Summary
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 isMario Kart. This speedy series has been an integral part of theMariofranchise since its introduction in 1992 and remains one of the most popular multiplayer games for casual and hardcore gamers alike.
But not allMario Kartgamesare created equally. As the first HD entry in the series,Mario Kart 8remains 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 ofnew 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.
Updated in January 2025, by Gerardo Molina:Mario Kart games have always been extremely fun to play, both alone and with friends. However, it could be argued that this latest installment in the franchise brings a lot of new elements and keeps those that have captivated players for years, making it an all-around masterpiece. While not every track in the game is brand-new, those that come from previous installments give Mario Kart 8 Deluxe the right amount of nostalgia without feeling repetitive. That said, some of these tracks will punish players who don’t use the right combos, especially in the 200 CC category. This is why players must be very careful when they select their characters and vehicles.
Great Drifting, Good Control
Why choose this combo?
Yoshiis a beloved character and has been so since the early days of Nintendo. Pairing him with the Mr. Scooty vehicle, the Roller Tires and the Paper Glider is an excellent choice, as it allows players to drift considerably well while retaining a decent amount of handling overall.
Like any other combo in the game, it takes a little practice to perfect it, but once players do, they’ll notice that they’re getting Ultra Mini-Turbos more consistently, gaining an advantage over the competition that will put them in first place.
Not The Fastest, But It Handles Well
AlthoughWaluigihas a slender appearance, he’s actually on the heavier side when it comes to his stats andMario Kart 8 Deluxe. Pairing him with the Wild Wiggler vehicle, the Azure Roller Tires, and the Cloud Glider makes for an excellent combo that combines good handling and decent drifting.
Granted, this combo is not the fastest and neither does it have the quickest Mini-Turbo charging. However, it works well with sharp turns and allows players to have a considerable degree of control, which can make a huge difference when they’re toe to toe with another driver.
Inward Drifting At Its Finest
Emphasizing high speed and traction, this combo withLinkis ideal for players who want to try aggressive, fast racing throughout the tracks in the game. The Master Cycle has great top speed, and the off-road tires allow for better handling through rough terrain, which can be very useful if players end up in a grassy patch.
While not the best kite in the game, the Hylian Kite provides stable gliding, which can make handling airborne time much easier. Not to mention that it fits the overall combo very well, as it helps maintain 100%Legend of Zeldacomponents. The Master Cycle is an inward drifting vehicle, so players who aren’t used to these types of bikes should first practice with them, as drifting isn’t as simple.
Great Handling And Decent Acceleration
This setup not only looks great and has great handling, but it also allows for quick turns. This can make a huge difference at higher speeds like 150 and 200 CCs. The Leaf Tires help stabilize the Cat Cruiser, making the combo great for more technical tracks like Neo Bowser City.
The parachute not only complements the combo’s overall look, but also offers improved control during gliding, which can be a great advantage during those few seconds when players are airborne. While it’s certainly not the fastest, this combo makes up for its lack of speed with a good degree of control.
Who Says The Slow One Can’t Win?
It may seem a little counterintuitive, but sometimesslow and steady does indeed win the race. While other playersmay focus on their need for speed, some may opt for a slower vehicle with better acceleration and handling. These two stats are exactly whatBaby Daisybrings to the table, with thesecond-highest accelerationstat and the highest handling stat of all.
TheBiddybuggyvehicle further adds to the stats of acceleration, handling, and traction while also giving aboost to the mini-turbo stat. Using theAzure Roller Tireswill lower the speed and weight stats even further, but they bolster the mini-turbo capabilities by a great deal. Though gliders are renowned for their little effect on the stats, using the Paper Glider will give a small boost to acceleration and mini-turbo.
Slow and Steady wins the race
Another build that prioritizes acceleration over outright speed is this one featuringToadette, which makes the most of her incredibly high stats both in handling and acceleration. Much like the previously listed build, players can balance out this slower option by gettingin-game speed boostsfrom drifting or collecting coins.
The Flame Rider adds a decent amount of traction to this build while alsoenhancing handling, acceleration, and mini-turbo capabilities. Though this vehicle may pull down on weight, using theAncient Tireshelps to counteract this while adding a further boost to traction. TheFlower Glideressentially serves to heighten all the standout stats of this build.
Balance Of Both Speed And Handling
InMario Kart 8,speed and weight often go hand-in-hand, and there’s no better example of this than everyone’s favoritePrincess-nabbing foe, Bowser. Bowser weighs in as part of theheaviest classin the game and also has one of thehighest speed stats. This build will take Bowser’s speed to the ultimate limit without making it too hard to control.
TheB Dasher adds weightand a decent speed boost without lowering the handling stat as much as some other vehicles do. TheGold Tiresserve to further heighten these stats and only have a mild impact on the handling of the vehicle. TheSuper Glider,along with the Waddle Wing or the Hylian Kite, is a great choice for those satisfied with the rest of their build, as equipping won’t affect any of the previous stats selected.
Speed That You Can Control
As more of an all-rounder style of setup, this build featuring Bowser gives adecent speed statwithout the risk of losing complete control. Mostspeed-focused buildsadd to Bowser’s already high weight and speed stats while sacrificing key areas like acceleration and traction. Given his starting stats in these areas are already some of the lowest in the game, this build aims to counteract that.
The Landship vehicle gives a goodboost to accelerationand an impressive one to the overall traction of the build. It also gives asmall boost to the mini-turbo stat. Pairing it with theAzure Roller Tiresfurther boosts the acceleration, handling, and mini-turbo. As the Hylian Kite won’t affect stats, it leaves this build with a decent speed, a much higher acceleration stat, and much better traction than other builds.
You Need Both Speed And Weight
One of the best build strategies inMario Kart 8is making sure thecombination of weight and speedis just right, and this build featuring the cosmic Princess Rosalina does just that. Though Rosalinamay not seem like a heavyweight, she’s in thetop four weight classes, ranked just behind juggernauts like Donkey Kong and Roy.
TheP-Wingkart adds speed and a little weightto the build, making it heavy enough to squash any competition that gets in the way. TheCyber Slick Tires, interchangeable with the Slick Tires, add considerable extra speed as well. Rounding out the build is theBowser Kite, which boosts the acceleration and mini-turbo capabilities.
Speed Over Anything
In the same weight class as Bowser is Morton, one of the seven dastardly foes known as theKoopalings. Morton has all the same stats that Bowser has, so similar builds will affect the characters in the same way. This buildprioritizes speed, and as such makes key sacrifices on the stats of acceleration and traction. For builds like this, skilled driving is a must.
TheCircuit Specialkart isa speedy vehiclethat also boosts the weight of the driver as well. It comes at a steep cost for the acceleration and the mini-turbo while also making it harder to handle. The same can be said for theSlick Tires, so those using this build will need to be talented drivers who can maintain speed well. ThePlane Glidergives a small weight boost as well.
