Best R36S Games: Top Picks for Every System

1. PlayStation 1

Castlevania – Symphony of the Night

The genre-defining Metroidvania widely ranked among the greatest games ever made.

2. PlayStation 1

Final Fantasy VII

The landmark 1997 RPG credited with bringing Japanese RPGs to a mainstream global audience.

3. PlayStation 1

Crash Bandicoot

The unofficial PlayStation mascot's debut, a landmark early 3D platformer.

4. PlayStation 1

Tekken 3

Regarded as one of the greatest fighting games and a PS1 technical showcase.

5. PlayStation 1 · 1999

Resident Evil 2

A hugely popular survival-horror sequel praised for its dual-scenario structure.

6. PlayStation 1

Silent Hill

A landmark psychological horror game praised for its fog-shrouded atmosphere.

7. PlayStation 1

Crash Team Racing

A kart racer widely regarded as one of the best rivals to Mario Kart.

8. PlayStation 1

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2

Frequently ranked among the greatest sports games ever made, refining the original's skate-park action.

9. PlayStation 1

Suikoden II

Frequently ranked among the greatest RPGs ever made, famed for its 108-character cast.

10. PlayStation 1

Final Fantasy Tactics

A celebrated tactical RPG known for its deep job system and dark political story.

1. SNES · 1991

Super Mario World

The SNES launch platformer that introduced Yoshi and is regarded as one of the finest 2D Mario games.

2. SNES · 1992

The Legend of Zelda A Link to the Past

Widely considered one of the greatest games ever, it established the template for top-down Zelda.

3. SFC

Super Metroid

Widely regarded as one of the greatest games ever and the archetype of the Metroidvania genre.

4. SFC · 1995

Chrono Trigger

A frequently top-ranked RPG celebrated for its time-travel story and multiple endings.

5. SFC · 1992

Super Mario Kart

The original kart racer that launched one of gaming's most successful spin-off franchises.

6. SNES · 1994

Donkey Kong Country

The pre-rendered platformer that stunned players in 1994 with its 3D-look visuals.

7. SFC · 1995

EarthBound

A quirky, cult-classic RPG set in a satirical version of modern America.

8. SNES · 1992

Street Fighter II

The game that ignited the 1990s fighting-game boom and defined the genre's controls.

9. SFC · 1996

Kirby Super Star

A varied, co-op-friendly Kirby collection praised for its polish.

10. SFC · 1992

Contra III

A frenetic, well-loved 16-bit entry in the Contra run-and-gun series.

1. Gameboy Advance

Pokemon – Emerald Version

The definitive third-generation edition combining Ruby and Sapphire's content.

2. Gameboy Advance

Pokemon – FireRed Version

The well-received remake of the original Red for the GBA.

3. Gameboy Advance · 2003

Castlevania – Aria of Sorrow

A fan-favourite Metroidvania often called the best of the GBA Castlevania trilogy.

4. Gameboy Advance

Mario & Luigi – Superstar Saga

The RPG that launched the well-regarded Mario & Luigi sub-series.

5. Gameboy Advance

Fire Emblem

The entry that introduced the tactical-RPG series to Western players.

6. Gameboy Advance · 2001

Advance Wars

A pick-up-and-play turn-based strategy game acclaimed for its accessibility.

7. Gameboy Advance

Wario Land 4

A well-regarded platformer built around Wario's treasure-hunting and time-attack levels.

8. Gameboy Advance · 2003

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance

A handheld tactical RPG with a lighter tone and a law-based battle system.

9. Gameboy Advance · 2003

WarioWare, Inc. – Mega Microgame$!

A microgame collection celebrated for its rapid-fire, absurdist minigames.

1. Mega Drive

Sonic The Hedgehog

Sega's speed-focused mascot platformer that defined the Genesis and rivalled Mario.

2. Sega Genesis · 1995

Comix Zone

A stylish brawler set inside a living comic book, notable for its unique presentation.

