Well now that this has been out about a month, some impressions:
- Purple sparks is great, especially when you learn all the curves to pull it off. The added boost you get from it can really speed up your times or save you in a race. Assuming you don't get twenty million red shells on your ass in a row.
- Revamped battle mode is so good. The different modes are fun, though I'm still not sure how I feel about traditional balloon battle now being timed and you respawn with three balloon and your points cut in half when you lose your first five balloons. The variety in battle mode is great though, more than makes up for the pitiful "battle mode" on the Wii U, though I wish Block Fort was a stage.
- Though I still stick with Baby Rosalina, I enjoy the additional character variety, that'll satisfy most of those who complained about it on Wii U.
- No way to upload highlights to YouTube or anywhere anymore. Perhaps coming in a future update?
- Good riddance, stamps. I'm also happy that all modes and cups and characters are unlocked from the start. Still have to unlock vehicle pieces through coin collection though, and it's completely random what you get, which annoys me.
- 200cc staff ghosts?! Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?!
- N64 Rainbow Road is still one lap.
- I'm using tilt controls!*
So yeah, all in all, this is probably the best Mario Kart game. Ever. I'm incredibly satisfied with the overall package and glad that they upgraded it based on concerns and complaints about the Wii U iteration. Which that version I still thought was great, but the battle mode wonkiness did hold it back a little.
*I'm not actually or ever using tilt controls, it's just still the best meme.