A fantastic racing game with no rules.
The graphics, while not the best on the Gamecube, are still pretty good in my opinion, and much better than they need to be for a game like this where the sole purpose is chaos and fun. Its also a huge step up from Mario Kart 64's graphics, but I'm sure we were all expecting that given the jump in console generations. The game also hold a very steady frame rate without any slowdown that I noticed.
The soundtrack is fun and upbeat. Its not amazing, heartfelt, intense, or moving, but it fits its role nicely and gets the job done. I don't know if I'd want much more from a soundtrack of a game like this.
As always with the Mario Kart series, game play is key. Double Dash brings back the winning formula of previous games in the series and throws in a twist, you now have a partner. In my opinion the partner doesn't really add that much but I guess its something that mixes it up a bit and makes it different from other games in the series. There's a whole bunch of new maps, some rival the best in the series so far, while others are kind of dismal by comparison. There's some new items now too, as well as special ones only certain characters can use. There's more characters and way more karts now as well. The multi-player is the highlight, you and your friends will have a blast. The only other thing I could ask for as a game-play improvement is online play.
Mario Kart won't give you the best simulation experience ever. Nor will it provide you with cutting edge graphics. But I can promise it will be the most fun you've had with a racing game, and even more so when friends are involved.