The Super Nintendo Entertainment System established itself as a major game-changer soon after its initial release back in 1990. The seminal 16-bit console ushered in a new era of graphics and gameplay, setting the stage for dozens of technological advancements in gaming that followed in the years after.

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Many of its finest characters struck a chord with players thanks to their richness and depth, shedding light on the storytelling potential of gaming. Other characters, meanwhile, stood out for more obvious, simplistic reasons, from colorful esthetics to distinctive gameplay combat skills. Throughout its lengthy run of market dominance, the SNES managed to provide a little bit of something for everyone, as everything from lighthearted kids' adventure games, to epic fantasy RPGs, to dangerous racing games made their way to the console's library. Many of the SNES' finest characters also proved to be integral to the console's ever-evolving gameplay mechanics, becoming icons of innovation and creativity in the process.

5 Diddy Kong

Instantly Became A Household Name For Nintendo

Donkey Kong's trusty pal and sidekick first made his way into the gaming medium back in 1994 with the release of Donkey Kong Country. The game was a smash hit for the SNES console at the time thanks to its high-quality graphics and colorful gameplay.

Diddy Kong's playful demeanor, agility, and speed are all on display in his debut, bringing some dynamism to the game in the process. Unlike the hulking Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong is presented as a considerably smaller, more nimble ape, relying on more tricks and weaponry in combat to outwit and take down his foes. Initially set to simply be a replacement for the Donkey Kong Jr. character from the '80s arcade days of the series, Diddy Kong quickly found life of his own under developer Rare's work. In the years since he has remained a pivotal character in the Donkey Kong franchise and a dependable fan favorite for the long-running series.

4 Marle

Chrono Trigger's Most Colorful Character

The princess of Guardia quickly proved to be a standout character from the 1995 RPG classic. The rebellious secret royal winds up trapped in a different time due to a bizarre set of events at a fair, prompting much of the game's action in the process.

Winning over players thanks to her spirited demeanor and depth of character, Marle's longing for freedom and adventure makes her a relatable, sympathetic figure. Her character arc shows a great deal of development in maturity over the course of the game, bolstering her intrigue even further, Armed with a trusty crossbow and an impressive mastery of potent magic attacks, Marle's gameplay provides a diverse combination of action and fantasy thrills to enjoy. Overall, her blend of power, resilience, and heroism made her an immediate hit at the time of Chrono Trigger's blockbuster release.

3 Captain Falcon

F-Zero's Breakout Star

The face of Nintendo's classic F-Zero series, Captain Falcon first arrived on the gaming scene back in 1990. A key launch title at the time for the SNES, F-Zero impressed thanks to its fast-paced gameplay and impressive graphics compared to the standards of the time.

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Captain Falcon is introduced as a bounty hunter-turned-racer with a tough, mysterious aura. Sporting a visually striking design and a high-speed, futuristic ride in the Blue Falcon, he quickly caught on with players as the series' standout character. Super Smash Bros. later added greatly to the mythos and popularity of Captain Falcon thanks to the endlessly-memed Falcon Punch maneuver he uses in combat. With an audacious, distinctive personality and style, he remains an icon of Nintendo history to this day.

2 Crono

Chrono Trigger's Brooding Hero

The seminal Chrono Trigger provided SNES players with a variety of great, memorable characters, including its lead hero, Crono. A silent, dependably selfless warrior, Crono quickly won fans and critics over without uttering a single line of dialogue.

The game offers a famously complicated ending for the character, with him initially making good on his dedication to heroics by sacrificing himself to save his allies in a dramatic battle at the Ocean Palace. For players crushed by this sad outcome, there exists an unconventional option to replace him last minute with a clone via time travel shenanigans. This results in the unlucky clone sustaining a fatal demise instead. Considering his no-nonsense, action-packed style and presentation, it's hardly surprising most players went the extra mile to undo his initial death at the conclusion of this classic game.

1 Fox McCloud

One Of Nintendo's Most Beloved Player Characters

The colorful hero of the Star Fox series made his debut all the way back in 1993 with the series' SNES debut. An ace space pilot, much of McCloud's gameplay over the years has revolved around his use of an Arwing.

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Presented as a courageous leader to the Star Fox team, McCloud is a gutsy, heroic figure who frequently pulls out all the stops to overcome menacing adversity. While having a talking fox fly a spaceship sounds absurd at a glance, the character's charm, surprisingly dark origin story, and commitment to the good fight quickly established him as one of the SNES' most likable protagonists. Subsequent games, including the seminal Nintendo 64 follow-up, only continued to solidify McCloud as a dependable fan-favorite for the Nintendo brand.

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