Why Doesn't Mario Kart 8 Have Specific Battle Arenas?

Curious to why the battle arenas in Mario Kart 8 are modified tracks rather than specific designs?

The latest release for the iconic Nintendo racer makes a return to individual, heated multiplayer matches from earlier games, but has a noticeable change in the structure of the courses. Gone are the "Block Fort" and "Skyscraper" designs, which offered large open spaces and multiple tiers, in favour of a selection of redesigned GP courses.

The game's director Kosuke Yabuki appreciated that it is a drastic move, but in an interview with EDGE magazine feels it "will bring a new sense of excitement and strategy." Initially it involves going up against the CPU players, then it becomes an all our battle between human folk. "That's the real thrill of it!"

The courses allow players to drive in any direction, and Yabuki feels "it should also be a fresh experience", but acknowledges that "there will be a few people who aren't so sure about us moving away from how we've done things previously, but I hope they try it out for themselves first."

What do you think of the new, modified battle course designs in Mario Kart 8?