Winning Strategies To Become a Mario Kart 8 Champion 

If you're struggling to come out on top in Mario Kart 8, this guide is for you. Here, we'll provide the essential tips and tricks to ensure your victory in Mario Kart 8. With these tips in mind, you'll be well on your way to taking the checkered flag every time in Mario Kart 8.

Use The Drift Boost

One of the most important aspects of winning in Mario Kart 8 is mastering the art of drifting. Drift boosts are an essential element for victory in this game, as well as in the entire Mario Kart series.

To drift on Nintendo Switch, hold the ZR button while making sharp turns or avoiding power-ups. On PlayStation 2, hold the R2 button instead. The longer you hold the button, the more drift boost you'll accumulate. You'll know you've built up enough boost when you see blue, orange, or pink sparks shooting from your kart. When you see these sparks, release the button to accelerate.

Remember, drifting is useful for more than just turning. With proper drifting techniques, you can gain a significant speed boost and gain an advantage over your opponents. Practice drifting and use it to your advantage to increase your chances of winning.

Collect As Many Coins As Possible

New players aren’t always sure whether they should be collecting the coins scattered throughout the course. However, don't be fooled by their confusing nature – coins can actually be very beneficial for your racing performance.

As you collect coins during a race, your kart will gradually go faster when you press the accelerator. The more coins you collect, the faster you'll go. Try to collect as many coins as possible, up to a maximum of 10. Once you've reached your maximum number of coins, you'll have a significant speed boost that can give you an edge over your opponents.

However, be careful not to get hit too often. If you take too many hits, your coins will fly out of your kart and can be picked up by other racers. To prevent this from happening, try to avoid obstacles and attacks from your opponents. Keep your focus and try to collect as many coins as possible to boost your speed and increase your chances of winning.

Avoid Bumps And Hits

While it's impossible to avoid all the hits and bumps during a race in Mario Kart 8, it's important to try and minimize them as much as possible. Every time you get hit or bumped, your kart will slow down, making it harder for you to catch up to the other racers.

To avoid getting hit, try to keep a safe distance from your opponents. This will give you more time to react to any obstacles or attacks, and will reduce your chances of getting hit. Remember that a single hit can send you from first place to last, so try to avoid taking any unnecessary risks to minimize the impact of hits as much as possible.

Master The Drifting System

Drifting is an essential skill to master in Mario Kart 8, but it can be challenging for beginners. If you're new to the game, you may find it difficult to pull off drifting smoothly, especially when making sharp turns. To improve your chances of winning, it's important to practice drifting as much as you can.

Not only will drifting help you make sharp turns without crashing, but it can also give you a speed boost. Depending on how long you drift, you can earn different levels of boost, from a mini turbo to an ultra mini turbo. The longer you drift, the more boost you'll get. An ultra mini turbo can give you a significant speed advantage, so it's worth practicing drifting to master this skill.

Know The Difference Between Soft And Spin Drifting

Soft drifting is a technique that can help you charge your mini-turbo power more quickly in Mario Kart 8. To perform a soft drift, you need to drift at the standard angle. This can be difficult to master, so you'll need to practice to get the angle just right.

When you successfully perform a soft drift, you'll notice a rapid increase in your mini-turbo power. This can give you a significant speed boost and help you gain an advantage over your opponents. However, be aware that soft drifting is a challenging technique, so it will take some practice to master it.

Another drifting technique you can try is spin drifting. This is a more advanced technique that involves jumping to the left while drifting to the left, and then turning to the right as soon as you land. This can be difficult to understand at first, but with practice, you'll get the hang of it.

Utilize Neutral Hopping On Inclines

If you're feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of drifting and other advanced racing techniques in Mario Kart 8, don't worry – there's a simpler option. Neutral hopping is a basic technique that you can use on incline sections of the racetrack. It's called "neutral" hopping because you don't need to drift or use any other special techniques – just jump and land in a neutral position.

To use neutral hopping, find an incline section of the track, such as the start of the GBA Mario Circuit's antigravity segment. When you reach the incline, jump and land in a neutral position, without drifting or turning. This will help you maintain your mini-turbo speed and save it for later in the race.

Pick Your Cart Carefully

One of the key factors that can affect your success in Mario Kart 8 is the cart you choose. There are many different kinds of carts available in the game, and each one has its own strengths and weaknesses. To improve your chances of winning, it's important to choose a cart that matches your playing style and suits the course you're racing on.

When selecting your cart, consider the character, vehicle body, wheels, and glider that you'll be using. Each of these components can affect your speed, handling, and other attributes, so it's worth experimenting with different combinations to find the one that works best for you.

Master Demon Sliding

Demon slides are an advanced drifting technique that can give you a speed boost in Mario Kart 8. To perform a demon slide, you need to combine neutral hopping with drifting. First, jump as you would normally do, and then turn briefly to the right or left at the end of the jump. Then, press the drift button to initiate a demon slide.

It's important to note that demon slides can only be performed on flat or downhill surfaces. They cannot be performed on uphill surfaces, so you'll need to choose your location carefully. Use demon slides on flat or downhill sections of the track to gain a speed boost and improve your chances of winning.

Conclusion

If you're having trouble winning races in Mario Kart 8, don't worry – there are steps you can take to improve your performance. By following the tips and tricks outlined in this guide, you can learn new skills and strategies that can help you dominate the track and take the checkered flag.

While you’re here, you can grab a prepaid subscription to Nintendo Switch Online and race against your friends. And with a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership, you can play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe anytime, anywhere!