I think it's a fun course. The shortcuts do add to chaos but that's what Mario Kart is about right?

The entire game is designed to let the less experienced win...

I've gotten a red shell in first a handful of times, more often than not it's a coin, banana, or green shell. In Wii every item has felt broken since day one. In 64 the item balance is fairly okay but the game as a whole is just average. (Coming from the person who played it endlessly as a kid.) They all have their problems, it's a matter of how redeeming the rest of the game is. I've personally never had fun with Wii, using any control scheme. But I don't mention in every MK thread I see that I think Wii is hot garbage because people clearly like it. 

Exactly.

MKWii was easily the worst MK in my opinion, and it didn't handle items all that well. I'm just really glad they removed that awfull thundercloud item. 

Sure, you can get lucky and get a red shell in 1st place in 8 but that very rarely happens. I'm also pretty sure I've also got like 3 red shells while in 2nd place once. Most of the time you simply get coins or a banana when in the lead. Sure it happens every once in a while that you get very lucky but I don't think that's necesarilly a bad thing. I personally like how there's a chance the game helps you or your opponent,  that should be part of mario kart as long as it doesn't happen too often (I don't think t does)

The short cut in cheeseland is a bit too much though, I agree. But most of the shortcuts I don't have a problem with. It can add a certain tactical element where you have to decide to save your mushroom for the shortcut with the consequence of losing 1 or 2 itemboxes/potential items, or take the risk of using it and hoping you get another one in the next itembox.

While this is very  true, I also feel that being first often gives you the opportunity to outrace your opponents. They then get left behind in a 'battlefield' full of shells while you drive comfortably to finish. That is unless you're unlucky and a blue shell comes your way (and you can't counter it). Holding mushrooms definately can be good tactic, though I don't tend to hold them for multiple laps as it does leave you open to red shells.

Well tbh MKWii is the worst defender of them all though...

Well I thought the items were more balanced in MK8.

Also I meant "offender"

I'd say it just makes up for how the rest of the track is damn hard! That's why I still win there more often than not!

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Not worse than MK7 and 8.