Right off the bat, I'm sure this probably shocked a lot of people not seeing MK64 at the top, and while MK64 is an incredible experience, Double Dash will always be my favorite of the Mario Kart series. While DD is my favorite most likely due to nostalgia, DD isn't a slacker by any means. I loved the addition of having 2 drivers per kart (bring this back Nintendo!!), the unique weapons depending on driver, and the fun, colorful and vibrant tracks. The battle mode was also a lot of fun and offered a few more modes than the traditional balloon battle.

Favorite Tracks: Daisy Cruiser, Yoshi Circut, Dino Dino Jungle

Characters I use: Paratroopa and Diddy Kong

It was Mario Kart Wii and Mario Kart DS that began Mario Kart's online renaissance, but it was MK8 that proved Nintendo has the ability to make a solid online experience (when it wants to). While the online isn't perfect (no voice chat, no party play), it is the online that made this game so addicting and fun. The control is super tight (probably my favorite control/feel of all the Mario Karts...it just feels so smooth and natural) and Nintendo even smartly integrated DLC into the game. I never thought another Mario Kart would surpass Double Dash as my personal favorite, but MK8 is about as close as it gets. The only knock on this game would be the battle modes...it's pretty weak when compared to the other entries.

Favorite Tracks: Sunshine Airport, Toad Harbor, Mount Wario

Characters I use: Roy, Link

While Super Mario Kart put arcade racers on the map, it was Mario Kart 64 that revolutionized the genre and basically made it what it is today. MK64 is, without a doubt, a Nintendo masterpiece. It is still played to this day by many gamers both young and old. If you have not played this game, I highly recommend it and enjoy a game that created the standard for what a kart racer should be.

Favorite Tracks: Sherbert Land, Koopa Troopa Beach, Rainbow Road

Character I use: Toad, Luigi

Coming in at #4 on this list is the fantastic handheld experience of MK7. You can definitely see the groundwork that this game layed for Mario Kart 8. So many features from MK7 were later implemented into MK8, including a great multiplayer experience, customizable vehicles, and having your vehicles transform depending on terrain. I had so many fun experiences playing this with other 3DS users in the same room as well as playing online. The online features, while pretty bare-boned, found matches quickly and ran without issue.

Favorite Tracks: Wuhu Loop, Daisy Hills, Music Park

Characters I use: Lakitu, Mii

Mario Kart Wii could easily be higher on this list for me. But all the Mario Karts are so good and have each produced a unique experience for me, that even though MK Wii is #5, that isn't a bad thing. I absolutely loved my experience with this game. Mario Kart Wii holds some of my favorite Mario Kart courses and some that I feel are the best in the series. This entry also introduced motion controls, bikes, and featured online play as well. In fact, this is the first console game I ever played online!! I have such great memories of playing this game online with my then girlfriend (now wife) and two of my best friends while we were in college. It makes me sad that Nintendo has since removed the online portion of this fantastic game :(

Favorite Tracks: Coconut Mall, Maple Treeway, Koopa Cape

Characters I use: Rosalina, Funky Kong

Mario Kart DS would probably be higher on this list if I had actually played it when it came out. Unfortunately, I did not own and play this game until after I had played the much better looking Mario Kart 7. That being said, I still had a blast playing this with my brother-in-law with the unique feature of the DS that let you play this game in the same room as a friend with one game card (MK7 has the same feature). The feature that really made this title stand out was it's single player missions. Those were a blast to play and really shook things up from the standard race, race, and more racing. MK DS also had online, but I never experienced it so I can't really comment on how it played.

Favorite Tracks: Delfino Square, Waluigi Pinball, DK Pass

Characters I use: Dry Bones

The game that started it all, Super Mario Kart is a classic that paved the way for so many great Kart racing games, not just Mario Karts. For that reason alone, this game should be regarded highly. While I don't feel the game has aged particularly well (my very humble opinion) and I don't particularly care for how the game controls, I do remember seeing this game when it came out and watching my cousins play it (I would have been 3 or 4) and being completely engrossed and mesmerized. I actually just recently played this with a buddy recently and we had a fun time attempting battle mode and trying to beat 150cc on the Special Cup (I beat Rainbow Road on the VERY last attempt by under half a second). I do really enjoy the soundtrack to this game as well! This game deserves to be in your collection just out of respect for all it has done for the genre.

Favorite Tracks: Rainbow Road, Ghost Valley 3, Bowser Castle 3

Characters I use: Koopa

And finally, Mario Kart Super Circuit. This is actually the game I have played the least amount, thus it is on the bottom of this list. I didn't have a Game Boy Advance growing up and actually only got this game for free as part of the 3DS ambassador program. While graphically impressive for the time and system, I just couldn't find myself being engrossed after playing all of the other amazing Mario Karts up to that point. As with MK DS, I'm sure for the time when it was released, this game was a technical marvel. The game plays absolutely great, control is fine, and it is everything you would expect out of a GBA Mario Kart, I just played it too late for it to hold a magical place in my heart.

Favorite Tracks: Ribbon Road, Snow Land, Lakeside Park

Characters I use: Toad, Luigi