/Mario Kart: Double Dash!!\
-FAQ-Walkthrough\
)Created by: Matt "The Doc" Briner(
)Last Updated: November 29, 2003(
V1.0
=I) TABLE OF CONTENTS=
I) Table of Contents
II) Updates
III) FAQs
IV) Introduction
V) Main Title Screen
A) Start Game
B) Records
C) Options
1) Sound
2) Volume
3) Rumble
4) Time Trial Ghost
5) VS. Item Box
6) VS. Laps
VI) Before You Start
A) Player Choice
B) Position Choice
C) Mode Choice
D) Character Choice
E) Kart Choice
F) Course Choice
G) Basics and Controls
VII) Characters
A) Mario
B) Luigi
C) Peach
D) Daisy
E) Yoshi
F) Birdo
G) Baby Mario
H) Baby Luigi
I) Toad
J) Toadette
K) Koopa Troopa
L) Paratroopa
M) Donkey Kong
N) Diddy Kong
O) Bowser
P) Bowser, Jr.
Q) Wario
R) Waluigi
S) Petey Piranha
T) King Boo
VIII) Karts
A) Lighteight Karts
1) Goo-Goo Buggy
2) Rattle Buggy
3) Koopa Dasher
4) Para Wing
5) Barrel Train
6) Bullet Blaster
7) Toad Kart
8) Toadette Kart
B) Middleweight Karts
1) Red Fire
2) Green Fire
3) Heart Coach
4) Bloom Coach
5) Turbo Yoshi
6) Turbo Birdo
7) Waluigi Racer
C) Heavyweight Karts
1) Wario Car
2) DK Jumbo
3) Koopa King
4) Piranha Pipes
5) Boo Pipes
D) Miscellaneous Karts
1) Parade Kart
IX) Grand Prix
A) Mushroom Cup
1) Luigi Circuit
2) Peach Beach
3) Baby Park
4) Dry Dry Desert
B) Flower Cup
1) Mushroom Bridge
2) Mario Circuit
3) Daisy Cruiser
4) Waluigi Stadium
C) Star Cup
1) Sherbet Land
2) Mushroom City
3) Yoshi Circuit
4) DK Mountain
D) Special Cup
1) Wario Colosseum
2) Dino Dino Jungle
3) Bowser's Castle
4) Rainbow Road
E) All-Cup Tour
X) Items
A) Banana Peel
B) Green Shell
C) Red Shell
D) Mushroom
E) Fake Item
F) Star
G) Spiny Shell
H) Thunderbolt
I) Special Items
XI) Time Trial
XII) Versus Mode
XIII) Battle Mode
A) Battles
1) Balloon Battle
2) Shine Thief
3) Bob-omb Blast
B) Courses
1) Cookie Land
2) Block City
3) Nintendo GameCube
4) Pipe Plaza
5) Luigi's Mansion
6) Tilt-a-Kart
XIV) Credits & Contact Info
XV) Copyright & Disclaimer
==II) UPDATES==
V1.0 (November 29, 2003): Created and completed the Walkthrough. FAQs will be
added as soon as I get them.
==III) FAQS==
Coming soon...
==IV) Introduction==
Welcome to The Doc's FAQ/Walkthrough of "Mario Kart: Double Dash!!".
"MKDD" is easy enough to understand, although it seems complicated at first
glance. From the moment you turn on the GCN, you'll know that you're playing a
full-fledged "Mario Kart" game. However, the addition of a second character to
your playing quota invariably makes this a whole new game with a brand-new set
of rules.
In "MKDD", you must choose TWO characters to play as. These characters
determine what Kart you will have, and the Kart you have will determine just
how good of a player you are. In essence, it's much more complex this time
around than ever before.
==V) MAIN TITLE SCREEN==
Right from the Main Title Screen, you'll have to make the choice of either
starting the game, viewing in-game records, or fluctuating your options.
)A: Start Game(
Obviously, this will take you into the main game.
)B: Records(
If you already have saved "MKDD" data on your Memory Card, you can view
previous records of your past work. You can view records of each Cup from each
Engine option, the top five times for each course in Time Trial mode, or just
go back to the main title screen.
)C: Options(
Here, you can customize your in-game settings
/1--Sound\
You can choose between mono, stereo, or Surround, if you have Dolby.
