“RubberBand A.I. (sometimes known as Cheating A.I.) refers to a feature of artificial intelligence found in racing titles that is designed to prevent players from getting too far ahead of computer-controlled opponents. It is infamous for allowing CPUs to catch up no matter how far behind they are, as well as for giving A.I. unfair advantages.”
https://atrociousgameplay.miraheze.org/wiki/RubberBand_A.I.
learned about it from this post:
https://old.reddit.com/r/gaming/comments/17y7mgy/what_video_game_boss_is_the_definition_of_unfair/
Yeah. The Mario Kart games rely on it pretty heavily.
It’s most egregious in MK7 - the CPUs are absolutely rock stupid, drive themselves into obstacles left and right, go straight into bananas and bombs they see from a mile away, but have such aggressive rubber-banding that they’re right on your ass the entire race.