If you want a fun cart game, go play All-Stars or Mario Kart. Skip this one. It is an exercise in frustration.
This game is fun, but not anywhere near as fun as the All-Stars Racing. The new gimmicks are the air and water portions of the race. The air controls function fine, but the water controls are horrid. I would even go as far as to say they are buggy. There were times I was holding my analog stick all the way to the left and he would turn right. I was NOT under the effects of a twister or anything. It got to the point where I would groan and say "Why did they ruin a great course with a water portion?" whenever I got to one. Without the water, this game would be great. The water absolutely ruins it. Unless I was in the low difficulties with a huge lead, I guaranteed to lose 3-4 places in the race in the water portions. They are that bad.
Other than that, some of the corners in later levels are almost 90 degrees. Even in full drift and a max handling cart, I would hit the walls.
I 100%'d the first one (all trophies on the 360). I'm not even going to bother with this one. I gave it an honest shot. This sequel is just bad.
2.5