Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was released just over 4 years ago now, but it still remains one of the most popular Nintendo games around with tens of thousands of people flooding into the online servers daily for some races.
Were you the best at Mario Kart Wii back in the day but now struggle to keep up in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe? If so, then be sure to keep reading, as we’re going to go over some tips and strategies that’ll help you improve and win races more often. Let’s get straight into it.
Drifting 101
Understanding drifting is the key to success in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe because it lets you get around corners faster and gives you a bunch of much-needed speed boosts. It takes some practice to get the timing right every time, but in general, you want to start your drift before you turn and use the joystick to adjust your trajectory as you go around the bend.
In terms of speed boosts, there are three types based on the color of sparks you get coming off your wheels during your drift: blue, orange, and purple. The longer you drift, the better the boost you get, with purple sparks being the best.
Jump Boosts, Spin Boosts, and Slipstreaming
Drift boosts aren’t the only boost you can get in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe! There are three other main ones which we’ll talk about now.
Firstly, you’ve got jump boosts, which you get from hopping at the right time as you go over a bump or ramp. They’re relatively easy to do and you can get a bunch of them each race. Next, there are spin boosts, which you get from bumping into other players when your kart is in anti-gravity mode, and lastly, there are slipstream boosts, which you get from following closely behind another player for a short period of time.
Once you master all of these different boosts and start pulling them off consistently, you’ll be zooming ahead in your races, so get practicing!
Coins
Next, let’s talk about coins. Coins aren’t just used to unlock new kart parts in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, they’re actually super useful during the race for two reasons. Firstly, coins give you a small speed boost when collected, and secondly, they increase your top speed (capped at 10 coins). These things may seem small and insignificant, but any advantage you can get over your opponents is invaluable in this game, so be sure to collect those coins. And hey, even if you don’t win, you’ll at least be unlocking new kart pieces along the way!
Other Miscellaneous Tips
Finally, let’s list out a few miscellaneous tips that are useful to know when racing:
- Certain items like shells and bananas can be held behind the kart (by holding the action button) to protect your racer from getting hit by incoming projectiles
- Many maps have useful shortcuts that can help you get ahead, so be sure to take advantage of those
- The kart parts you choose have a big effect on how fast you travel, so be sure to choose ones that have the highest acceleration and top speed possible
Hopefully you’ve learned something new today that you can apply to your games to be the best racer you can be. With a little bit of practice, you’ll get the hang of things in no time. Good luck out there!