The game is unusual in that Nintendo continues to show commercials for it over three years after its release. Most video games (as with movies and music) are only promoted when originally released.
In addition to new tracks, the game features a variety of tracks from older Mario Kart games. For reasons unknown, not every track in the game can be used in the online multiplayer mode.
First Mario Kart game to feature a mission mode.
One of the hidden racers is R.O.B. the Robot. R.O.B. (acronym for Robotic Operating Buddy) was an accessory for Nintendo's NES gaming console, and was used for two games on the system.
GCN Yoshi Circuit has the secret tunnel shortcut removed, but the jump across the moat remains intact.