” in North America. It was one of the few games I had on SNES and I loved it. The music is a jam and the game is endlessly replayable!!

[@0rnery0verwatch]

It took me ages to learn all the tricks in the game and earn the gold medals. I remember my sister bought the game and at first I thought it was weird, but once I challenged myself to finishing it, I really appreciated the challenge and the maps.

[@he_is_a_GOOBER_dont_disrespect]

I got it when i was sick off school one day this and yoshis island. What a day

[@BadDesignBryan]

Nostalgia hit me hard when you showed that Arkenoid cartridge. It's one of the first games I've ever played, and I played the hell out of it as a kid.

[@atflst6053]

Cybernator is definitely a hidden gem. Assault Suit Leynos 2 for the Saturn is the successor and also great.

[@vitorkk328]

Rock'n Roll Racing is awesome!

[@gimcrack555]

Great racing game. My favorite bike racing game is Biker Mice From Mars

[@SKILLZGAMING5]

Yes it is

[@penguinjay]

@@gimcrack555 I made the same comment, Biker Mice on snes is INSANELY GOOD!

[@Larry]

There's a really good remake of Cybernator on the PS2 called Vulken. It's got all the parts Censored from the snes western release re-added, and strangely, it's a PAL exclusive.

[@RetroBreak]

I can't find it on google, just keep getting results for PS2 emulation! :( - edit - found it! didn't expect it to still be sprite based, interesting that it got a remake on the PS2 at al! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmi8hYWnj6achrM

[@ChronoMoogle]

@@RetroBreak Despite having the cut content, unfortunately the PS2 remake is a really rushed port with lots of flaws. I recommend to either get the Super Famicom original or the newly announced Switch/PC port by the legends of M2 instead.

[@Thrasher1984]

How have I never played Equinox? Your channel is a gold mine, dood.

[@cruxinc8590]

Great video! I’ll definitely pick some of those games up!

[@clarkjohnson6947]

Rip is about to blow! Love R&R Racing, such a fun game. Great list, just found your channel. Fun memories!

[@xyrzmxyzptlk1186]

Tarquinn JAMS into first! 🥹

[@AlexanderFarley]

Been playing a little Metal Warriors/Aleste myself these days, good for a 5-minute break

[@interghost]

Some great choices there. Played most of them. I need to go back to Equinox. Only one Ive not seen was that RPG one, does look 'different' for sure.

[@bjornh1527]

I’d consider Fire Striker. It’s sort of a Breakout ball-bouncing game, but with a taste of Zelda looking dungeons and free moving characters. Great co-op too!

[@RetroBreak]

It's on my Wishlist :)

[@peterjay5878]

Was blown away to hear a Lee's games reference. I go regularly as I'm from the area. Good channel, I'm enjoying what I've seen so far

[@WarioSaysSo]

4:34 - I so fully agree. This is my favourite puzzle game of all times. I can't understand why Nintendo never give this GEM credit. And in re-releases it is of some dumb reason only the NES version they give, while the SNES version is superior.

[@aimeeandstevewebber4542]

I am with you on Wario’s Woods and I am also a sucker for a good block falling puzzle game. Rock n Roll is a fantastic game to play with friends and you made a good few suggestions that I will have to have a crack at, one being uniracers - great video!!!

[@brichan1851]

Great video. Great games. This is my first time seeing your videos. I am an instant subscriber. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. ❤ P.S. anyone ever tell you that you look like James McAvoy?

[@RetroBreak]

Awesome! Glad KZbin sent you my way! You’ve got loads to look back on if you enjoyed this :D and, yes actually, some kids shouted “Charles Xavier!” At me one day 😂

[@brichan1851]

Rock on, Professor X!!

[@brichan1851]

Unirally was called Uniracer here in the States. LOVED that game. I got it for $10.00 (usd) on clearance way back in 1996. Great fun. I wish that would see a release on Switch SNES Online.

[@snoxeri]

Good to see Sparkster getting some love. I don't know if Legend of the Mystical Ninja and Contra III: The Alien Wars count as hidden gems but those are often on my list alongside Sparkster of masterpieces that aren't first-party Nintendo games. Tiny Toons Adventures: Buster Busts Loose was very good as well, even if it was short. And Top Gear is a hidden gem that I think needs a whole lot more appreciation.

