I have played every single Mario Kart game with the exception of the DS version, and this has definitly got to be one of the best Mario Karts yet, this is not suprising considering all Mario Kart games are always really great, but this one definitly stands out and I'll explain why.
Presentation: Mario Kart has never looked so good, this game looks unbelivable, this is definitly one of the wii u's finest looking games, and the amount of variety for each stage is amazing not one track feels the same, and their our definitly some of the best tracks in this series on this game. The soundtrack as if I have to say anything, is amazing and is always amazing. There is so much that could be said when it comes to Mario Kart 8's presentation but all I will leave it at, is that this is one of the most stunning most beautiful Wii U games out their.
Gameplay: I'll start off by naming the new features in Mario Kart 8, First off the characters, First off baby Rosalina, I just don't get this how many characters are they going to make baby forms of? Next Pink Gold Peach which is basically a variation of Metal peach except shes a pinkish goldish color again just why? Did anyone truly want this character? And of course the characters that Nintendo has been shoving down are throat lately, the koopalings. They do all feel different and I do like them but this is all the characters, look I get that there is already a huge roster of Mario characters in the game but come on I wish they would at least make one completely new Mario character in the series, that would be cool. However I'm not going to say this is a big deal considering this really doesn't add anything bad to the game. Next we have new items, first off we got the piranha plant which is... wow a really great unique item, with it you are able to chomp foes near you and when it does, you get a boost because of it, it's a great addition and definitely one of my favorite items in the game. Next the boomerang flower, which is basically a boomerang you throw and it comes back to you, this isn't a great item but It's not terrible either, in fact I'm surprised they haven't made anything like this before, it's still worth an item to get in the game. Next the item that everyone was buzzing about since it's announcement the super horn, in retrospect this really isn't that special of an item if it didn't have that oh so special talent that it has, that talent I am talking about is it's available to destroy a blue shell this isn't going to make the game much more competitive based, however, this is a step in the right direction for that, so that makes me happy, this is a great item and I hope to see this again in many more Mario Kart games. The last and final item is the crazy eight, which while I do like this power up, It's just the seven from mario kart 7, why they are claiming this is a new item is beyond me. You can also use anti gravity in this game this feature is a welcome addition but their isn't a whole of depth to it, don't get me wrong I like it but I hope they add more to it in later installment's if they choose to keep it in the first place. Lets move on to the tracks I will talk about returning tracks also. First Mario Kart stadium, well thats what it is alright the same similar track as it usually is, but that's ok considering they always have this in all of them so this is more of a track for people who don't want to play with any obstacles, it's a good track nothing more. Next we have Water Park, you would be surprised how many tracks have water in them in this one, however this one is still an amazing track it's like the title say a water park and the atmosphere really makes this a memorable track. Next Sweet Sweet Canyon the atmosphere in this level is gorgeous but the track itself is a bit bland, not the best track out their but still a fun one to play. Thwomp ruins, this one is probably one of the best tracks in the game challenging and a great atmosphere to it make this track a joy to play. Next Mario Circuit again it's one of the usual tracks that's in all the Mario karts their isn't a whole lot of obstacles too it but still fun nonetheless. Next Toad Harbor, not a lot to say about this one, this isn't one of my favorite ones in the game but it's still a fun track to race on. Next Twisted Mansion, an amazing track that will give you quite a challenge if you don't know what you are doing it dosent feel like the same old ghost level. Next Shy Guy Falls, One of my favorite tracks in the game, the atmosphere is possibly the best in the game, theirs shortcuts, riding up a waterfall, challenging curves what else could you want. Next Sunshine Airport, it it what the title say it is, an airport, and it's one of the best tracks in the game, there is nothing too special to the track but it's challenging and I just really like this track. Next Dolphin Shoals a water level that has some brilliant underwater atmosphere and is just a really fun level to play through. Next Electrodome even though this has really great atmosphere, I really wasn't a huge fan of this level I can't really say why but it was just alright for me. Next Mount Wario, gee Wario always gets the best tracks doesn't he? This level is basically driving down a snow summit, I love this level, it just feels like an actual race to the bottom and is just a ton of fun. Next Cloudtop Cruise one of the best tracks in the game, its a beanstalk, its a cloud, it's a warship. Who knows what this level is all I can say is I love this level, and not only that but the Mario Galaxy song that is added to it near the end obviously helps its cause out too. Next Bone Dry Dunes not too much to say about this one I didn't care about this one that, but but it's still a decent track to play. Next Bowsers castle, and this is a good track, nothing too special since their in all Mario Kart games, but this one is alright compared to the other ones. Next Rainbow Road, this is possibly the hardest rendition of Rainbow Road yet, and I love, it their our pretty much no walls to save you so you better be ready for this one. Most of the stages in this one are really great and the ones that aren't are not terrible so the majority of all of them are probably worth you purchase alone. Next the returning tracks now. First we have Moo Moo Meadows. This wasn't one of my favorite tracks on the Wii version but for some reason I just love it on this version I don't know what it is, but this is a really fun track and it looks breathtaking. Next Mario Circuit it's Mario Circuit alright. Next Cheep Cheep Beach, not one of my favorite remakes, feels a bit generic. Next Toads Turnpike Their our so much of these levels with cars now I wish they would of chosen a different level over this one. Next Dry Dry Dessert, this is another one I wasn't a huge fan of on the Gamecube I don't hate this level by any means but this is definitely not one of my favorite levels. Next Donut Plains 3 I don't honestly remember a whole lot of this level, but I didn't care for it much either. Next Royal Raceway This is a cool looking track but other then that not much of a memorable one. Next DK Jungle it's a bit early to remake this track isn't it? Come on they should of waited later to make this track, however I still really like this track. Next Wario Stadium not a whole lot to say about this level other then I like it. Next Sherbert Land, this was another Gamecube track I wasn't huge on however this level is still fun to play and I enjoy it. Next Music Park again was it really worth remaking it now? I still love this level though but come on I had just played this level on the 3ds. Next Yoshi Valley, I am so glad they remade this level, this is one of the wackiest levels of all time and I love it this is probably the best remade level. Next Tick Tock Clock nothing too memorable for me this one was just ok for me. Next Ive said it twice and now I'm going to mention that this is the third track in the game that we have played on the last Mario Kart come on I like this track but is it really necessary to remake so many tracks from a game from the previous installment, that lets be honest doesn't need to be remade right now? I guess whatever, Next Grumble Volcano this was definitely a great stage on the Wii version and I love it on this version. Next and finally Rainbow Road from the Nintendo 64 version, this is my favorite Rainbow Road, and I love this track on here, but I do still love the N64 version a little more. I wish they would of made a little better of choices when it comes to remakes but I still enjoy playing these stages and their a fun time.
Overall Mario Kart 8 is just like the other Mario Kart games an addiction to play, their dosen't have to be your favorite stages to play, because it's just a fun time either way. I love this game and while I do wish they did make some changes to the game, I would play this game anytime anywhere, it's so much fun and anyone can have that fun with it. This is a must buy for the Wii U.