The Super Nintendo Entertainment System has one of the most beloved libraries in gaming history. While many fans remember the system for its deep RPGs and platformers, the SNES also delivered some of the most enjoyable and timeless multiplayer games around. Over the years, I’ve collected and replayed dozens of these titles with friends, and I’ve found that some stand out for their lasting fun, creative design, and chaotic couch competition.

Whether you’re teaming up or going head-to-head, these games bring out the best of local multiplayer. The SNES may not have had online play, but the magic of grabbing a second controller and diving into a game together still holds up. For anyone building a collection or planning a retro game night, the following are the best multiplayer games for SNES that truly deserve a spot on your shelf.

Here are my personal picks and reviews for eight SNES multiplayer games that deliver fun in every session.

1. Super Bomberman 2

There’s no way to talk about the best multiplayer games for SNES without bringing up Super Bomberman 2. It takes the original formula and polishes it to near perfection. The game supports up to four players with the Super Multitap accessory, and once you’ve experienced the chaotic bomb-dropping action with three friends, you won’t want to go back.

The gameplay is simple to learn but hard to master. You navigate a maze, drop bombs to trap and eliminate your opponents, and collect power-ups that increase your speed, blast range, or number of bombs. Every match feels intense, especially as the arena shrinks in the final seconds. I’ve spent entire evenings playing this one on loop, and it never gets old.

What makes Super Bomberman 2 special is the level design variety and responsive controls. It’s a game that rewards clever strategy and quick reflexes while keeping things lighthearted and fun.

Key Features:

  • Four-player support with Multitap
  • Fast-paced bomb combat
  • Wide selection of battle arenas

Pros:

  • Addictive, competitive gameplay
  • Easy to pick up for new players
  • Great variety in stage design

Cons:

  • Requires Multitap for 3-4 player mode
  • Single-player mode feels repetitive

2. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time

Turtles in Time is one of the most iconic beat ’em ups on the SNES, and it holds up beautifully. You and a friend can team up as your favorite turtles and take on waves of Foot Soldiers across time-traveling levels that range from pirate ships to futuristic highways.

The combat is satisfying and fluid. Each turtle has slightly different stats, making team composition feel like a real choice. The game throws in set-pieces like hoverboard sections and boss fights that require more than just button-mashing. I remember being floored by the visuals as a kid, and even now, the sprite work and animation are top-tier.

As far as the best multiplayer games for SNES go, Turtles in Time offers a cooperative experience that balances difficulty and fun. It’s challenging without being frustrating, and it’s one of those games that feels best when played side-by-side with a friend.

Key Features:

  • Two-player cooperative gameplay
  • Time-travel themed levels
  • Memorable soundtrack and voice clips

Pros:

  • Beautiful animations and combat flow
  • Great variety of enemies and bosses
  • Co-op makes the game more engaging

Cons:

  • Limited replay value once beaten
  • Can feel short to seasoned players

3. Super Mario Kart

Super Mario Kart kicked off one of Nintendo’s most beloved franchises, and it’s still a blast to play. Whether you’re racing against friends or battling in arenas, it packs a ton of charm and tight gameplay into every race. I spent hours as a kid trying to master Rainbow Road and knocking opponents out with red shells in Battle Mode.

Multiplayer mode offers both head-to-head races and the famous battle arenas where players pop each other’s balloons. The split-screen format is smooth and responsive, and the course designs are memorable. Every character has different handling, which adds a layer of strategy when choosing who to play.

This is one of the best multiplayer games for SNES not just for the fun, but for the sheer amount of time you can sink into it without getting bored. It’s still my go-to when friends come over and want some quick, arcade-style competition.

Key Features:

  • Competitive two-player racing
  • Iconic power-ups and tracks
  • Battle Mode for extra fun

Pros:

  • Great character variety and controls
  • Tracks are creative and challenging
  • Timeless competitive gameplay

Cons:

  • Only supports two players
  • AI difficulty is inconsistent

4. Secret of Mana

Most RPGs are single-player adventures, but Secret of Mana changes that. This action RPG lets up to three players (with a Multitap) control the main party in real-time combat. It combines classic fantasy storytelling with cooperative gameplay, making it one of the most unique entries on this list.

The game has a beautiful world, detailed sprites, and a fantastic soundtrack. The ring menu system is easy to use and makes inventory and spellcasting feel natural. Fighting enemies in real time with friends adds a level of strategy and coordination that makes the game feel more alive than most turn-based RPGs.

It’s one of the best multiplayer games for SNES for players who want a longer, story-driven experience that they can enjoy together over many sessions. It’s not a pick-up-and-play title, but the payoff is worth the time investment.

