If you want to get ahead in Mario Kart 8, you'll need to know more about the tools of the trade. There are plenty of tips and tricks you can use to become a true racing pro. We’ve collected some of the most important information here so you can become #1 and show up all your friends.
When you have a speed boost, you can bump your competitors off the edge of the track! This is especially useful in the anti-gravity races. You can also do this with a drift boost, if you are able to time it correctly and keep control.
Coins are back, and you can use them to your advantage. You'll need to use them to buy new pieces for your kart, which is important if you want to gain the advantage. You can also gather them on the track as well, and if you are holding the maximum of ten coins in a race, you'll get a speed boost. However, getting hit with a weapon will make you drop 3 coins each time.
Drifting isn't just for the more realistic racing games. In Mario Kart, knowing how to drift will help you win the race. You'll need to practice drifting to avoid spinning out in certain tracks. There is a specific button to help you drift – use this and the directional pad or stick to drift and get a boost.
In addition to ramps, there are a lot of environmental boosts you can use to get higher speed. Some examples are the shockwave in Bowser's Castle and the currents in Dry Dry Desert. Find them to pass your competitors.
Like in the other Mario Kart games, you can get a great speed boost right out of the gate. To do this, you'll need to hit the accelerate button right as the countdown number 2 begins disappearing. You'll get a boost if you time it right. Otherwise, you'll stall out! It takes a bit of practice to get the timing right, but keep trying.
Mario Kart 8 has a large selection of bodies, wheels, and gliders for your karts. There are more than 30 pieces, and you need to check them all out in order to decide which ones will benefit your racing style most. Make sure you're upgrading your kart often, and you'll have an advantage against the other racers you face.
Typically, any ramp will give you speed boost. When you use a ramp, hit jump right at the edge to do a trick and get an even bigger speed boost.
Shortcuts are back in this entry. You'll want to learn where they are if you want to truly get the advantage against your opponents. Every track has at least one shortcut you can take to shave time off the race. Shortcuts can be tricky to navigate, but once you learn the layout, they'll be worth it every time. They can be especially useful if you are a few spots back and just need that last push.
If you can stay behind another racer for an extended period of time, you'll get a slipstream bonus. This is a pretty good speed boost that will launch you past your opponent.
If you come across another racer with three mushrooms or the crazy 8 boost circling their kart, hit them to steal that boost for yourself.
You should pick a character that has a weight class you are comfortable with. Light weight karts are best at boosting and drifting, but they aren't very fast. Medium weight characters are in the middle of the road, and are pretty balanced. Heavy weight karts are super fast, but they are not the best for sharp turns or precision.
In Zero-G levels, you can run into other players' karts to get a speed boosts. Some glowing posts in the road will also give you a boost.
