Mario Kart 8 Shortcuts: Guide to all tracks

In this Mario Kart 8 shortcuts guide you will learn:

  • An overview of all tracks
  • All important shortcuts in Mario Kart 8
  • How to make the best use of the shortcuts

To complete a race in Mario Kart 8 quickly, you need skill, appropriate items and a good knowledge of the tracks. For the first one you'll have to practice, for the second one you'll need luck and for the third one we'll help you with this guide to all Mario Kart 8 shortcuts. We have driven every track for you.

Are you wondering which driver is best for you, how to get out of corners with a speed boost or what helps against the blue tank? Then check out our Mario Kart 8 guide, where we answer all these questions and more. Mario Kart 8 is available for Wii U and as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe including all DLCs also for Nintendo Switch.

How do I use shortcuts in Mario Kart 8?

Mario Kart 8 is designed for fun races and the use of many items. Accordingly, the game tries to keep the field of drivers close together. So you won't find any shortcuts that take you on completely different paths. Instead, there are many little ways to save yourself a second.

There are some basic things you should pay attention to. Use every little rise and curve to get a boost. Over an entire race, they make a big difference. And if you have a mushroom, use it to shorten a turn by going over an area of rough ground that would otherwise slow you down.

When the path forks, there is usually no best solution. Instead, you usually have a choice between items and coins. If you already have two items or your coins are at the limit, then take the other path accordingly. Otherwise, it is usually advisable to stay away from the other drivers.

Mushroom Cup

Mario Kart Stadium

The first track in Mario Kart 8 is relatively simple. There is only one place where you can really take a shortcut. At the end of a lap, you'll pass between some green tubes. However, you'll need a mushroom (or a star) to avoid being slowed down too much by the sand.

Water park

Here, too, there is a place where you can shorten a turn. After some time you will go under water. As soon as you see the merry-go-round on your right, use a mushroom to drive between the shells.

Drive through the shells with a mushroom.

Otherwise, you can also use the tires underwater to get a boost.

Sweet canyon

Towards the end of the track, you'll see a large chocolate-covered patch to your left, just before a gate made of a donut. Again, use a mushroom to avoid the turn and not lose speed.

Stone block ruins

Here are the first real shortcuts. After the second thwomps, bypass a left turn by jumping on a small ramp made of stones.

Take the ramp on the left.

With enough speed you can do it without a mushroom. Before the finish line, you can glide up to the right to reach a coin and a boost opportunity.

Flowers Cup

Mario's track

At the end of the course, there is a ramp that can carry you over the field of riders once again. That's about it.

Toad's harbor town

The only real shortcut is waiting right after the start. Take the ramp on the right and another on the boat to get two boosts. You'll have to take a small risk for this. Otherwise, there are two forks in the road and a boost opportunity over a patch of grass in the penultimate turn.

Creepy Mansion

The first shortcut is waiting on the left as soon as you enter the mansion. It's a passageway, between some bookshelves. However, you will need a mushroom to not slow down.

There is a shortcut between the shelves.

The second one is an alternative path in the courtyard. Take the ramp and sail to the upper passage.

Shy Guys Waterfalls

With the big blue ramp you can reach an alternative route above the cave. You will need some speed though.

Star Cup

Sun Airport

Use the ramp at the end of the elevated road to get into the plane.

Use the ramp to reach the plane.

In the airport itself you can shorten the time by jumping over the conveyor belts with a mushroom. Watch out for the crates!

Dolphin lagoon

When you come to the big tubes with air coming out of them, take the right path. Later, just before the second underwater section, you can drive over the rocks, provided you have a mushroom.

Discodrome

Here again there is a turn to be shortened by racing through the colorful pylons in the last bend.

Wario downhill

At one point of the descent you will come to a fork in the road. However, between the two options, hidden behind the trees, there is a third path.

Hidden between the trees is a ramp.

To reach it you have to drive through the deep snow.

Special Cup

Cloud road

Right at the beginning you can skip a turn and drive over a trampoline instead. A similar shortcut exists just before the end, but this time it's leaves you can drive over.

Bone dry dunes

In the desert there are two turns that you can shortcut over the sand, one at the beginning and one at the end. In the cave, with enough momentum, you'll make it onto a high wooden bridge.

With enough momentum you make it to the upper level.

You can reach a ramp stuck in the sand with a mushroom.

Bowser's Fortress

Shortly before the finish line turn left upwards. From here you can trigger a boost.

Rainbow Boulevard

No shortcuts in sight, but watch out for the changing direction of the conveyors.

Tank Cup

Cow Pasture (Wii)

Take the shortcut across the grassy patch at the first turn.

Hills and ramps invite you to boost.

You can usethe molehill as a ramp.

Mario's track (GBA)

On Mario's runway, you can shortcut many of the turns across the grassy patches, provided you have a mushroom.

Cheep-Cheep Beach (DS)

On this track you can drive through the shallow water to save a few meters. You'll slow down a bit, but there are also coins waiting for you.

Toad's Highway (N64)

To take a shortcut here, you need luck. Look for the truck with the ramp. You can either use it to get onto another truck with a boost pad or, and this saves a lot of time, catch the ramp before the tunnel and fly over the underpass.

You'll need good timing for this jump.

Timethe car just right to make the jump.

Banana Cup

Dusty Desert (GCN)

Also in this desert there are several spots with sand, over which you can drive with a mushroom.

Donut Level 3 (SNES)

As in the cow-moo pasture, there is a patch of grass and the molehills.

Royal Race Track (N64)

After the first turn you will see a ramp in the grass on the left.

For the ramp in the grass you need a mushroom.

Use a mushroom again to reach it.

DK Jungle (3DS)

Just before the finish, you can leave the long tree trunk to the left to save a few meters.

Leaf Cup

Wario Arena (DS)

You will dive underwater for a short while. There is a turn to be cut here over the rough ground. Otherwise, make sure to catch each of the ramps.

Sorbet Land (GCN)

Rest between the lantern and the ice pillar at the beginning. Later you will see two chasms blocked off by pylons.

Drive over the pointers and the chasm.

An alternative path awaits at the bottom of each, so take heart and ignore the warning.

Instrumental Track (3DS)

Again, you'll go over a patch of grass. Afterwards there is a ramp in the grass on the left, so pick up the mushroom if you were able to grab one. Towards the end, you can avoid another wide turn by jumping onto a drum on the right.

Yoshi Valley (N64)

There are many paths on this notorious route. But you can only take a shortcut on the home stretch. Here you can reach a ramp in the grass with a mushroom.

Lightning Cup

Tick-tock trauma (DS)

This course contains two clocks, in the middle of which it goes downhill.

Image gallery

Either you drive around the outside, or you use the hands to save time.

Tube Racing (3DS)

Just before the finish line, you can drive through the fence on the left. Just speed around the fake bush in the middle.

Volcano Rolling (Wii)

Here are some spots with rough ground waiting to be run over with a mushroom.

Rainbow Boulevard (N64)

All those who were hoping that the famous shortcut from the N64 version still exists, we have to disappoint. Otherwise it's just a matter of driving well and not falling off.

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