Stay in control
If you hit a banana or other slippery object, hold
[A] + [B]. If done correctly, a music note (eighth or
double eighth) will appear and you will not slip and be able continue
driving normally.
Item tricks
Bananas: Press [Up] and fire to shoot the banana a good distance
ahead instead of laying it behind you.
Green Turtle Shell: Press [Down] and fire to plant it behind
you instead of shooting it out.
Feather: Save it on the Ghost Valley on mushroom cup. Instead
of turning after the long speed bump, go straight ahead and use
it to leap to the extended ledge and get to the finish line faster.
Bowser Castle 2: Shortcut
There is a dead end detour that reads "Stop".
If you drive off, you will fall in the lava. However, if you are
lucky enough to get a Feather, you can jump the gap from the dead
end over the lava to the track again. This will increase your
placement in the race.
Choco Island 2: Shortcut
Use a Mushroom to blast over the dirt and through the
break in the wall directly in front of the starting line.
Donut Plains 1: Shortcut
After the bridge, use a Mushroom to zoom through the
break in the wall.
Ghost Valley 1: Shortcut
Use a Feather to jump the gap to the plank of wood
immediately after the yellow jump, or use a Mushroom to fly off
the yellow jump to the plank.
Ghost Valley 2: Shortcut
Use a Feather to jump the fourth corner after the staring
line.
Ghost Valley 3: Shortcut
Use a Feather to jump the gap to the right, just before
the second corner.
Ghost Valley on Mushroom Cup: Shortcut
When you take the left turn before the big speed bump,
stay to the inside. Use the Mushroom before the speed bump and
you can land on the shortcut straight ahead. Do it correctly and
it makes a big difference.
Mario Circuit 1: Shortcut
Use a Mushroom to blast over the dirt where the track
bends in before the last turn to the finish line.
Mario Circuit 4: Shortcut
Use a Mushroom to blast through the dirt and in the
gap in the wall before the last turn to the finish line.
Rainbow Road: Shortcut
Use a Mushroom to jump the yellow bump over the gap
where the track splits.
Vanilla Lake 2: Shortcuts
Jump over as many cracks in the ice as you can to cut
corners. Note: No item is needed, just press [R] or [L]
to jump.
At the end of a lap when you cross the finish line, turn left
and jump into the lake. Drive as far out as you can before Lakitu
arrives to pick you up. Just before he stops you, make a hard
left turn. If you made it far enough, you will be dropped behind
the finish line. This will cut off a lap. To get this shortcut,
down go into time trials and start at the right end of the finish
line facing the lake. Drive along side the finish line and jump.
This is easiest with a mushroom, but can be done without one.