If you play Super Nintendo games you know what to expect. A Link to the Past, Secret of Mana, and Final Fantasy III are fantastic games, which many of us hold close to our hearts. Perhaps these were games you played as a kid or during your teens, but you at least have the satisfaction of knowing that you've experienced these essential pieces of gaming history. What we played in North America is only the tip of the iceberg though. There are so many great role playing games that we never got to see because they never left Japan. Here are five games that, thanks to translators and/or repro developers, we can finally add to our backlogs.



Bahamut Lagoon
Published by Squaresoft, Bahamut Lagoon is a tactical RPG using squad-based mechanics. All combat happens on a two dimensional grid and the player can move or attack once per turn much like in the Fire Emblem games. However, in close combat, the scenes play out more similarly to what you've come to expect from the Final Fantasy series. This varied approach to gameplay keeps things fresh and requires you to come up with strategies on the fly. What many people will notice first is that this game looks gorgeous. Everything is very colorful, sprites are expressive and unique, and the monster design is just so cool. Considering this is a tactical game, it is slower than most RPGs and this could be why it never saw a North American release. Thankfully, the success of other strategic role playing games proved that there is a market for these kinds of games in the West.


Gunman's Proof
This isn't really an RPG, but any fan of the Zelda series will appreciate this game. Imagine combining the quirky humor of EarthBound with the real-time combat and dungeon exploration of A Link to the Past. That's pretty close to what it feels like to play Gunman's Proof. Because this game was released in 1997 and the Nintendo 64 had already replaced the Super Nintendo in North America, it never made its way outside of Japan. It's unfortunate really, because this could have been quite popular. The bright and cheerful artwork and the familiar game design would have made it very accessible to North American gamers. And who doesn't like some rowdy Spaghetti Western action? Get your six-shooter ready and blast some baddies!


Terranigma
If you've played Illusion of Gaia you owe it to yourself to play Terranigma as well because it's part of the same trilogy of games. We never got to play this one, but Europe, Australia, and Japan were fortunate enough to have been graced by this classic action RPG. The story of Terranigma is everything you'd expect from a Super Nintendo game; the world needs to be resurrected and it's your job to do it. The events of the game follow the evolution of life to its current state in present time. The balance between Light and Dark is overthrown, and only you can bring the world out of chaos. Sounds familiar? Sounds like fun!


Treasure Hunter G
What does the G stand for? Probably "Great." This game was developed by Sting Entertainment and released by Squaresoft in 1996, yet another late Super Famicom title. This is why we probably never heard of Treasure Hunter G, until fan translations starting floating around online. The game is very similar to Bahamut Lagoon in that it features a tactical grid-based combat and town exploration. While it doesn't deviate from the cliche stop-the-bad-guy-from-destroying-the-world trope, this game should be rewarded for a deep combat system and incredible art design. In fact, the sprites are derived from 3D models, which is evident in the final result of the character design. The backgrounds are a little bland, but that only makes the sprites stand out more.


Treasure of the Rudras
Turn-based combat? Fantasy meets industrial art style? Sign me up! Treasure of the Rudras is yet another Square RPG that was locked away in Japan. The game's themes borrow from Indian religion, specifically the wheel of time and the destruction of the Earth. The plot follows the three main heroes' final 15 days before the deities wipe out civilization in order to "reset" the planet. What's so interesting here is that the three plots interwoven in this game can impact each other in tangible ways. For example, if one character doesn't pick up a relic, another character in his own story arch can find that item and take it. You're not obligated to stick to one plot either; you can drop in and out of a character's story as you see fit and the game even features a day/night cycle. That's pretty incredible for a Super Famicom game! Upon completing the three main story arcs, you take on a fourth plot and confront the major villains to settle things once and for all.


Were we on Nintendo's Naughty List? We don't know, but thanks to translators and repro cart makers, we can finally play these gems. If any of the games listed here sound interesting, most can be found on Nintendo Age. Let's just hope that Japan will stop hogging all of these great games because that's what gaming is all about - sharing the stories, the adventure, and the fun.

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