#25:Super Mario Bros. 3 (half-way through!!!)

A huge step forward from the original and Lost Levels, Super Mario Bros. 3 is 2D platforming at its best. Tight controls, great level design, a new world map, mini-bosses, hidden secrets, the introduction of Bowser's children (who might not be his after all), a stash of items for hard times, SMB3 brought so much to the series. All of that and it's also really really fun to play! I also would really love to have seen the brainstorm that resulted in a leaf turning Mario into a raccoon that can fly.

Indeed it is! And you certainly have something to look forward to then.

#24: Secret of Mana

I'm of course talking about the SNES version that actually looks good and not recent remake that gives me nightmares. Probably my first Action RPG, the mix of actually controlling my attacks while at the same time managing health, mana, levels, experience points was a revelation back then. Pretty much everything can be levelled up in this game: your characters, your weapons, your spells. I particularly like how at max level the spells will randomly change animation completely and be much stronger. Changing up your attack to unleash a devastating super attack might not be the most efficient way to dispatch enemies but there's some cool combos to perform that way. This is another title in my list that is blessed with an amazing soundtrack, I'm listening to it now!

#23:Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

Might as well get this out of the way: yet another game with a superb soundtrack! This is also a landmark game that introduced the term Metroidvania to the world. A complete overhaul of what the series was, a mix of Metroid, RPG elements and classic Castlevania created a tremendously enjoyable game and a new genre. You play as Alucard, son of Dracula who pushes the son rebelling against his father trope to the extreme. As you make your way across daddy's castle, you gain experience, new weapons and armor as well as new moves to allow you to progress further. The game is engaging all the way through (yes I liked to upside down castle) and it got me trying to find everything and achieve the best ending.

It's waiting on my shelf at the moment, just need to find the time. 

#22: Super Mario Odyssey

Leave it to Nintendo to reinvent 3D Mario yet again. In Mario Odyssey, you'll visit different Kingdoms in search for Power Moons and while the order you tackle the Kingdom is more or less static, once inside each of them you'll get to explore them any way you want. The brand new mechanic this time around is your magical cap friend Cappy who allows you to possess most enemies you encounter to use their powers to get your new Power Moon.

Cappy also allows Mario to have the most fluid moveset he's ever had. I remember replaying the game from the start after my first clear and the advanced techniques made such a difference in how I tackled certain Power Moons. That's brilliant game design for sure.

Civilization V is incorrect. Though I suppose you do control a civilization.

And yeah, maybe you’ll think of #6.

#21: Donkey Kong Country Returns

After the fantastic Metroid Prime trilogy, I was curious what Retro could bring to the Donkey Kong Country series. They did not disappoint! DKC:R is a blast to play. Great colorful levels, gameplay that's both familiar and new, a great new cast of enemies to face. My favorite part of DKC:R are the K levels you unlock when you manage to collect all the KONG letters in every stage of a world. They are tough as nails and unforgiving but they test your platforming skills in a way few games can. It's so satisfying reaching the end of those levels!

#20: Hollow Knight

This one is for @Veknoid_Outcast .

If there's one recent Metroidvania you have to play to be able to call yourself a true Metroidvania fan, it's definitely this one. It features deceptively simple controls, it can be unforgiving at times with its Souls-like characteristics but it's an adventure worth embarking on. The desolate world you explore is filled with deep lore, the game's boss fights are some of the best I've ever encountered, the game is lengthy, the powers and spells you unlock are well thought out being useful in moving through the environment and in handling your enemies. Oh and the music is excellent as well (another one yes!).

Probably the last clues for 17 and 18

#18
- At the file selection screen, if you slightly misspell a prominent feature of the game, it’ll net you something good.
- For the above, you'll only be using the letters of the buttons on your controller.
- If you want to find everything, you’ll have to opt for the worst possible prize at one point.
- As you conquer each world, the final boss’ stage draws ever closer.
- And the location of the final stage is the same sort of location that you start the following game in.
- A bonus stage hidden within a bonus stage? Pretty sneaky.
- The main overworld is shaped like the head of the character the game is named after.
- If you know where to go at the start of each stage, two levels can be all but skipped in the second world.
- If you find every bonus in a level, the game will let you know!

#17 (incorrect guess - Resident Evil 5)
- More action oriented to its predecessor, this sort of indicated where the franchise it took its cues from was going to head in the future.
- A more linear game, less focus on puzzles, and upgrading your arsenal via points accrued in combat are some other features that differentiate it from its predecessor.
- Features more outside areas than its predecessor - a more natural environment for the variety of enemies you face.
- Unlike its predecessor, it features two playable characters, who you switch back and forth between throughout the game. One of these characters was the playable character in the previous game.
- There’s a few instances of first person action, where you have to defend the vehicle you’re travelling on. It wouldn’t be the last time this franchise dipped its toe into the first person perspective - much like the franchise from the same developer that heavily influenced this series, there was a light gun spin off.
- Uses pre-rendered backdrops, whilst its predecessor utilised 3D environments.
- There hasn't been a new game in this franchise for almost 20 years. Fans hope the IP won't become a fossil of a bygone era.
- The in-game ‘currency’ you earn in combat is known as “extinction points”.

#10
- The two books you find caused a bit of confusion when this game was first released.
- If you fail to save your comrades, the shadow of the final boss will loom large after the credits
- To save one comrade, you must make the right decisions at certain times. To save the other, you need to find three of a certain item to access where they are.

My list so far