/2--Volume\
You can make the in-game music real quiet, real loud, or you can keep the
recommended volume setting.
/3--Rumble\
Turn your controller's Rumble feature on or off.
/4--Time Trial Ghost\
If this is on, then whenever you complete a course in Time Trial mode, your
performance will be recorded in the form of a transparent version of you,
playing the course as you did. This is called a "ghost" and is a learning tool
to which you can use to increase your time and ability on a certain course.
/5--VS. Item Box\
In the Versus Mode (for multiplayer games only), you can set the Item Box
arsenal to the Recommended setting (even mix between normal and Special items),
Basic (normal item box swag only), Frantic (Special item box swag only), or
None (no items at all...a fair race).
/6--VS. Laps\
Each course has a preset number of laps. In the Versus Mode (for multiplayer
games only), you can set the number of laps to anywhere from one lap to nine
laps, or keep them at the Recommended number.
==VI) BEFORE YOU START==
Before you can start getting your race on, you'll need to make some choices
first.
)A: Player Choice(
Choose between one, two, three, or four players.
)B: Position Choice(
Here, you choose how you want to play in terms of where your characters are. In
One-Player, you don't have a choice at all. You control two characters at once.
In Two-Player, you can have a one-on-one match (P1 VS. P2), or you can do a
team race (P1 + P2).
In Three-Player, you can have a Triple Threat (P1 VS. P2 VS. P3) or have a
Handicap race (P1 + P2 VS. P3).
In Four-Player, you can have a Fatal-Four Way (P1 VS. P2 VS. P3 VS. P4), a Tag
Team race (P1 + P2 VS. P3 + P4), or a Super Handicap race (P1 + P2 VS. P3 VS.
P4).
)C: Mode Choice(
In One-Player, you can play the Grand Prix or you can go through the courses
individually for a Time Trial.
In Two-Player, Three-Player, and Four-Player, you can play the Grand Prix,
Versus, or Battle. They will be explained further down the line.
)D: Character Choice(
When you first start playing "MKDD" each player will have the choice between 16
characters, and you must choose two--no more, no less. However, as you go
along, four characters will be unlocked. Each character will be explained
further down the line.
)E: Kart Choice(
The combination of characters you choose depends on the Kart you get. Each
chracter is in one of three weight classes, and there are six weight
combinations you can have. Each Kart is distributed between these combinations
and, as mentioned before, each have their own pros and cons.
)F: Cup Choice(
At the beginning, there are 12 courses to choose from, four in each cup. As you
go along, however, two cups will be unlocked. Each course is unique in shape,
length, and obstacles.
)G: Basics and Controls(
OK, so you've chosen your characters and your Cup and such...how do you drive?
Well, it's really very simple. You control two characters. One character drives
the Kart and the other character uses the items. Both characters can hold
items, but only the character in the back can use them.
-The 'A' button accelerates. Hold it to increase speed, let it go to decrease
speed. It couldn't be simpler. At the very start of the race, press 'A' once
Lakitu's arm is all the way down on the fourth movement to get a turbo boost.
-The 'B' button serves two functions. When you're moving, use it to break. When
you're still, hold it to go in reverse.
-The Control Stick moves your Kart. Duh.
-The 'X' and 'Y' buttons serve the same two purposes. When you have an item,
press either button to use it. When you don't have an item, press either button
to honk your horn and have the character in the back of the Kart taunt.
-The 'Z' button is used to swap your characters. This is especially useful when
you have an item that you don't want to use at the moment. Say, you have a
Green Shell. If no one's directly in front of or behind you, it's useless,
However, pressing 'Z' will allow the character with the Green Shell to drive
instead, saving the Item for a later time. If you have two items at once (one
per character), using one of them will automatically swap characters.
-The 'L' and 'R' triggers are used to Drift. When at a really tight turn, hold
one of these two buttons while holding down the Control Stick in the direction
the turn is going. You'll notice that two yellow flames will appear behind your
Kart. If you press the Control Stick in the opposite direction, then
immediately go back to the original direction, the flames will turn red. Do it
one more time to turn them blue. Let go of the trigger to get a small boost of
speed. (If you ever played "Mario Kart 64", you know what this trick is; it's
done the exact same way.)
