There may be a tinge of nostalgia speaking here but this is still my favorite Mario Kart game and my second favorite cart racing game (after Diddy Kong Racing of course).
As much as I enjoyed Super Mario Kart, this follow up is an improvement in every way. With the N64 being capable of 3-D graphics, the developers took full advantage. These tracks look amazing. While the graphics may have dated, the track designs have not. These designs look larger than life with environments that are extremely memorable and atmospheric. This is enhanced by not having any two tracks that look alike. Each one has their own unique environment and feel as you hop from country roads to big cities to icy slopes to dangerous castles. Not only do these tracks look different from each other but some truly have their own unique challenges. In Yoshi Valley, there are numerous different paths to take and the game does not tell you who is in what spot until the final lap is complete. Toad's Turnpike has you drive down a busy highway heading in the wrong direction. While you are trying to beat the other racers you are also trying to avoid being hit by oncoming traffic. The most diffcult course is Banshee Boardwalk, where the track is very dark and contains lots of places you could fall off. You have to drive carefully while still trying to win the race. All of this creates a cart racing game that always feels fresh no matter how many times you play it. In my opinion none of the future Mario Kart games ever matched this one, when it comes to course design. These are the most creative, fun and memorable courses made for any Mario Kart game.
The controls (while not as perfect as in later games) are a lot easier to control than in Super Mario Kart. Though they are not perfect, they very rarely get in the way of the player's enjoyment. The musical scores are fantastic and have stayed with me since childhood (I was still in single digits when this game came out). To this day I can not understand anyone who doesn't like the Rainbow Road theme music.
Speaking of childhood memories, I have great memories of playing the multiplay battle mode with my dad.
This is a masterpiece.
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