Mario Kart 8: Best Kart Combo Builds

Summary

• A proper combination of weight and speed, along with skilled driving, can help achieve victory.
• The balance between speed and handling is essential to achieve success in the game, and that’s why it’s crucial that you choose the right build.
• Slow and steady builds based on acceleration and handling can win races in Mario Kart 8.

It’s no secret that in his downtime from saving the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario likes nothing more than to kick back with his friends and foes for a bit of healthy competition. And where this competition shines best is Mario Kart. This speedy series has been an integral part of the Mario franchise since its introduction in 1992 and remains one of the most popular multiplayer games for casual and hardcore gamers alike.

But not all Mario Kart games are created equally. As the first HD entry in the series, Mario Kart 8 remains a dominant leader of its ilk, especially in its Switch-exclusive deluxe format. Even with its successor in the making, the game is in the midst of six waves of new DLC thanks to its release of new Booster Course Pass tracks. As the game shows no signs of slowing down any time soon, now is the perfect time to perfect those kart combo builds.

Updated in January 2025, by Gerardo Molina: Mario Kart games have always been extremely fun to play, both alone and with friends. However, it could be argued that this latest installment in the franchise brings a lot of new elements and keeps those that have captivated players for years, making it an all-around masterpiece. While not every track in the game is brand-new, those that come from previous installments give Mario Kart 8 Deluxe the right amount of nostalgia without feeling repetitive. That said, some of these tracks will punish players who don’t use the right combos, especially in the 200 CC category. This is why players must be very careful when they select their characters and vehicles.

11

Yoshi, Mr. Scooty, Roller Tires, Paper Glider

Great Drifting, Good Control

Why choose this combo?

• Quick Mini-Turbo charging
• Good handling

Yoshi is a beloved character and has been so since the early days of Nintendo. Pairing him with the Mr. Scooty vehicle, the Roller Tires and the Paper Glider is an excellent choice, as it allows players to drift considerably well while retaining a decent amount of handling overall.

Like any other combo in the game, it takes a little practice to perfect it, but once players do, they’ll notice that they’re getting Ultra Mini-Turbos more consistently, gaining an advantage over the competition that will put them in first place.

10

Waluigi, Wild Wiggler, Azure Roller Tires, Cloud Glider

Not The Fastest, But It Handles Well

Why choose this combo?

• Decent handling
• Good at sharp turns

Although Waluigi has a slender appearance, he’s actually on the heavier side when it comes to his stats and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Pairing him with the Wild Wiggler vehicle, the Azure Roller Tires, and the Cloud Glider makes for an excellent combo that combines good handling and decent drifting.

Granted, this combo is not the fastest and neither does it have the quickest Mini-Turbo charging. However, it works well with sharp turns and allows players to have a considerable degree of control, which can make a huge difference when they’re toe to toe with another driver.

9

Link, Master Cycle, Off-road Tires, Hylian Kite

Inward Drifting At Its Finest

Why choose this combo?

• Inward drifting can help take sharp turns
• Good traction

Emphasizing high speed and traction, this combo with Link is ideal for players who want to try aggressive, fast racing throughout the tracks in the game. The Master Cycle has great top speed, and the off-road tires allow for better handling through rough terrain, which can be very useful if players end up in a grassy patch.

While not the best kite in the game, the Hylian Kite provides stable gliding, which can make handling airborne time much easier. Not to mention that it fits the overall combo very well, as it helps maintain 100% Legend of Zelda components. The Master Cycle is an inward drifting vehicle, so players who aren’t used to these types of bikes should first practice with them, as drifting isn’t as simple.

8

Peach, Cat Cruiser, Leaf Tires, Parachute

Great Handling And Decent Acceleration

Why choose this combo?

• Light and agile
• Quick acceleration and good handling

This setup not only looks great and has great handling, but it also allows for quick turns. This can make a huge difference at higher speeds like 150 and 200 CCs. The Leaf Tires help stabilize the Cat Cruiser, making the combo great for more technical tracks like Neo Bowser City.

The parachute not only complements the combo’s overall look, but also offers improved control during gliding, which can be a great advantage during those few seconds when players are airborne. While it’s certainly not the fastest, this combo makes up for its lack of speed with a good degree of control.

7

Baby Daisy, Biddybuggy, Azure Roller Tires, & Paper Glider

Who Says The Slow One Can’t Win?

Why choose this combo?

• It provides good acceleration and steady handling
• The combo also gives us a significant boost to the mini-turbo stat

It may seem a little counterintuitive, but sometimes slow and steady does indeed win the race. While other players may focus on their need for speed, some may opt for a slower vehicle with better acceleration and handling. These two stats are exactly what Baby Daisy brings to the table, with the second-highest acceleration stat and the highest handling stat of all.

The Biddybuggy vehicle further adds to the stats of acceleration, handling, and traction while also giving a boost to the mini-turbo stat. Using the Azure Roller Tires will lower the speed and weight stats even further, but they bolster the mini-turbo capabilities by a great deal. Though gliders are renowned for their little effect on the stats, using the Paper Glider will give a small boost to acceleration and mini-turbo.

