Mario Kart Review (3/8)
An underrated pick
I'll be quick with this one. This is indeed underrated, maybe because it didn't made comercial sucess at the time like other Mario Kart Games, but also, is not an extraordinary experience, although it had pretty much everything to be a great mario kart.
This one is pretty straight forward with its intentions. It is trying to be an reimagination of the first Mario Kart but more polished and well rounded, and in this sense, partially achieves its goal, and also do some interesting things, but is held back by some flaws.
The biggest of its flaws is the Handling. It always feels as the track is covered in ice, and you will be sliding in the track. Is not as bad if you know how to play, slowing down and getting right in the curves and the racing lines, but even when you do this, while the game feels way better to play, is not 100% good, and you will often loose total control even when you did not commit any mistake.
And this way of handling, reminiscent of the first game, ties into another flaw of the game, it lacks dynamism and speed. The game is already slow and you have to slow down in every turn, slowing down the game even more.
Aside from that the game is really tight. Is a gorgeous game, the art in the background was a great addition, the karts are all pretty and the racers models too. This was by far the most balanced Mario Kart at the release time, the items were changed and now do a little bit more a regulatory function, the rubber band AI is reasonable and the retro tracks are cool and the level design is superb. The layouts are far more complex than we've seen in both SMK and MK64, with a lot of interesting turns and possible speed boosts and fun stuff to do. "Ribbon Road" and "Sky Garden" are personal favorites and this game "Rainbow Road" is one of the best in the series, with all the improvisation spots and wild jumps you can do.
My polemic opinion is that this was, at the time of release, the best Mario Kart game. Although not the greatest of racing games, this was pointing out for a more well rounded MK experience and is often overlooked by the fans.
An underrated pick
I'll be quick with this one. This is indeed underrated, maybe because it didn't made comercial sucess at the time like other Mario Kart Games, but also, is not an extraordinary experience, although it had pretty much everything to be a great mario kart.
This one is pretty straight forward with its intentions. It is trying to be an reimagination of the first Mario Kart but more polished and well rounded, and in this sense, partially achieves its goal, and also do some interesting things, but is held back by some flaws.
The biggest of its flaws is the Handling. It always feels as the track is covered in ice, and you will be sliding in the track. Is not as bad if you know how to play, slowing down and getting right in the curves and the racing lines, but even when you do this, while the game feels way better to play, is not 100% good, and you will often loose total control even when you did not commit any mistake.
And this way of handling, reminiscent of the first game, ties into another flaw of the game, it lacks dynamism and speed. The game is already slow and you have to slow down in every turn, slowing down the game even more.
Aside from that the game is really tight. Is a gorgeous game, the art in the background was a great addition, the karts are all pretty and the racers models too. This was by far the most balanced Mario Kart at the release time, the items were changed and now do a little bit more a regulatory function, the rubber band AI is reasonable and the retro tracks are cool and the level design is superb. The layouts are far more complex than we've seen in both SMK and MK64, with a lot of interesting turns and possible speed boosts and fun stuff to do. "Ribbon Road" and "Sky Garden" are personal favorites and this game "Rainbow Road" is one of the best in the series, with all the improvisation spots and wild jumps you can do.
My polemic opinion is that this was, at the time of release, the best Mario Kart game. Although not the greatest of racing games, this was pointing out for a more well rounded MK experience and is often overlooked by the fans.