It is worth learning, I will admit.
I'd recommend the first five Sonic games (Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic CD, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, and Sonic & Knuckles), as I believe you may greatly enjoy them. One thing I recommend that you do after playing Sonic 2 is play a ROM hack that has Hidden Palace Zone restored, and then play Sonic 3 & Knuckles after you finish Sonic & Knuckles.