How to tackle the hardest tracks in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Olivia Richman Published 20/04/2022

Mario Kart fans have consistently enjoyed Mario Kart 8 Deluxe due to its abundance of tracks and how different and dynamic each track is. Of course, some are more difficult than others to master. With Mario Kart 8 Deluxe getting even more tracks throughout 2022, it’s time to look at some of the hardest Mario Kart 8 Deluxe tracks so far and how best to tackle them.

Mount Wario

What makes Mount Wario a challenge for casual racers is the fast-paced nature of the course. It’s just one lap long, but it changes terrain multiple times, bringing racers through ice, rapids, snow, and even a forest. The toughest part is probably the section with all the trees, which are tough to avoid if you don’t have the right tires for drifting and handling. Putting together the right combination should go a long way in helping you to content for first place.

Neo Bowser City

With its rapid twists and turns as well as the rainy atmosphere, Neo Bowser City is not for racers that can’t handle its U-turns, hairpin turns, and slick surface. This is a track that’s made for drifting, especially in the middle of the run. The drifting must be accurate or you’ll find yourself flying off the track, and you’ll be sick of seeing Lakitu by the end of the third lap.

Grumble Volcano

There is no denying that this track is tough. The retro course is full of cliffs that you can fly off of without perfect handling, which is made all the more difficult thanks to its wild turns and constant hazards. Fire pits and fireballs are all over the track, moving in such a way that you’re bound to hit at least one. Some racers also find the arrows hard to follow, making it even tougher to give it your all. Spend some time researching Grumble Volcano before driving it online.

Dolphin Shoals

Dolphin Shoals may not be the hardest of all Mario Kart 8 Deluxe tracks, and it’s also disliked by many in the Mario Kart community. Why? The eel part.

At one part of the track, racers have to speed across a giant eel’s back, using the fin along it spine for boosts. But almost everyone has complained at one point or another that it just doesn’t work as intended, leaving even the most experienced drivers to fall off the eel with feelings of frustration. The best you can do is practice maneuvering along the eel and hope that it works out the same way in a real race.

Rainbow Road

Rainbow Road? Hard? This is not a shocker. Each edition of Rainbow Road has consistently been one of the hardest tracks to master since Mario Kart 64. Fast forward to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and this vibrant, colorful map is still a nightmare disguised as a whimsical space dream.

Right as you start the race you’re met with a difficult turn that can punish you for going too fast. There’s also a lack of borders, speed ramps in areas with turns, and a shortcut that many fail to use successfully. Carefully managing your speed and turning rates is key to success on Rainbow Road in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

Cheese Land

Many Mario Kart 8 Deluxe players will tell you this is the hardest track in the entire game. This retro course is full of cheesy pot holes. While meant to be a reference to swiss cheese, racers don’t find it too cute, especially when combined with the winding turns and sandy surfaces.

This is a track that forces you to focus the entire time, making it frustrating and unenjoyable for players who have a hard time balancing their focus on the track with keeping an eye on opposing races and their devastating weapons. Just keep your eye on the road, and Cheese Land should be conquerable.

Olivia Richman

About Olivia Richman

Olivia has worked in media ever since graduating from college, with her coverage ranging from traditional newspaper reporting to digital coverage of all things gaming, online betting, and nerd culture. She has traveled around the world pursuing that coverage, from the far coasts of the United States to the busy downtown core of Tokyo, Japan. Olivia’s favorite games include Overwatch and Super Smash Smash Bros, and she has been published at Esports Illustrated, Inven Global, EsportsInsider, Upcomer, and elsewhere.

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