https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs6KJB7aERM

Finally, Mario Kart Battle done right.  Bold claim, but to me I see 3 strategies that would automatically make this the favorite of battle mode of either gameplay. 

First off, the chase.  Some one goes running off, you chase after them.  But unlike the close quarters of past gameplay, you have this enormous FULL COURSE where you can just run from this guy and make him chase.  Certainly, it will make the game time more lengthy, but I don't think it will realize how long it is unless it's really good.

The hunt.  Say the game is teams mode.  Right now its 3 v 2.  You're in the middle of the track, far distances from other players.  You're driving along and you see your partner.   You smile a little to see that it's free and clear with you and your partner so close there is no way the two of you will get And just over the horizon, an enemy color appears with two red shells, rearing to go. 

The chicken shit.  There are some areas within the a full course one may hide in.  For instance the Sunshine Airport, if it's playable, may have players camping throughout the whole game with a red shell ready. Some may find this style of play ...how to say in bad form.  But its added. 

Overall, it's a bigger stadium to battle in.   Those are just 3 situations one may find themselves in while playing this game in battle mode.  Don't know why I'm hearing so many dissapointed fans.  it's about time they do something about the way it played.  When I play mario kart 7, i never enter into battle mode online anyways.  At least this time I can run chicken shit on people all day long.

I guess it's a matter of opinion. I don't really hold a grudge against the new arena's but maybe that's just because I don't care for battle mode.

I like it!

Nothing is better than Block Fort on Mario Kart 64.

This.

It's not bigger. It's a  hose with limited freedom. There aren't even many obstacles or corners you could deflect attacks with.

The only thing this screems to me is that they didn't have enough time or desire to make real battle arenas.

Big open areas? That sucks :(

Block Fort. Double Decker and Luigis Mansion look likely to remain my favourite arenas then. I hated the Wii battle mode because it was too sparse.

Can't you add AI into Battle Mode? Seems like 4 players would be a bit too small, but a full-on 12 players in the field would make things chaotic.

Battle mode has a very small number of 3 balloons for each character.

I just saw in the videos that battle mode ends very fast with 3 balloons.

Why are there only 3 balloons?

There should be at least 5 balloons.

Or the option to choose - 

3 Balloons

5 Balloons

10 Balloons

It could be much more fun if the fight lasts longer and become more intense.

Post of the day.

Anyone calling this genious clearly doesnt care about the battle mode. If I  wanted to chase others I would do a normal race, keep battle mode as it is.

Looks fun but I wish it didn't have to be played on the regular race tracks.