6

Toadette, Flame Rider, Ancient Tires & Flower Glider

Slow and Steady wins the race

Why choose this combo?

• Like the previous build, it prioritizes steadiness over speed
• Provides better handling and traction

Another build that prioritizes acceleration over outright speed is this one featuring Toadette, which makes the most of her incredibly high stats both in handling and acceleration. Much like the previously listed build, players can balance out this slower option by getting in-game speed boosts from drifting or collecting coins.

The Flame Rider adds a decent amount of traction to this build while also enhancing handling, acceleration, and mini-turbo capabilities. Though this vehicle may pull down on weight, using the Ancient Tires helps to counteract this while adding a further boost to traction. The Flower Glider essentially serves to heighten all the standout stats of this build.

5

Bowser, B Dasher, Gold Tires, & Super Glider

Balance Of Both Speed And Handling

Why choose this combo?

• It maintains a balance between speed and handling
• With great speed, the build adds weight to the vehicle, thus maintaining a good handling

In Mario Kart 8, speed and weight often go hand-in-hand, and there’s no better example of this than everyone’s favorite Princess-nabbing foe, Bowser. Bowser weighs in as part of the heaviest class in the game and also has one of the highest speed stats. This build will take Bowser’s speed to the ultimate limit without making it too hard to control.

The B Dasher adds weight and a decent speed boost without lowering the handling stat as much as some other vehicles do. The Gold Tires serve to further heighten these stats and only have a mild impact on the handling of the vehicle. The Super Glider, along with the Waddle Wing or the Hylian Kite, is a great choice for those satisfied with the rest of their build, as equipping won’t affect any of the previous stats selected.

4

Bowser, Landship, Azure Roller Tires & Hylian Kite

Speed That You Can Control

Why choose this combo?

• Good speed without compromising on the control
• The build gives a significant boost to acceleration

As more of an all-rounder style of setup, this build featuring Bowser gives a decent speed stat without the risk of losing complete control. Most speed-focused builds add to Bowser’s already high weight and speed stats while sacrificing key areas like acceleration and traction. Given his starting stats in these areas are already some of the lowest in the game, this build aims to counteract that.

The Landship vehicle gives a good boost to acceleration and an impressive one to the overall traction of the build. It also gives a small boost to the mini-turbo stat. Pairing it with the Azure Roller Tires further boosts the acceleration, handling, and mini-turbo. As the Hylian Kite won’t affect stats, it leaves this build with a decent speed, a much higher acceleration stat, and much better traction than other builds.

3

Rosalina, P-Wing, Cyber Slick Tires, & Bowser Kite

You Need Both Speed And Weight

Why choose this combo?

• Keeps a balance between weight and speed
• The build helps you outspeed your opponents while also making your vehicle heavy enough to destroy anything.

One of the best build strategies in Mario Kart 8 is making sure the combination of weight and speed is just right, and this build featuring the cosmic Princess Rosalina does just that. Though Rosalina may not seem like a heavyweight, she’s in the top four weight classes, ranked just behind juggernauts like Donkey Kong and Roy.

The P-Wing kart adds speed and a little weight to the build, making it heavy enough to squash any competition that gets in the way. The Cyber Slick Tires, interchangeable with the Slick Tires, add considerable extra speed as well. Rounding out the build is the Bowser Kite, which boosts the acceleration and mini-turbo capabilities.

2

Morton, Circuit Special, Slick Tires & Plane Glider

Speed Over Anything

Why choose this combo?

• The build mainly focuses on speed
• While it also adds a little bit of weight, the build is best suited for skilled players who are looking for some challenge

In the same weight class as Bowser is Morton, one of the seven dastardly foes known as the Koopalings. Morton has all the same stats that Bowser has, so similar builds will affect the characters in the same way. This build prioritizes speed, and as such makes key sacrifices on the stats of acceleration and traction. For builds like this, skilled driving is a must.

The Circuit Special kart is a speedy vehicle that also boosts the weight of the driver as well. It comes at a steep cost for the acceleration and the mini-turbo while also making it harder to handle. The same can be said for the Slick Tires, so those using this build will need to be talented drivers who can maintain speed well. The Plane Glider gives a small weight boost as well.

1

Wario, Mercedes GLA, Gold Tires & Wario Wing

Break All Odds

Why choose this combo?

• Suitable for players who want to reach the top speed
• The acceleration isn’t the best, but if the players are skilled, they can hit the top speed without crashing the vehicle.

Wario is another of the fastest characters in the game and ranks in the second-highest weight class as well. This build is great for seasoned players looking to reach the speed stat cap without adding too much extra weight to the build. It does come at an acceleration cost, but skilled drivers are sure to win with this setup.

The Mercedes GLA seemed like nothing more than a marketing tactic when the DLC for it dropped, but its handy stats cannot be ignored. Adding a good boost to speed, weight, and traction, this is an excellent vehicle choice for a character like Wario. Pairing it with the Gold Tires will further boost these stats, and using the Wario Wing will give a small weight advantage as well. Players wishing to hit top speeds and look cool while doing it won’t go wrong with this build.

Mario Kart 8 is currently available on Switch.