[@BB-te8tc]

This is the first time I've seen Equinox gameplay, actually! I used to see it in Nintendo Power a lot but never really checked it out (as a kid, it looked like one of those games that would be "too complex" for me), but I think you sold me on it! Cybernator is definitely on my "try this" list, as I love Metal Warriors (the spiritual sequel quite a lot). Arkanoid, too, looks great! Surprised to see praise for Death Valley Rally (the Road Runner game). I actually liked it quite a bit as a kid (I still do) though I'll admit it's a bit rough control-wise. And I totally agree, Uniracers/Unirally is criminally underrated. I'll never understood why it never took off (aside from the Pixar debacle). It was one of the games we'd always play whenever I had friends over. Great video! You've piqued my interest in every one of these.

[@RetroBreak]

Equinox isn't that complex, although yeah for some reason I felt a bit daunted first time I saw it too, it's easy to get into though! You should give it a try :)

[@DorpawRetro]

Glad someones talks about Paladins Quest, not a bad game IMO, just different.

[@AS-fu1kd]

I used to play Wario woods all the time. Such a fun puzzle game.

[@vitorsilva4075]

What I most love about your videos is that you always look so pleased! Best wishes from Portugal! :)

[@Harlem-X]

Have you tried Firepower 2000? back when the game came out, Nintendo Power magazine said almost verbatim that this could "possibly be the greatest shooting game of all time". That's what made me go and get it back then

[@LEQN]

I used to play unirally against my brother alllll the time! I'd be able to compete with my (older) brother on the race tracks, but the trick-tracks I just didn't stand a chance! So much fun.

[@IROCZSPEED]

My brother and I loved, hated Equinox. Got to a point in the game where we couldn't figure out what to do, never beat it.

[@DC-FGC]

Equinox was actually the sequel to another isometric game on the NES, Solstice. (See a pattern?) As for Paladin's Quest, it is actually the first Lennus game. Lennus 2 was never released in the US. I won't tell you where you can get it in English, but I'm sure you know. I honestly really enjoyed PQ. The only thing that really bothers me about it, and this is true for a *lot* of older RPGS, is how slow it feels. I didn't notice it so much as a kid, but there are actually a lot of older RPGs that if I were to play them now I'd have to use something to double their speed.

[@readyforclarity]

Great video as always. My friend gifted me a SNES for Xmas and I'm only just now getting into it! Lots of fun to be had, I'm excited. Thanks for the list, and the other one you did too, watched em both twice.

[@TheLuchaDork]

Yay, someone else has heard of Paladin's Quest. Also, its Lennus in Japan, and the sequel was Lennus 2 which the west never got.

[@pp-vf8ls]

nice shout for paladin quest and rock and roll racing cmiiw, paladin quest i think its the very first rpg game that your party member can change

[@JustinLeeper]

Aleste is called Space Megaforce in the US. Just beat it recently. Love me vertical shooters!

[@nicholasramey4570]

Thanks man I was looking for some sNES titles to add to my r4 it’s really help pick some games that I’ve never heard about plus cyberNater kind of reminded me of shinobi on the sega Genesis so thanks

[@Filmonaut]

Super Aleste is weird but awesome and Sparkster in general needs more love!

[@p3tabyte]

Right to my favorites. I gotta check out most of trese games, especially Uni Rally. Nice vid dude :)

[@turbo8890]

I always enjoy these lists as it's nice to hear of something new and different, thanks for the vid! I feel like Gunparu Gunman's Proof is a hidden gem, check it out I think you'll like it!

[@RetroBreak]

Thanks! Added that to my list! Looks coo!

[@penguinjay]

if you like Rock n Roll Racing, you WOULD LOVE Biker Mice from Mars. I think it is the far superior title. So much more variety, but somehow balanced quite well.

[@8BitBoyUK]

Morning mate I couldn't believe it when I saw that sticker on that cartridge and then you gave Lee's Games a shout. Best shop ever!! I try to visit every few weeks. Getting quite a bit of nostalgia from watching all of these super nintendo videos. I guess I've mainly been focusing on master system. Great video mate. I would love to pick up a copy of Super Aleste one day.

[@RetroBreak]

Wish I could visit that often! It’s quite far for me though.. only ever go if I’m passing to go on holiday or something!

[@8BitBoyUK]

@RetroBreak Yeah it must be miles for you mate. Mind you much easier now they've built the bypass!!

[@gearsofgames]

Equinox looks great! Not really come across many isometric games on the SNES, so have to give this one a try!

[@retrogamer8085]

i have cybernator, its awesome, i discovered it way back then. of course this was when konami was in their prime way back. i'll probably pick up a few of these u showed in your video. a few i havent heard of. i've been getting back into retro cart collecting and whew.. it's expensive! wow. but it's fun.. as i'm lookin at utube channels and discovering new games i hadnt heard of back then.

