"...but the hedgehog’s emulation actually executes parts of the kart racing formula better.""

True, true words.

Listen, all you need to know is that Sumo Digital NAILED this game. The racing model handles great; it feels different from Mario Kart, but it makes sense in it's own way (it's not a Dante's Inferno/God of War situation here). With the solid racing model nailed down, they then went about aping Mario Kart at it's best.

The thing about it is Mario Kart was at its worst this generation. Anyone whose played Mario Kart Wii should know that it's unbalanced as hell. How common is it for first place to get slammed by 6 blue shells? TOO COMMON. Sonic & Sega All Stars Racing is FAR, FAR more balanced that Mario Kart, and it's more fun because of it.

It's also prettier. Both technically and artistically - SEGA always did have that flashy arcade flair about their games; this game POPS because of it. Unlike Mario Kart, which abuses bloom lighting to the point where you  might as well smear vasoline on the screen. It's shamefully blurrier than it's prequel; when Gamecube Mario Kart is sharper looking, you have a problem.

I played this demo off PSN and bought the game today because of it. Been having a blast so far. The best cart racer ever will always be Diddy Kong Racing, and I wish to GOD that someone else would remember it and rip off it's elegant, balanced weapon stacking system, but for this generation of consoles, Mario slipped up. Sonic Racing is easily the best of the bunch right now. ModNation Racers will likely dethrone it, but there's no shame in picking up a polished, well designed, very fun game right now.