Topic: Mario Kart 8 - OT

The first one sounds like it would've been from Yoshi's Island, the second one sounds like it would've been Kirby, and the third one sounds like it would've been from F-Zero.

Or it could have been from Megaman too.

So I played online for the first time and it's so much fun! It works a lot better than Wii and 7 because most of the time, I don't end up spectating a race before I can play, I just jump right in, sometimes having only 3 seconds to vote on a track.

However, spectating is much more enjoyable now that you can change which player you're watching. It's a lot better than watching a bad racer.

But, I wish that my three star rank would appear in races like Wii and 7 did. I like to flaunt my achievements!

Question: What's the pros and cons of being a heavy and light character?

@Kewlan - From my knowledge of things and going by Mario Wiki, I'll try to sum it up and hopefully, you'll get a better understanding of things.

Heavy Pros: Typically Best Speed and heaviest Weight (duh).
Heavy Cons: Worst Acceleration, Traction and Handling.

• Heavy Characters generally go a bit faster compared to everyone else and don't have to worry about being knocked off the course (as much) thanks to their weight. However, if a Heavy takes a hit or just ends up stopping in general, it takes a while for them to pick up speed again compared to everyone else. The lacking Handling is not an issue after you practice with 'em and get used to how they control, but their general turning ability is at its worst during Air sections. The slightly low Traction means they'll slip more on certain terrain like ice.

Light Pros: Best Acceleration, Handling and Traction. Strongest Mini-Turbo.
Light Cons: Worst Speed and lightest Weight (of course).

• Light Characters are a bit slow compared to everyone else and... well, they're light so they get pushed around easily and can get knocked off a track greatly. However, they make up for this in being best in every other aspect. They'll pick up speed again no problem compared to Heavys and their Traction and Handling means different terrain roads will not be a problem for them as they slip less and they stay stable on normal roads better. They also have the best Anti-Gravity Handling and interestingly, they also have the strongest Mini-Turbo boosts.

@DreamyViridi Oh wow, lots of things I didn't know and/or though the other way off. Thanks a lot!
I'm guessing heavy characters are better for most Time Trials then, since they won't get hit by other's shells. This partly explain how Jak has the world record as Wario on Mario Stadium.

Speaking of that, jumping while boosting seems to indeed be a thing. I don't really like how that works, but I guess it adds an extra level of skill requirement...

What would be a good character to use for someone fairly new to the series?

I played the SNES, N64, GBA 3DS, and Wii one. I was fairly good at the SNES and N64 versions but I am no where near as good as I once was mainly due to lack of playing them. Use to play them all the time when I was younger but real life then stepped in.

Anyway I played a bit of MK7 and Wii (Didn't care too much for Wii cause of the control style). I really am enjoying the online mode in MK8 but I don't know I just keep getting the stuffing kicked out of me. So I was wondering if anyone has any tips as to which character cart combination would be good for a beginner.

What exactly are you having trouble with? If you having trouble with the steering, try picking a vehicle with better traction. If you find yourself making a lot mistakes that slow you down, pick one with high acceleration. If you're being bumped around too much, use a heavier car or slightly heavier character (but don't go too heavy, yet!)

Always give it your best and have fun, and above all, always be happy if you place in the top half.

Well I tend to use the power drift alot especially in corners and I do the speed boosts off of the jumps too. I have tried using a variety of racers but I tend to keep going back to Rosalina, It seems that my biggest problem is just catching up to the pack after I get hit with an item or bump into a wall.

Went to the shops to get a Wii U Pro controller mostly for Mario Kart 8. Dude behind the counter smiled and said "Mario Kart 8 right?". Yup, indeed. Last time I brought a controller for my Wii U it was the special edition Mario/Luigi WiiMotes. Same store, different management. Dude behind the counter looked confused about that one.

Last time I saw a turn around like that was with Pokemon. Went to get a copy of Pearl and the person behind the counter couldn't understand why Pokemon was still a thing. By the time SoulSilver was a thing "sure, no problem, I hear it's a pretty good remake".

Just got mario kart 8, really enjoying it, is there a forum for when there are tournaments?

That's pretty much MK8 for you. 7, Wii and DD all had great item balancing for getting up places, but it's lacking in 8.

Mushrooms don't do anything, and not to mention from 4 onwards you either get triple mushrooms, red shell or a coin.

Very hard to get up places because they don't give you the means to.

Also, in terms of characters, it doesn't matter that much really. If you like tight controls go lighter, if you prefer a higher top speed go heavy. FYI, Yoshi, Peach and Daisy have really good stats, a perfect mix of light and middle characteristics.