Yeah, having three different starts of each type near the beginning of the game was pretty freaking OP. Not to mention the new EXP. share mechanics.
It depends, that torchic in particular has an ability that has gotten it banned on smogon, I mean I think they even gave that one the whole traded evolution boost but idk.
The Exp Share, for the record, can be turned off, but for me it's been a godsend in my continuing quest to finish my pokedex. With it I've been able to be able to just take a level 100 metagross I have, give it an amulet coin, and have him wreck everything in the Battle Chateau while everything else gets showered in experience and just do that until something evolves.