Controlling Your Kart

Before you hit the track, learn how to control your kart.

Basic Controls

First-Person Camera

Press to switch to the first-person camera. While this view is active, you can steer your cart by tilting your Nintendo 3DS system from side to side. Press , , or to switch back to the normal camera.

Advanced Techniques

The basic controls will take you only so far. Master these advanced techniques to become a real competitor!

Rocket Start

Rev your engine at just the right time to boost off the starting line! To perform a rocket start, hold down or # an instant after the countdown reaches 2.

Drift

Drifting allows you to take turns at much higher speeds than would otherwise be possible. When you start a turn, press and hold . After the hop, your kart will begin to drift. Use the Circle Pad to adjust the angle of your drift. Release to end your drift.

Mini-Turbo

Maintain a drift until blue sparks shoot from your kart’s tires. At this point, release to perform a Mini-Turbo. Mini-Turbos provide a short speed boost.

Super Mini-Turbo

If you maintain a drift long enough, the blue sparks eventually turn orange. Release at this time to perform a Super Mini-Turbo. A Super Mini-Turbo provides a larger speed boost than a Mini-Turbo.

Jump Boost

Press to hop as you jump from an inclined surface. If you time it properly, you gain a short speed boost when you land.

Spin Turn

When moving forward isn’t an option, use a spin turn to get back on track. While your kart is stopped, hold down (or ) and at the same time, then push the Circle Pad to the left or right to turn on the spot.

Drafting

Drafting can be tough to pull off, but a successful attempt provides a significant speed boost. To use this technique, you must drive directly behind another racer. After a moment, air currents start zipping around you; this is the first stage of drafting. Stay behind your opponent until your kart shoots forward with a burst of speed.

Jostling

Jostling isn’t exactly an advanced technique, but it’s certainly an important one. To jostle, simply steer your kart into another racer. Use this technique to knock an opponent away from item boxes or into obstacles. Heavy racers excel at jostling, but with enough speed, even the smallest racers can bully their opponents with a well-aimed jostle.

Using Terrain

Most courses contain a wide variety of terrain, and your kart performs differently on each of them. Consider the basic properties of each terrain type when you evaluate alternate routes and potential shortcuts.

Land

Tracks can be composed of anything from tree branches to rainbows! When it comes to classifying terrain, however, the main road or path along each course is considered “land.” Land comes in a variety of textures and colors, but it always provides adequate surface for high-speed karting.

Off-Road

If you head off-road, you’ll generally notice a sharp decline in your kart’s performance. Off-road surfaces like grass, sand, and snow can slow you down dramatically. Some karts can handle the loss of traction better than others, but none of them are at their best when driving off-road. When an off-road shortcut is too tempting to pass up, use an item to boost across unfavorable terrain.

Water

Your kart can achieve reasonable speeds in the water, but you’ll definitely notice the difference in performance. Drifts are less effective through underwater turns, but they’re the best way to maintain your speed.

Air

Your kart’s glider deploys only under special circumstances, but you’ll enjoy some excellent benefits when it does. After the initial speed boost, you can soar over obstacles and rough terrain until you glide back down to the ground.

Dash Panels

Drive across a dash panel to receive a significant speed boost. The most common dash panels are predominantly orange. Drive across one of these dash panels to speed along the ground. When you drive across a glide panel, your kart deploys its glider, and the boost lifts you into the air. Glide panels are usually located on ramps or other inclined surfaces, allowing you to reach some truly impressive heights.