SNES titles that Nintendo should add to its Nintendo Switch Online service

Illusion of Gaia

Original North American Release Date: September 1st, 1994
Publisher: Enix
Developer: Quintet

During the 90s, Quintet developed several notable games that Enix published for the SNES, including the cult hit action-RPG Soul Blazer. Originally created as a very loose sequel to Soul Blazer, Illusion of Gaia stands on its own in terms of storytelling, even though it doesn’t tie in to the plot in Soul Blazer or Terranigma, which was another Quintet action-RPG considered to be the third entry in the “Soul Blazer” trilogy (even though the game’s story also doesn’t share any continuity with the other two games).

Illusion of Gaia is presented from a top-down perspective similar to The Legend of Zelda games, although the puzzle solving isn’t quite as inventive. However, Illusion of Gaia excels in other areas, especially in the game’s various settings and environments, as it uses real-world locations like the Incan Ruins or Angkor Wat. The game’s story also includes some very dark themes, like child slavery and cannibalism (although the cannibalism aspect was toned down during localization).

Only one character, Will, is playable, but he has the ability to change into a dark knight or a mystical creature at certain points throughout the game’s many dungeons. This classic RPG also has an incredibly haunting soundtrack that compliments the often-gloomy story. Illusion of Gaia is often overshadowed by more well-known action-RPGs like Secret of Mana, but it’s definitely one of those hidden SNES titles that is well worth playing today.