Key Features:

  • Three-player cooperative RPG
  • Real-time combat and spellcasting
  • Expansive story and world

Pros:

  • Beautiful art and soundtrack
  • Unique co-op RPG experience
  • Deep weapon and magic system

Cons:

  • Requires Multitap for 3 players
  • Occasional pathfinding issues

5. NBA Jam Tournament Edition

NBA Jam brings over-the-top basketball action to the SNES, complete with wild dunks, catchphrases, and on-fire shooting. The Tournament Edition ups the ante with more teams, power-ups, and secret characters. Two players can team up or face off, and with a Multitap, four-player chaos is possible.

The gameplay is simple but addictive. It’s all about speed, dunks, steals, and ridiculous aerial moves. Games are short, which makes it perfect for quick matchups. I’ve had full tournaments with friends where the trash talk flowed as freely as the 3-pointers.

Among the best multiplayer games for SNES, NBA Jam stands out for its high-energy gameplay and competitive spirit. You don’t have to love basketball to enjoy the arcade madness it brings.

Key Features:

  • Two or four-player arcade basketball
  • Exaggerated dunks and power moves
  • Secret characters and codes

Pros:

  • Fast-paced, exciting gameplay
  • Easy to learn and play
  • Tons of fun in group settings

Cons:

  • Limited game modes
  • Can feel repetitive solo

6. Kirby’s Dream Course

This quirky golf-style game stars Kirby, and it’s more strategic than it looks. You and a friend compete by aiming Kirby at enemies and obstacles to score points across isometric courses filled with hazards and power-ups. It’s turn-based but still competitive, which keeps the pace balanced.

I was surprised by how deep the gameplay is. The physics are impressively complex, and using abilities like turning into a UFO or spiking through walls adds fun twists to every hole. The learning curve can be steep, but once you understand the mechanics, it becomes wildly addicting.

Kirby’s Dream Course earns its place among the best multiplayer games for SNES because of how different it feels. It offers something more thoughtful and skill-based without losing the charm and fun of a party game.

Key Features:

  • Two-player competitive mode
  • Strategy-based physics gameplay
  • Creative power-up system

Pros:

  • Unique concept and controls
  • High replay value
  • Challenging and fun

Cons:

  • Steep learning curve
  • Not as fast-paced as other games

7. Super Smash TV

Based on the arcade classic, Super Smash TV drops you into a deadly game show where two players must fight through rooms of enemies, collect prizes, and survive insane bullet hell action. It’s fast, frantic, and loaded with explosions.

Each room offers new challenges and weapons. The twin-stick shooting style is simplified on SNES, but still works well with the button layout. You’re constantly moving, dodging, and spraying bullets at waves of enemies, which makes for an intense co-op experience.

It’s among the best multiplayer games for SNES if you and a friend are looking for nonstop action and teamwork. It’s difficult, but beating it together is incredibly satisfying.

Key Features:

  • Two-player co-op twin-stick shooter
  • Dozens of weapons and enemies
  • Arcade-style scoring and lives

Pros:

  • Fast and explosive gameplay
  • Great for teamwork
  • High replayability

Cons:

  • Very challenging difficulty
  • Visual clutter can get overwhelming

8. Contra III: The Alien Wars

No list of SNES multiplayer hits would be complete without Contra III. The two-player run-and-gun masterpiece is packed with explosions, aliens, and over-the-top action sequences. It’s brutally tough, but the co-op mode makes every victory feel earned.

From motorcycle chases to top-down shooting segments, the game mixes up its formula to keep you on your toes. The bosses are massive and creative, and the soundtrack keeps the adrenaline pumping from start to finish.

If you’re building a collection of the best multiplayer games for SNES, Contra III is non-negotiable. It’s an intense, challenging, and satisfying experience for players who like their co-op games with a side of chaos.

Key Features:

  • Two-player simultaneous action
  • Huge bosses and varied level design
  • Classic Contra weapon upgrades

Pros:

  • Incredible level variety
  • Challenging but fair difficulty
  • Smooth co-op performance

Cons:

  • Steep learning curve
  • Short game length

Final Thoughts

The SNES library is overflowing with multiplayer greatness, but these eight games stand out not just for their nostalgia, but for how well they hold up today. Whether you want frantic competition, smooth co-op action, or quirky strategy, the best multiplayer games for SNES still deliver on every front.

For retro collectors and gamers alike, there’s no better feeling than diving into a classic game with a friend on the couch. The Super Nintendo proved that multiplayer fun didn’t need internet, just two controllers and some great design.