This is not the best racing game out there, but definitely deserves a better score.
I think Gamespot is underrating this game (as well some users). Hot Wheels Ultimate Racing (HWUR) is a solid racing game, with fast-action competition that will demand all of your attention. One blink and you will crash over an obstacle or being surpassed by your rivals.
Winning all races is not an impossible task, but the game has a balanced difficult, and is not that easy to finish. We're talking about a mass audience, not only gifted player capable of beating any game within hours, like game testers do. Once you get familiarized with the controls –and memorize the circuit- you're ready to make your way to the top. Besides, the upgrades will greatly help you on your journey.
The graphics are great, not poor. The game efforts in recreate the Hot Wheels atmosphere, because that's the plot of the game, and they get the job done. We're not talking about a city tournament or a spaceship racing league, games that require different graphics. Sometimes, HWUR makes you feel you're watching one of their toys, riding insanely fast and jumping through fantastic obstacles.
The worst thing is the absence of a road mini-map. With such a tool, you can figure out why you are at 1° position and -without crashing- suddenly you are at 4° place. That's a good way to find shortcuts. Another annoying thing is showing your position intermittently, instead of informing you all the way. That's unnecessary. Finally, it's a little frustrating to –sometimes- watch your opponents ride through the obstacles without getting hit, considering that you won't have the same luck.
So, Gamespot's right about better titles than this one, but misses other things. HWUR is not the best racing game out there, but definitely deserves a better score. Don't trust me? Then rent it, but don't buy it yet.