Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES, 1990)
Ah,
SMB 3. What can be said that hasn't already been said? In many ways, this classic masterpiece represents the absolute pinnacle of what Mario is all about. Wonderful graphics and music, perfect gameplay, and innumerable secrets to be discovered all made
SMB 3 a joy to play and play and play again. Mario could fly! He could slide down slopes, pick up and toss Koopa shells, and store items for later use. He could turn into a Hammer Brother, for pete's sake! And how fun was riding around in Kuribo's Shoe, stomping Spinys and Piranha Plants with impunity? Not to mention that Bowser had war machines and Buzzy Beetles could walk on the ceiling. The seven Koopalings made their first appearance here, along with several other enemy characters who would go on to become big parts of the Mario universe, including Thwomp, Dry Bones, Boo, and Chain Chomp.
Truly one of Mario's all-time highs.