Shortcuts; Which one to use and which not
This is aimed at the Time trial mode, but they can also help in GP mode.Also, you can always check http://timetrial.mkdd.free.fr/ for videos.
Luigi circuit:The shortcut at the right side at the start is a good shortcut.Use it in all 3 Laps, but save your mushrooms for the last turn.
Peach Beach:Don't use any shortcuts at this course.Just drive the normal route
Baby Park:This course is so small, there are no shortcuts
Dry Dry Desert:No shortcuts here, but you can, and should cut small parts of the course by using mushrooms.
Mushroom Bridge:Once again, don't use any shortcuts here.Just drive the course normally, and don't go on the bridge.
Mario circuit:Once again, no shortcuts here.Use your mushroom at the same place as the staff ghost does it.
Daisy Cruiser:Use a mushroom for the first shortcut(The one at the right side of the swimming pool).This shortcut is an pretty nice one, but you should not use it without a mushroom.The second shortcut; the one where you fall in a hole in the track, should be avoided.It slows down a lot.
Waluigi Stadium:There is a glitch here but I have not found it myself.I prefer to drive without them anyway.No shortcuts here, except for the glitch.
Sherbet Land:No shortcuts here.Check the video site I put on top of this to show where to use your mushroom.
Mushroom City:Don't use the shortcut here.Instead go to the right side.Also at the last straight road before the finish line, you can go to the right.However, this is slower even with an mushroom, so don't use it.
Yoshi Circuit:The first shortcut, where you cut a piece of a track using your mushroom, can also be done without a mushroom!However, I haven't done it yet, and I don't recommend people who are not experts at this game to use it.If you can, however, do it in the first lap without and in the 2nd and 3rd with.Now the second shortcut.This one is horrible, don't use it!It slows down and you will have to spend a mushroom in something that only slows down anyway.A big NO!
DK Mountain:The only shortcut you can find in this course has got to be the best one, except maybe the glitch in WS.You don't need a mushroom for this one, however some people think that they do need it.It is hard to explain where exactly, but watch the video in the site listened above and you should know where.Beginners might be having problems with this one.
Wario Collosseum:No shortcuts here.Near the end where there is a boost pad which boost you in the air, don't use that one.
Dino Dino Jungle:Use both of the two shortcuts here(The small right path at the first bridge and the one in the cave).You can do the one in the cave without mushroom, which you should, if you're skilled enough do in the first lap, but not in the 2nd/3rd
Bowser Castle:The shortcut here is pretty nice.Use it always, without mushroom.
Rainbow Road:This very long course has no shortcuts at all!
I am a little bit better then the average Mario Karter you will find, so I know an expert could have done it better, but i am happy with it and hope it helps.
- StreetRacer
Best Kart
The best kart in the game is the Barrel Train, even though the game's star rating says otherwise. The only exception to this is on DK Mountain, where Toad's Kart should be used for its acceleration. It should be noted that the characters you choose aren't a factor for how fast you go, only the kart is.
- Cygnus