Nintendo staff ghost times
When you beat a certain time, you will unlock one of the Nintendo's staff ghost, as follows.
Luigi Circuit: Beat 1:29:000; Staff time: 1:26:277
Peach Beach: Beat 1:23:000; Staff time: 1:20:404
Baby Park: Beat 1:14:000; Staff time: 1:11:108
Dry Dry Desert: Beat 1:53:000; Staff time: 1:50:755
Mushroom Bridge: Beat 1:34:000; Staff time: 1:31:458
Mario Circuit: Beat 1:44:000; Staff time: 1:41:384
Daisy Crusier: Beat 1:55:000; Staff time: 1:52:207
Waluigi Stadium: Beat 2:02:000; Staff time:1:59:658
Sherbert Land: Beat 1:28:000; Staff time: 1:25:904
Mushroom City: Beat 1:53:000; Staff time: 1:50:663
Yoshi Circuit: Beat 2:02:000; Staff time: 1:59:886
DK Mountain: Beat 2:15:000; Staff time:2:12:639
Wario Colosseum: Beat 2:24:000; Staff time: 2:21:106
Dino Dino Jungle: Beat 2:03:000; Staff time: 2:00:908
Bowsers Castle: Beat 2:47:000; Staff time: 2:44:690
Rainbow Road: Beat 3:19:000; Staff time: 3:16:476
Kart stats
The stats for each kart is as follows.
Red Fire (Mario)
Speed: ***
Acceleration: ***
Weight: ***
Heart Coach (Peach)
Speed: **
Acceleration: ****
Weight: ***
Turbo Yoshi (Yoshi)
Speed: **
Acceleration: ****
Weight: ***
Goo: Goo Buggy (Baby Mario)
Speed: *
Acceleration: *****
Weight: **
Koopa Dasher (Koopa)
Speed: **
Acceleration: ****
Weight: **
DK Jumbo (DK)
Speed: ****
Acceleration: **
Weight: ****
Koopa King (Bowser)
Speed: *****
Acceleration: *
Weight: *****
Wario Car (Wario)
Speed: ****
Acceleration: **
Weight: ****
Green Fire (Luigi)
Speed: ****
Acceleration: **
Weight: **
Rattle Buggy (Baby luigi)
Speed: **
Acceleration: ****
Weight: **
Bloom Coach (Daisy)
Speed: ***
Acceleration: ***
Weight: **
Waluigi Racer (Waluigi)
Speed: ***
Acceleration: ***
Weight: ***
Turbo Birdo (Birdo)
Speed: ***
Acceleration: ***
Weight: ****
Para Wing (Parakoopa)
Speed: *
Acceleration: *****
Weight: **
Barrel Train (Diddy Kong)
Speed: ****
Acceleration: **
Weight: ***
Bullet Blaster (Bowser Jr.)
Speed: ****
Acceleration: ***
Weight: *
Toad Kart (Toad)
Speed: **
Acceleration: ****
Weight: **
Toadette Kart (Toadette)
Speed: *
Acceleration: *****
Weight: **
Piranha Pipes (Petey Piranha)
Speed: ****
Acceleration: **
Weight: *****
Boo Pipes (King Boo)
Speed: **
Acceleration: ****
Weight: *****
Parade Kart (???)
Speed: ****
Acceleration: ***
Weight: ****
Speed kart attribute
The Speed rating is, of course, the top speed of each vehicle. Note that the top speed averages only vary 1 to 2 mph per star, but over 3 laps, it all adds up. The Kart's weight factor will not only determine how much you slow down if you go off course, but also how much speed you will lose by making a turn without power sliding. For example, Bowser's Kart may have a ***** rating on speed, but the ***** rating on weight tends to make him lose more speed unless you power slide into your turns. The rule is, the heavier you are, the more power sliding will be necessary to keep that nice top speed bonus. Remember, the difference is fractional, but after three laps it all adds up. Other factors in-race that will alter your top speed is turning without power sliding (it will knock you down 1-2 mph), incline of the road (down-slope faster, up-slope slower), and turning while power sliding (which will actually raise your top speed 1 mph if you sustain it) will not lower your speed at all. The class speed breakdown is as follows. Note: this is an average. One star of weight more or less will alter the speed 1 mph or so respectively:
| 50cc | 100cc | 150cc/mirror |
* | 42 mph | 47 mph | 54 mph |
** | 43 mph | 48 mph | 55 mph |
*** | 44 mph | 49 mph | 56 mph |
**** | 45 mph | 50 mph | 57 mph |
***** | 46 mph | 51 mph | 58 mph |
Note: It does not matter who you have driving; speeds remain the same no matter what character you choose to drive which kart.
