I think I'll get Wizardry 6-7 next time their is a sale, and I was wondering how mapping works. Will I have to pull out the ol' gridpaper and go Might and Magic 2 on it? Or does it have an auto-mapping function.
Also, which game do you think is best out of 6-8?

You will need to map Wizardry 6 as there is no auto-mapping. Wizardry 7 has auto-mapping once you find a particular item (or some imported characters from 6 may include one). Check out Grid Cartographer for a very nice mapping program designed for mapping Might & Magic and Wizardry style games. It also works well for games like Dungeon Master and Legend of Grimrock, and well worth the modest asking price. =)

As for which one is better, that's pretty subjective, of course. My favorite is probably 8, but it's the only one I hadn't played until just before getting the game on GOG (a friend had given me the CDs when he was clearing out some old stuff a while back). Before that, I would have said 7 due to the improvements in the gameplay over 6. But I played the crap out of 6 on the Amiga (with no hard drive, so it was all running from floppies) and still have the physical cluebook. =)

Flynn

Hard call between 6 and 7 because of the difference in focus, but I have to go with say 7, for its somewhat improved gameplay, much improved visuals and interface, and broader scope. I didn't like 8 as much because of its more restrictive class and skill mechanics and constant, lengthy battles, among other things.

In Wizardry 6 you can use the spell Wizard's Eye (mental spells category), which displays the surrounding area with 3-5 square radius, depending on power level. Something like minimap.

In Wizardry 7 there is also map in game mechanic as Map Kit inventory item in combination with Mapping skill for one of your party member. Nice example how to automap working in the game.
In Wizardry Gold there is automap always wisible in small window - bad choice for gameplay...