that's the same complaint GT.com had, so at least one professional review agrees with him (I didn't read/watch any other reviews, so I don't know whether or not other reviews critizised this point aswell) - meaning it's not as injustified a complaint as some here want to make it seem it was...

It definitely happens far more often in Mario Kart Wii. It isn't so much that the last place players get all the good stuff, it's that in first place you're apt to be pummeled with so much at a time. This hasn't happened to me in other Mario Karts like it has in Mario Kart Wii.

I was in first place, just moments from the goal and got hit with a blue shell, red shell, pow and lightning... all at the same time. It was a little ridiculous. Usually they give better items to those in last place, though. Mario Kart has always been like that. However, I don't recall being pummeled by so many items at one time in any of the previous Mario Kart games. On 150cc this is absurd. To the point where coming in first place in a race is almost based on luck rather than skill. I don't mind losing first place and all. Nor do I mind a little competition. But when your just moments away from finishing the race and you're suddenly pummeled with a billion items at once it's annoying. And I don't just fall from 1st to 2nd. I fall from 1st to places like 7th, 8th and 9th. I like that the computer is really competitive this time around, because in the last few Mario Karts they were absurdly easy. However, I don't like the rubberband AI or the fact that getting first is based on luck. It's only bad in the 150cc, though. Not so much the 100cc and it's definitely not a problem at all 50cc.

:/

yeah, i hate it when that happens to me too

Wouldn't third place just take over then? The amount of delay you get from a blue shell is incredible.....it at least makes you drop 2 positions assuming the rest of the group isn't ridiculously far off, or close following your strategy. 

@OP: If it's that difficult getting in first place, why not just get last, get an item like the golden mushroom, race your way up to 4th, and then use it?

so anyone that has this complaint is ignorant and clearly doesn't know how to play the game well?

From what I have seen, yes. It stems from the fact that people think being able to win the race must mean they are good. It is easy to suck out on the computer with items because it uses rubber band AI. That is, if you suck so will the computer. This makes it seem like the computer or you can come from last to first any second. In reality, once you get past a certain skill level the computer simply cannot keep-up and loses terribly. The same applies to playing verss people with a small or large gap in skill.

If second is close behind you, third probably isn't far off. You should be miles away from the pack if you are doing your job right. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd items are sufficiently weak that you can completely overcome them with skill and set yourselves apart. Getting caught in the pack however means you are going to get bounced up and down often, and give the first three spots plenty of time for a lead. At least that is my experience with Mario Kart. Still getting used to the Wii version.

^^ you got it ....if my 7yr old brother can get first place online and stay first then there no excuse . I seen a couple players online that stays first place every map way ahead too . Even if you shoot 2-3 blue shells they would still be way ahead. If you practice enough and know the level well enough taking every short route , doing wheelies, drifting ...ect can get you ahead every map and no matter what they throw at you you'll still be first.

that is only right if your the only good player on the track brawl4life and the rest are n00bs cause if there are even just one or two other good players, the moment you get nuked so heavily 2nd and 3rd will take over.. so you can stay behind the number 1 waiting for it's imminent doom.. anyway, I need to play this game much more myself before I can comment better about it..