Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Best Setups & Strategies (2024)

Hey guys! Ready to leave your rivals in the dust in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe? Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting your karting journey, mastering the right setups and strategies can seriously up your game. In this guide, we’ll dive deep into the best kart customizations, character choices, and gameplay tips to help you become a true champion in 2024. Let's get rolling!

Choosing the Best Kart Setup

Okay, so you're probably wondering, "What's the secret sauce to a winning kart setup?" Well, it’s all about finding the perfect balance of speed, acceleration, weight, handling, and traction. Each component of your kart—the body, tires, and glider—plays a crucial role, so let’s break down the best options to create a kart that suits your play style and dominates the competition. We are talking about fine-tuning your machine to become a speed demon! It’s not just about picking what looks cool (though that's important too, let's be honest). The right setup can give you that extra edge, whether you’re drifting around tight corners or speeding down those straightaways. Trust me, your rivals will be eating your dust in no time once you nail this. For instance, if you love to drift, you might want to prioritize handling and acceleration. But if you're all about raw speed, then maxing out your kart's velocity is the way to go. Don't be afraid to experiment a bit and find what feels best for you. After all, Mario Kart is all about having fun, so enjoy the process of tweaking your ride until it's perfect.

Kart Bodies

The kart body is the foundation of your vehicle, influencing several key stats. Here are some top choices:

• Biddybuggy/Landship: These are the go-to for maximizing acceleration and handling. Ideal for beginners or those who love tight, technical tracks. You'll be zipping around corners like a pro! These bodies offer incredible maneuverability, allowing you to recover quickly from mistakes and maintain your speed through tricky sections. Plus, they're super fun to drive! If you're new to the game or just want a kart that's easy to control, the Biddybuggy and Landship are excellent choices.
• Mr. Scooty/City Tripper: Similar to the Biddybuggy, but with slightly different stat distributions. Great for maintaining high control while boosting your speed slightly. These karts are perfect for players who want a bit more speed without sacrificing handling. They strike a nice balance between agility and power, making them versatile choices for any track. Whether you're navigating tight turns or cruising down straightaways, these karts will keep you in the lead.
• Mach 8/Blue Falcon: If speed is your game, these bodies offer a significant boost. Best for experienced players who can handle the reduced acceleration and turning. These karts are all about raw power. They're designed for those who crave adrenaline and aren't afraid to push their limits. However, they require a bit more skill to handle, as their acceleration and turning aren't as forgiving. But once you master them, you'll be unstoppable on the track. Think of them as the sports cars of the Mario Kart world – fast, stylish, and a whole lot of fun.

Tire Choices

The right tires can make or break your kart's performance. Consider these options:

• Roller/Button: These tires offer the best handling and acceleration. Perfect for maintaining control and recovering from item hits. These tires are your best friend when it comes to staying in control. They provide excellent grip and allow you to navigate even the trickiest corners with ease. Plus, they'll help you recover quickly from those annoying item hits that can throw you off course. If you're looking for a reliable and forgiving tire option, the Roller and Button tires are the way to go.
• Slick: For those who prioritize speed and drifting, Slick tires are the way to go. They reduce handling but significantly increase your top speed. These tires are all about going fast. They're designed for players who love to drift and aren't afraid to sacrifice a bit of handling for extra speed. With Slick tires, you'll be able to fly down straightaways and pull off impressive drifts, leaving your opponents in awe. Just be prepared to handle a bit of oversteer – these tires can be a bit slippery! But if you're a skilled drifter, you'll have no problem mastering them and dominating the track.
• Off-Road: If you find yourself frequently veering off the track, these tires can provide better traction on varied terrains. These tires are your secret weapon for staying on course. They provide excellent grip on all types of terrain, whether it's grass, sand, or snow. If you're the type of player who tends to wander off the beaten path, these tires will keep you from losing too much speed. They're especially useful on tracks with lots of off-road sections, where they'll give you a significant advantage over your opponents. Think of them as the all-terrain tires of the Mario Kart world – ready for anything!

Glider Selection

The glider might seem like a minor detail, but it can subtly affect your kart’s stats and performance in the air.

• Cloud Glider/Parafoil: These gliders provide a balanced boost to both speed and acceleration. A solid choice for consistent performance. These gliders are the jack-of-all-trades of the glider world. They provide a nice balance of speed and acceleration, making them a reliable choice for any situation. Whether you're gliding over long distances or making quick maneuvers in the air, these gliders will get the job done. They're perfect for players who want a versatile glider that can handle anything the track throws at them.
• Wario Wing/Gold Glider: If you’re looking for a slight edge in speed, these gliders can provide it, though with minimal impact. These gliders are all about speed. They're designed for players who want to squeeze every last bit of performance out of their kart. While their impact may be minimal, every little bit counts when you're racing for the win. If you're a speed demon at heart, these gliders are the perfect choice for you. Just be prepared to sacrifice a bit of handling – these gliders are all about going fast!