-The 'START/PAUSE' button pauses the game and gives you a brief overview of the
controls. If you're in Grand Prix mode, you can choose to continue the race or
quit and go back to the player select screen. In any other mode, you can choose
to continue, restart the race, reselect a course, reselect a character,
reselect a battle (in Battle mode only), or quit entirely and go back to the
player select screen.
-The Control Pad and the 'C' Stick have no uses.
==VII) CHARACTERS==
There are a grand total of 20 characters you can choose from. Sixteen are
available from the get-go, while four are hidden. Each character is in a weight
class, each has a special item, and each has a default vehicle.
)A: Mario(
Weight Class--Medium
Special Item--Fireball (red)
Default Kart--Red Fire
Availability--The start
Mario is the neutrality scale on which all other characters are balanced. He's
the most average character you can have. His special attack, Fireball, spreads
into five separate fireballs and bounces across the course and off walls for a
limited time.
)B: Luigi(
Weight Class--Medium
Special Item--Fireball (green)
Default Kart--Green Fire
Availability--The start
The eternal understudy is back in action! His special attack, Fireball, spreads
into five separate fireballs and bounces across the course and off walls for a
limited time.
)C: Peach(
Weight Class--Medium
Special Item--Heart
Default Kart--Heart Coach
Availability--The start
When she's not being kidnapped, she's racing, playing tennis, playing golf,
or...well, being kidnapped, really. Her special attack, Heart, allows you to
run over items in the road and pick them up. You can do this twice.
)D: Daisy(
Weight Class--Medium
Special Item--Heart
Default Kart--Bloom Coach
Availability--The start
She wasn't seen much after "Super Mario Land", but she came back ten years
later in "Mario Party 3" and has been a bit of a staple since. Her special
attack, Heart, allows you to run over items in the road and pick them up. You
can do this twice.
)E: Yoshi(
Weight Class--Medium
Special Item--Yoshi Egg
Default Kart--Turbo Yoshi
Availability--The start
Yoshi's been a series staple since his debut in "Super Mario World". He's got
an infinitely-sized tummy and a knack for turning anything he swallows into an
egg. His special item, Yoshi Egg, homes in on the nearest enemy and releases a
trio of useful items upon impact.
)F: Birdo(
Weight Class--Medium
Special Item--Birdo Egg
Default Kart--Turbo Birdo
Availability--The start
She disappeared for a bit after her debut in "Super Mario Bros. 2", but since
her return in "Mario Tennis", she's been pretty smitten with Yoshi.
Ooooooooooh! Her special item, Birdo Egg, homes in on the nearest enemy and
releases a trio of useful items upon impact.
)G: Baby Mario(
Weight Class--Light
Special Item--Chain Chomp
Default Kart--Goo-Goo Buggy
Availability--The start
Separated from his brother at birth, Yoshi helped the two twins reunite in
"Super Mario World 2". Since then, Baby Mario's been seen at the courts and the
links on several occasions. His special attack, Chain Chomp, follows the course
for a limited time, running over any enemies you meet up with and cutting a
little time off the clock.
)H: Baby Luigi(
Weight Class--Light
Special Item--Chain Chomp
Default Kart--Rattle Buggy
Availability--The start
The bad news is, this is Baby Luigi's first appearance since "Super Mario World
2". The good news is, I just saved a load of money on my car insurance by
switching to Geico. (...Sorry. Couldn't resist.) His special attack, Chain
Chomp, follows the course for a limited time, running over any enemies you meet
up with and cutting a little time off the clock.
)I: Toad(
Weight Class--Light
Special Item--Super Mushroom
Default Kart--Toad Kart
Availability--Win the gold in Special Cup at 100cc
For a while there, Toad was considered pretty weak because he continuously
failed to protect the princess from kidnapping. Recently, though, he's been
making a name for himself. His special item, the Super Mushroom, allows you to
continuously boost your speed until it wears out. Just keep pressing 'X' or 'Y'.
)J: Toadette(
Weight Class--Light
Special Item--Super Mushroom
Default Kart--Toadette Kart
Availability--Win the gold in Special Cup at 100cc
Not much is known about Toadette. She's made countless cameos in many Mario
games, but this is her first appearance as a playable character. Her special
item, the Super Mushroom, allows you to continuously boost your speed until it
wears out. Just keep pressing 'X' or 'Y'.
