Minor necro because the following rant does not deserve its own thread.
I am sick and tired of people complaining about how the retro tracks are "too different" from the originals. Any bozo with an appropriate level editor can remake a level or track from their favorite childhood game; I think it's a show of true creativity on Nintendo's part when they can take something they made 10-20 years ago and make it FEEL new.
The new N64 Rainbow Road is fucking gorgeous*. The city far below in the background makes the track feel like part of an actual world, instead of a random stretch of rainbow in a black void. The jazzed-up music is catchy and gives the impression of being in an amusement park or a CONEY ISLAND DISCO PALACE!
And yet all I ever hear is people whining about how it "doesn't feel at all" like the original.
Y'know what? FUCK you. We already HAVE the original! If you want it so bad, go dust off your N64, or if you don't have one use one of the bazillions of emulators out there.
I think many of 8's retro tracks - particularly rainbow road - are proof that Nintendo is at least TRYING to make a new experience out of their older successes, rather than just slapping on a fresh coat of paint and calling it a day. I really hope these nostalgia-blinded whiners won't discourage them from this line of thinking.
*that said I do agree with the near-unanimous decision that it's way too short.