Summary
Given that the Super Nintendo came early on during gaming’s resurgence in the West, it’s easy to see why female representation was lacking in these games. Most titles didn’t prioritize women in leading roles, which was a reflection of society at the time.
This makes it all the more important tohighlight SNES gamesthat let players control compelling female protagonists across a host of diverse video games. It was a step in the right direction that slowly opened the floodgates for gaming to appeal to as many people as possible.
8Super Valis 4
A Side-Scrolling Action Title With Two Female Protagonists, Lena And Yuko
A lot of popular games on the SNES took on the form of action-packed sidescrollers that were simple and engaging to play through. Such is the case withSuper Valis 4, an enhanced version of an NES title that boasts a simple yet engaging gameplay loop.
This version makes a unique change by cutting out two male playable characters and replacing them with another playable female protagonist called Yuko. She was great to control along with Lena and helpedSuper Valis 4stand out as a fun action game for players to sink their teeth in.
7Cutthroat Island
A Fun Movie Tie-In Where Players Can Choose Morgan Adams, A Female Swashbuckler
The legacy ofCutthroat Islandis far from admirable, with the movie being such a huge bomb that swashbuckling movies weren’t seen as viable films untilPirates of the Caribbeanburst onto the scene. So, fans will be surprised to know that the video game tie-in is surprisingly fun in comparison.
The ten levels that players experience in this title are decent and feature their fair share of swashbuckling. Out of the two protagonists players control, one of them is Morgan Adams, a pirate who uses a thin rapier to stab her foes in combat.
Wild Gunsisa classic SNES titlewith the simple action of popping out from behind cover and shooting down enemies across numerous levels. The game starts with the death of Annie’s family, who hires a bounty hunter and embarks on an adventure to avenge their deaths.
The classic shooting action of the game is perfect for players who want to enjoy a simple game, withWild Arms Reloadedbeing the best way to experience this title in modern times. Players who want to control a female protagonist hell-bent on revenge will love what Wild Guns brings to the table.
5Alien 3
Ellen Ripley Starts In An Action-Packed Title Where Players Shoot Down Extraterrestrials
Alien 3is a great run-and-gun title that fans will have a great time with, letting players step into the shoes of Ellen Ripley as she shows the Xenomorphs who’s boss. It’s a relatively simple title but one that’s tightly made and feels satisfying to play.
It helps that the game’s visuals are authentic, while the music lends a ton of atmosphere to the shooting action. It may be a product of its time, but players who want to check out a simple yet rewarding action game will have a great time playing throughAlien 3.
Trials of Manais one of the many celebrated entries in theManaseries that has become relevant once again courtesy of the remake treatment. However, fans can still have a great time if they check out the original version of this title, which boasted an ambitious narrative where players could choose from one of six protagonists.
Angela, Charlotte, and Riesz are great lead characters to control if players don’t want to be stuck with a generic anime swordsman.It’s a simple JRPGwith real-time action where players will slowly unlock new powers and items to make the moment-to-moment combat as dynamic as possible.
Zombies Ate My Neighboursis a fun run-and-gun title players can check out if they want to try out a tough action game. Players can control either Zeke or Julie (both if played in co-op) as they mow down numerous undead threats in each level.
The comic visualsand satisfying gameplay make it clear why so many people love whatZombies Ate My Neighborsbrings to the table. The gameplay is virtually identical regardless of which character players control, with the gameplay being surprisingly engaging and forcing players to perform efficiently in combat if they didn’t want to die a humiliating death.
Final Fantasy 6isone of the most legendary JRPGsever made, boasting one of the biggest cast of characters in the series to date. While many people argue that the game boasts an ensemble cast, the importance of Terra and Celes in the World of Balance and Ruin respectively can’t be stated enough.
Terra’s deep-rooted hatred for Kefka ensures that she has the most to gain with his demise, to the point where she’ll magically appear before the final fight if not recruited before Kefka’s Tower. Meanwhile, Celes serves as the player’s introduction to the World of Ruin and its horrors, potentially leading to one of the most iconic moments in the game if her guardian, Cid, succumbs to his illness early on.
Super Metroidisone of the most important video gamesever made. It paved the way for a whole new genre of 2D platforming games to take over the mainstream that continues to influence indie gaming.
It helps that this series also features one of the most iconic video game heroines of all time. Samus is an amazing character who lets her actions do the talking for her as she blasts aliens and acquires powers to make it easier for her to explore alien worlds.
