These are the best racers to use in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Olivia Richman Published 16/04/2022

Players can excel in Mario Kart by memorizing the map shortcuts and learning how to properly drift. But if you want to consistently place first in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, you may need to drop your favorite racer in favor of one of the best ones.

Everyone has their favorite Mario Kart racer. Yoshi is a fan favorite from back in the N64 days and Nintendo fans love Toad for his speedy acceleration. But are these racers actually worth picking if you want to win? You might want to skip them when things get more serious.

The top seven racers of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Casual Mario Kart players will be surprised to learn that not every character on the roster is equal. Some are faster than others while others have better control on the track. Competitive players have narrowed down some of the best characters that will give you an edge against friends.

7. Metal Mario and Pink Gold Peach

Metal Mario has been around for a while but has never really been given a lot of attention. He isn’t the most flashy. But the addition of heavy elements like metal and gold have made these two characters heavy, providing better traction for drifting. Choose a kart with good acceleration to really give them a boost.

6. Donkey Kong

Donkey Kong isn’t only an iconic character in the series but one of the best on the roster thanks to his weight and size. He is a bit on the slower side especially when the race starts, but in the right hands, Donkey Kong can be dangerous. Staying at a consistent speed and using the right wheels will keep Donkey Kong at the front.

5. Waluigi

Waluigi may not be in Smash, but he is a celebrated character on the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe roster. He is a heavy class character, meaning he can reach astonishing top speeds. His acceleration is average and he has slower turbo speeds, so pick a kart that focuses on acceleration. The more jumps the better, with Waluigi almost flying when in the air.

4. Bowser

Surprise, it’s another heavy on the list. While Bowser is the main villain of the Mario franchise, he’s a mainstay in Mario Kart that stays in the lead thanks to his hefty weight. He maxes out at speeds that are much faster than his opponents but his handling is quite poor, so pick some good tires to maintain a consistent speed.

3. Baby Mario, Luigi, Daisy, Peach, and Rosalina

The babies in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe may be young but they are veterans on the track. Baby Mario and Baby Luigi are very speedy and the baby princesses are not far behind. While lightweight, they have great acceleration and handling, giving them balanced stats. These characters are made for drifting, coming with the best turbo boosts in the game.

2. Dry Bowser

Dry Bowser is a bit different from the original Bowser. While also a heavy, Dry Bowser is known as “very heavy.” This gives him even greater speeds that other characters can’t match. He also has average handling and traction, making him quite balanced for a heavy character.

1. Wario

No, Wario doesn’t use his farts to boost him forward. This evil character has remained a favorite throughout the Mario Kart series and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is no different. He is a heavyweight that has incredible speeds and traction. If you are able to maintain his top speeds without interference, you will leave competitors in the dust. Drifting and boosting are also Wario’s strengths, making him a top choice on the track.

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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