)K: Koopa Troopa(
Weight Class--Light
Special Item--Triple Shell
Default Kart--Koopa Dasher
Availability--The start
Koopa Troopa was a minion of Bowser's for quite some time until warming up in
recent years. He was playable in "Super Mario Kart", and he's been an integral
character in the "Mario Party" series. His special item, Triple Shell, allows
you to hold three shells (either green or red) at one time.
)L: Paratroopa(
Weight Class--Light
Special Item--Triple Shell
Default Kart--Para Wing
Availability--The start
Paratroopa is just a Koopa Troopa with wings, but has proven that he's stronger
than he looks in few areas. His special item, Triple Shell, allows you to hold
three shells (either green or red) at one time.
)M: Donkey Kong(
Weight Class--Heavy
Special Item--Giant Banana
Default Kart--DK Jumbo
Availability--The start
DK's been in countless games. While some don't know, he was originally Donkey
Kong Jr., but grew up while the original Donkey Kong (now Cranky Kong) grew
old. Now he likes to raise havoc with his nephew Diddy. His special item, Giant
Banana, is...well...a giant banana! It takes up more of the path as usual, and
splits into three normal banana peels when run into.
)N: Diddy Kong(
Weight Class--Light
Special Item--Giant Banana
Default Kart--Barrel Train
Availability--The start
Diddy disappeared from the scene after "Donkey Kong Country 3", but recently,
he's been in "Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour" with his Uncle Donkey. He's becoming
a bigger player in the Mario world. His special item, Giant Banana,
is...well...a giant banana! It takes up more of the path as usual, and splits
into three normal banana peels when run into.
)O: Bowser(
Weight Class--Heavy
Special Item--Bowser Shell
Default Kart--Koopa King
Availability--The start
The King of the Koopas, Bowser has been thwarted by Mario time and time again.
More fertile than Kelly Ripa in the springtime, he's bore countless children.
More recently, his kids have become more active. His special item, Bowser
Shell, is like a giant Green Shell, taking out anyone in it's path.
)P: Bowser, Jr.(
Weight Class--Light
Special Item--Bowser Shell
Default Kart--Bullet Blaster
Availability--The start
The mischievious Prince of the Koopas, Bowser, Jr., needs to be put on a leash
or something. My advice is not to get 4th place or worse with him; the crying
is unbareable! His special item, Bowser Shell, is like a giant Green Shell,
taking out anyone in it's path.
)Q: Wario(
Weight Class--Heavy
Special Item--Bob-omb
Default Kart--Wario Car
Availability--The start
Wario's made quite a name for himself since debuting in "Super Mario Land 2".
Since then, he's had his own series of games, has appeared in all the "Mario
Party" games, and has even obtained a brother of his own! His special item,
Bob-omb, explodes, taking out everybody in the vicinity.
)R: Waluigi(
Weight Class--Middle
Special Item--Bob-omb
Default Kart--Waluigi Racer
Availability--The start
Since debuting in "Mario Tennis", Waluigi's been insanely popular among
players. It's rumored that the lanky Waluigi might even get his own game in the
future...His special item, Bob-omb, explodes, taking out everybody in the
vicinity.
)S: Petey Piranha(
Weight Class--Heavy
Special Item--ALL
Default Kart--Piranha Pipes
Availability--Win the gold in Star Cup in Mirror Mode
Petey debuted as a boss in "Super Mario Sunshine" and must have gone over well
with the gaming populace. Petey's special item is the best of all...he can use
all aforementioned special items!
)T: King Boo(
Weight Class--Heavy
Special Item--ALL
Default Kart--Boo Pipes
Availability--Win the gold in Star Cup in Mirror Mode
Luigi thwarted King Boo's haunting plans in "Luigi's Mansion". His Highness is
back to return the favor. King Boo's special item is the best of all...he can
use all aforementioned special items!
==VIII) KARTS==
There are 21 different Karts: eight lightweight Karts, seven middleweight
Karts, five heavyweight Karts, and one Kart that can be used by everybody. Each
Kart has three stats: speed, (how fast it'll go after fully accelerated)
acceleration (how fast it'll start after being at a complete stop), and weight
(how slow you'll go on non-road terrain, like grass or heavy snow). Each stat
is measured on a Star Scale from one star to five stars. Most of the Karts must
be unlocked.
