I remember my spoiled brat of a cousin got one before me and I was pissed. I got one for my birthday, along with Super Mario Bros and Pro Wrestling (Starman was the best, with his flying X chop and flip kick). One day I rented Punch out and me, my brother and my father stayed up until about 3 am to play it. My thumbs were calloused to no end.
I remembering subscribing to Nintendo Power to get all the hints, clues, secrets, etc. and to get the scoop on all the new upcoming games, which was really the only way seeing this was way before the internet's time.
Some of favorite games included all the SMB, Mega Man, Contra, Castlevania, Tecmo Bowl...all the classics. Never was a big fan of Zelda, though.
My sister-in-law stills has her and my wife's from their childhood hooked up at her mom's house and I still play it every once in a while. Goo stuff.