Oh man, Super Mario World on SNES—this one's a classic. You start off bouncing on goombas and grabbing power-ups like the cape feather (which, honestly, takes some practice to use right). The overworld map feels huge when you first play, with all those secret exits and alternate paths. I still remember getting stuck on Tubular for way too long as a kid.

The colors pop even now, and that soundtrack? Instantly takes me back. Some of those hidden star roads and special levels are brutal, but in that satisfying "one more try" way. If you've never played it, you're in for a treat.