The highpoint of the classic 2D Mario platforming series was it's third game; 'Super Mario Bros. 3'. Almost the best 2D platformer in general, every aspect from the tight controls to the precise level-design is so polished that it could barely be any better. Gameplay was tweaked in subsequent ports, but even in it's original release on the Nintendo Entertainment System, control over Mario was so tight, so natural, it might just be the most fluent game you'll ever play.
The smooth gameplay and control is of course just a supplement to the main course, which is the level-design and it's gameplay mechanics like the power-ups and enemy design. All top quality here, and the cleverness of the levels is what makes the game stand out most. The original release is a challenging game, harder than your average new game even though it wasn't anything special back then. The game also has an overworld map with bonuses and extra paths to be found. A feature that would sadly depart from the series after this game's successor, for a very long time. The Super Nintendo release included a save feature and improved graphics.
The game introduced many locales and gameplay elements that would become a mainstay in the rest of the series and I personally remember this Mario game to be the one that mostly resonates with my young gaming life. On NES, me and my cousin used to play either 'Duck Hunt', the black-box 'Soccer', or this.
