Snow Land Shortcut: Starting Strong with Mushrooms

Snow Land offers one of the most extensive shortcuts in the game. Many players will wait near the start to grab mushrooms, but if you’re set with mushrooms, here’s how to nail it. Drift to the right, aim for the snowman, and use a mushroom to hop off the edge. This shortcut can save over three seconds, a huge advantage in any race.

Mushroom Gorge Gap Jump: Reviving a Classic

When Mushroom Gorge was introduced, fans wondered if the classic gap jump would still work. Thankfully, it does—and it’s easier than ever. Drift to build mini turbos before each jump, aim for the rock, and use a mushroom for a clean leap over the gap. It’s possible without super bounces, but hitting all the tricks will give you an extra boost.

DK Summit Double Shortcut: A Skillful Maneuver

DK Summit has a tricky double shortcut that can make a difference. The difficult method involves not tricking off the last jump and drifting with an orange mini turbo to land near the boost panel, bypassing the entire S-bend. Start with a blue mini turbo and hop left for a more straightforward approach. You’ll land a bit rougher, but still save time.

Rock Rock Mountain: The Lap-Changer

Rock Rock Mountain is all about lap three, where a massive shortcut can make or break your race. Use triple mushrooms to cut through large off-road patches and glide over obstacles, or try the second part of the shortcut if you have only one mushroom. This time-saver is essential to clinch first place.

Hyrule Circuit: Grass Skips and Fast Tricks

Hyrule Circuit’s shortcut is perfect for dodging the grassy slowdown. Start with a trick on the right, land and drift left, then hop to skip over the grass. The fast version involves a mini turbo trick and a precise drift, making it ideal for advanced players who’ve practiced it a few times.

Big Blue Lap 2: Fast Path Switch

Big Blue is a track full of time-saving shortcuts. The key one is to drift off a booster, skipping an item box for a faster path. On lap 3, switch paths by taking the purple route, hitting a mini turbo off the edge, and switching lanes for maximum speed. These tricks can shave multiple seconds off your race time.

Rainbow Road: Shroomless Path Switch

Rainbow Road offers a path switch after the cannon that’s surprisingly simple. Drift right, jump off at the marker, and charge an orange mini turbo as you land. This shortcut keeps you ahead by a large margin if done correctly.

Mount Wario Gap Jump: Easy, Time-Saving Shortcut

The gap jump on Mount Wario is straightforward yet highly effective. Drift at the wall, hop off with an orange mini turbo, and save valuable seconds. It’s a must-know move to keep your speed up on this track.

DK Mountain: Wall Riding for Speed

DK Mountain’s shortcuts are crucial. Start by drifting, aim for the wall, and fly off the edge for a seamless transition. The faster method involves drifting instead of driving off, adding a purple mini turbo for an extra boost.

Squeaky Clean Sprint: Glider Path Trick

On Squeaky Clean Sprint, the glider path becomes available on laps 2 and 3. Trick off the water for a quicker route, which saves significant time on the mini-map. This shortcut is essential for maintaining the lead.

Yoshi’s Island: Cloud-Activated Shortcut

On Yoshi’s Island, a cloud opens a shortcut for all players. Aim for the cloud if no one else does, but keep a mushroom handy to take a similar shortcut if others hit it first. This strategic choice can help secure a solid lead.

Dragon Driftway: Mastering the Purple Mini Turbo

Dragon Driftway has a challenging gap jump that can be done without mushrooms. Get a purple mini turbo, hop with the right angle, and land on the other side of the track. This shortcut is difficult but rewarding for those who master it.

Mute City Off-Road Skip: Air Hops for Precision

Mute City offers an off-road skip that requires precise timing. Release a mini turbo slightly early, hop at the right moment, and use left momentum to glide past the obstacle. This trick is tough but saves a lot of time once perfected.

Piranha Plant Cove: Floating Shortcuts

The floating mechanics on Piranha Plant Cove create unique shortcuts. Drift to hold a mini turbo as you glide over water, charging purple mini turbos shroomless. This technique, combined with careful control, lets you skip large sections of the track.

GBA Mario Circuit: Final Track Shortcuts

Mario Circuit features a shortcut near the finish that can be done shroomless. Get a purple mini turbo, drift wide, and hop over the tires. Another option is to use a mushroom to skip more ground, ideal for getting a head start on lap three.

Waluigi Stadium: Advanced Driving Techniques

Waluigi Stadium is packed with advanced driving tricks, including air hops. After charging a purple mini turbo, hop into the shortcut to avoid mud. Use short drifts to stay fast while bypassing obstacles, maximizing speed for a competitive edge.

Mario Kart Stadium: Final Lap Glide Shortcut

Mario Kart Stadium has a crucial end-of-track shortcut that can win the race. Charge a purple mini turbo, glide off the ramp, and use a mushroom to tilt for extra speed. With this technique, you’ll be set to breeze past the competition at the last second.

Cheese Land: Golden Mushroom Strategy

Cheese Land relies heavily on shortcuts. Use a golden mushroom to take a glider shortcut and save precious seconds. Another strategy involves using multiple mushrooms to avoid large areas of off-road, ensuring you’re ahead by the final lap.

Dry Dry Desert: Off-Road Cuts for Maximum Time Savings

Dry Dry Desert’s off-road sections are ripe for shortcuts, especially with mushrooms. Head to the right after the water section, trick off the ledge, and use mushrooms for a huge time saver. It’s essential to know these shortcuts for success on this track.

These shortcuts are your key to excelling in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. With practice, you’ll be ready to outpace the competition online. For more detailed guides on each shortcut, check out our videos and keep honing your skills on the track.