Mario Kart 8 did not revolutionize the series. Instead, it offered several enhancements that made the game an even more enjoyable game than it’s predecessors.

It’s still the same old Mario Kart game, but it adds some fun new items, such as the super horn, that are fun to use on each track. Underwater and paragliding returns from Mario Kart 7, but the showpiece are the anti-gravity sections that take players upside down and all around. These aren’t revolutionary, , but they’re fun diversions that are fun to experience.

The thing that stood out the most for me is the overall presentation. Obviously, the transition from the Wii to the Wii U is a big one, and Nintendo added enough bells and whistles to make the game stand out from its Wii counterpart. The game looks simply gorgeous in HD, with each track looking absolutely fantastic. Musically, it is truly one of the best on the Wii U. The live recorded soundtrack is awesome, with each song being a memorable romp as you race each track in the game. The retro tracks, going as far back as Donut Plains 3 from Super Mario Kart are given new life here, not only with a HD makeover but a completely new sound as well. It was awesome getting to relive Rainbow Road from Mario Kart 64 in a completely new aesthetic that made the experience a grand one.

The game isn’t perfect. Again, there’s nothing completely new here aside from a few new tracks and a glossier, updated presentation. And battle mode is pretty bad, with custom courses replaced with regular tracks that make it not very fun at all. But the core gameplay remains fun, and with a robust online experience as well as tons of upcoming DLC, Mario Kart 8 continues to remain true to the series by being a fun experience, and one of the best racing games of this generation. After all, it brought us the Luigi Death Stare meme. Who could ever forget that?