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

12. Use Character Weight To Side-Swipe Other Racers

Common knowledge if you're a long-time player, but that Weight stat on the character select screen (hit +/- to view after you've picked a racer) actually has an in-game purpose other than how sluggish your driver is to control.

There are two components to this. First, the weight class of your character - which the game doesn't surface, but you can find right here - and the Weight meter itself, as affected by whatever combination of items you equip on the kart selection screen. Mainly, although Weight affects how wide you'll go during powerslides, a higher amount means you can literally ram into other characters to cause the standard 'arm-flailing' animation.

Ever been driving along and had this happen to you, despite not being hit by something?

Chances are, it's because a heavier character slammed into your side. Don't worry though, depending on how you want to play, just pick somebody like Bowser, Donkey Kong, Morton etc. and get to side-swiping the competition. Most of the time you'll be able to barrel on through, causing them to freak out, and - better yet - occasionally knocking them clean off the course.