Everyone assumed that this would be the generation that Nintendo would get serious about online gaming, after having a non-existent strategy last generation. This decision is so frustrating, and impossible to understand...I think Nintendo is just lazy, that's the only excuse I can come up with. They don't want to open young kids up to the kind of adult-talk that can go on during online games, and they're too lazy to implement some parental control functionality to address this issue, so they just cripple their online support and we all suffer.
Online mario kart with no ability to communicate will feel no different than playing against AI...except some of the AI will be better than average, some will be worse, and some may even take advantage of exploits (i.e. snaking) if there are such to be had in the game, but overall it will feel empty and pointless just like it did on the DS. Usually, with a new console generation, you can expect something fresh with the new version of your favorite classics....whether it's with shiny new graphics, or new or improved online functionality..what do we have to look forward to for this game?? A crippled online? Last-gen graphics? A plastic wheel for steering which will undoubtedly be inferior to using the classic or gamecube controller? I'm sorry, but just getting a set of new tracks and a couple of bikes is not enough to get me excited for this game, and it shouldn't be for you either...we need to demand more.
The main problem I see is that of course this game will sell well, as is Smash Bros, and Nintendo will think "See! Online doesn't matter...we can be lazy and put out basically version 1.5 of our GameCube games and just watch the profits roll in! We don't have to listen to all of these 'hardcore' gamers who keep complaining about this and that, what do they know???" Well, I'm getting sick of their arrogance and am frustrated that there's nothing I can do about it.