)A: Lightweight Karts(
These Karts corner well, have great acceleration, and go the fastest on
non-road terrain, but are slow on the road and can be easily pushed around by
middleweights and heavyweights.
/1) Goo-Goo Buggy\
Default Racer--Baby Mario
Speed----------*
Acceleration---*****
Weight---------**
Availability---The start
/2) Rattle Buggy\
Default Racer--Baby Luigi
Speed----------**
Acceleration---****
Weight---------**
Availability---Get the gold in Mushroom Cup at 100cc
/3) Koopa Dasher\
Default Racer--Koopa Troopa
Speed----------**
Acceleration---****
Weight---------**
Availability---The start
/4) Para Wing\
Default Racer--Paratroopa
Speed----------*
Acceleration---*****
Weight---------**
Availability---Get the gold in Star Cup at 50cc
/5) Barrel Train\
Default Racer--Diddy Kong
Speed----------****
Acceleration---**
Weight---------***
Availability---Get the gold in Star Cup at 150cc
/6) Bullet Blaster\
Default Racer--Bowser, Jr.
Speed----------****
Acceleration---***
Weight---------*
Availability---Get the gold in Special Cup at 50cc
/7) Toad Kart\
Default Racer--Toad
Speed----------**
Acceleration---****
Weight---------**
Availability---Get the gold in Special Cup at 100cc
/8) Toadette Kart\
Default Racer--Toadette
Speed----------*
Acceleration---*****
Weight---------**
Availability---Get the gold in Mushroom Cup in Mirror Mode
)B: Middleweight Karts(
These Karts are average and don't have heavy pros or cons. They can be pushed
around by heavyweights, but can push around lightweights. They slow down on
non-road terrain, but not as heavily as heavyweight Karts. These are the most
standard Karts you can use.
/1) Red Fire\
Default Racer--Mario
Speed----------***
Acceleration---***
Weight---------***
Availability---The start
/2) Green Fire\
Default Racer--Luigi
Speed----------****
Acceleration---**
Weight---------**
Availability---Get the gold in Mushroom Cup at 50cc
/3) Heart Coach\
Default Racer--Peach
Speed----------**
Acceleration---****
Weight---------***
Availability---The start
/4) Bloom Coach\
Default Racer--Daisy
Speed----------***
Acceleration---***
Weight---------**
Availability---Get the gold in Flower Cup at 50cc
/5) Turbo Yoshi\
Default Racer--Yoshi
Speed----------**
Acceleration---****
Weight---------***
Availability---The start
/6) Turbo Birdo\
Default Racer--Birdo
Speed----------***
Acceleration---***
Weight---------****
Availability---Get the gold in Flower Cup at 150cc
/7) Waluigi Racer\
Default Racer--Waluigi
Speed----------***
Acceleration---***
Weight---------***
Availability---Get the gold in Flower Cup at 100cc
)C: Heavyweight Karts(
These Karts have poor acceleration and go the absolute slowest on non-road
terrain, but they have the highest speeds and can push all the other Karts
around to get past them. However, it is still recommended that heavyweight
Karts be handled by experts only.
/1) Wario Car\
Default Racer--Wario
Speed----------****
Acceleration---**
Weight---------****
Availability---The start
/2) DK Jumbo\
Default Racer--Donkey Kong
Speed----------****
Acceleration---**
Weight---------****
Availability---The start
/3) Koopa King\
Default Racer--Bowser
Speed----------*****
Acceleration---*
Weight---------*****
Availability---The start
/4) Piranha Pipes\
Default Racer--Petey Piranha
Speed----------****
Acceleration---**
Weight---------*****
Availability---Get the gold in Star Cup in Mirror Mode
/5) Boo Pipes\
Default Racer--King Boo
Speed----------**
Acceleration---****
Weight---------*****
Availability---Get the gold in Special Cup in Mirror Mode
)D: Miscellaneous Karts(
One Kart can be used by all characters. It's invariably the best car to have.
However, it couldn't be unlocked at a more inopportune time. The only way to
get this Kart is to get the gold in all cups on all engine options. It's the
reward you get for spending so much time playing the game.
