Mario Kart Wii is listed as one of the games in which Rubber Band AI can be found. I believe that despite rubber banding being prevelant in previous Mario Kart titles, it actually isn't the case with MKW.

But what about you people? Do you think MKW has rubber banding or not?

I've seen arguments for both factions of thought and there still seems to be some ambiguity in the matter. Based on personal experience, the situation remains ambiguous, as a times large gaps between me and my cpu opponents do occur with leeway but, other races (especially those in the grand prix mode) feature the cpus constantly behind the player and ready to pass at any moment.

At the least, the rubber banding element isn't as pervasive as Super Mario Kart 64, although it still seems to exist at some level.

In some instances, I was very frustrated that somehow the other racers were constantly behind me, so yes.  But personally, I do blame half of these on overpowered items meant to make the game even more casual friendly than it already is.  How far up some items would take someone if they're in the back was downright ridiculous.

what are you, stupid?

mario kart wii has more rubberband ai than any other mario karts

"Some people are confusing mario kart its item system with rubber banding .

In mario kart wii you get better item when you're last then when you're first.
Thus whenever someone is 12th he has a high chance of getting a bullet bill, which creates the illusion of rubber banding.
"

"Endogene said:

"Some people are confusing mario kart its item system with rubber banding .

In mario kart wii you get better item when you're last then when you're first.
Thus whenever someone is 12th he has a high chance of getting a bullet bill, which creates the illusion of rubber banding.
"

I have limited MKW experience but a number of my friends have felt that this "item rubber banding" is SOOO bad in Mario Kart for the Wii that it seriously hurts the overall gameplay.

Basically that it renders the first two and a half laps meaningless."