While I agree the choices for the game are okay to shockingly appalling (seriously, fuck off with Billy), a lot of missed opportunities and just plain stupid (no idea how they even made a race course based on Samba De Amigo, let alone thee of them), the game is just a lot of fun. There are not many racing games I can stomach as long as I have played this one, it is really to the point where it is easily one of my favorites in the genre. I still like SEGA Rally Championship, Crash Team Racing more, and style wise Power Drift and Virtua Racing will always be my favorites.
While Shadow is clearly overpowered, Kogen just sucks at the game. I played against him with all of the flying characters and completely crushed him, so he is just not very good at the game.
Everyone I see complaining about it just wants more or other content, and I can agree and see why they would want this, but in the end, it is just a really fun and enjoyable game. Would you buy it if it was a rancid piece of shit but had better character and track selections? It is sounding like that honestly.