1 part Mario Kart 8 (for level design and sheer polish)
1 part Diddy Kong Racing (for drift mechanics, varied vehicle types, and items/power ups)
1 part Star Wars Episode I: Racer (for sheer speed and the needed accompanying reflexes)
1 part Split/Second (for the way the levels often undergo extreme changes mid-race)
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Put them together and you get Sonic All Stars Racing: Transformed, a game I believe slightly edges out all of its predecessors. Arcade racing/car games are my favorite genre, and this one doesn't disappoint! I played dozens of hours on the Wii U version. The Steam version, in my experience, is a much more polished and less-buggy experience.

I believe the items are much more balanced than Mario Kart, a game where you can be winning 95% of the race and then get taken completely out by a single well-timed unavoidable blue shell (No hate on Mario Kart, there was a time I would fight you for suggesting there could be a better racing game).

It takes the multiple vehicle types concept from Diddy Kong Racing and requires more flexibility as you transition between vehicles mid-race.

You also have to know the levels well enough to pick the right character and vehicle mod for the situation, particularly in World Tour. Example: In Mario Kart 8, I would feel confident in winning on any map with Cat Peach with *most* any vehicle combination. In SASRT, if I pick Sonic on the Billy Hatcher level, I'm crashing into walls everywhere (even with the handling mod) because Sonic is just so fast that he has trouble going through most tight S-shaped roads. If I pick Tails, however, I can stand a much better chance because that kid can turn and drift like crazy.

You're getting a ton of fun and a ton of reflex/brain training for $20. If that's too much, Sonic games are frequently on sale, so wish-list it! HIGHLY recommend! Make sure you have a compatible controller for the optimal experience, yet I do have a friend who has had success practicing with the keyboard controls.