Raz wrote:No. Nether is not an upside. The current version has a MUCH better nether that's slightly less laggy.
It depends what you're looking for in the Nether. I prefer the older versions of the nether too, before fortresses or magma cubes, or blaze rods. I play to build, and my buildings need glowstone, so that was my purpose for the nether. I'm pretty indifferent to all the other stuff, so honestly it's more of a hindrance than something cool I'd want to check out. Meanwhile a more RPG-style person would generally find the potion ingredients and twisting passages much more enjoyable. It's all perspective, and what you want to get out of the experience.
Anyway, my vote is on Beta 1.3. Call me nostalgic, but the map we had during the snapshots leading up to the 1.3 release was hands down the best map ever. The version itself introduced a whole lot of stuff I was excited for, but honestly the changes were kind of a letdown (being basically emeralds, different wood types, and some new redstone toys), so that's not why I'd pick it as the best version. I pick 1.3 because it was the most fun I've ever had in Minecraft. A great map, with great people, on a great game. Since then it's kinda lost its magic.
Gameplay wise, though, my favorite will be the one they fix the lighting in. Or until then, I'd have to agree with Raz, the latest is always more hyped than the older versions.
Also, Raz, is there any chance you happen to still have that world? I'd love to check it out again.