What do coins do in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe? Here’s what to know

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is an overall straightforward kart racing game. Racers grab items as they race around a track in an attempt to finish in first place. But Mario Kart 8 has more depth than you may realize. Every character and kart choice has an impact on your race, as do the coins you see around the track. So what do the coins in Mario Kart 8 actually do?

Coins first appeared in Mario Kart all the way back when the original Super Mario Kart title came out on the SNES. They are a staple of the series, but players often don’t know why they are collecting them as they race through each lap. In Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the coins serve three main functions that could give you an edge over your opponents.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe coin benefit #1: Speed boost

Collecting coins in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe can give you a speed boost that helps you to leave opponents in the dust. When you grab a coin, you’ll notice wind lines on your screen indicating that the speed boost is active.

While it’s not the biggest speed boost in the world, it can make all the difference for the racer in first place, since they don’t often get mushrooms and other useful movement items.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe coin benefit #2: Increased top speed

Every kart and wheel combo in Mario Kart 8 factors into your racer’s top speed. Some karts are better for speed while others are more focused on handling and traction. If you want an extra boost to your kart’s top speed, collect the coins you see around the track.

When you’re at 10 coins, as indicated in the bottom left of the screen, you’ll notice your kart’s top speed picks up. Remaining at 10 coins consistently can be the difference between a first or third-place finish in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe coin benefit #3: Unlock new items

Collecting coins has benefits beyond how fast your kart is. In Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, all racers and tracks are available to use and play, but there are certain items that need to be unlocked. How do you unlock these items? With coins.

Coins collected during races will unlock new karts, wheels, and parachutes in a set order. It starts with 50 coins for Cushion Wheels and goes all the way up to the Sports Coupe kart at 2,700 coins. You can check the main menu screen to keep track of how many coins you’ve collected throughout your time spent racing in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.