Of all the game series' that are out there, two of my personal favorites are the Mario games, as well as the Legend of Zelda games. Here are a few reasons why every gamer should have these games in their closet.
1. Their lifespans
Each of these series' has been around for at least 20 years, if not more. Not many game creators are able to take one single idea and make it survive for that long, so that itself is a feat on its own.
2. Various paths
In every game, there is one major point: to rescue a princess. Whether you're trying to save Princess Peach or Princess Zelda, the main character has to go on a pretty windy path. But in every game there is a completely different path for the player than in the last game, and to me that's completely incredible.
3. A love for adventure
For most gamers, the aim of playing is to go on an incredible fictional adventure. Whether you're riding horseback across a field or traveling through pipes across vast distances, there is always a new adventure to be found in these games. Mario and Link are always coming across (and overcoming) various obstacles and bad guys, which makes for a very adventurous experience.
4. Minigames
In each of these games, there are almost always minigames or some other kind of activity. In the Mario games, there is often a chef that you can bring ingredients to. In the Legend of Zelda games, you could do anything from kayaking down a river to fishing in a lake to shooting at targets. In these games, the possibilities for fun are endless.
5. Characters
In such games, there are always a new and interesting character around the corner. If you consider Paper Mario and the Thousand Year Door, which is my personal favorite of the Mario games, there are so many interesting characters that you'll get to know. Whether it's the dramatic mind of Flurrie or the sarcastic and sassy nature of your Yoshi friend, you will always have a favorite character in these games.
In these particular games, everybody has a place. You don't have to be good at action games, because you move at your own pace. You don't have to be able to remember things, because there are always reminders. No matter what kind of gamer you are, you'll enjoy one, if not all, of the Mario and Zelda games.