Acceleration kart attribute
The more stars, the faster you will reach your top speed. Weight of course will alter how fast you accelerate. It is fractional, but a kart with *** speed and **** weight will accelerate slightly slower than a *** speed and *** weight kart. Acceleration also dictates control and stability. Basically, the higher the acceleration and the heavier the kart and/or the higher the speed, the harder the kart is to control and the more you will get to power-slide to be able to complete those turns and not lose speed.
Weight kart attribute
Weight will determine who can bash out who. Heavier karts will bash around lighter karts obviously and also determine who the bullies of the game are. Weight affects the other attributes described above. The higher the weight and speed, the more you will want to powerslide to maintain top speed.
Unlocking new Karts in Grand Prix
Win a Grand Prix in first place to unlock a new Kart. There is a bonus Kart in each cc class and Grand Prix that you can win (nine total).
Recommended number of persons in the arena
Cookie Land: 2 or 3
Nintendo Gamecube: 2 (or more if you want to have a very fast battle)
Block City: 2 to 4 or more
Pipe Plaza: 2 to 4 or more
Luigi's Mansion: 3 to 4 or more
Tilt-a-Kart: 2 to 4 or more
Bowser's Castle: Shortcuts
When you reach the part of Bowser's Castle where Bowser is sending fireballs at the racers, continue going straight instead of turning right. You will fall off the ledge and onto the road behind it, gaining plenty of time.
At the end of the course, when it bends around in a curly "V" shape, there is a location with no wall. Normally you would avoid the spot, but if you go through the absence of wall you can cut off a difficult turn. Note: Do not use a mushroom.
When entering the area where the the giant Bowser statue hurls fireballs in your direction, look straight ahead. You should see an open area through which the Bowser statue shoots a fireball from time to time. Avoid all oncoming fireballs and stationary obstacles and race for that opening. If you are moving fast enough, you should make the crossover. Note: This can only be done in 150cc and Mirror mode. When attempting to make the shortcut on 50cc or 100cc mode, you must use a Mushroom Dash or Golden Mushroom Special.
Daisy Cruiser: Shortcut
Drop down into the cargo area and get a double item box and an exhaust pipe that will give you a speed boost.
When you are at the point with the life rings on the ropes, hit one and immediately place a fake box or banana. Other players will not see them.
When you get to the part near the pool area, instead of taking a left, slow down, go backwards slightly, and you should see a thin path on the right side of the pool. This is a little slower to get to, but its better than getting hit by an item or losing your lead by other people going faster than you.
DK Mountain: Shortcut
After you are shot up the hill, on the second turn on the grassy area of the mountain, power slide to the left. Then, let go and power slide again to the right. The back of your kart should hit the mountainside. Go forward to jump the abyss. Note: If you have a big kart and you fall, this will not work.
Dino Land: Shortcuts
If you have a mushroom and are in the cave with the geysers, turn right, boost, and you will be able to make the jump.
On the part just before the two bridges, turn right. There is a narrow path with a boost that takes you to the end of the bridge. Note: This is very risky and heavier karts have better odds of making it.
Dry Dry Desert: Shortcut
At the end of the course, there will be a billboard with an arrow that you cannot see. Its shadow makes an arrow pointing to a two second lead. Note: It will not slow you down.
Dry Dry Ruins: Shortcut
When near the pit with the Sand-Pirahna, remember the following: he will not eat you if you have a star; and you can power slide in the pit and perform a mini-turbo to dash out the other side.
Luigi's Mansion: Bob-omb Blast mode
When playing in Bob-omb Blast mode, if you are in top, throw bombs on the middle floor. If you are in the middle floor, throw bombs in hallways. If you are in the basement, defend your turf with ground-zero explosions.
Luigi's Mansion: Shine Theft mode
When playing Luigi's Mansion in Shine Theft mode, when they go up or down to find you, change floors.
Luigi's Mansion: Balloon Battle mode
When playing Luigi's Mansion in Balloon Battle mode, outrun everyone and if you get homing weapons, fire them from the third floor.
Luigi's Circuit: 50cc course change
When you're racing in the Luigi Circuit, the shortcut will be covered with grass. In the same track, the shortcut behind the Chain Chomp will be buried underneath a slope.
Mario Circuit: Mushroom
On the Mario Circuit course in the Flower Cup, when you approach the Goombas, use a red or green shell, star, or some other special item. Use it to hit a Goomba and a mushroom should appear.
Mushroom Bridge: Shortcuts
Drive on the bridge to get a massive speed boost; just do not fall off.
