Yeah, it's really not the great game that some make it out to be. But it actually can be pretty fun to play. The whole game is that old school, race the clock, high score above all kind of thing. The point, as I've seen it, is to blast through the levels and find the best line to collect little ball things and get bonus points. It can get fairly addictive and I remember zoning out on it. It sure as hell doesn't age well, gameplay-wise though.
I'm sure there are assholes out here saying that these guys are playing it wrong. And, I guess there is a bit of a point there, but the fact that you even CAN play it "wrong" is a testament to why it's not the great game people make it out to be. Doesn't hold a candle at all to Mario 64.