A single battlemode stage doesn't outweigh superior online, better balance, higher gameplay depth, etc. MKDS was solid for it's time but I can't see myself ever going back to it.

I think MK8 is slightly better than 7 because 1. No random exclusion of Waluigi (even though we have 4 peahces & marios....) 2. Better courses. 3. DLC.

What's makes them better to ya, besides Dolphin Shoals being one of them of course.

I prefered MKDS to 7..... MK8 is my favourite out of them all.

I disagree. MK8 has better balance because MK7, like MKWii, is overly reliant on items. You can trash 8 for only needing to worry about red shells, but you can trash MK7 for having way too much defense for everything beyond blue shells. You don't even need to worry about triple reds in MK7 when the tail reflects everything back anyway. 

The only flaw with MK8's item system, which I will admit to, is that coins are a bit too prominent as items. However, even 2 coins give you a speed boost due to the coin system. It may not be a perfect system, but the old ways of MK before 8 were FAR from perfect as well, and to act as if that system was even a single bit more balanced is ridiculous to me. You may be more used to MK the way Wii and 7 were, but that doesn't mean it was ever a good thing.

The tracks between both are pretty equal to me, however. But with DLC, MK8 has more of them objectively.

Acceleration in MK7 was dominate. In MK8, it's speed this time. Seems like it's simply switching the pecking order style to me, rather than MK7 being better balanced in weight classes. 

MK8, while not perfect, relies more on skillful driving than MK7. The item system needed to be toned down, and yes, it's not perfect, but it's more than what we had before. 

COOOOOOOOOOOPPPPPPPPPP OOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUTTTTTTTTT! Sorry, but the verdict was kind of a cop out.

8 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 7

7 is a rather poor MK overall

It does. End of discussion ;p

That said I did enjoy MKDS a lot more than MK7 overall. MK7 really just felt like Nintendo were working down a tick list and going through the motions. Had they come out at the same time I might prefer MK7. But comparing my time with MKDS back then to MK7 a couple of years ago DS wins hands down. Just my opinion though. Its why I know MK8 wins for me. Because its the first one since DS where I've not been "meh".

Items are just as prevalent in MK8 as they've ever been, the only thing that's changed is their effect on the game. Instead of helping make comebacks, creating exciting dynamic races like in past games, they mostly just keep you where you are, simplifying races to whoevers in 1st after the first 10 seconds most likely wins, making for a more predictable and boring game.

I've explained how MK7 is very much more balanced in the OP, so feel free to refute my points or give reasons why it's not, as just saying it's not doesn't mean anything by itself. I know the issues MKWii had, most all of which were fixed in MK7, though it has a few things I'd tweak still, but I can still say both games had better balance for the reasons explained already, MK7 moreso of course.

More tracks sure, but those additional tracks still have the same problem of being too straightforward and lacking depth in comparison to MK7's, so gameplay wise they don't change anything. DLC and additional content n updates are an advantage in itself over MK7 though which helped cause the draw.

Also the only thing that can defend against Triple Reds is a triple item of your own, the Tanooki Tail would only delay the inevitable. In that scenario you can hit the brakes and either let them pass to take out those in front like you should always do, or try and hit them with the Tail.

Nope that's my honest opinion! Plus what would I be trying escape from?