[@chrisdecafasmr]

You're 100% right on Wario's Woods. The NES version is on the Switch Online service but for whatever reason, the SNES version is not. Sorta getting lost to time. My childhood best friend and I pick up our ongoing file that we've been playing since middle school anytime he's in town.

[@jdchainsaw1335]

Could you do another video about what games you been playing lately and more tips on playing thru a backlog?

[@steammachine3061]

Cybernator is also available on the ps2 under the Japanese title assault suit vulcan. It had a slight graphical overhaul but is still recognisably the same game. It's part of a larger series of assault suit games. Assault suit leynos being a well-known one in the series that was released on the megadrive.

[@Estaran]

1:40 Cybernator is part two of the "Assault Suit" series, and was called "Assault Suits Valken" in Japan, with part one of the series (Mega Drive game) called "Assault Suit Leynos" in Japan ("Target Earth" in the USA for the Genesis). There is also a 2nd game for each of those on the SEGA Saturn ("Assault Suit Leynos 2") and PlayStation ("Assault Suit Valken 2") - sadly only Japan exclusive this time. There was also a remake of the first game ("Leynos" or "Target Earth") for the PS4/Windows PC, which follows more closely the original Japanese storyline, as the story in the western versions of those games in the series were mostly removed. Especially the 2nd game ("Cybernator") was censored a lot, which makes the Japanese version very interesting for an import. :)

[@wayyah6877]

I think a video at that game shop sounds really interesting and would be cool to see. Also Paladins Quest looks very interesting, thanks for the recommendation

[@RetroBreak]

I've done a few shop tours before and would love to do more this year! It's on my list :D

[@hoagieimpact9189]

Here's 5 hidden gems I lost countless hours in Lemmings 2: The Tribes Twelve different Tribes and 40 new moves, Lemmings best game in the series, ported to the SNES by Rockstar Games (DMA Design) themselves. Theme Park Apart from Sim City and Civilization, Theme Park was another easy to learn, not too complex builder/sim game for the SNES. As a sim fan you had to have it in your collection as games like this, and good ones at that, were a rarity on the SNES. Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 The definitive one, that for some unruly reason always stayed in the shadows of MK1, MK2, and MK3. The competitive scene has selected UMKIII though, and so do I. E.V.O.: Search for Eden Absolutely fantastic and unique action RPG. Needs a sequel, a remaster, a clone, and more players being aware. Nothing comes close, it's as unique as ActRaiser and Live A Live. Winter Gold Felt like a next gen game. Possibly SNES best 3D graphics.

[@GarlicMonoxide]

From the start. Never heard of equinox or cybernator. Subbed right away haha. Good stuff man.

[@FarmerSlideJoeBob]

Really cool list😃And yah Rock N' Roll Racing was a big thing to me as a kid, when I was hearing for the first time the track bad to the bone😃😃

[@leozar69]

Unirally is a game my cousin and I used to play a lot. So fun

[@HalfBlindGamer]

Very cool list! Love how it's full with great games that are not just the usual suspects! I had never even heard of Equinox, looks real interesting. Thanks for making this one, always a pleasure to hear you share your thoughts and experiences with the games!

[@Livingtree32]

Equinox is relatively well known, at least it was in the early 2000s.

[@donmcron3334]

Wow you’re actually really knowledgeable about this stuff.

[@cbradley00]

Uniracers was incredible!

[@skiptoacceptancemdarlin]

did you know there is a VERY similar game to Equinox on the NES called Solstice? that cannot be a coincidence

[@glen366]

Undercover Cops is a good beat em up, I've only played on an emulator, don't think we got a pal version

[@quack420]

i love cybernator, was playing it earlier lol

[@maesejesus]

Good video! Cybernator is tough but such a great game, and what a soundtrack... Paladin's Quest would be Lennus 1. Lennus 2 is a significant upgrade on every level and the plot of the first game ends up being quite important later on. The magic system is quite curious, and the mercenary system offers a lot of replayability. There's a fan translation for it, so if you can give it a try. One random weird game I ended up enjoying a lot was King Arthur's World. It's a 2D real time strategy with a variety of classes with different talents, pretty reliant on puzzle-like design. It gets quite tough as the game loves to laugh at you, and like RnR Racing it works at half the frame rate, but I'd be lying if I said I did not enjoy it, specially learning to do all sort of tricks with archers and wizards. There's many Super Famicom games no one talks about too...

[@CobraShuttle]

Equinox, Arkanoid, and Paladin's Quest are definitely not talked about enough, even on Hidden Gem lists. Good list overall!

[@tenminutetokyo2643]

That is froogin’ nuts!

[@burningsoul1365]

yes like you one of my fav games arkanoid still play it now, great vid.

