Grand Prix

Remember to watch the water for roaming item boxes. If you collect a few of these on each lap, you’ll have a big advantage over most of your opponents!

The Piranha Plants are much more aggressive in the Grand Prix mode. As you approach the first Piranha Plant, note the direction it’s facing. Make sure you take the other path!

If you have a Banana, consider dropping it as you drift through this sharp turn. You might end up sending an unfortunate racer right off the track! Remember that your opponents are bound to use the same tactic.

The path into the underwater corridor is another great spot to lay a trap. Be prepared to dodge any Bananas left by your opponents, and look for the chance to drop one yourself.

If your opponents force you to the edge of the underwater corridor, remember to hop each time you drive over a pipe. The jump boosts you gain should prevent you from losing too much ground. Note that the various currents switch on and off as the race progresses. If the current near the right wall is active, use it to reach the coins on the high ledge.

Two of the Goombas near the end of each lap are actually decoys, so you can smash through them when needed. Watch out for the real Goomba—this roaming baddie can knock you right out of the lead.