Dissapointing is below inaccurate to describe this game. There is no way not to enjoy this game!
First the gameplay. It's very hard to get tired of this game. Mario Kart has an addicting feel to it with its combination of creative level design breathtaking soundtracks. It just sucks you right in and let you go. But the single player on the other hand, well, sucked. So you can do time trial, oooooo, I can unlock a few kart colors, woopee. Where's the adventure mode? That's what I look for in a kart racing game (which is why i love CTR). But when your pals are around the fun never ends, period.
The graphics have mixed reactions though. Although the levels some fine with some solid detail, why are the weapons and characters all 2D? That really confused me that Nintendo would work so hard on the whole game except for the characters and kart weapons, Nintendo could have so pulled off making everything look sharp. But they arent ugly to look at and wont spoil the fun... for most of you at least.
The sound is great, whilst including all the characters great, charming voices, enthralling music and unique sounds, your ears wont be bleeding when they adjust to the volume of this game, but singing along to the tunes.
To summarize it all, I'm not quite sure what Gamespot was thinking when reviewing this game, it could not have been so dissapointing considering the fame it has received over the years. A well rounded game like this is sure to please and even addict anyone to pick the banana controller. Although it might be expensive in most stores that you find it, so you should probably just buy it off ebay. It's still worth your money to buy a game so rare as a gem like this one.