[@paullyman5366]

Uni rally, ah yes it was called uniracers in the states. Fun times!😊

[@Boris82]

I used to have Unirally on my snes back in the day. Great game 👍🏻

[@RetroBreak]

It's really fun!

[@robsmall6466]

Great footage but I wouldn't call all these games on SNES hidden gems. A good few are very well known ( still doesn't stop them from being great mind )

[@RetroBreak]

I’m tempted to do a follow up and include roms, I was limiting myself to just the ones I own that people might not have known about

[@robsmall6466]

@@RetroBreak 👍

[@TheDuke013]

A little paint is not worth the repurchase, and that packaging looks like the vintage line for sure.

[@RecetasPOPMOMIX]

Great selection! I will definitely play these on my Wii, Wii U and Switch. Like & sub.🙃

[@TekMerc]

My jaw is on the floor a little bit with some of these picks tbh.

[@RetroBreak]

in a good way??

[@MrLukkyNL]

Interesting picks. No love for Ninjawarriors?

[@mikedonnell86]

Great list! My favorite hidden gem is E.V.O Search for Eden. It's very flawed, by there really is no other game quite like it, and I end up playing through it at least once every couple years haha.

[@RetroBreak]

That's been on my list for ages! Looks really interesting!

[@sb6482]

hmm. Cybernator was on the cover of magazines. not sure about that one

[@FernandoHenderson-q6i]

I THINK THAT TOP GEAR 3000 IS A HIDDEN GEM BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW THAT TOP GEAR HAS THREE ENTRIES ON THE CONSLE IT IS AN AWESOME RACER!

[@voteDC]

Game Zone on the Middle level of the Darwin Centre? I used to buy my games there back when it was open.

[@RetroBreak]

Yeah, so sad it's not around any more :(

[@DJIdroneabout]

They did a couple of cybenater games on switch

[@graalcloud]

Wario's Woods is totally bonkers multiplayer

[@kickzonnacoffeetable7119]

Great video, some nice titles there although I'm not sure Super Aleste is a hidden gem? It's pretty well known in the snes community. I've just sold my pal copy as picking up the jap version which has 3 extra levels! Anyway keep up the good work! Look forward to your next vid 👍

[@greentilde4751]

This is a great list! I want to play all of them. Is Cybernatr the same as Gun Hazard?

[@RetroBreak]

No, they are different games I think, but look similar

[@danieldoherty420]

I feel like most the games on this list are a worse version of another SNES game. Replacements: Brainlord for Equinox, Gun Hazard and Metal Warriors for Cybernator, UN Squadron for Aleste, Firestriker for Arkenoid, Araiguma Rascal for Wario's Woods, Lennus 2 for Paladin's Quest (which is Lennus 1), Speedy Gonzales for Roadrunner. Definitely play the last three games though.

[@RetroBreak]

Agree they are also awesome games, but I don't own them :'( IO was only showing ones in my personal collection. In the future I might do a roms version, then I can include much more interesting and rare games

[@bradleymcavoy3432]

No Illusion of Gaia?!? Although I think of that as a Hidden Gem Plus! 😎

[@RetroBreak]

I already included it on my Top 15, so didn't want to include it twice (although I actually want to include it in every video, regardless of context :P )

[@bradleymcavoy3432]

@Retrobreak Okay cool man! I didn't know and I think this might be my first visit to your channel or podcast! 🙄 SNES is One of the Greatest of All Time but I also fell in love with the Genesis and Sega Saturn! 😎

[@TheFrancisLalanne]

you've got a great voice

[@JayRKID]

I see your video captures are from emulators and the games you show are mostly pal, I was wondering what your preference is to playing, 50hz pal on real hardware crt etc or just running ntsc versions on an emulator, would be a cool video to discuss, my self I prefer hardware and ntsc games, even though I'm from the UK, but I play mostly on and emu because it's just so more convenient :/

[@RetroBreak]

I recorded these videos with the carts I’m showing in the video, on the Super NT and set them to 60hz after starting the games. That’s my preferred way to play, can use the original controller then, and it just feels nicer than using an emulator! On my regular SNES I have a 50/50hz switch too so I tend to turn that on if the game isn’t optimised

[@JayRKID]

@@RetroBreak ahh fantastic reply didn't expect you to have that set up, that would be a cool video though, showing everyone the different ways to play, I totally forgot about getting a 50 60hz switch since buying an ntsc snes, I pass up so many pal snes games too :/

[@GeomancerHT]

Rock & Roll Racing is not a hidden gem, lol. Great list though! Thank you!

