I definitely consider this better than Mario Kart 64. Not only do I feel like the controls and visuals are better, but also the fact that this game just offers more variety overall. You have a selection of vehicles based off the track - the kart, plane and hovercraft - which allows for more variety in the race tracks themselves with unique environments. Not only that, but the game offers an Adventure mode which I do like. The story isn't anything too special, but it's about what I expect for a kart racing story. One problem I do have with the Adventure mode though is that it does feel somewhat padded out with the requirement of the Silver Coin Challenges to face Wizpig, but otherwise I had a good time going through the race tracks and seeing the different environments and themes.

The racing gameplay is pretty solid. The controls are mostly fine although I do feel like the hovercraft turns a bit too sharply and is a bit floaty - as such it was generally my least favorite vehicle to use. The kart and planes work well enough though, and the game does allow for replayability with it's mechanics and skill ceiling.

When it comes to the major fifth gen kart racers, I'd still put Crash Team Racing over this without any hesitation - the controls of that game definitely feel snappier and the tracks are overall more memorable - however this is still a solid kart racer that I would recommend to those who are a fan of the genre and/or N64 fans in general.