/1) Parade Kart\
Default Racer--ALL
Speed----------****
Acceleration---***
Weight---------****
Availability---Get the gold cup in all cups on all engine options
==IX) GRAND PRIX==
The Grand Prix is the way to go, as it is the only way to unlock everything
unlockable in the game. The Grand Prix consists of five cups, though only three
are playable at the start. You play each course in a cup in succession, getting
points along the way. Here is the points table:
1st place--10 points
2nd place--8 points
3rd place--6 points
4th place--4 points
5th place--3 points
6th place--2 points
7th place--1 point
8th place--0 points
The ideal way to win the gold in a cup is to win 40 points, or get 1st place in
all four courses in that cup.
Before choosing the cup, however, you must choose between one of three engine
settings (excluding one unlockable setting): 50cc, 100cc, and 150cc. These,
more or less, are the difficulty settings, with 50cc being the equivalent of
Easy mode, 100cc being Normal mode, and 150cc being Hard more. Mirror Mode is
yours once getting the gold in the All-Cup Tour at 150cc, and is the equivalent
of Expert mode. Mirror Mode is exactly as its name implies: the Mirror design
of the courses. So if in 50cc you had to turn left, in Mirror Mode, you turn
right.
As stated before, there are a total of 12 courses available at the start and 16
courses altogether along five cups. The Special Cup is unlocked only when you
get the gold trophy in the Star Cup at 100cc. When you get the gold trophy on a
cup at a specific engine setting, you unlock something. However, sometimes you
won't, so be cautious...
)A: Mushroom Cup(
/1) Luigi Circuit\
The most straightforward course you can do. In fact, when it comes to track
design, this is virtually identical to the Luigi Raceway in "Mario Kart 64".
The only differences are the speed boosts and the Chain Chomp.
/2) Peach Beach\
Based on Isle Delfino in "Super Mario Sunshine", Peach Beach takes place in the
sun-drenched tropics. If you run into a Cataquack on the shore, you'll be
thrown high into the air and be slowed down a considerable amount.
/3) Baby Park\
This track is an oval. Plain and simple. It's the shortest track in the game,
but you'll have to go through seven full laps before you can continue on to the
next course.
/4) Dry Dry Desert\
Spinies and sandstorms adorn this hated stage. A quicksand bog in the middle of
the race will force you to swerve to the left or right, but don't try to drive
through or it's all over. Run into the sand storms to be thrown high and slow.
)B: Flower Cup(
/1) Mushroom Bridge\
You're on a famous Mushroom Kingdom landmark, and you're not alone! Cars, a
Wiggler tram, and other types of vehicular disaster adorn the course. Run into
the mushroom car to drop a mushroom onto the course, but steer clear of the
Bob-omb Racers or you're done for.
/2) Mario Circuit\
The trademark course of the game, placed right outside Princess Peach's Castle.
Chain Chomps, Pirahna Plants, and Goombas are scattered around the stage, but
the curves all around are perfect for drifting.
/3) Daisy Cruiser\
This course has three levels: the deck, the hall, and the boiler room. The
boiler room is for shortcut purposes only, and the tables in the restaurant
have a habit of moving around...look for this cruiser in the backgrounds of
other courses.
/4) Waluigi Stadium\
This is like a shortened, steroid-ridden version of Wario Stadium in "Mario
Kart 64". Giant decoy Piranha Plants guard the middle of the track and there
are jumps galore. This course is more for BMX standards than Karts...
)C: Star Cup(
/1) Sherbet Land\
The weather outside is frightful, but there ain't nothing delightful about this
stage. Skating Shy Guys can hinder your chances at a 1st-place victory, and the
Freezies near the end of the stage are fatal. Don't get reckless.
/2) Mushroom City\
An extension of Mushroom Bridge, this level is reminiscent of Toad's Turnpike
in "Mario Kart 64". This course has multiple routes, but this time, you'll
eventually be going into the traffic head-on! Watch the Bob-omb Racers!
/3) Yoshi Circuit\
Could it get any weirder? This course has been made in the shape of Yoshi
himself! That means that there are enough hairpin turns to make you sweat, and
look for the hidden shortcut after the first long tunnel...
