Loved it as a kid, but looking back, how on Earth did I deal with this game's design so much? I have such specific memories of clearing everything at 150cc as well as mirror mode, but now I struggle to even get 1st place in most 100cc races. It probably comes from playing the modern titles that have barely changed its core design/mechanics since 2008.
The merge between 2D sprites and 3D venues was done nicely as a smart way to save on resources that didn't feel off-putting in the slightest. I like how much the game calls for precision, it's no wonder this started forming the competitive aspect between players all the way back in the late 90s.
It's just hard to go back to these days. And I wouldn't even say the game aged (I don't believe in that notion), we just became so accustomed to a different kind of design from this same series afterward. Mario Kart 64 has much more in common with its predecessor than it does with all the mainline entries afterward . . . I can still get that giant Rainbow Road shortcut like a champ tho.
The merge between 2D sprites and 3D venues was done nicely as a smart way to save on resources that didn't feel off-putting in the slightest. I like how much the game calls for precision, it's no wonder this started forming the competitive aspect between players all the way back in the late 90s.
It's just hard to go back to these days. And I wouldn't even say the game aged (I don't believe in that notion), we just became so accustomed to a different kind of design from this same series afterward. Mario Kart 64 has much more in common with its predecessor than it does with all the mainline entries afterward . . . I can still get that giant Rainbow Road shortcut like a champ tho.