STOP! Goemon time.
What's your favorite stage? Your favorite character? Your favorite song? Your favorite game?
For those not in the know, the Ganbare Goemon series of games puts you in the starring role as Goemon who is essentially a Japanese Robin Hood, along with his friends in Edo period Japan. It's a self-aware comedic game series full of platformers, zelda-style adventure games, and lots of funky up-beat tunes, superb level design and comedy which mocks contemporary Japan, historical Japan, and Westerners perception of Japan. It's the kind of series you can sort-of get into anywhere, but it's recommended you start with the N64 or super nintendo games. They're pretty much all great and fun to play.
Chances are you've also played games by the game's director, Ebisu-san before - he left Konami years ago and has his own studio called Good Feel who works closely with Nintendo. His studio is responsible for Wario Land 4, Yoshi's Wooly World and Kirby's Epic Yarn. Games with some mixed reception here and there, and generally considered too easy, but if you liked the little touches and yearn for a bit more challenge you can find that in the Goemon games!