Mario Kart is Nintendo's most valuable franchise

[Veknoid_Outcast]

I never thought I'd say it, but Mario Kart might just be more valuable to Nintendo than any other series.

A quick look at the numbers (in millions):

Super Mario Kart: 8.76 (18% attach ratio)	Super Mario World: 20.61 (42% attach ratio)
Mario Kart 64: 9.87 (30% attach ratio)	Super Mario 64: 11.89 (36% attach ratio)
Mario Kart: Double Dash: 6.95 (32% attach ratio)	Super Mario Sunshine: 6.31 (29% attach ratio)
Mario Kart DS: 22.42 (14.5% attach ratio)	New Super Mario Bros.: 29.00 (19% attach ratio)
Mario Kart Wii: 33.38 (33% attach ratio)	New Super Mario Bros. Wii: 26.59 (27% attach ratio)
Mario Kart 7: 7.49 (26.5% attach ratio)	Super Mario 3D Land: 8.03 (28.5% attach ratio)
Mario Kart Wii U: ???	New Super Mario Bros. U: 1.46 (56.5% attach ratio)

I think the shift began during the sixth generation. Obviously both Super Mario and Mario Kart are healthy brands, but I think Mario Kart might be even more healthy. Of course one needs to take into account bundling, advertising, and price, but I think in general Mario Kart is more enticing to consumers than Super Mario. Certainly 3D Mario, and maybe even 2D Mario, which benefits in this table from its renaissance in 2006.

I would add to the table anecdotal evidence, which tells me that Mario Kart is the game that would inspire the most people to bite the bullet and purchase a Wii U.

Thoughts?