I would definately prioritizing playing something you've never tried before, as you'll have time to settle in and really get to know it. Some good options that I think have aged well:

NES:

Kirby's Adventure

Zelda 1

GB:

Link's Awakening

Super Mario Land 2 (try the DX version)

GBA:

Advance Wars (any of them)

Metroid Zero Mission

SNES:

A Link to the Past

Super Mario All-Stars (the remastered version of Super Mario 3 is in here)

You might get pretty far through Super Metroid. A plane ride without distractions might be the right frame of mind to do some of the required exploration.

If you like RPGs, there are a gazillion great ones

Don't disregard Sega console stuff. The Genesis had some frantic gameplay and spritework:

Gunstar Heroes

Thunder Force IV

Sonic 3 & Knuckles (best to play the Sonic 3 Complete romhack)

Castlevania - Bloodlines