Games

Unsung Heroes: Overlooked Characters of the Super Nintendo Era

Exploring the forgotten heroes who, despite their potential, didn't quite get the recognition they deserved during the SNES era.
Unsung Heroes: Overlooked Characters of the Super Nintendo Era

Highlights

  • Joe & Mac's potential iconic status was overshadowed, hindering their legacy as SNES heroes.
  • Master Higgins' similarities to Mario may have hindered his ability to have a dedicated fan base and carry his own legacy.
  • Zeke and Julia from Zombies Ate My Neighbors have a unique art style and gameplay, but their lack of personality may have been a reason for the series not taking off beyond one title.

The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) marked a significant advancement in video game storytelling. Unlike its predecessor, the NES, the SNES had the capacity to deliver complex narratives, evident in RPG adventures like Final Fantasy VI and side-scrolling platformers like Mega Man X.

While the SNES produced numerous iconic video game heroes, there were several heroes who didn't receive the recognition they deserved during the console's active years.

8 Joe & Mac

Dynamic Cavemen Adventure

Joe & Mac, the lead characters in the 1991 platformer by Data East, embarked on a heroic journey through prehistoric Earth to rescue kidnapped cavewomen, encountering enemy dinosaurs and various obstacles. Despite their heroic motivations, Joe & Mac failed to attain iconic status as SNES heroes, despite a sequel in 1994.

7 Master Higgins

Familiar Yet Forgotten

Master Higgins, known for his adventures in Adventure Island, may have been overshadowed by his similarities to Mario, hindering his fan base and legacy despite multiple installments on the SNES.

6 Zeke & Julia

Unrealized Potential

Zeke and Julia from Zombies Ate My Neighbors, with their unique art style and gameplay, failed to make a lasting impact beyond the initial title due to their lack of distinct personality.

5 Wink Baufield

Lost in Anomaly

Wink Baufield, the protagonist of Phalanx, faced a legacy hindered by the game's confusing cover art and anomaly, despite his fearless portrayal as a fighter pilot on a mission in the game.

4 Goemon

Unrecognized Wackiness

Goemon's wacky adventures in The Legend of the Mystical Ninja failed to find a Western audience despite its acclaim, resulting in a missed opportunity for recognition.

3 Boogerman

Unique Yet Unpopular

Boogerman's unconventional abilities and gameplay were overshadowed by its crude content, preventing the character from gaining widespread popularity as an SNES hero.

2 Jake Armitage

Forgotten Adventures

Jake Armitage, despite his intriguing role in Shadowrun, has been largely overlooked, detached from emotional ties to the franchise, leading to his obscurity as an SNES hero.

1 Ness

Unsung Triumphs

Ness, from Earthbound, remains an iconic figure, yet his heroic deeds and the game's narrative depth have not received the attention they deserve, despite his appearances in the Super Smash Bros franchise.

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