LogFAQs > #978800105

As much fun as I had with Double Dash back in the day, I can recognize that the whole character-specific item system was a bit of a mess, balance-wise (and Mario Kart balance is already a hot mess). Pretty much every match with friends turned into a mad (double) dash to grab one each of Koopa/Paratroopa and baby Mario/Luigi because the triple shell/chain chomp pair was so good (one of the few items that's still useful in higher positions, and one of the best items for catching up while further behind), and whoever didn't get that pair was distinctly disadvantaged in a really annoying way. Other than that, 8 Deluxe offers the strategic considerations of being able to hold two items, so that isn't missing, it just doesn't have the aesthetic gimmick of having two characters. That means all the good aspects of the double-item system have been preserved and the main problems removed, which I'd say is a good thing.

I think DS remains my favourite for how the driving mechanics felt, but 8 is a close second (with the added benefit of offering couch multiplayer). With the second-best driving mechanics in the series, all the good things about Double Dash's cool item system without the drawbacks, and by far the best stage variety (some are better than others, but at roughly the same ratio of good:bad as other entries have, and just with way more options), I don't really hesitate to call 8 the best MK game.