/4) DK Mountain\
Scaling the cliffs of DK Mountain isn't exactly an ideal hiker's day out. On
the way down the mountain, there are big bumps, holes in the ground, and a
rickety bridge, but the barrel cannon that shoots you from one mountain summit
to the other steals the show!
)D: Special Cup(
/1) Wario Colosseum\
This course is unique in that, since it's so long, it only consists of two
laps. However, it's one of the hardest courses in the game. When you get to the
cage, you'll go down a long winding track, followed by a track that's off by
about 50°. When you get to the triple fork in the road, you'll have to either
drive down one of two tilted roads or going for a leap of faith.
/2) Dino Dino Jungle\
Fallen tree stumps make for small jumps and a brontosaurus can make or break
you twice over. Watch the geysers all around the second half of this stage, but
don't fall off any bridges or it's AAAAAALLLLLL the way back up.
/3) Bowser's Castle\
Arguably the hardest course in the game, Bowser's Castle has thwomps, lava, and
OBSTACLES, OBSTACLES, OBSTACLES! Drift at the upward spiral, go through groups
of fireballs, and drive gung-ho into Thwomps, but don't fall or it's all over.
/4) Rainbow Road\
The showcase racetrack of "MKDD", and my personal favorite course in the game!
This grand spectacle of a course is full of speed boosts (illegal substances
not included), a massively gorgeous tunnel climb, a spectacular cityscape
below, and a remix of the Rainbow Road theme from "Mario Kart 64"! Rainbow Road
is a staple of the "Mario Kart" games, but Nintendo really outdid themselves
with the third iteration.
)E: All-Cup Tour(
You think the Special Cup at 150cc is difficult? Get the gold in it to unlock
this. The All-Cup Tour is the ultimate test of endurance and ability--you'll
race all 16 courses is succession! This 40-minute workout starts with Luigi
Circuit and ends with Rainbow Road, but the rest is all random. Good luck.
==X) ITEMS==
The items are a staple of the "Mario Kart" games. Other racing games just have
more cars in a race, but the items are what really separate the "Mario Kart"
genre from the rest. Drive through either an item box or a duel item box, and
you'll get items. You use the items to keep your enemies from catching up to
you or getting to far ahead. It's the items that can make or break a
first-place win.
)A: Banana Peel(
Classic. Sheer classic. Press 'Y' or 'X' with this to place it onto the track
behind you. Hold the Control Stick up and press 'Y' or 'X' to throw it a ways
up.
)B: Green Shell(
Another classic "Mario Kart" item. Press 'Y' or 'X' to throw this in front of
you. It'll run straight ahead, bouncing off walls until either A) It hits
somebody, or B) it stops its movement. Hold down on the Control Stick and press
'Y' or 'X' to throw it behind you.
)C: Red Shell(
Twice as useful as the Green Shell, indeed. Press 'Y' or 'X' and it'll charge
like a Lo-Jack to the nearest Kart in front of you. If one is headed for you
from behind, use a Banana Peel or a Green Shell to get rid of it, or jump a
ramp (if possible). To throw it behind you, hold down on the Control Stick and
press 'Y' or 'X'.
)D: Mushroom(
If you have one of these, press 'Y' or 'X' to get a big boost of speed. These
won't appear as often if you're in the front of the pack. On rare occasions,
these come in packs of three, usually if you're in last place. If you can hit
an enemy when you use this, and if they have an item, you can take the item!
)E: Fake Item(
When you're playing Mushroom Cup in 50cc, you'll have a striking revelation:
the AI is as smart as a really, really intelligent brick in Easy mode. Prove it
by placing one of these near a cluster of real item boxes. These work the best
when the Item Boxes are individual, like in Mushroom Bridge.
)F: Star(
One of the more useful items, this will not only make you temporarily faster,
but it will make you temporary invincible to attacks and certain obstacles. Ram
into a Kart and, if they have an item, you can take it! However, fall off the
track or get squished and your immortality go bye-bye.
)G: Spiny Shell(
Only available if you're in second place or lower, the Spiny Shell will make a
beeline for the first-placeman. Unless they're invincible, it's guaranteed to
work, but don't get caught in the explosion!
)H: Thunderbolt
Only available if you're in fifth place or lower, the Thunderbolt will shrink
all other players, decreasing their size and their speed temporarily, but I'm
not making any promises...
