Help with must play games for 3ds...What do I need?

About to pick up a 3ds xl.  I never had a 3ds or a ds and so missed the entire library.  Could anyone suggest games they recommend I not miss? In general, I need to know all the mario, zelda, donkey kong, and other popular games made that are compatible for the 3ds.  Appreciate the help as I haven't had a nintendo system for a long time 

Here are all the games for 2 of the people you mentioned.

----MARIO----

New Super Mario Bros 2

Super Mario 3D Land

Mario and Luigi Dream Team

Mario Kart 7

Mario Party: Island Tour

Mario Golf: World Tour

Mario Tennis Open

Paper Mario Sticker Star

Luigi's Mansion Dark Moon

----ZELDA----

Ocarina of Time 3D

Majora's Mask 3D

A Link Between Worlds

Will do others soon.

Some other Popular titles for 3ds

Yoshi New Island
DK country Returns
Pokemon x/y
Animal Crossing New Leaf
Super Smash Bros
Kirby Triple Deluxe
Star fox 64
Resident Evil Revelations
Fire Emblem Awakening
Kid Icarus uprising
Monster Hunter 3
Tomodachi Life


 

thank you guys

If you enjoy role playing games, try Square Enix's (Squaresoft) big hit Bravely Default.

Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story is a DS game but it's a great RPG. I put over 100 hours into it, seriously.

Other games for the DS and 3DS not mentioned above are the Professor Layton series along with Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney.

Some good download only games, from the Nintendo eShop, are Steamworld Dig and Gunvolt Striker.

Metroid Prime Hunters is a 3DS game that doesn't get enough credit as well.