When you first start playing Mario Kart World, it’s easy to think it’s all about drifting well and picking the right character. And sure, those things matter. But the more time you spend racing, exploring Free Roam, and messing around with gear and upgrades, the more you realize how much is happening under the hood. There’s a lot the game doesn’t spell out, like things that can make your races smoother, your kart setup smarter, and your time on the track just plain better.

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For example, not all karts work the same withevery character. Some are better for speed, others help you handle turns more easily. There are also parts of Free Roam that you might never explore unless someone tells you, like how to find a flying UFO you can ride, or how to farm coins without doing a single race. Even basic stuff, like when to drift or how to use certain items, can feel completely different once you understand how the game really works.

A collage of Mario Kart 7 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

8Practice on Different Tracks

To Learn Shortcuts and Flow with Ease

Once you memorize every twist, corner, and shortcut ofevery track, your kart becomes an extension of you. You’re no longer scrambling to figure out the next bend in the heat of the race; you just flow. That freed-up focus lets you do things like spot a golden mushroom shortcut, smoothly drift into corner boosts, or pop defensive shields at just the right moment.

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You can use the Time Trial mode to practice, as it will be just you racing the clock and learning ghost runs with no opponents. Once that track knowledge is second nature, you’re in control. Instead of wondering where the next turn is, you’re analyzing the race in real time: “Should I grab a mushroom now? Or can I slide into the inner line here?

Race Track in Mario Kart World

7Collect as Many Coins as Possible

Increases Kart’s Speed and Unlocks More Karts

Every coin you collect slides you closer to your top sprint speed. Each one adds a tiny performance edge, and when you max out at twenty in a single race, you’re practically lapping competitors on straightaways and drifting through curves with ease.

Also every time you rack up a full hundred coins across any game mode, the game randomlyunlocks a brand-new kartfor you. That means collect around 1,000 total coins, and suddenly you’ve got access to over ten unique rides, each with its own personality, handling, and speed quirks. So next time you zoom past a dozen coins, don’t ignore them.

Collecting Coins in Mario Kart World

6Use Throwables to Gain Advantage

Throwables Like Bananas, Red and Green Shells Distract Other Drivers

Being able to throw items forward or backward gives you more control in every race. Let’s say someone is right behind you, you can drop a banana or bob-omb behind your kart to make them crash. you’re chasing someone, throwing that same item forward helps you stop them instead.

Another throwable item is green shell, which bounces in straight lines, so tossing it backward at a tight turn can catch people off guard. Bob-ombs explode after a few seconds, so if you drop one behind you as someone approaches, they might drive right into it. The best part is if it’s behind you and it explodes, you’re safe.

Doding green shell in Mario Kart World

5Mini-Turbos Help Increase Your Speed Briefly

Turn Off the Smart Steering to Get Ultra Mini Turbo

Every time you drift around a corner, or better yet, wall‑ride, you’re charging up a mini‑turbo. The early drifts show blue sparks, the middle-level orange, and if you hang in there long enough, you’ll see pink. The pink is the ultra mini‑turbo, and it has the longest, most powerful burst of acceleration you can get mid-race.

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But you can’t get the pink light with Smart Steering switched on. That helpful assistant keeps you grounded but blocks your top-tier speed. So flick it off in the settings before the race.

Mini-Turbos Mario Kart World

4Following Coin Cars is the Best Way to Get Coins

Earn Unlimited Coins in Free Roam Mode

In Mario Kart World, you can collect a huge number of coins just by following special cars inFree Roam mode. These aren’t regular race cars; they’re called coin cars, and they drop coins while driving around the map. If you stay close to them and follow their path, you can keep picking up the coins they leave behind again and again. There’s no limit to how many coins you can collect this way, so you can keep farming as long as you want.

The coin cars appear in Free Roam at certain times and places. One spot where they often show up is near the Mario Circuit. You’ll see them driving slowly and dropping coins behind them. All you need to do is stay behind the car, keep a steady pace, and grab every coin it drops.

3You Can Ride UFOs

In Free Roam Mode

You can do something really fun and unexpected, which is to actually ride a UFO. This isn’t just for show. You get to control it, fly through the air, and even pick things up while you’re up there. It’s a special part of the game that you’ll only find during Free Roam mode. UFOs appear in certain places, like around Yoshi’s area. If you see one floating above the ground, you can drive right underneath it. When you do that, the UFO slowly comes down and lets you hop inside.

Once you’re in, you’re in full control. You can press the jump button (R) to fly up or down, use the A button to move forward, and press R or ZR again to pick up things from below. You can actually suck up animals or even other cars from the ground and carry them while you’re flying around. It’s silly, fun, and very different from the usual kart racing.

2Use Charge Jump and Rail Ride to Dodge Opponent’s Attack

Prevents You from Losing Your Speed or Position in a Race

If you hold the drift button while driving straight, you’ll see blue sparks appear under your kart. That means your jump is ready. When you let go of the button, your kart jumps into the air. This Charge Jump is high enough to go over things like bananas on the ground or even dodge an incoming red shell if it’s about to hit you from behind. It can save you from losing your speed or position in the race.

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Now, after you use Charge Jump, if you land near a wall or a rail, you can go straight into a Rail Ride. This happens if you hit the side of the track while you’re in the air or just after landing. Your kart sticks to the wall or rail and starts grinding along it. While you’re riding the rail, you get a small boost and you’re harder to hit. You’re off the regular path, so most items aimed at you can’t touch you.

1Bowser and the Chargin’ Truck is the Best Driver-Kart Setup

Great Speed and Power Combo

Pairing Bowser with the Chargin’ Truck is one of the strongest setups you may make if you like speed and power. The Chargin’ Truck is a very heavy vehicle with a super high top speed, so you’ll need it in races with a lot of tight corners and when crazy items are flying around.

Now add Bowser to that truck. Bowser is already a heavy character, so pairing him with a big, tough vehicle like the Chargin’ Truck gives you a lot of raw power. When Bowser drives this truck, he becomes very hard to knock off the track. If smaller characters crash into you, they’ll usually bounce away while you keep moving like nothing happened. And since Bowser doesn’t lose as much speed after being hit or bumped, it’s easier for him to stay in front once he gets ahead.

Mario Kart World

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