DK Mountain Rock Shortcut

This shortcut involves a tricky combination of drift control and precise timing. Start by getting a purple mini turbo along the coins, stay to the right, and take a left trick off the ramp. After a late trick on the last ramp, drift off the final rock. Execute a soft drift to avoid turning too tightly. Release your mini turbo in the air for maximum control. Practice your landing—aiming to retain a purple mini turbo for a speed boost. 

Sunset Wilds Shortcut

It’s a seemingly simple shortcut after the boost panels. Start your drift on the third boost panel to hop out of the slippery terrain with an orange mini turbo. Don’t drift in the slippery mud; it will cancel your momentum. Start the drift precisely on the third boost panel for the best results. This shortcut is surprisingly satisfying and straightforward, making it a must-learn for mid-level players.

Madrid Drive Shortcut

Madrid Drive offers a clever way to maintain speed while navigating through the grass without a mushroom. Release your mini turbo just before hitting the grass to maintain momentum. Timing is crucial: if your mini turbo boost is active in the grass, you’ll lose speed. The key here is all about rhythm and release timing.

DS Mario Circuit Grass Cut

One of the trickiest shortcuts, this cut skips a massive chunk of grass between a rock and a tree. Aim closer to the tree than the rock for better alignment. Release your mini turbo just as you enter the grass for optimal speed retention.

Squeaky Clean Sprints Wall Bonk

This track is full of hidden tricks, but the wall bonk shortcut is a standout. Drift and charge an orange mini turbo before launching it onto the sponge—land in a drift to maintain alignment and charge another mini turbo. Timing your wall bonk ensures you hit the perfect angle to transition smoothly.

Peach Gardens Shroomless Cut

Peach Gardens offers a shortcut that skips the grassy section without a mushroom. Release your mini turbo before entering the off-road, then spam hop to retain speed. On lap three, be cautious of players using stars to cut through the same section. This technique is easy to learn but punishing if mistimed, making it essential for competitive play.

Wario Stadium Air Hops

One of the most iconic tracks in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe features advanced air hop techniques to maintain speed. Release a mini turbo as you approach the ramp, then input a quick right hop to align your kart mid-air. Practice the timing of the hop and turbo release to ensure smooth transitions. Mastering these hops will transform Wario Stadium from a challenging track into one of your best.

Piranha Plant Cove Water Tricks

This track has multiple water shortcuts, but the third one is the most challenging. Perform an early trick off the ramp while charging an orange mini turbo. Use an up trick to delay the boost, then hold down to align your trajectory. Switch to a right drift before landing for a seamless transition. This shortcut demands precision and timing, but the payoff is immense—saving over a second compared to standard routes.

WiU Rainbow Road Air Hop

Rainbow Road features two vital air hop techniques to maintain speed and hit the perfect trajectory. On the first halfpipe, perform a hop while holding right and R to stay high. Hold a left drift, release A, and hop as you hit the blue panel to trigger a mushroom boost for the gap jump. These invisible mechanics are game-changing for competitive play and add depth to a challenging track.

Final Thoughts

Learning these advanced shortcuts was a thrilling experience, showcasing just how much depth Mario Kart 8 Deluxe offers. From the DK Mountain rock shortcut to the Piranha Plant Cove water tricks, each technique pushed my skills to new heights. If you want to improve your gameplay, mastering these shortcuts is necessary.