If you have a mushroom, you can go up the dirt hill and shave a lot of time off your score.
Once you start the race, turn right as soon as you get off the bridge (left in mirror mode). You should see an open path. Drive down that path and you will soon reach a large green pipe. When you enter it, it should instantly warp you back onto the track from the top of the pipe into a 2-Item box.
Mushroom Bridge: Boost
When you locate a mushroom car, bump into it. If you do, it will throw out a mushroom on the ground to give you a boost.
Mushroom City: Shortcut
When at the first junction pair, choose the one that goes straight forwards and stay to the right . You should see a small pink path cutting through the block and shave off many seconds. Also, when you come to the bridge area, stay to the right again to see a small ledge with no Bombcars on it. It is much safer.
When you get to the part near the finish line, instead of taking a left into the traffic where all the cars are located, go to the right onto a thin road covered in dirt. This should make you go slightly slower, but it is faster than being hit by the cars on the other side.
When racing on the Mushroom City course in the Star Cup and you reach the first fork in the track, take a right. You will have to make another turn, but will have a long straightaway to gain speed. Keep going straight, until you have to take another turn. Once you get on the straightaway, do not take any forks; just go straight.
Mushroom City: Boost
When you locate a mushroom car, bump into it. If you do, it will throw out a mushroom on the ground to give you a boost.
Peach Beach: Shortcut
As soon as you go onto the beach, go left and up the ramp to cut a few seconds off your time.
Peach Beach: Items
When you start, keep going straight until you see a gray road to the left (to the right in mirror mode), that leads to a green tube. Go into it and you will be shot out and always hit a double item box. It depends on which cc class you are on for which place you will have when exit. In the 50cc class, it will be first to fifth; 100cc class, second to seventh; and 150cc, sixth to eighth. You will always get very helpful items from this trick. In the 150cc class, you will get a star, three mushrooms, first-place seeker (blue-winged shell), that character's special, and a red shell.
After you go through all the items, you will see a fountain. Instead of going straight, turn left and there will be two items boxes. Note: You will lose time.
Rainbow Road: Star power-up
Sometimes a shooting star appears every once in a while. When it hits the road, a star will be on the ground for you to pick up.
Wario Coliseum: Shortcut
When you are entering the circular room with the huge pit in the middle, go straight instead of around and hit the boost ramp to jump the pit. This will shave some distance and time.
Yoshi Circuit: Shortcuts
Go all the way through the track until you reach the tunnel. After going through the tunnel, drive off the edge of the cliff into the side of the mountain. You must have a star or mushroom to get this shortcut.
Before you reach the first tunnel, instead of going around to the left go straight ahead with a boost to shave a few seconds off your time. There is a jump on the grass.
As you drive out of the mouth tunnel, you will see Nintendo signs. Veer off the road if you have a mushroom. Use the mushroom as soon as you hit the edge. You have to do it perfectly or you will land in the ocean. It will take you down Yoshi's neck, give you a chance for an item box, and best of all put you in a position where you do not have to curve around.
After the second turn, go straight up the slope in the grass instead of turning left. Note: You need a mushroom or star to get past. Use the mushroom just when you go on the grass.
Note: This trick requires a star. After the tunnel, use the star to gain speed and jump into the hole in the side of the mountain.
After the finish line, there will be a sharp turn. Get a mushroom and you will go flying over a pond.
There are two shortcuts, one after the other. The first is easy to find. It is near the beginning. You just have to go over the second turn and boost when you are on the grass verge. The second is difficult to find. When you come out of the cave after the first jump, there will be a gap in the railing on the left (right in mirror mode). If you boost, you can make it to a secret road in the cliff.
Balloon battle mode: Stealing balloons
In multi-player balloon battle mode, you can steal other players' balloons with mushrooms.
Quick start
To get a boost, repeatedly tap [A] at the start of the countdown.
At the start a race, hold [A] at the countdown, then press [A] repeatedly once it gets to one second. Keep pressing [A] repeatedly until the race starts. If done correctly, you should blast out in front of everybody else.
Hold [A] immediately after the "1" disappears in the countdown. This can take some practice, and it is easier for some than others.
When you see the first red light start up, repeatedly tap [A] and do not stop until after the "Start" sign flips. You should get a bountiful burst of nitro boost.
At the start of the race, wait until immediately after Lakitu puts his arm down the fourth time and press [A]. If done correctly, you will get a boost.
Quick restart
When you fall down in a course, press [A] as soon as Lakitu drops you. You will get a boost as you start up again.
You can get a speed boost after falling off by perfectly timing when you press [A] when Lakuta gets you.