Best Character Choices

Alright, let's talk characters! While the kart parts play a significant role, your character also influences your kart's stats. Here are some top-tier choices:

• Lightweights (Baby Mario, Baby Peach, Koopa Troopa): Excellent acceleration and handling, perfect for beginners. These characters are perfect for beginners and those who value agility over speed. They're small, nimble, and easy to control, making them ideal for navigating tight turns and recovering from mistakes. Plus, they're super cute! If you're new to the game or just want a character that's easy to handle, these lightweights are a great choice.
• Medium Weights (Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi): A balanced choice, offering a mix of speed and handling. These characters are the all-rounders of the Mario Kart world. They offer a nice balance of speed and handling, making them versatile choices for any track. Whether you're racing on a straightaway or navigating a winding course, these characters will keep you competitive. They're perfect for players who want a reliable and well-rounded character.
• Heavyweights (Wario, Bowser, Donkey Kong): Top speed and weight, great for knocking opponents around. These characters are all about power. They're big, heavy, and built for speed. If you love to bully your opponents and knock them off course, these heavyweights are the perfect choice for you. Just be prepared to sacrifice a bit of handling – these characters can be a bit unwieldy. But if you're a skilled driver, you'll have no problem mastering them and dominating the track.

Essential Gameplay Strategies

Okay, so you've got your kart and character all set. Now, let's talk about the nitty-gritty of gameplay. Mastering these strategies can make the difference between a podium finish and eating dust:

• Drifting: Mastering drifting is crucial. Initiate drifts before turns to maintain speed and charge up boost. Experiment with different drift techniques to find what works best for you. Drifting is the bread and butter of Mario Kart. It's essential for maintaining speed around corners and charging up your boost. The key is to start your drift before you reach the turn and to adjust your steering to stay on course. Practice makes perfect, so don't be afraid to experiment with different drifting techniques until you find what works best for you. Once you master drifting, you'll be able to zip around corners like a pro and leave your opponents in the dust.
• Item Management: Knowing when to use your items can turn the tide of a race. Hold onto defensive items like shells and bananas to protect yourself from attacks, and unleash offensive items like stars and mushrooms at strategic moments. Item management is a crucial skill in Mario Kart. It's not enough to just pick up items – you need to know when and how to use them effectively. Defensive items like shells and bananas are great for protecting yourself from attacks, while offensive items like stars and mushrooms can be used to disrupt your opponents. The key is to be strategic and think ahead. Don't just use your items randomly – wait for the perfect moment to unleash them and turn the tide of the race. For example, holding onto a banana peel until someone is right behind you can be a great way to knock them off course. Or, using a star right before a big jump can give you a huge speed boost and propel you into the lead.
• Track Awareness: Knowing the tracks inside and out gives you a massive advantage. Learn the shortcuts, item box locations, and optimal racing lines to maximize your speed and efficiency. Track awareness is another essential skill for Mario Kart success. The more you know about a track, the better you'll be able to navigate it and take advantage of its features. Learn the shortcuts, item box locations, and optimal racing lines to maximize your speed and efficiency. For example, knowing where the hidden ramps and shortcuts are can save you valuable time and help you pull ahead of the competition. And knowing where the item boxes are located can help you stock up on useful items that can turn the tide of the race. So, take the time to study the tracks and learn their secrets – it'll pay off in the long run!

Advanced Techniques

Ready to take your skills to the next level? These advanced techniques can give you an edge over even the most experienced players:

• Fire Hopping: After using a mushroom or boost, hop repeatedly to maintain your speed for a longer duration. This technique requires precise timing but can significantly increase your velocity. Fire hopping is an advanced technique that allows you to maintain your speed for a longer duration after using a mushroom or boost. It involves hopping repeatedly after activating the boost, which somehow tricks the game into thinking you're still under the effect of the boost. This technique requires precise timing and can be tricky to master, but it's well worth the effort. Once you get the hang of it, you'll be able to fly down the track at incredible speeds and leave your opponents in awe. Just be careful not to overdo it – hopping too much can actually slow you down!
• Smart Steering Usage: While smart steering can help beginners, turning it off allows for tighter drifts and more control, especially on advanced tracks. Smart steering is a feature that's designed to help beginners stay on the track. It automatically corrects your steering to prevent you from going off course. While this can be helpful for new players, it can also limit your control and prevent you from performing advanced techniques like drifting. Turning off smart steering allows you to drift more tightly and take sharper turns, which can be a huge advantage on advanced tracks. It also gives you more control over your kart, allowing you to fine-tune your movements and squeeze every last bit of performance out of your ride. So, if you're ready to take your skills to the next level, try turning off smart steering and see how it affects your gameplay!
• Slipstreaming: Drafting behind another kart for a period will give you a speed boost. Use this to overtake opponents strategically. Slipstreaming is a technique that involves drafting behind another kart to gain a speed boost. When you're close behind another kart, you'll notice a stream of air flowing off the back of their kart. This is called the slipstream, and it can reduce drag and increase your speed. By staying in the slipstream for a period of time, you'll eventually get a speed boost that can help you overtake your opponent. Slipstreaming is a strategic technique that can be used to gain an advantage in races. It's especially useful on tracks with long straightaways, where you can maintain the slipstream for an extended period and build up a significant speed boost.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it! With the right kart setup, character choice, and gameplay strategies, you’ll be well on your way to dominating Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in 2024. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep racing and experimenting to find what works best for you. Now go out there and claim your spot on the winner's podium!