Mario Kart has always had various methods of getting ahead of your opponents in a race, whether these are via shortcuts, items, or even other methods that require more know how and precision. One of these in particular is the game’s boost system during each race that is absolutely necessary to master to finish in 1st place in the higher level difficulties.
We have already explained in another guide about getting a boost at the start of a race, which obviously can help you get that jump you need at the beginning. However, learning how to get turbo boosts effectively throughout the race is even more important, which is done through drifting.
For anyone that has played the Mario Kart series over the years, you should know what drifting is, even when it was known as powersliding in the past. This is a method of getting around curves without losing the speed you would have lost by turning otherwise. This is very helpful for cutting the tighter corners and avoiding ramming into the side wall, but it can also also help you in other ways as well.
Whenever you are about to go around any sort of curve, no matter how small, start to hold down the R button as you make your kart start to curve. You still need to control this, which can take a little practice, and the longer you hold the drift, the better boost you will get.
The first level is shown by blue sparks and will give you a little boost upon letting go of R, as long as you don’t run into something before doing so. Holding on longer will give you a second level boost that is shown by orange sparks. New to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a third level as well that is signified by pink sparks, which provides the biggest boost of the group.
Drifting is a vital piece of the puzzle for those looking to compete in the highest level difficulties and online as well. If you are playing Mario Kart 8 Deluxe correctly, you should be drifting as much as possible to take advantage of these boosts.
