Mario 64- my favorite game of all time. I remember playing the demo in a Toysrus and was completely wowed. The gameplay, the levels, the music, the graphics, the colors...everything made this game a classic.
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker- Such a great sense of exploration. I never really got into the Zelda series until this game. I absolutely loved traveling the seas, and the music and graphics were breath taking.
Super Mario Bros. 3- 2D platforming perfection. I must have beaten this game a dozen times or so, an instant classic from the getgo.
Super Mario World- Took what worked so well from Mario 3 and added some more. Yoshi was a great addition and the levels were fantastic.
Earthbound- The only game on this list I have not beaten. I absolutely loved this game when I played it. I had it on a ROM and it erased on me when i was on like level 60 and I haven't went back to it since. But I got one of the greatest gaming experiences with the time I had with it. Dialogue, music, characters, graphics...love it all!
Gears of War- Hundreds of hours and many many days and nights playing the multiplayer. No doubt in my mind the game of this generation for me. One of the best feelings in a game is when you pop someones head with a sniper rifle. The 4v4 online matches made everything very personal and very competitive. A lot of trash talking occured.
Super Smash Bros. Melee- A great variety of classic Nintento characters brawling each other. How can it get any better? Fast gameplay and a variety of moves and combos made this game my 7th favorite of all time. Brawl just didn't deliver as much as I thought it would and disappointed me a little bit, but I will never forget the hundred+ hours playing this gem.
"If new things are so great, where have they been the whole time?"
