These are the best kart and wheel combos in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Olivia Richman Published 03/05/2022

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a simple game on paper, but serious racers know there are a lot of tricks to keep in mind if you want to truly become a top kart competitor. There are shortcuts to memorize, character tier lists to study, and even optimized karts to build.

Not every vehicle is made equal in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. On the kart selection screen, you have probably noticed that there are statistics next to each option, showing each kart’s speed, acceleration, weight, handling, and traction. But which of these stats matter most when it comes to winning? And how do you make the best kart and wheel combo possible?

What are the best vehicles in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe?

The best racers in Mario Kart are the heavy characters, like Bowser and Wario. It’s important to keep this in mind when selecting your vehicle in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe since it’s the combination that really creates the winning outcome. Once you have selected a level three heavy character, it’s time to pick a kart. These are the best three karts from which to choose.

Pipe Frame

The Pipe Frame was originally called the Go-Kart in Mario Kart 7 and continues to be the standard kart in Mario Kart 8. The Pipe Frame has a different color and some different stats depending on who is driving it. It’s a popular kart due to its great acceleration and handling.

Stat Name	Stat Value
Speed	0
Acceleration	+0.25
Weight	-0.25
Handling	+0.5
Traction	-0.5

Blue Falcon

This is a downloadable kart that has great speed and acceleration. The only downsides are its weight and traction. The Blue Falcon is based on the vehicle designs in the original F-Zero game on the SNES and has flames coming out of its exhaust. These flames don’t impact its performance, but they do look pretty cool.

Stat Name	Stat Value
Speed	+0.25
Acceleration	+0.25
Weight	-0.25
Handling	0
Traction	-0.5

Streetle

The Streetle was introduced in Mario Kart 8 and was part of the Animal Crossing content package. Its adorable appearance is inspired by a beetle, complete with headlights representing the insect’s eyes. Despite its cute appearance, this kart is a consistent favorite due to its incredible stats. It brings great benefits in both speed and acceleration, key stats for kart racers.

Stat Name	Stat Value
Speed	+0.25
Acceleration	+0.25
Weight	-0.25
Handling	0
Traction	-0.5

What are the best wheels in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe?

If you have already selected a heavy character and one of the game’s best vehicles, it’s now time to pick a set of wheels. Almost every serious Mario Kart player will tell you, however, that there’s only one real choice: The Slick tires.

Despite a nerf between Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the Slick tires are still the top choice for wheels in the game. They have just the right stats to balance out the game’s best karts, keeping you in total control of your speedy vehicle, even while drifting through water.

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.

View full profile