The SNES was filled to the brim with incredible RPGs, yet one of the best titles from one of the most legendary RPG companies of the era has remained trapped in relative obscurity. Perhaps the newly unveiled re-release for Terranigma on modern systems, highlighted in last night’s Pixel Arcadia showcase, will finally amend that.
Critically lauded as one of the best action RPGs on the console, Terranigma is less widely known than other SNES classics by Quintet like ActRaiser and Illusion of Gaia, in part thanks to a release late in the lifespan of the console and the fact that it was never made available in North America. A new port from Clear River Games on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC will be the first time the game has been officially released outside of Japan, Europe, and Australia.
With so many people yet to play the game, it’s perhaps reassuring to know that Terranigma – Rebirth, as it’s billed, isn’t a remake or reimagining of the original title, but instead an accessible rerelease with a few quality-of-life features added to assist modern players. Some stats can be made permanently visible in the blank space outside of the original 4:3 aspect ratio of the game, while yet-to-be-revealed bonus features might provide something new for returning aficionados to look forward to.
Otherwise, based on the above trailer, the real-time action and adventure of the original game remain relatively untouched. Manga artist Kamui Fujiwara, who provided character designs for the original game, has also drawn new key art for Rebirth‘s release. Despite renewed interest in retro gaming in recent years and more ways that classic titles are being repackaged and made available on modern platforms, there remains a wealth of titles yet to be rediscovered, and Terranigma is one of many games that could benefit from the fresh perspective a rerelease such as this can provide.
The game is planned for release in 2027 for Switch, Switch 2, PS4, PS5, Xbox, and PC. With the preservation of disc-based media a hot topic on many people’s minds, the fact that the game is being published by Limited Run Games (according to the game’s Steam page) might even ensure this title gets a physical release in North America and other regions before it’s all too late. We’ll have to wait and see on that, though.