- Cakes seem too powerful. At one time they weren't so bad... now they are extremely accurate (and quite difficult to miss with at close range), can be fired in reverse, and you can collect three at once. Given that they are next to impossible to avoid, and cause a good few seconds' worth of disruption, I think they should be reconsidered.
- Automatic rescues seem too pre-emptive. You need only ram into a wall now to be rescued, which can cost a good few seconds. Often it would be faster just to reverse and keep going.
- Gas seems to lack a real purpose. You can already pick up a speed boost item from a box, is there any real need for this mechanic as well? I'm not really convinced. Also, consuming gas doesn't always seem to work properly... I press the button and often nothing happens, or it happens at a moment that I didn't expect. And the boost I get is often imperceptible.
- Animations aren't that great, especially the kart victory animations. I think they let the game down, especially when it's relatively polished in other respects.
- Story mode and Grand Prix mode seem a bit pointless. It's just another normal race, with nothing really special about it. I appreciate the intention, but I don't see how you can make a mode out of nothing.
Don't get me wrong, I'm amazed at how far the game has come. I'm really enjoying the new skid mechanic, I think it's just what was needed. Also, I seem to find the strongest CPU much tougher this time around.