Super Nintendo · RPG
Shin Megami Tensei
Certified classic
| System | Super Nintendo |
|---|---|
| Released | 1992 |
| Genre | RPG |
| Developer | Atlus |
| Publisher | Atlus |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | Epic journey (20+ hours of adventure) |
| Series | Megami Tensei |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 13 |
Developed by Atlus, Shin Megami Tensei arrived on the Super Nintendo in 1992 as a role-playing game.
It came out in the SNES's second year on the market. Other notable SNES releases from 1992 include The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Super Mario Kart and Final Fantasy V. Among the 100 SNES RPGs in our database, it ranks #19 by legacy score.
It is part of the Megami Tensei series; on the SNES you can also try Shin Megami Tensei If… and Shin Megami Tensei II. The series also appears on other systems with Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor (DS) and Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey (DS). Atlus also made GP-1, GP-1: Part II and Power Instinct for the SNES.
This is a solo experience: one player, no waiting on anyone else.
Pick it if…
- you want to get lost in a long quest
- you have time for an epic journey (20+ hours of adventure)
- you want to experience one of the SNES's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you want instant action rather than menus, story and grinding
- you are looking for something to play with friends
- you only have a few minutes at a time
What playing Shin Megami Tensei is like
Role-playing games trade reflexes for strategy and story. You build a party, level up, manage equipment and travel across a large world, usually through menu-based battles.
Tip for newcomers: Retro RPGs can require some level grinding and rarely tell you exactly where to go next. Talk to every townsperson, save often and use a guide if you get stuck: there is no shame in it.
Shin Megami Tensei cheats & codes
280 codes on file (Game Genie, Pro Action Replay). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Have Enough Pts. To Max Out Characters | C4C3-CF03 |
|---|---|
| Ignore Distributable Points | DD6B-D7D5 |
| Max Level, Experience Points In 1 Battle | D9A8-6DD9 |
| Buy Or Sell An Item To Get Maximum Money | DCBC-A78E |
| Win A Battle With Low Magnetite To Get Maximum Magnetite | D9AB-ADA9 |
| Magnetite Isn't Drained While Demons Are Summoned | BAA9-0467 |
Shin Megami Tensei walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Shin Megami Tensei.
If you like Shin Megami Tensei, the Matrix also picks…
Chrono Trigger Classic
Final Fantasy IV Classic Co-op
Final Fantasy VI Classic Co-op
Final Fantasy V Classic Co-op
Playing SNES games today
The SNES library has aged exceptionally well, especially its RPGs, platformers and puzzle games. A large selection is available on Nintendo Switch Online, and if you own the cartridges you can play your backups in an emulator such as Rec0m88, including online with friends.
Shin Megami Tensei FAQ
When did Shin Megami Tensei come out on the SNES?
Shin Megami Tensei was released for the Super Nintendo in 1992.
Who made Shin Megami Tensei?
It was developed by Atlus.
Is Shin Megami Tensei multiplayer?
No. Shin Megami Tensei is a single-player game.
How long does Shin Megami Tensei take to play?
As a role-playing game, Shin Megami Tensei typically falls into the "Epic journey" category: 20+ hours of adventure. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Shin Megami Tensei on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.