18. Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins (Game Boy)

Building on the success of the first Super Mario Land, 6 Golden Coins carved out a cult-classic niche for itself by living halfway between all-time greats Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World and introducing flatulent bad boy Wario to the world. A much more sophisticated affair than its predecessor, you can now roam a world map, scroll in all directions, and occasionally find secret exits that unlock hidden levels.

Mario Land 2 oozes personality from top to bottom, with memorable overworld maps and detailed sprites, including Wario’s own imposing and garish figure. Rather than just feel like a fun but inferior approximation of the console 2D Super Mario experience, Nintendo R&D1’s 6 Golden Coins feels like the series reflected through Alice in Wonderland’s looking glass, complete with a unique musical soundtrack and rewardingly goofy boss fights. — Ethan Gach

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