Having trouble with Mario Kart on wi-fi?
Check out this guide on how to improve your playing skill.
TURBO STARTS
A good start is essential to making your mark in Mario Kart. In the easier classes most of your rivals won’t get a good start, but when you get up there with the champions, you’ll find that every driver in the mushroom kingdom will be using a turbo start.
How to perform one
Every race starts with a countdown. To get a turbo start you just need to apply the gas (A) halfway between “2” and “1”. Honestly, it really is that simple. Accelerate too late and you’ll get a regular start. Once you master the timing, you’ll boost into the lead every time.
POWERSLIDE TURBO BOOSTS
Grabbing the lead is easy; it’s staying ahead that’s the problem. I guarantee you that in the harder classes your opponents will overtake you by screaming round corners, often with coloured flames shooting out of their exhausts. This move is called the Powerslide Turbo Boost and requires you to powerslide in such a way that when you stop sliding you get a boost.
To do a regular powerslide, hold down R when you turn so that your kart hops before sliding. This slide will continue as long as you hold down R, but by steering in the opposite direction for a brief period you can cause nitro flames to come out of your exhausts. Once you’ve achieved the right colour (orange), you can let go of R to get a speed boost.
Left-hand slide Once you’re sliding, steer right for a split second, then go back to steering left. If you get it right a set of blue flames will appear. Now quickly press right and left for a second time. The flames will turn orange. Now let go of R
Right-hand slide Once you’re sliding, steer left for a split second, and then go back to steering right. If you get it right a set of blue flames will appear. Now quickly press left and right for a second time. The flames will turn orange. Now let go of R.
It does take a bit of practice but eventually you’ll be able to achieve these free speed boosts on every corner.
WEAPONS HANDLING
One of the great things about Mario Kart is its balanced weapons system. Yes, I know when you’re on the receiving end of a homing shell it doesn’t seem very balanced, but you have just as many chances to pick up weapons as anyone else.
Driving through the coloured item boxes gives you access to a weapon. Leave the box to it’s own devices and it’ll randomly allocate you a weapon after about five seconds, but if you’re in a rush or would rather choose your own weapon, simply tap X a few times to speed up the process.
The trick with weapons is to know when to use them; if you get triple homing shells or triple green shells you should immediately tap X to form a shield around you. Bullet Bills and Stars should be saved and used to cruise through difficult areas. Bomb-Ombs should be used on straights where you can aim at someone. Weapons such as lightning and Squid should be used straight away.
ON THE MAP
You may not realise the importance of the map screen straight away but you’ll soon be singing its praises. By tapping on it you can switch between a top-down view of either the whole track or of the area around you. The latter can be used to set up attacks- it’s perfect for lining up bananas or a fake item box for your rivals to run into. You can also use it to see items that might be on the other side of a hill. The zoomed out view is useful for locating the leader of the pack. If you get a lightning bolt, why not wait until your opponent is in a tricky area before ruining his day?
Just a quick note, about fake item boxes. If you’re not too sure about the validity of an item box just take a look at the map screen. Fake item boxes will be highlighted in red, while real ones appear green.
This post will be updated every so often- when I have time- with more tips and tricks etc.
Linear Mode
