From CBR · Scott Baird · · 2m
10 SNES Games With the Most Perfect Endings, Ranked
SNES games with unforgettable endings ranked from most perfect to least.
In brief
SNES games with unforgettable endings ranked from most perfect to least. Super Metroid, Shadowrun, and other SNES games feature iconic endings that define the era's storytelling. Originally reported by CBR.
Super Metroid's Final Sequence
Bounty Hunter Samus Aran battles Mother Brain and is saved by the final Metroid before escaping Zebes.
“The climactic sequence of super metroid is an epic conclusion to the story”
Shadowrun's Iconic Ending
The protagonist blows up an enemy corporation headquarters and flees in a helicopter with shades.
“Shadowrun ends with the protagonist blowing up the headquarters of an enemy corporation”
Yoshi's Island Timeline Shift
Mario and Luigi are babies delivered to their parents in the Mushroom Kingdom, with Yoshi as their protector.
“In yoshi's island, mario and luigi are babies who are delivered to their parents in the mushroom kingdom”
Zelda's Ganon Death
Link slays Ganon, freeing Hyrule, with the Master Sword resting in the forest to sleep forever.
“The final shot is of the master sword, resting in the forest, with the game claiming that it would sleep forever”
Dragon Quest 5's Happy Ending
The protagonist's family frees the world from Nimzo after the hero's children save them from stone statues.
“Together, the family casts down nimzo, the lord of all evil, and frees the world from his thrall”
Terranigma's Bittersweet End
Ark transforms into a bird to watch the world he helped create grow, after sacrificing his body.
“In the end, ark transforms into a bird, and is given the chance to watch the world he helped create to grow”
EarthBound's Homecoming
Ness and friends return home after defeating Giygas, with the story ending as a simple kids' adventure.
“The story culminates in ness taking paula home, before finally going back himself”
Final Fantasy 6's Bittersweet Farewell
Celes becomes the main character after Terra vanishes, with hope for humanity despite environmental damage.
“It's made clear that slaying kefka hasn't fixed everything, as the environment has been damaged”
Secret of Mana's Sacrifice
Dyluck sacrifices himself to save the world, leaving the group without Popoi, who is banished to the realm of Mana.
“The saddest part of the secret of mana ending is the realization that the group never got to say goodbye to popoi”
Chrono Trigger's Balloon Ending
Crono and Marle are carried off by balloons after hanging a new bell at the Millennial Fair.
“The player returns to the millennial fair, and finds a new bell being hung”
The Ranking
Super Metroid ranks highest for its thrilling escape sequence, followed by Shadowrun's iconic helicopter exit.
“Super metroid has an exhilarating final sequence”
Why These Endings Matter
These SNES games created unforgettable conclusions that defined the era's storytelling legacy.
“The system still managed to produce some of the best endings of all-time”
What Happens Next
A modern port of Terranigma is set for 2027, allowing new players to experience its bittersweet ending.
“Terranigma only had an extremely limited release in the '90s, but that's about to change, as a modern port has been announced for 2027”
The Perfect Endings
These games showcase how SNES titles delivered emotionally resonant conclusions despite hardware limitations.
“The limitations of the super nintendo hardware meant that the stories in its games weren't as in-depth as the ones that came later”
At a glance
Super Metroid, Shadowrun, and other SNES games feature iconic endings that define the era's storytelling.
