you have to be kidding? sims are having to render models thats are 10x more detailed them the kart models in mario kart, not mention each car model has to render a cockpits and realistic physics, sims have way more going on screen then mariokart 8, and require way more work, where as in mario kart 8 they can focuse way more on graphics, cause they dont have to render 200-300 models with cock pit views and realstic physics. the reason why mario kart 8 looks much better then those kart racers you mentioned was cause one is a multiplatform and runs the same on wiiu, and the othere was a very low budget project, which is not even a good looking game on ps3 in the first place

On the screen above MarioKart looks much better, the track geometry, view distance and lighting/effects are much better there. 
On the 200-300 models. They not rendered simultaniousely, so this argument shows nothing on the power of a console, only on the amount of space wasted on disk.

And by the way, what do you mean by cock pit? I want some screens of it!!!

No it doesn't. Only lightning effects are, because graphic card in WiiU is better.

And How can you compare geometry and view distance between city race and track in empty space with no background except some clouds.

Where do you see the city? I see some corridor made from boxes with single phototextures on it. Also pay attention to 'realistic cars' on first and second screen. They look good in photomode. But in the actual game... Not so nice...

When did people turn into such graphics whores?? I feel sorry for you all who didn't grow up in the 90's

So it safe for me to say that mario kart is a corridor with transparent walls. Right?

Anyway, answer the question, how can you judge distance view in a city race?

Or what does geometry have to do with that, since MK doesn't have any gravitational real-time physics?

O there were graphic whores back then too.  

We just didn't all have internet access to argue you about it back (least early to mid 90's).

Word of mouth grahpic wars were still a thing back then.

Well considering the Wii U only has a .31 Tflop GPU, they have done a remarkable job in making the game look verry next gen.

At the end of the day I could honestly care less what resolution or AA is used.  It runs at a smooth 60fps, and looks great!

1. Right.
2. Its not me who put game screenshots as a proof in some arguing. I'm just continue playing his game.
3. Level geometry is very important if you want to judge power of a console, that's obvious. Or we all be just playing extra detailed cars on empty tracks with static boxes around and 2d trees. 
4. It seems you didn't play any Mario Kart, since all of them have some realtime physics. Its just arcade style, not realistic ones. And thats OK, since MK is a arcade racer and not a sym.

Every racing game have some kind of real-time physics. That's a given. I meant gravity, otherwise they can't race upside down))