)I: Special Items(
These items are only available to the specified character. For more information
on Special Items and who can use them, see the character profiles above.
==XI) TIME TRIAL==
The Time Trial mode is only available to a one-player game. In Time Trial mode,
you have free reign over the course. There are no obstacles, no item boxes, no
enemies...just you, the track, and the clock. Oh, and two Mushrooms. The object
is to make the recommended number of laps on a course as fast as you can.
When you complete a course, you will have the opportunity to save a ghost. This
is a transparent recording of your performance in that track. If you ever
decide to try that course again, this recording will also be there, and it will
run the exact same way it was done when you did it the last time. Use this
ghost to your advantage and try to beat it every time.
If, somehow, you can complete a course in a predetermined time, you'll face a
Staff Ghost. This is not a ghost of YOUR performance. This is the ghost of a
"MKDD" expert over at Nintendo. Basically, there were internal contests at
Nintendo to see who could get the fastest times on each course, and the Staff
Ghosts are the winners. If you can beat these Staff Ghosts' times, then you are
truly among the elite of gamers.
==XII) VERSUS MODE==
The Versus Mode is a special mode in which you and up to three buddies can race
a course to determine the best. It's not a Grand Prix, it's just anywhere from
two to four players on a course. So basically, it's like a mini-Grand Prix,
except you can select any course you want.
==XIII) BATTLE MODE==
This is a special feature in which you and up to four friends duke it out in
original courses under special rules. It's really fun and I recommend playing
it with four players for the full monty!
)A: Battles(
There are three ways to battle.
/1) Balloon Battle\
In this classic Battle setting, you collect items around the tracks and try to
hit each opponent three times. Each time a player is hit, a balloon is popped.
Last man standing wins.
/2) Shine Thief\
Right when you start, in front of you, is a Shine (what you need to collect in
"Super Mario Sunshine"). Grab it! Once you do, a 60-second countdown will
start. Your opponents can do whatever they can to hit you because, if they do,
you'll drop the Shine and the countdown will freeze. When it's picked back up,
the countdown will start up again. Whoever has the Shine when the countdown
reaches '0' wins.
/3) Bob-omb Blast\
This one gets just a smidge complicated, but not too complicated. Whenever you
touch an item box, you'll get a Bob-omb. Wail on your opponent. Each time you
hit them, one of your stars will light up. You have to hit your opponent three
times IN A ROW to win.
Let's say you hit your opponent twice. Then two of your stars will light up. If
they hit you once, then one of your stars will be taken away and one of their
stars will light up. It's a matter of basic mathematics, really.
)B: Courses(
/1) Cookie Land\
It's a really big cookie. Plain and simple.
/2) Block City\
There are four blocks in the course. Go through two of them for duel item boxes.
/3) Nintendo GameCube\
That's right! You fight on top of a GCN! There are items boxes in the middle of
the course and on the three buttons.
/4) Pipe Plaza\
There's a grating and four pipes. Two of them go from the ground to the
grating, two of them go from the grating to the ground. You can also go
directly from one to the other.
/5) Luigi's Mansion\
This stage can only be unlocked by getting the gold trophy in Mushroom Cup at
150cc. It's got three levels. The bottom and middle are straightforward, but
the top level has a hole leading to the middle.
/6) Tilt-a-Kart\
This weird course is unlocked after getting the gold in the Flower Cup in
Mirror Mode. The 8-bit Mario silhouette you're on occasionally tilts, making
the items and you fall off the edge.
==XIV) CREDITS/CONTACT INFO==
Special Thanks To:
Nintendo>>>For making the game.
GameFAQs>>>For sponsoring this FAQ.
Me>>>For making the FAQ (Modesty = Dead).
You>>>For reading the FAQ.
Questions? Comments? E-mail or MSN me at
[email protected]! Or smack me one
via AIM with The Doc 913!
==XV) COPYRIGHT & DISCLAIMER==
This FAQ is the sole property of its author (Matt Briner) and cannot be copied
by anyone without direct permission by the author.
This FAQ is only to be used in the pages of GameFAQs (www.gamefaqs.com). If it
is found anywhere else, please notify the author as soon as possible.
This FAQ is copyright 2003 Matt Briner.