[@RetroBreak]

lol yeah it's not, but I just wanted to include games I own

[@GeomancerHT]

I love it so much on the SNES because the music is awesome compared to the Genesis version.

[@nikelbags1177]

Amuses me still when i hear him refer to these games as "snes". Must be a euro thing or new generation thing because ive never heard anyone say it as a word before. Growing up when these systems were introduced we always just called them n.e.s. for regular nintendo or super for the other. In context just saying "super" people knew. But.. This is Florida im talking about though and we tend to do things very differently down here so maybe it was just my corner of the world that did so and everywhere else ppl do say "snes" 😅

[@comicsdude3166]

00:36 he looks like you.

[@user-tn4ik2pi3r]

That round runner game absolutely sucks. The graphics are amazing but that’s all it’s good qualities. The levels don’t match ur abilities, ur penalized for going fast, there’s way too much platforming that stops u from going fast and the floaty jump makes it a pain, and it’s way too easy to get lost and not know where to go in the levels. Also, your sprite is way too big, which makes you a giant target and prevents you from seeing what’s coming up on screen to react fast enough to a jump over a gap or dodge an enemy.

[@xTerrySunderlandx]

road runner is horrible... graphically is pretty, but the game itself is anoying with its horrible control and actually boring (very complicated design on later stages wich is frustrating... and i DID finished the game)

[@retrokid104]

*cough cough earthworm jim cough cough*

[@RetroBreak]

I don’t think you can call earthworm Jim a hidden gem, it was one of the most popular games that generation! Awesome game though

[@retrokid104]

Personally I disagree. My parents who grew up with SNES’s had never heard of it when I brought it up once. It’s all good though.

[@battroman8965]

And the price difference between super aleste and space megaforce is laughably sad

[@RetroBreak]

You're paying for the cooler name! XD

[@Jrizzle7426]

I wouldn't call space megaforce a hidden gem.

[@SecretSquaff]

The term "hidden gem" really seems to mean nothing. Is a game a hidden gem if it sold well, had multiple sequels/remakes, and is talked about constantly? That does sound like a gem, but it doesn't sound like it's hiding.

[@RetroBreak]

Which game are you referring to?

[@sleeperyjeemtoybox]

Was thinking King Arthur World at first, but i recommend Metal Marines kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZSbmpWejbCbm9k en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_Marines This was the first RTS game i remember playing love it, oh still have all the password scribbled in the box 😁

[@RetroBreak]

Looks like a mech Sim City! Cool!

[@skiptoacceptancemdarlin]

such a sweet boy. i like your videos.

[@pheonixman22]

Went Lees games around 4 years ago now and got some really good PS1 games great shop if it's the same one in morecambe.

[@RetroBreak]

Yeah, that's the one! Probably been about 4 years since I went last too, overdue another visit I think! :D

[@Vulpas]

Nice video but I wouldn't call the "must play" games.

[@negativman6537]

Your collection its famicom ..prefer real snes ..from America ... And yess Wario Woods ..1 of the best puzzle game..wtf Unirally ..wrong title...Its UNI RACER lol

[@Viciouspiked]

none of these are hidden gem dude.

[@RetroBreak]

tell that to everyone else in the comments.. I did choose to only include ones I own, and not roms, else I could have included much more obscure games...

[@Viciouspiked]

@@RetroBreak huh to each their own then.

[@skateboardmemories]

👍👍

[@OTGYota]

Arkanoid is a double hidden gem! It’s compatible with the SNES mouse!

[@alenelv]

Sparkster ~

[@sunsunsunh]

Mystery Dungeon 2: Shiren the Wanderer. I couldn't stop playing until I finished it 100%.

[@atomiswave1971]

Skyblazer, Donald duck maui mallard, the firemen

[@seanothepop4638]

I think Paladin's quest is just Lennus (I could be wrong) And Lennus 2 IS simply the sequel, regardless, it was translated into English and is a really good time!

[@GameSlayer41781]

I definitely wanna try some of these when I get my retro device. My hidden gem is blackthorne. Idk if it's hidden or not but I never hear it. It is absolutely amazing. Still today, it's my favorite game of all time

[@ReysWrap]

I'm trying to remember a game l used to play. It played like Super Aleste (spaceship scrolling from bottom to top). But the weapons were more like Gradius 3 in outer space. Anyone ??

[@pnvgordinho]

Cybernator is freaking amazing. Pity that's a bit short. There's a switch version coming out.

[@pnvgordinho]

You forgot the best hidden gem, The Firemen. If you haven't played it yet, go play it, its amazing.

[@AntLeonardi01]

Equinox is downright ugly, but you keep saying the graphics are amazing lol