N64 Rainbow Road

Mario Kart 64’s classic Rainbow Road returns to Mario Kart 8! A course known by many for its incredible length compared to all others in its original appearance, Rainbow Road N64 is still one of the longest tracks in the game. Divided into three distinct sections, and having seen some significant changes from its original incarnation, this course is a colorful send-off to the Lightning Cup!

Kart of Champions

Nintendo’s Best Time Trial: 1:26.548
Player: Jeff C. M.
Racer: Wario	Body: Sport Bike	Wheels: Slick	Glider: Parafoil

Grand Prix

Make sure you go through all three star rings on the first downhill slope. When you get to the glide ramp at the bottom, fly through the two floating star rings.

A train full of Toads flies past this long, winding curve to the right, tossing Coins onto the track.

The Chain Chomp bouncing on the track causes it to ripple. You can Jump Boost off the crests of these rolling hills for extra speed—multiple times if the hill is rolling the direction you’re traveling.

The second section of the course begins with a long, winding right turn that takes you up to a second rippling section of track, with two Chain Chomps making waves this time.

Not long after the third section of the course begins, you enter a series of consecutive turns, and with increasingly fewer guardrails to stop you from sliding off track if you slip up! Consider holding on to items that you acquire during these turns to use them for the final sprint to the finish.

The star ring dash panels here can be beneficial to use if you’re drifting at the correct angles to hit them while avoiding flying off the course. This marks the beginning of the final straightaway in the course, with only one final glide ramp to launch you towards the finish line!

Time Trial Mode

Don’t miss any of the star rings while going down the first hill.

You can’t collect every single Coin that the train passengers throw onto the course during the first turn, but you can drive away with at least five Coins to your name while drifting through this section of the course. You can also use one of your three Mushrooms to exit this turn a little faster.

While Jump Boosting off the hills being made by the Chain Chomp, don’t miss out on collecting Coins on the track just before you pass the Chain Chomp. They can blend in with the course, so pay attention! You can find more Coins on the second Chain Chomp section.

As you leave the Chain Chomps behind, the train flying next to the track will drop more Coins for you during a long left turn. Once you hit your max, you can afford to take any follow-up turns as tight as possible while ignoring extra Coins. The exit to this turn is another good spot to use one of your Mushrooms.

The final gauntlet of turns leading up to the final straightaway can be taken as tight to the inside as possible. In fact the only time you should drift to the outside of the track here is when you approach the last two dash panels before the glide ramp sends you to the finish. If you still have Mushrooms left at this point, the approach to the finish is your last chance to use them!

TM & © 2014 Nintendo.

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