Hardest SNES Games Published By Square Or Enix

Highlights

  • Square Enix’s RPGs have unique battle systems that contribute to their success and make them rewarding to play.
  • Final Fantasy IV features magical quests and the ability to level up different party members before facing stronger enemies.
  • Dragon Quest 3 offers a turn-based gameplay experience, the ability to change character classes, and the collection of keys and orbs to revive a legendary bird.


Square Enix are among the biggest global game developers from Japan. The video games built by these developers have spearheaded the RPG genre on the SNES, Game Boy, PlayStation, and other gaming platforms. The lore of games from these companies has resonated across the world, turning many titles into franchises.

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The unique battle systems in games made by Square Enix are the primary reason behind its success. Central characters in SNES games are remembered fondly by people who have held Square Enix games in their hands. Players looking for RPGs that are hard to beat can pick up these games to feel accomplished.


10 Final Fantasy 4

Defeat Golbez With Magical Spells

Player uses Cecil to complete quests

Final Fantasy 4

Released
July 19, 1991

Genre(s)
JRPG

Developer(s)
Square

Publisher(s)
Square

Final Fantasy 4 is an RPG with magical quests to complete. Play as Cecil, a dark knight, on his magical journey to stop the sorcerer Golbez from destroying the world. People can form parties within the game to venture through dungeons and fight dangerous creatures like dragons and monsters. Cecil can rotate the characters in his party to level up different members before fighting stronger enemies.

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Players could regain their health after battles by sleeping in an inn. Potions can be bought from towns and villages to restore health to Cecil and his party members between battles. Magical spells in Final Fantasy IV can be used in fights to protect the team.

9 Dragon Quest 3

Find Keys And Orbs In A Mystical Land

Player finds treasure chests in the castle

Dragon Quest 3: The Seeds of Salvation

Released
February 10, 1988

Genre(s)
Adventure , JRPG

Developer(s)
Chunsoft

Publisher(s)
Enix , Square Enix

Dragon Quest 3 is a turn-based game for SNES. The Hero can lead his allies into mysterious jungles and cities to find quest items. People can change the class of their characters to Soldier, Pilgrim, Wizard, Fighter, or Merchant at any time to fulfill conditions for completing missions. Additional members of the party can be interacted with at taverns to recruit new characters.

Books in Dragon Quest 3 can be consumed to gain new abilities. Baramos is an archfiend who must be defeated by the Hero and his friends in order to restore peace to the land. Keys can be collected along with mystical orbs in Dragon Quest 3 to revive a legendary bird who will fight and destroy Baramos.

8 Star Ocean

Choose From 10 Playable Characters

Player recovers items in jungles

Star Ocean

Released
July 19, 1996

Genre(s)
Action RPG

Developer(s)
Tri-Ace , Tose

Publisher(s)
Square Enix

Star Ocean is an expansive RPG with tons of characters to unlock. It has a total of ten playable characters that make the game more exciting to replay. The real-time combat system of Star Ocean presents several techniques to defeat enemies. Special attacks can be stacked multiple times to make strikes more powerful during battles.

Cooking abilities in Star Ocean allow players to prepare dishes that can restore health to characters. Kratus is the most important town in Star Ocean and offers plenty of information about the events that have shaped the game.

7 ActRaiser

Guide The Master To Victory

Player hits an enemy with his sword

Actraiser

Released
1991-11-00

Genre(s)
Action , City Builder , Simulation

Developer(s)
Quintet

Publisher(s)
Enix , Square Enix

ActRaiser combines elements of a platformer, a city builder, and an action RPG into one. Simulation sequences in ActRaiser let people play as Angels, while levels that require action can be completed by using Statues. Angels can indicate various locations on a map to build structures to secure cities.

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The Master is a prominent figure in ActRaiser. He can increase the population of his world to level up and cast miracles. Boss fights in ActRaiser make the game hard even for SNES pros. Tanzra and his lieutenants are the most difficult boss fights in ActRaiser.