Mini-turbo
When you are sliding, you will see yellow sparks. Move the Analog-stick in the opposite direction from your turn, then let it fall back to center. You will see orange sparks. Once you see them, move it opposite again. You will see blue sparks. Once you see them, you can let go for a boost or keep holding them until the curve ends. This is useful in long turns.
While doing a sharp turn ( [L] ) press back and forth on the Analog-stick to get a small boost.
Dodging homing attacks
If you are going around a turn and a red shell is after you, power slide with the blue spark. When it is just about to hit you. Release of [L] or [R] and you should boost out of the way. This also works with Yoshi's and Birdo's eggs.
Avoid spiked shells
To avoid Spiked shells (the ones that go to the first place person), when you are on a turn, skid. Immediately before it hits, do a mini turbo. Note: This is very difficult to do, and it only works for sharp turns.
Golden Mushroom
Play as any character with any kart. Have Toad or Toadette in the back seat. Start a level under any cup. Note: This was done under the 150 cc class. Once you get a item box and it is spinning around, rapidly tap [Y] until you get your item. It should be a Golden Mushroom most of the time.
Faster karts
Each driver will go slightly faster if they are driving their own kart. This works well if you are using the Waluigi and Luigi combination on Waluigi's kart.
Drive through grass faster
When you have a star you can cut through the grass without slowing down.
Easy win
If you have three controllers, set the game up for a three player Grand Prix. Have the first and second player be the two kart duo and you control the lone kart. Play the game and the odds should be on your side, since one player is gone. When you finish, complete the other player. This works well when trying to unlock new bonuses.
On tracks with jumps or narrow paths, ram into your enemies. They will fall off the edge, wasting their time. This works best with heavier karts.
In any course that includes a slope, if you make the necessary calculations to hit them just before they jump, they will fall down and give you some time.
Star and mushroom shortcuts
Whenever you get a star or a mushroom, you can cut through sand, grass, and other places that usually slow you down. Some good places to do this include Luigi's Circuit when you go near the Bow-Wow or Chain Chomp or in Peach Beach near the water. Be careful not to fall into the deep part, In Dry-Dry Desert at the beginning, instead of following the trail, you can cut through the sand. This saves a lot of time and it might also get you in first. Also, if you have a star and are in Dry-Dry Desert, you can cut through the quick sand where the Sand Piranha is with a star and it will not eat you.
More frequent and easier special
To get any character's special easier and more frequently, have that character ride their own kart. Note: Some characters get their specials slightly more frequently on carts other than their own.
Better chance of getting good power-ups
When approaching a power-up box, release the accelerator about half a second before picking it up. Wait until the item slot has stopped rotating and you know what your item is before you start pressing the accelerator again. By doing this you may lose time and position, but if timed correctly and performed at good spots where slowdown in minimal, this trick is well worth it.
Get two items with a single item box
Have your kart hit a single item box then press [Z] to switch characters. The item you received will go to the driver and you cannot use it until you switch again. Next, drive into another single item box to get another item. You will now have two items just like you would get from a double item box.
When you are riding and miss the double item box, and only get a single, either punch the person with two or press [Z] and run over a single or double item box.
Steal items
Have a combination of Yoshi and someone else. Have the other person drive and have Yoshi as the weapons player. Have the driver go up to a person then have them press the buttons to make his tongue come out. This will steal their item, if they have any, and can be useful for knocking people off bridges on tracks such as Dino Land.
Whenever you have two players controlling one kart and the item player presses [R] or [L], the rear character will perform a small lunge in the appropriate direction. This causes the kart to go slightly awry, but if you hit another kart, you will steal their item and send them flying.
A clever way to steal items or to just push your opponents off the track is to have a combination of Paratroopa or Koopa with some other character. When you get a shell, fire it then slam into the victim. Another way is to get a mushroom and boost into your enemy.
Pass items
Note: This can only be dine in two player mode. If you pick up a double "?" box so that both the players get power-ups, and the driver cannot switch with the passenger at the moment, the driver can "pass" his item onto the passenger by pressing the [X] or [Y]. This is useful if one person is good at driving and one at shooting, or if it is too confusing to switch.
No lightning damage
If you are in the air, lighting bolts will not effect you.
Recover from lightning
If you are far ahead and struck by lightning, drive off a cliff. You will be big again.
Staying in the lead
While you are in the lead and a player fires a red shell at you, get an item box. If you get a fake item box, banana, or green shell, you can use those to block the red shell. To throw a green shell back, hold the Analog-stick [Down] and press "Throw". For you alone, use [Y] button; for two player co-op, press [A] or [B].
