There are about 40 characters in the game. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, with different body types and weights. The same variables apply when choosing a vehicle, tires, and airframe. How do you narrow down the absurd number of combinations?
Luckily, we've done it for you. We've put together a list of the best Mario Kart 8. The game features four categories with plenty of options for all types of vehicles. We've put together a few sample settings for you, but feel free to mix and match items within the same category—everything listed here is still best in class. Whether it's the base courses or the new additions from the Booster Course Pass, these setups will give you an edge.
Best settings for Mario Kart 8
Although different combinations of characters, karts and wheels can give different results - better speed, acceleration, handling - , there is one combination that is called the current meta in Mario Kart 8.
In fact, this combo was talked about so much on online forums that it was even discussed prohibited on Mario Kart Reddit. Waluigi Wiggler Combo Dominates Mario barth 8 thanks to speed out of snowdrifts, quick acceleration from a standstill and a higher top speed.
- Waluigi + Wild Wiggler + Roller + Any Glider
How to unlock Wild Wiggler
Like many other unlocks in Mario Kart 8, the only way to unlock Wild Wiggler is by collecting coins and hoping you get lucky. This is due to the fact that unlocking in Mario Kart 8 completely randomized. You earn coins by participating in races and championships. Coins, in turn, contribute to progress towards the next unlock. So all you have to do is keep playing the game and hope that Wild Wiggler appears as soon as possible.
Best Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Settings for Speed
In this case, “speed” refers to the maximum speed that your racer and kart can reach. This favors heavier riders who take longer to reach top speed but can go faster than others. In general, maximum speed can be achieved on solid ground, underwater, in the air or on anti-gravity sections of the track.
- Bowser + Special Track + Slick + Super Glider
- Dry Bowser + Badwagon + Metal + Waddle Wing
- Morton + Standard ATV + Cyber Slick + Airplane Glider
- Wario + GLA + gold tires + Wario Wing
Best Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Settings to Speed Up
While heavy characters are best at max speed, light characters are superior at acceleration. They can't go as fast as heavy ones, but they do reach top speed faster, which means better recovery after being hit by an object. This is an important trade-off, as lighter characters are also more easily pushed around by larger drivers.
- Toadette + Mr. Scooty + Rollerball + Cloud Glider
- Baby Mario + Biddybuggy + Azure Roller + Parasol Peach
- Baby Luigi + Varmint + Button + Parachute
- Baby Rosalina + Streetle + Sheet Tires + Parafoil
Best Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Control Settings
Speed and acceleration are good, but they don't mean much if you can't maintain control of your kart. Handling is a statistic that controls how responsive your vehicle is, so if you find yourself going off the road a lot, this might be the option for you. Characters that are heavier, but not as bulky as the fastest ones, tend to handle better.
- Donkey Kong + Cat Cruiser + Slim + MKTV Parafoil
- Waluigi + Comet + Tree + Peach's Parasol
- Roy + Yoshi Bike + Crimson Slim + Bowser Kite
- Rosalina + Teddy Buggy + Slick + Parafoil
Best Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Settings for Drifting
It's more of a niche category, but it's still important. Drifting combines traction and acceleration for drivers who like to cut corners and get that extra turbo boost as sparks fly from the tires. We've alternated between heavy and light characters throughout this guide, and the smaller ones also fit well into this category.
- Baby Peach + Pipe Frame + Slim + Super Glider
- Baby Daisy + Biddybuggy + Wood + Cloud Glider
- Baby Rosalina + Varmint + Crimson Slim + Lionfish
- Lemmy + Mr. Scooty + Roller + Wario Wing
Mario Kart 8 is filled with all sorts of dominant meta designs that players need to get their hands on as soon as possible.
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