6 Trials of Mana

Gather Mana Stones From Epic Locations

Player chooses items to store in his inventory

Trials of Mana (1995)

Released
September 30, 1995

Genre(s)
Action RPG

Developer(s)
Square

Publisher(s)
Square

Trials of Mana is a fantasy RPG from the Mana series. Characters in Trials of Mana can use special weapons to fight enemies. It has a multiplayer mode that allows two players to defeat monsters together, making the game enjoyable on an SNES.

Day and night cycles in Trials of Mana allow certain events to take place that progress the story further. Rare items can be bought at night to strengthen the team. Mana Stones can be gathered to open gates to hidden locations. Players can also acquire the Mana Sword to eliminate enemies.

5 Paladin’s Quest

Play As Chezni And Use Various Spells

Player explores a desert for rare items

Paladin’s Quest

Released
1993-10-00

Developer
Copya System

Genre(s)
JRPG

Publisher
Asmik Corporation, Enix

Paladin’s Quest is an adventure game about an ancient machine called Dal Gren. The ancient machine is activated at the beginning of the campaign, releasing evil forces into the world. Gamers play as Chezni to destroy Dal Gren at any cost before the ancient machine can obliterate the world. On his path, Chezni must defeat Zaygos, a young dictator who wants to use Dal Gren for his own agenda.

Learning to use different spirits like Fire, Water, and Light can enhance abilities in Paladin’s Quest. Chezni can combine spirits to derive varying effects in fights against dungeon dwellers.

4 Bahamut Lagoon

Battle Against A Variety Of Dragons

Player raises dragons to fight his opponents

Bahamut Lagoon

Released
February 9, 1996

Developer(s)
Square Enix

Publisher(s)
Square Enix

Bahamut Lagoon is a tactical RPG with beautiful 2D models. Byuu, a soldier from the floating lands of Orelus must travel across the plains to defeat invaders from the Granbelos Empire. He can raise dragons to mitigate enemies. The musical score of the game invites SNES gamers to spend a lot of time training dragons.

The map in Bahamut Lagoon can reveal treasure chests and traps to improve the experience. Byuu can find hidden items on many stages to reduce the difficulty of the SNES game. Unlocking master forms of dragons can help people finish Bahamut Lagoon faster.

3 Super Mario RPG

Mario And Friends Fight The Smithy Gang

Player uses a trampoline to access new locations

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

Released
May 13, 1996

Developer(s)
Square Enix

Publisher(s)
Nintendo

Super Mario RPG is a widely played game on SNES. Mario must find the seven pieces of Star Road on his quest to defeat the Smithy Gang. It has 3D graphic elements and humorous dialog that provide a fresh take on Mario. Unlike previous side-scrolling games from Mario, the SNES game lets him move all over the map.

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Terrapins and other enemies can show up on various levels to threaten the progress of Mario before he can capture the star pieces. Super Mario RPG has a combat menu that can be used to save Mario and his friends from being wiped out.

2 Mystic Ark

Become The Guardians Of A Temple

Player achieves new abilities by locating arks

Mystic Ark

Released
July 14, 1995

Genre(s)
Adventure

Developer(s)
Produce

Publisher(s)
Enix

Mystic Ark is an adventure game that revolves around the guardians of a temple. Players can choose between Remeer or Ferris to retrieve arks that are scattered throughout the game. These characters seek to make the temple their home. Gamers can access an array of worlds that can be visited from the temple to become stronger.

Reeshine, Lux, Miesia, and Miriene are characters that make an impact on the story in Mystic Ark. Spells can be learned by completing quests within the temple, letting players cast abilities to mutilate their opponents.

1 Final Fantasy 6

Raid Dungeons With Mighty Characters

Player gathers his allies before heading out to dungeons

Final Fantasy 6

Released
October 11, 1994

How Long To Beat
35 Hours

Developer(s)
Square Enix , Square

Publisher(s)
Square Enix , Square

Final Fantasy 6 has a large roster of playable characters. It has a map that can be used to direct players to different dungeons. Enemies can pop up from anywhere on the map. The menu screen in this RPG lets people decide on their party members, weapons to use in battle, and spells to cast.

Creating multiple parties allows players to explore more dungeons in Final Fantasy 6. Resourceful players can find more items in dungeons than in shops, giving them an edge against enemies. The abilities of playable characters provide innovative ways to destroy creatures in the RPG.

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