My most fave game in the series is no doubt the very first one on SNES. I am not saying it's the best. Just I love it the most.
Yes you guessed it,nostalgia. Thing is it doesn't just make me nostalgic for the game but the SNES period. So like a giddy school girl any time I see the SNES tracks in the Retro tracks I am 9 years old again. I mean I got 3d World just to play the MK level! How crazy is that! I just LOVE this song. Takes me back every time.
Mario Kart 64 is my second fave in the series. This one maybe dated now and a bit unbalanced. Still a nostalgia thing and back in 1997 like Mario 64 the year before seeing Mario Kart in 3d was truly mind blowing. The tracks were great and man did me and my friends play this on a regular basis. We did all Grand Prix and Mirror tracks. Then as a great friend he gave me his copy. Same copy I have today. I also feel this has the best Rainbow Road ever. Just one nerds opinion.
Surprisingly not an old game this round. I felt a disconnect last few Mario Kart games and felt they were going threw the motions and kinda lazy and added little to the series. They got stale for me. Mario Kart 8 does just enough to make me love the series again. HD helps and pretty visuals help. What really gets it is the tracks. Some of the best in the series I believe. They balanced the bikes. Anti gravity is cool. Not useful but cool. One of the biggest reasons this game seems improved esp since MK7 is they borrowed from Sonic Racing Transformed (which took from MK7 lol) they used the Horn item. More elaborate courses and transitional music during the race. Oh and the DLC is fantastic.
Small mention to Super Circuit on GBA. I just love the game even tho most don't.