Even just after getting the starter choco to its highest rank (50, puts you in R60) I can already tell its seriously unbalanced. Several abilities and items are extremely overpowered, especially Super Sprint. Also Briar Caltrop + regular sprint ability through everybody as you pop it = RIP everyone. AI is kinda funny though as they almost always get meteor and still get near last place. I'd say its almost as unbalanced as Mario Kart DS, and that game was seriously flawed.