3. Sega Genesis · 1994

Phantasy Star IV

A highly-regarded sci-fi RPG closing out the original Phantasy Star saga.

4. Sega Genesis · 1994

Contra – Hard Corps

A Genesis-exclusive Contra entry praised for its multiple branching paths and bosses.

5. Sega Genesis · 1994

Castlevania – Bloodlines

The only mainline Castlevania released on Genesis, notable for its two playable characters.

6. Mega Drive · 1994

Earthworm Jim

A stylish, irreverent run-and-gun platformer known for its cartoon physics humour.

7. Sega Genesis

Golden Axe II

A direct sequel to the fantasy beat 'em up Golden Axe, with expanded magic and beasts.

8. Sega Genesis · 1995

Beyond Oasis

An action-RPG known for its elemental spirit-summoning combat system.

9. Sega Genesis

Dynamite Headdy

A visually inventive Treasure-developed platformer known for its boss variety.

1. NeoGeo

Metal Slug 3

Frequently cited as the best entry in the acclaimed Metal Slug run-and-gun series.

2. Capcom Play System II

Street Fighter Alpha 3

A deep, roster-heavy entry regarded as a high point of the Alpha sub-series.

3. Capcom Play System I

Final Fight

The Capcom beat 'em up that helped define the genre in arcades.

4. NeoGeo

The King of Fighters '95

A KOF sequel notable for introducing branching stages and story routes.

5. NeoGeo

Fatal Fury Special

An update to Fatal Fury 2 widely praised as a high point of the early series.

6. NeoGeo

Blazing Star

A NeoGeo shoot 'em up celebrated for its large sprites and explosive visual effects.

7. Arcade · 1981

Galaga

The classic fixed shooter and sequel to Galaxian, an arcade golden-age staple.

8. Arcade · 1984

1942

A classic vertically-scrolling WWII shoot 'em up from Capcom.

9. Arcade · 1991

Snow Brothers

A Bubble Bobble-inspired arcade game where players bury enemies in snowballs.

1. Gameboy Color

Pokemon – Crystal Version

The enhanced Gen 2 edition, the first with animated sprites and a female protagonist option.

2. Gameboy Color

Pokemon – Gold Version

The acclaimed second-generation game that added day/night cycles and two regions.

3. Game Boy

Pokemon - Red Version

One of the original 1996 titles that launched the best-selling RPG franchise in the world.

4. Game Boy

Super Mario Land

Mario's handheld debut, one of the Game Boy's definitive early titles.

5. Game Boy

Kirby's Dream Land

Kirby's 1992 debut, a deliberately approachable platformer built around inhaling enemies.

6. Game Boy

Metroid II - Return of Samus

The 1991 handheld Metroid, set entirely on the Metroid home world of SR388.

7. Game Boy

Gargoyle's Quest

The 1990 action RPG spin-off casting Firebrand, the red demon from Ghosts 'n Goblins, as the hero.

8. Game Boy

Donkey Kong Land

The 1995 handheld companion to Donkey Kong Country, using the same pre-rendered art style.

1. Famicom · 1990

Super Mario Bros. 3

Frequently ranked among the greatest games ever made, it introduced the Tanooki suit and world-map structure.

2. Famicom

Super Mario Bros.

The 1985 game widely credited with defining the side-scrolling platformer and rescuing the home console industry.

3. Famicom · 1987

Legend of Zelda, The

The 1986 game that pioneered open-world exploration and battery-backed save files.

4. Famicom · 1986

Metroid

The atmospheric sci-fi game that helped originate the "Metroidvania" exploration genre.

5. Famicom · 1988

Contra

The co-op run-and-gun famous for its punishing difficulty and the Konami Code.

6. Famicom · 1992

Final Fantasy

The 1987 game that launched the Final Fantasy series and helped establish the JRPG genre in the West.