Drop a false box or banana on a speed boost strip. It will cause your opponents to "trip." This trick works well with a speed boost strip on a ramp, such the many located on Rainbow Road, Wario's Coliseum, and and few of the other tracks. Your opponents will "trip" over the item and not have enough speed to make the jump.
Specials
the following is a list of each character's special items:
Mario/Luigi: Fireballs (self-explanatory)
Peach/Daisy: Heart (1-hit shield, receive item that damaged you)
Yoshi/Birdo: Egg (homing bomb, drops items)
Baby Mario/ Baby Luigi: Chain Chomp (giant Chain Chomp pulls you around, attacking enemies)
Koopa/Paratroopa: Triple Shells (self explanatory, red or green)
DK/Diddy Kong: Giant Banana (giant banana, explodes into three little bananas when hit)
Bowser/ Bowser Jr: Bowser Shell (giant shell)
Toad/Toadette: Super Mushroom (unlimited mushroom for short period of time)
Petey Piranha/ King Boo: Any Special (any special item, position most likely determines item)
Recommended combinations
Try using the following combinations.
Mario and Baby Bowser
Paratroopa and Wario
Luigi and Waluigi
Koopa and Bowser
Yoshi, Baby Mario and Luigi's kart are a good combination. Baby Mario's Chomp helps you when you are under fifth and Yoshi's Homing Egg helps when you are on second and down.
Unlock Toad and Toadette. They have the greatest special, the golden mushroom. Create a duo with Toad or Toadette and someone else. You will then have that special.
Use Toad and Paratroopa. Paratroopa's shells will make sure that other drivers do not pass you up while Toad makes boosts.
Use Paratroopa and Diddy kong in Paratroopa's kart. When down in fifth, you will get three homing shells. When in first you have Diddy's giant banana and Paratroopa's three green shells. This combo is best used when competing in all mirror mode and 150cc cups.
Use Baby Browser and Yoshi with Luigi's kart.
Use Baby Mario's "Goo Goo Buggy". This is the best kart because of its acceleration. Paratroopa's Parawing also works well.
Try using the following combinations.
Baby Luigi and Peach
Luigi and Baby Luigi
Baby Mario and Baby Luigi
Baby Luigi and Bowser Jr.
For an easier win and a well balanced race team, choose Baby Luigi and Toad (or Toadette). Then, choose the Baby Luigi Kart. Both characters will have well balanced special items. For example, Toad is good because he has the element of speed with his Super Mushroom. If you Press [X] or [Y], he will charge up your speed and if you press [X] or [Y] rapidly, you will get a super speed boost. Baby Luigi is good because he has Chain Chomp as his special. Baby Luigi should hold onto Chain Chomp for as long as he can, but will eventually pull off, knocking off the rest of his opponents as he goes along the course.
Use Birdo and Yoshi in the Birdo kart in single player 150 cc (or mirror). When you are in first place, if you get a egg shoot it ahead. When it breaks open you could get a star. Stars appear from Birdo egs more frequently, and they make for a good weapon when you are behind.
To take control of the competition, choose Koopa Troopa and Paratroopa as your racers and either the Koopa Dasher or Toad Kart as your vehicle. Koopa Troopa's or Paratroopa's Triple Green/Red Shell special slows down the competition when in any position less than first and keeps them back while in first. The Koopa Dasher and Toad Kart are selected because their handling is by far the best in the game.
A good team is Diddy Kong driving with Koopa using the weapons in Baby Mario's Kart. You will get the good specials and good skills, and although Baby Mario's Kart is not that fast, it is the easiest to control.
Glitch: DK Mountain: Float
When you go through the cannon, just as you start to drop down have someone use a thunder. You will drop and start floating in the air. This is very difficult to do. If it happens, you cannot move and will just float there. You can tilt your cart, but you cannot be shot.
Glitch: Rainbow Road: Disappear
When you get to the turns before the large pipe with fan, go off the track as if you are going to clip the corner. You will go off the track and then reappear on the track with no time taken off.
Glitch: Incomplete switching
Choose any pair of characters and a kart (for example, Mario, Peach, and the Heart Coach). Next choose a track with an animated jump (for example, DK Mountain, getting shot out of the cannon; or Rainbow Road, getting shot straight up in the tube). When you get to those places on the track, get shot out of them. As you are falling, get ready to switch. If you switch characters just before you hit the ground, you will see the back player switch to the front, but not the other way. The driver that was supposed to switch to the back bypassed the switching animation and was already in the back. Notes: This will also appear in the replay, however you cannot do this after you have fallen and Lactu has rescued you.