Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: 14 Things You Didn't Know You Could Do

3. Hold An Item Behind You To Avoid Being Hit

A fairly awkward thing to get down, it literally revolves holding L when acquiring a variety of items, to 'hold' it behind you, rather than actually throwing or deploying.

This works with Bananas and Shells as the two most common. Just hold L - especially when out in first place - and you'll prep an item behind you. Each item can absorb one hit from enemy racers like those dastardly Red Shells, allowing you to maybe make it over the finish line in one piece.

Note: They can't prevent you from Blue Shells, but I have something else for that at number one.