What Is Bagging?

For those unfamiliar with the term, bagging is when you intentionally fall behind early in the race to collect powerful items and coins. The idea is that you’ll use those items strategically to catch up later, taking advantage of the game’s rubber-banding mechanics. On tracks with big shortcuts, bagging can sometimes be a better strategy than racing up front.

1. Yoshi Teddy

This setup has just enough mini-turbo to allow you to front run when necessary but also provides the speed needed for those critical comebacks. This combo has the perfect balance between speed and mini-turbo, giving you the edge when it’s time to race back into first place.

In the past, Waluigi Wiggler was considered the go-to bagging setup. However, the Yoshi Teddy combo provides similar stats with better speed for those long tracks where you’ll need to make up a lot of ground.

2. Cheese Land – The Ultimate Bagging Track

Cheese Land is one of the most notorious bagging tracks in the game. It’s full of large shortcuts that require mushrooms, making it a prime track to hang back, collect the right items, and zoom past your opponents. In my experience, waiting to take the bullet extension shortcut is always rewarding, and with this combo’s speed, you’ll be well-equipped to dominate the track.

Pro tip: If you haven’t seen a blue shell yet, it’s smart to avoid taking the lead until after it hits someone else. Save your golden mushroom for the final lap, and you’re set for victory.

3. Mushroom Gorge – Timing Is Everything

Mushroom Gorge is another fantastic bagging track thanks to its famous gap jump. The key to success here is patience. Let everyone else zoom ahead while you gather mushrooms. You can steal the lead as soon as you hit the gap jump on lap 3. Make sure you time your mushroom use right, and you’ll be in a prime position for a huge comeback.

4. DK Summit – Shortcut Skipping

On DK Summit, you can easily skip the massive S-bend using the right combination of drift and mini-turbos. While bagging isn’t always the best option on this track, having the flexibility to collect a few essential items at the start can set you up for success. In this course, I often use the bagging strategy for the first lap and then transition to front-running.

5. Why Bagging Works – And Why It Sometimes Doesn’t

While bagging works wonders on tracks with big shortcuts, like Cheese Land or Rock Rock Mountain, it’s not a universal strategy. Tracks like Tokyo Blur don’t offer enough shortcuts to make bagging viable, and you’re better off racing forward from the start.

After Nintendo’s Wave 6 update, many players believed bagging had been nerfed, making it less effective. While it’s true that stopping at item sets to collect more than two items now results in less favorable items, bagging is still just as strong as ever in the right circumstances. The key is knowing when to use it—and when to switch to a front-running strategy.

6. Front Running with a Bagging Combo

Even with a bagging setup, there will be times when you have to front-run, especially after executing a great comeback. The Yoshi Teddy combo shines here, as it has enough speed to keep you ahead of the pack once you’re in the top spot. Learning to switch from bagging to front-running smoothly separates the pros from the casuals.

7. Bagging Etiquette: When to Bag and When to Run

One of the most common complaints about bagging is that it can feel like you’re doing nothing for the first two laps. But remember, bagging isn’t about being lazy—it’s a strategic decision that can give you a massive advantage on the final lap. However, if you’re on a track without major shortcuts (like Waluigi Stadium), it’s better to focus on maintaining your speed and racing smart rather than relying on a comeback.

8. Final Thoughts

Bagging in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is about understanding the track and timing your comeback right. Whether you’re on Cheese Land taking that perfect bullet extension or mastering the gap jump on Mushroom Gorge, this strategy can be a game-changer.

The Yoshi Teddy combo is the best bagging setup because it perfectly balances mini-turbo and speed, letting you easily transition from bagging to front-running when needed. So, next time you’re racing online, give it a shot and see how it changes your game.

Remember, even if you prefer front-running, knowing how to bag can be the difference between victory and defeat, especially on tracks where the best strategy is to hang back and wait for your moment. Happy racing, and may your bagging skills lead you to victory!

For more tips and tricks on Mario Kart and competitive gaming, stay tuned to the HyperX blog.