The powerups in this game are buckwild. Everything else about the game is acceptable and doesn't leave a bad taste in your mouth. I really wish there was more character/kart customization, but it's still more than we got for Lego Island, and the stage designs look really nice.
All that being said, the items in this kart game warp the experience even on a causal playthrough to the point where it's worth checking the game out to see it. We're talking "you can skip 3/4ths of a lap on most courses" devastating. It feels awful to get hit by and items aren't used as a comeback mechanic in the same way they were in something like Mario Kart. Obviously, it doesn't really matter because it's a 25~ year old racing game for children (that can get pretty tough, I needed those powerups), but it does help it stand out from a game design standpoint from its peers.
All that being said, the items in this kart game warp the experience even on a causal playthrough to the point where it's worth checking the game out to see it. We're talking "you can skip 3/4ths of a lap on most courses" devastating. It feels awful to get hit by and items aren't used as a comeback mechanic in the same way they were in something like Mario Kart. Obviously, it doesn't really matter because it's a 25~ year old racing game for children (that can get pretty tough, I needed those powerups), but it does help it stand out from a game design standpoint from its peers.