It would be a tall order, but I recommend trying to play every core Mario platformer game, chronologically. Most are obviously easily available through emulators, but once you get past Mario 64 and onto the Gamecube era, you may have trouble. There is a Gamecube emulator that I've never tested but I hear it's great, and then there is Wii and WiiU after that. The real trouble is that there are also some great ones on portable systems, but the 3DS is the only one with true "must play" Mario titles.
Later, after lunch, I'll post you a list of what I feel are the must-plays, and which aren't as vital. The reviews you'd read would pretty much match this, because Mario game quality is pretty close to objective. It's damn near mathematical.
The series has been a classic from the 80's, and you'd think Nintendo might lose their touch eventually, but that is not the case, because most of the Mario games from the last 5 or so years have been absolutely phenomenal, and I'm not just talking a few. There was a real Mario renaissance during that time. To be in my late 30's and seeing that franchise from my childhood still being so good, that was a real experience.
I can't say enough good things about the Mario franchise. If those were the only video games that had ever existed, it would be fine. Not just the fun factor, but major creativity and a lot of great challenge as well. Always a new surprise around the corner.
Metroid is another fantastic series, but it had a tougher time staying excellent after the first Gamecube game, Metroid Prime. That one, though, is the best example of first-person POV platforming. Perhaps the only true example (other than the sequels).
Of course the Zelda series gets huge acclaim, but I was never as enthralled by them. I could keep going with Nintendo-only properties, solely because the company kept their focus on games and innovation instead of hardware, which let them remain the single best game developer and publisher.
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