do you control the cart or is it randomly applying direction 5 interjections later? Sorry never played the original...
Of course you control the cart, but cart can't stop except when must choose direction from T-look rail or on dead end. If have a way to continue last move direction cart will go on this rail.
Because I create control to be for Gamepad, if you use keyboard, must hold-on key while change direction, not just press it.
I know control is harder, and on turns look strange, but all is because you can swtich direction in right moment - this is characteric for original game, but there don't have curve turns and car stop more often