I've never actually sat down and seriously played a Mario, Zelda or Metroid.

[Freya]

BoB, I knew something was wrong with you. It all makes perfect sense now

[Psychotic]

I've only played the original NES Zelda and Mario because EoFF made me.

Jolly good fun they were too.

[Wolf Kanno]

I actually feel Link to the Past is a good start for Zelda since it's basically the bridge between the 3D Zelda's but still pertains elements of classic Zelda. I feel it's the most user friendly entry that still gives you a good idea concerning the whole franchise.

Mario I feel really should begin with Super Mario Bros. because it still incredibly fun despite it's simplicity. Definetly play this franchise in order.

Metroid has not fared as well as the other two. The first was incredibly novel and incredibly annoying if you didn't know what you were doing. Most people forget about Metroid II on account of it being for the GameBoy and Super Metroid is considered to be the best entry that follows the series formula. Metroid Fusion isn't a bad entry either if a bit more story heavy than fans are used to, not to mention it basically feels like a watered down version of Super Metroid. Metroid Prime Trilogy gets a lot of praise from fans but remains a bit divisive since it was a bit of a radical departure for the franchise but at the same time kind of revived franchise since it took a major hiatus in the last half of the 90s.

[Colonel Angus]

Here's a "top" 5 list for NES & SNES you should play, one for Nintendo brand games, and another for 3rd party (I'll omit FFs).

NES-Nintendo
Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Bros. 3
Legend of Zelda
Metroid
Super Mario Bros. 2

NES-3rd Party
Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse
Ducktales (Woo Hoo)
Chip & Dale's Rescue Rangers
Super C
Contra

SNES-Nintendo
Super Mario World
Zelda: A Link to the Past
Super Metroid
Super Mario RPG
Yoshi's Island

SNES-3rd Party
Super Castlevania IV
Mortal Kombat II
Street Fighter II Turbo
Magical Quest Starring Mickey Mouse
Robocop vs. Terminator

[Loony BoB]

Is that the same Duck Tales game that was out on the PC in the 90's or so? Because I totally played that.

EDIT: Also played Robocop vs. Terminator and Mortal Kombat II on SEGA systems.

[Colonel Angus]

Is that the same Duck Tales game that was out on the PC in the 90's or so? Because I totally played that.

EDIT: Also played Robocop vs. Terminator and Mortal Kombat II on SEGA systems.

No, I don't think so. This is a side scroller. It was HD remastered last year & that version is on every system & Steam.

[Dat Matt]

Zelda

Reference for my Avatar/Sig

[Del Murder]

BoB, I knew something was wrong with you. It all makes perfect sense now

Coming to post exactly this.

[Dat Matt]

I'd recommend playing Super Mario World, Link to the Past and Metroid Fusion. SMW and LTTP were both remade on the GBA so you can get a GBA emulator and get them from CoolROMs or something.

I would recommend other games like Wind Waker and Mario Galazy, but they are harder to emulate.

[Aulayna]

BoB I am sorry but we can no longer be friends until you rectify this.

This is the greatest travesty in the history of everything.

[Ayen]

I second Super Mario RPG. You can check out my review of it on the frontsite if you'd like to learn more.

I also have reviews of Super Mario Brothers, Luigi's Mansion, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Metroid Fusion, and Metroid Prime if you're interested in any of those. Granted, the Mario Brothers review is more of a compare and contrast with the first Sonic game, but still.

Yes, I'm shamelessly self promoting myself.

[Scotty_ffgamer]

I've always felt that Super Mario World or Mario 3 would be the best to get into the 2D style Mario games. I'm always flip flopping between which I like better, but they are both brilliant. The original is a great platformer, but the other two are better games. Between all 3 franchises, I feel like this is the best place to start just because it's very easy to pick up and play and have fun even if you only have a few minutes to play something.

With Zelda, I do feel like Ocarina Time is a great start. It has its detractors here, and that's probably partially due to how overblown the love for the game is. It's great fun though. Otherwise, A Link to the Past is a good starting point based on what others have said. I've not played it.

Metroid I have little experience with. I've only played the original, and it's pretty easy to get lost in that game or to not know where to go. Super Metroid is pretty much universally acclaimed though, and it's probably a good place to start. Based on the first game alone, this is the hardest of the franchises to get into for me. That could very well be different if I played Super Metroid or Metroid Prime though,

[Ayen]

I'd recommend Zero Mission, personally. It's basically a remake of the first game with Super Metroid-like gameplay.

[Sephex]

If it helps, BoB, Nintendo believes soup is a drink.

[escobert]

I'm not a metroid or mario fan but, Zelda is definitely worth a play. The first and A Link To The Past are super fun and great games.