UPDATE:

Taking the memory card out of the PS2 solved the issue! Thanks to Pie for swinging by my stream and suggesting I try that!

I recently switched to PS2 from playing a PS1 Emu, but I quickly realized I was having issues Off-Road where I normally shouldn't be. Going off-road absolutely DESTROYS my speed.

On 5 different tracks, going off-road is far more punishing than normal. -Roo's Tubes (final turn before finish line) -Mystery Caves (the cut after the first turtle jump) -Dingo Canyon (the first turn of the race, and the following sharp left turn before going downhill) -Dragon Mines (final turn before finish line) -Tiny Arena (literally all the mud puddles) Any other track going off-road is completely unaffected (Coco Park, Papu's Pyramid, Blizzard Bluff, etc.)

Has anyone heard of or had this issue? It feel's like I'm playing a patched version of the game where some shortcuts that were too good got removed from the game.

I covered it on stream so here's a highlight if you're interested in seeing what I'm talking about. (PS2 footage on left, PS1 Emu on right)