If you are closely trailing him rather than having him increase his lead you are of equivalent skill clearly. Your laptimes would be identical, and the only real difference is he got an early lead.

I have heard from several sources that MK:Wii cures cancer. The rubber banding is no worse than ever.

Gnizmo, I get what you're saying about skill, but I also agree that skill isn't the ultimate determining factor. Like I said, I sometimes have a stroke of bad luck. That doesn't mean it comes a whole bunch of time. But I think that the experience some people have varies. There will be times when absolutely nothing happens to me during a race, even while cruising first and there will be times when I'll be pummeled with items. I was just trying to add to the discussion, not trying to complain. I was just saying that sometimes there's a bit of luck that goes into the game as well as the player's own skill. I'm guessing you're incredibly skilled. I'm enjoying this discussion, though.

There is only 1 item that is first place specific and that is the blue shell, everything else will happen to at least the 3 or more racers behind you if not all of them (bar the one who sent it)

If you are a good enough driver a single blue shell should not be enough to knock you from 1st to last as you would have been too far ahead of the rest by lap 3.

Yes at times you can be unlucky, like getting a blue shell as you are flying over a lava pit or something, but this is rare and it is not so much of a chore to do the race again should you fail to come in first.
Playing through single player myself there were only 5 cups I had to repeat to get a gold, and now I am better it is rare I don't finish with the full 60 points in any CPU GP.
Perhaps some people are not quite as good or are getting used to the Wii Wheel, but unless you are terrible you won't be repeating a cup many times at all to get gold.

Why does everyone want this game to be made easier or harder or both? Yes there is an element of luck going by the timings of the major items (blue shell/lightning at the wrong time can mean doom, but that is part of the game and does not happen any more than in Double Dash as far as I can tell) but if there was no element of luck then Rol would never have lost a race, and the newer players would never get any glory because they would always be last.

Good luck can always help you win. Bad luck will not always cause you to lose. You can overcome item variables with enough skill is my only point. The reason I jump on you is because it seemed like a good springboard to discuss the difference between someone who can beat the game and someone who has spent time mastering it. I just get frustrated at the over reaching claims other people make. If the game had no skill then there wouldn't be that guy who can whoop your ass everytime he plays.

That's why I love MK - You can always laugh of yours or other ones misfortune.
Using blue and red shells are so rewarding to my spirit. =P

I have no problem with red turtle shells. I would sooner get rid of green turtle shells than red. Blue turtle shells have needed to go since they were added. An option to take them out would be nice.

If you say so. I'll reserve further judgement until I play more 150cc. I will say that not having 2-player Grand Prix is lame, as is not being able to do 2-12 player battle mode without teams. Playing Grand Prix isn't exactly the most exciting, but if I need to get a gold in something and another friend needs to get better, it would be nice to do both at once.

Get better at drifting.
When I'm in first I get hit with items.. but I still stay in first because they're so far behind :D

That was number 2 in the most annoying things in video games. Ever Mario Kart is like that the only one I have been able to conquer all is Mario Kart DS.

I know exactly what you mean.