This is one of very few games from a PS1-era deep dive I did a few years back that I actually find myself wanting to revisit occasionally. Its racing action is simple to get into with a fun arcadey feel. Tracks are all fun, with layouts and AI opponents just challenging enough to require some clean drifting to win, but easy enough that you can do fine even on a casual first attempt. A simple but engaging Grand Prix mode offers a nice fair challenge across eight of those tracks, as well as some light story stuff that adds a dash of character and weight to the game (and thankfully knows when to stop talking and just let you race in peace).

The presentation is a big reason this is worth playing decades after release. Its best aspect is the soundtrack, one of the best of its era with a cool set of original songs that are worth listening to outside the game. That soundtrack has a chill electronic feel that fits especially well with nighttime races. The game's good lighting/shadows and backgrounds also shine in those night races, and overall the game has a really appealing kind of early 3D look. The best visual moment may be the final race of Grand Prix mode which looks cool and ends with a fireworks show to celebrate the new millennium, a fun little Y2K time capsule moment. The clean, boldly-colored menus may be the most standout, recognizable part of the game's visual style—very nice.

As a whole package, it's a very good, no-nonsense classic racing experience that really doesn't have much I can say against it. I don't necessarily think it has enough going on to justify playing for hours and hours on end these days, but it's a very nice pick-up-and-play title that has some unlockables for those who want them.