7. Famicom

Dr. Mario

The falling-block puzzle game pitting coloured pills against viruses.

8. Famicom

Excitebike

An early motocross racer notable for its physics and level editor.

1. Nintendo 64 · 1998

The Legend of Zelda – Ocarina of Time

Routinely cited as one of the most influential and highly-rated video games of all time.

Community test on an R36S: Good

2. Nintendo 64 · 1996

Super Mario 64

The genre-defining 3D platformer that set the template for analog 3D movement and camera control.

Community test on an R36S: Good

3. Nintendo 64 · 1997

Mario Kart 64

The multiplayer staple that popularised four-player split-screen kart racing.

Community test on an R36S: Good

4. Nintendo 64 · 2000

The Legend of Zelda – Majora’s Mask

The darker, time-loop sequel to Ocarina of Time with a devoted following.

Community test on an R36S: Good

5. Nintendo 64 · 1998

Banjo-Kazooie

A beloved Rare collect-a-thon platformer, a highlight of the N64 library.

Community test on an R36S: Good

6. Nintendo 64 · 1997

Star Fox 64

The on-rails space shooter famous for popularising rumble feedback.

Community test on an R36S: Good

7. Nintendo 64 · 1997

Diddy Kong Racing

A Rare kart racer with an adventure mode, rivalling Mario Kart 64.

Community test on an R36S: Good

8. Nintendo 64 · 1998

F-Zero X

A high-speed sequel to the SNES original, praised for its blistering framerate.

Community test on an R36S: Good

1. PSP

CRISIS CORE FINAL FANTASY VII

A well-regarded PSP prequel to Final Fantasy VII following the soldier Zack Fair.

Community test on an R36S: Good

2. PSP

Monster Hunter Freedom Unite

Community test on an R36S: Good

3. PSP · 2008

Patapon

An inventive rhythm/strategy hybrid unique to the PSP.

Community test on an R36S: Good

4. PSP · 2005

Lumines

Community test on an R36S: Good

5. PSP

Daxter

A well-received PSP platformer spun off from Jak and Daxter.

Community test on an R36S: Good

6. PSP

Metal Slug Anthology

Community test on an R36S: Good

7. PSP · 2006

Mega Man - Powered Up

Community test on an R36S: Good

8. PSP

Dragon Ball Z - Shin Budokai

Community test on an R36S: Good

1. Nintendo DS

New Super Mario Bros

The game that revived 2D side-scrolling Mario for a new generation.

Community test on an R36S: Good

2. Nintendo DS

Mario Kart DS

The portable kart racer that popularised online console-handheld multiplayer.

Community test on an R36S: Good

3. Nintendo DS

Super Mario 64 DS

A DS remake of Super Mario 64 adding new playable characters and touch-controlled minigames.

Community test on an R36S: Good

4. Nintendo DS · 2007

Contra 4

A DS return to classic 2D Contra run-and-gun action using the dual screens for extended visibility.

Community test on an R36S: Good

5. Nintendo DS

Mario & Luigi – Partners in Time

Community test on an R36S: Good

6. Nintendo DS

Resident Evil – Deadly Silence

Community test on an R36S: Good

1. Dreamcast

Crazy Taxi

The frantic arcade driving game that became a Dreamcast icon.

Community test on an R36S: Good

2. Dreamcast

Sonic Adventure 2

A well-regarded 3D Sonic sequel that introduced Shadow the Hedgehog.

Community test on an R36S: Good

3. Dreamcast

Power Stone 2

A 3D arena fighter praised for its four-player chaos and weapon combos.

Community test on an R36S: Good

4. Dreamcast

Jet Set Radio

A cel-shaded, graffiti-themed cult classic with a distinctive style.

Community test on an R36S: Good

5. Dreamcast

Capcom vs. SNK 2 - Millionaire Fighting 2001 -

Community test on an R36S: Good

6. Dreamcast

ChuChu Rocket!

Community test on an R36S: Good