Lap-Skip Glitches: The Unexpected Discovery

The journey into lap-skip glitches began when players noticed an unusual occurrence on the DK Jungle track. During the glider section near the end of the track, a player veered slightly left, aiming for a shortcut. However, upon being picked up by Lakitu and crossing the finish line, the lap did not count. This rare event sparked interest across the community, initiating an investigation into why and how laps could fail to register.

Further testing revealed a potential factor: specific movements before and during glider usage seemed to affect lap recognition. However, even after countless attempts to recreate the phenomenon, the glitch remained inconsistent. This led to speculation about additional variables within the game, including the possibility that recent updates or character choices could be impacting gameplay mechanics.

The Checkpoint System: How Mario Kart Keeps Track of Laps

In Mario Kart, the checkpoint system ensures fair play by recording progress along each course. The system, however, is vulnerable under certain conditions. Players discovered that at extreme speeds, the “origin point” of the kart, used by the game to monitor position, can skip over key checkpoints, invalidating laps. With this knowledge, players began testing whether they could harness this glitch to bypass checkpoints on other tracks.

One major goal became achieving six laps on Royal Raceway—a track that usually allows only three. By strategically using mushrooms and positioning, players set out to manipulate the checkpoint system to achieve an unofficial new lap count record. This ambitious attempt revealed even more about the complexities and nuances of Mario Kart’s checkpoint mechanics.

Expanding the Search for Lap Glitches Across Tracks

With the Royal Raceway glitch setting a high bar, the search for lap glitches spread to other tracks. Sunshine Airport emerged as a promising candidate, with potential glitch spots around many of its corners. Testing was rigorous, requiring precise angles to avoid invisible “death planes” that would reset a player’s position. Through careful experimentation, players eventually managed to replicate a lap-skip glitch here, achieving an additional six laps on a course outside Baby Park.

A Breakthrough on Royal Raceway: The Shroomless Anti-Cut

A particularly challenging objective arose on Royal Raceway: executing a lap glitch without the aid of mushrooms. After countless attempts, a breakthrough was achieved. This milestone marked the first infinite lap glitch in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, setting a new record and intensifying the community’s interest in the checkpoint mechanics.

Exploring the Limits: Testing Other Courses for Anti-Cuts

Building on the success of Royal Raceway, players began testing various tracks for lap-skip potential. Many tracks showed promising elements but were blocked by obstacles like invisible walls. Music Park emerged as a strong candidate due to its layout and checkpoint positioning. After hours of meticulous testing, players discovered a tiny gap in the death planes, allowing a new lap-skip glitch.

The quest to uncover these glitches has revealed that seemingly minor elements of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe—speed, positioning, and trajectory—can lead to significant variations in gameplay outcomes. While these lap glitches might not change the fundamental Mario Kart experience, they showcase the dedication of a community that continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the game.