Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: 12 Tips & Tricks The Game Doesn't Tell You

Sick of being shelled before the finish line? Not for long.

By Scott Tailford /

Nintendo

A supremely gorgeous package, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe combines sublime 60fps gameplay with the biggest roster in Mario Kart history, all past DLC from the Wii U edition and guest characters from other franchises such as Animal Crossing, The Legend of Zelda and Splatoon.

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However, in seeing the franchise get so big, Nintendo have taken steps to ensure that you can never get into too much of a 'comfort zone' when playing. Where before it would be possible to rocket ahead of the pack and have plenty time to gloat as you wait at the finish line, now everything is far more chaotic thanks to racers being able to pick up two power-ups at once, alongside A.I. that feels like it warps up next to you, just to keep things competitive.

All of which is in service of providing a version of Mario Kart for the masses. You can still very much get good at it, but the game's reliance on luck-based power-ups and tightly-packed jostles for finishing positions ensures there's a chance it can all go sideways at the last second.

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To that end, you'll need all the help you can get to avoid coming in last - especially in the 200cc class - so let's gather together a handful of crucial tips and tricks the game straight-up doesn't tell you otherwise.