Key Takeaways
- A proper combination of weight and speed, along with skilled driving, can help achieve victory.
- The balance between speed and handling is essential to achieve success in the game, and that’s why, it’s crucial that you choose the right build.
- Slow and steady builds based on acceleration and handling can win races in Mario Kart 8.
As a seasoned Mario Kart player with over a decade of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that the builds you’ve described offer unique advantages for different playstyles.
It’s no secret that in his downtime from saving the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario likes nothing more than to kick back with his friends and foes for a bit of healthy competition. And where this competition shines best is Mario Kart. This speedy series has been an integral part of the Mario franchise since its introduction in 1992 and remains one of the most popular multiplayer games for casual and hardcore gamers alike.
But not all Mario Kart games are created equally. As the first HD entry in the series, Mario Kart 8 remains a dominant leader of its ilk, especially in its Switch-exclusive deluxe format. Even with its successor in the making, the game is in the midst of six waves of new DLC thanks to its release of new Booster Course Pass tracks. As the game shows no signs of slowing down any time soon, now is the perfect time to perfect those kart combo builds.
Newcomers often believe that sheer speed is everything, but while it’s important, factors like handling and acceleration also play significant roles. When combined with skillful driving, these elements can outperform even the fastest combinations in the game. Over time, through much experimentation, players across the globe have determined the optimal combos for various scenarios and shared strategies on how others can utilize them during races.
9 Link, Master Cycle, Off-road Tires, Hylian Kite
Inward Drifting At Its Finest
Why choose this combo?
- Inward drifting can help take sharp turns
- Good traction
This combination featuring Link is perfect for gamers seeking adrenaline-pumping, rapid racing experiences across the game’s tracks. The Master Cycle boasts exceptional speed and the off-road tires ensure superior handling even on bumpy terrains, making it a valuable asset if you find yourself in grassy areas during play.
Although it may not be the top kite available in the game, the Hylian Kite offers reliable soaring that significantly simplifies managing airtime. Moreover, it harmonizes nicely with the overall combination, contributing to maintaining a complete Legend of Zelda experience. For those unfamiliar with it, the Master Cycle is a motorcycle-like vehicle that leans inward during drifts. Newcomers may want to practice with this type of bike first, as mastering drifting can be challenging at first.
8 Peach, Cat Cruiser, Leaf Tires, Parachute
Great Handling And Decent Acceleration
Why choose this combo?
- Light and agile
- Quick acceleration and good handling
This configuration not only boasts an attractive appearance and superior handling, but it also facilitates swift maneuvers. Such agility can significantly impact performance at higher speeds, such as those seen in 150 cc and 200 cc ranges. The Leaf Tires, when paired with the Cat Cruiser, contribute to its stability. This combination makes it an excellent choice for challenging tracks like Neo Bowser City that require more technical skills.
As a thrill-seeker admiring my skydiving gear, I can’t help but appreciate how the parachute enhances the ensemble’s aesthetic appeal. Yet, its beauty goes beyond skin deep; it provides superior control during the glide, a crucial factor that can make all the difference in those fleeting moments when I’m soaring through the air. Granted, it might not be the fastest option out there, but its ability to maintain control more than compensates for its speed deficit.
7 Baby Daisy, Biddybuggy, Azure Roller Tires, & Paper Glider
Who Says The Slow One Can’t Win?
Why choose this combo?
- It provides good acceleration and steady handling
- The combo also gives us a significant boost to the mini-turbo stat
It might appear contradictory at first glance, but in certain situations, being slow and consistent can actually be the key to winning a race. Instead of prioritizing speed, some players may choose slower vehicles that offer superior acceleration and maneuverability. That’s precisely what Baby Daisy offers, with the second-highest acceleration stat and the best handling stat among all options.
The Biddybuggy automobile enhances its performance in speed, maneuverability, and grip, as well as increasing the mini-turbo stat significantly. Fitting Azure Roller Tires reduces both speed and weight even more, but they significantly improve the mini-turbo functionality. Despite gliders generally having minimal impact on stats, using a Paper Glider provides a slight improvement in acceleration and mini-turbo.
6 Toadette, Flame Rider, Ancient Tires & Flower Glider
Slow and Steady wins the race
Why choose this combo?
- Like the previous build, it prioritizes steadiness over speed
- Provides better handling and traction
A construction focusing more on quickness rather than sheer speed is this one with Toadette as the character, who excels remarkably in maneuverability and acceleration due to her exceptional stats in those areas. Similar to the previous setup, players can compensate for its relatively slower pace by acquiring speed advantages through drifting or coin collection within the game.
This modification, known as The Flame Rider, significantly improves the grip on this design, not just increasing traction but also boosting maneuverability, speed, and mini-turbo functionality. Despite the potential drawback of increased weight, employing the Ancient Tires helps to offset this, providing additional traction. The Flower Glider, in essence, amplifies all the impressive aspects of this build.
