Ask HN: How do I make a game?

I know nothing about game development but I'd like to learn/experiment a little bit.

I miss the old school games like Mario World. I don't have the patience for the newer games - too many buttons to press, too much 3d space to get used to and I don't have enough days to complete the tutorials before I can actually play the game. So I'd like to design/create an old school side-scroller type game as hobby/side project.

Problem is I don't know where to start. (Not even sure what questions to ask). I am a software developer so development in general isn't an issue.

Can anyone point me in the right direction or give me some reading material that would help?

Thanks, your help is much appreciated.

Nik