The most broken shortcuts in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

What’s better than getting the squad together for a Mario Kart party? Winning it and declaring yourself the champion among your pals. If you’re looking to gain a competitive edge, there’s one thing you need to know–how to make the most of shortcuts.

Luckily, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is littered with clever little pathways to gain time on your opponents, it’s just a case of learning and mastering them. But, not all shortcuts are built equal, so without further ado, let’s take a look at the 10 best time-savers Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has to offer.

Disclaimer: don’t hold us accountable for all the blue shells you’re hit with while cruising at the front of the pack!

Mario Kart Stadium

The first u-bend near the start of this course is largely open for those holding a mushroom to exploit the grass section and shave several seconds off their racing time.

At the final turn, there’s a similar situation, just this time racers will need to pay close attention to the pipes or face getting stuck in the sand.

Sweet Sweet Canyon

Right at the end of the track, you’ll find an arch in the shape of a doughnut. A well-timed mushroom and accurate lines will take you straight through it, cutting the final corner of the course.

Thwomp Ruins

Cut off the last turn by veering to the left and racing across a floating platform, which you can trick from and head into the glider section.

Toad Harbor

If you fancy yourself as a skilled racer, skip the first turn by drifting towards the inside and releasing your mini turbo with a jump as you reach the grass.

Once you reach the final turn, there’s another large patch of grass that could be the difference between first and third for players with a mushroom.

Twisted Mansion

As you reach the end of the first long straight, look to your left and you’ll see a corridor that will let you skip the first turn with a well-timed mushroom.

Sunshine Airport

Even seasoned Mario Kart players might have missed this one, but you can trick off the luggage belt on the final turn to get an extra boost ahead of the finish line.

Mount Wario

As you reach the final turn before the first checkpoint, head right and straight off the edge of the cliff, which is actually a ramp in disguise.

Cloudtop Cruise

At the final turn, you can save time by veering to the right and across a pair of leaves. Be warned, this one requires good accuracy to pull off.

Rainbow Road

After the final glider section, pick the lower path. Veer right and drive straight off the edge in front of you (trust us), where you’ll drop down to the final turn of the track.

So, that’s a wrap on some of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s best shortcuts. Are there any you use to beat your friends? Or did we miss any out? Let us know!