5 Bowser, B Dasher, Gold Tires, & Super Glider
Balance Of Both Speed And Handling
Why choose this combo?
- It maintains a balance between speed and handling
- With great speed, the build adds weight to the vehicle, thus maintaining a good handling
In Mario Kart 8, the concept of speed and weight is closely linked, and this relationship is most evident in the character who is notorious for trying to kidnap Princess Peach – Bowser. Being one of the heaviest characters in the game, Bowser falls into this category, yet he also boasts some of the highest speed statistics. This build aims to maximize Bowser’s speed potential while maintaining manageable controls.
The B Dasher enhances both weight and speed significantly, yet it maintains handling stat relatively well compared to other vehicles. Gold Tires amplify these features even more, causing only a slight decrease in vehicle handling. The Super Glider, paired with the Waddle Wing or Hylian Kite, is an excellent option for those content with their current build as equipping it won’t affect any previously chosen stats.
4 Bowser, Landship, Azure Roller Tires & Hylian Kite
Speed That You Can Control
Why choose this combo?
- Good speed without compromising on the control
- The build gives a significant boost to acceleration
This setup, incorporating Bowser, offers a fairly good balance in speed statistics, minimizing the risk of losing full control. Speed-centric builds often boost Bowser’s existing high weight and speed stats at the expense of crucial aspects like acceleration and grip. Given his initially low performance in these areas, this build is designed to offset that imbalance.
This Landship vehicle significantly enhances both acceleration and overall traction during construction, offering a slight increase to the mini-turbo as well. Combining it with Azure Roller Tires noticeably improves not only acceleration but also handling and mini-turbo. However, the Hylian Kite has no impact on stats, resulting in this build having a reasonable speed, markedly superior acceleration, and significantly better traction compared to other builds.
3 Rosalina, P-Wing, Cyber Slick Tires, & Bowser Kite
You Need Both Speed And Weight
Why choose this combo?
- Keeps a balance between weight and speed
- The build helps you outspeed your opponents while also making your vehicle heavy enough to destroy anything.
One of the best build strategies in Mario Kart 8 is making sure the combination of weight and speed is just right, and this build featuring the cosmic Princess Rosalina does just that. Though Rosalina may not seem like a heavyweight, she’s in the top four weight classes, ranked just behind juggernauts like Donkey Kong and Roy.
1) The P-Wing go-kart contributes both speed and a bit of weight to the construction, making it heavy enough to easily overpower any rival that comes across its path. The Cyber Slick Tires, swap-able with the standard Slick Tires, provide an additional significant boost in speed. Lastly, the Bowser Kite completes the setup by enhancing the acceleration and mini-turbo functions.
2 Morton, Circuit Special, Slick Tires & Plane Glider
Speed Over Anything
Why choose this combo?
- The build mainly focuses on speed
- While it also adds a little bit of weight, the build is best suited for skilled players who are looking for some challenge
In the same weight category as Bowser, you’ll find Morton, one of the notorious seven adversaries called the Koopalings. Just like Bowser, Morton boasts identical statistics. Therefore, characters with similar physiques will respond identically. This particular build emphasizes speed, which means it makes strategic compromises in areas such as acceleration and grip. For those who opt for this speed-focused build, expert driving skills are crucial.
1) The Circuit Special Kart is a swift vehicle that additionally increases the driver’s weight. This model comes at a high price tag due to its acceleration and mini-turbo, but it makes handling more challenging. Similarly, skilled drivers are recommended for the Slick Tires setup as they can maintain speed effectively. The Plane Glider provides a slight weight advantage too.
1 Wario, Mercedes GLA, Gold Tires & Wario Wing
Break All Odds
Why choose this combo?
- Suitable for players who want to reach the top speed
- The acceleration isn’t the best, but if the players are skilled, they can hit the top speed without crashing the vehicle.
Wario falls into one of the heavier character categories in the game, just slightly behind the top-heaviest ones. This build is perfect for experienced players aiming to maximize speed while minimizing additional weight. However, it should be noted that this comes at a slight cost in terms of acceleration. But with the right driving skills, this setup will undoubtedly lead to victory.
Initially, the Mercedes GLA appeared to be just a promotional strategy when its DLC was released, but its impressive stats can’t be overlooked. This vehicle offers a significant boost in speed, weight, and traction, making it an ideal choice for a character like Wario. Upgrading to the Gold Tires will enhance these attributes even further, while the Wario Wing provides a minor weight reduction as well. Players aiming for top speeds and a stylish look won’t make a mistake with this setup.
Mario Kart 8 is currently available on Switch.
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2024-09-27 22:55