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Mario Raceway - Tricks

With new moves and items, Mario Kart 64 Tricks greatly differ from Mario Kart tricks. Be sure to refer to the right game when looking for tricks!

Mario Kart Tricks

Red Shell Reversal

By far, this is the trickiest, coolest, and most satisfying trick in Mario Kart. It is also very difficult to pull off, so be forewarned!

A red shell acts kind of like a satellite orbiting the Earth. It will be drawn toward the target kart, but if fired at the wrong moment will instead circle the kart. You can use this fact to direct an enemy's red shell back at them!

Here's an example. Luigi 'L' has a Red Shell 'S', and Mario 'M' is weaponless. Luigi is at a stand-still. Mario accelerates toward Luigi's left, but then suddenly brakes at point X. Luigi, who did not expect the sudden braking, fires the shell too early. As a result, the shell loops around, trying to hit Mario. Mario immediately veers right, causing Luigi to be in between Mario and the red shell, and the shell hits Luigi instead!
This is only one example of the reversal. As stated before, this is a difficult and dangerous maneuver, and a player who is alert will not fall for this. Sometimes, however, a power slide and/or a Mushroom boost can seriously throw off the opponent's timing and help you turn their shell around or at least get you out of harm's way. I've been able to pull this maneuver off at least 5 times, and it's really fun to see the look on the opponent's face when their own red shell turns on them!

Mario Kart 64 Tricks

360 Spin

The 360 Spin, performed by stepping on the brake and the accelerator at the same time and steering left or right, while not technically a "trick", is a very useful maneuver, both offensively and defensively.

Offensive Attack

The 360 is most effective with a shell shield since the shield itself can score hits without the need of firing the shells. When a karter is behind you, sometimes the 360 can be used instead of braking to catch an opponent off guard. Another good time to 360 is when you get into a "turning contest" with an opponent. 360 in place and the opponent will turn right into you!

Defensive Usage

When being chased by a karter, mixing sharp turns with 360 turns can help lose him/her. Also, the 360 gets you in the right direction faster than the old "hop turn" that was needed for 180 turns in narrow corridors in Super Mario Kart. Against a Super Star, try a sharp turn followed by a 360 to direct your kart toward the Super Star opponent, who should be racing away from you. It's generally safer to follow your invincible opponent until the Star wears off, rather than him/her following you!

Created on: 3/1/97 @ 1120 hrs. PST

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