How to solve the problem:
Red Shells: Simply save a banana/green shell (or something else) and hold it behind you. Problem solved! These shells are IMO way too easy to get rid off. I lead most races, but I can't remember last time I was hit by a Red Shell.
Pow Block: Affects everyone at about the same rank as you (if you're first, 2-5 also get hit) and the only thing it does is make people HAVE to use their items, making them unable to save the bullet bill untill you've driven up a couple of places. It's easy to only get one turn, which makes you lose minimum time, so it makes you have to be "skilled" enough to dodge it.
Blue Shell: Frankly, it's a lot better in this game, as you mainly get it from 4th-7th place. Sometimes on third and second, sometimes on 8-12th, but those are rare. This means that the person who uses it actually benefits from it.
Bullet Bill: What's the big deal? Only the 10th place and such gets it. It makes the low level people feel OK. They did at least make the goal within the 30 seconds.
Mega Mushroom: Cool addition, it is a lower-level Starman really.
Thunder Cloud: Awesome! Makes 4 player races insanely funny!
Squid: Honestly, I hate it.
http://www.vgchartz.com/games/userreviewdisp.php?id=261
That is VGChartz LONGEST review. And it's NOT Cute Kitten DS
