Mario Kart 64 Nintendo 64 Shortcut Video Walkthrough

Here is a collection of videos that will show you some secret (and not-so-secret) shortcuts in Mario Kart 64. Each link shows a video clip as well as the step by step instructions on how to complete that shortcut.

Luigi Raceway
Moo Moo Farm (no shortcuts in this course)
Koopa Troopa Beach
Kalimari Desert
Toad's Turnpike
Frappe Snowland
Choco Mountain
Mario Raceway
Wario Stadium
Sherbet Land (no shortcuts in this course)
Royal Raceway
Bowser's Castle (no shortcuts in this course)
DK's Jungle Parkway
Yoshi Valley
Banshee Boardwalk (no shortcuts in this course)
Rainbow Road


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Mario Kart 64 - Rainbow Road Shortcut Video

This shortcut is pretty tricky to achieve, because it is easy to overshoot the path. At the beginning of the course, right before the steep drop, veer to the left and jump. With a little luck, you will land on the course below. Don't get discouraged, this shortcut takes a lot of practice! It is also possible to land on the top of the spiral using this method. You just have to jump earlier.

Mario Kart 64 Shortcut Video Walkthrough Series for Nintendo 64

Mario Kart 64 - Banshee Boardwalk Video

There aren't any exciting or unusual shortcuts in Banshee Boardwalk. Here is a simple "drive-through" video of the course, as well as more advanced techniques for you to try.

More Advanced Moves
Turbo Start
At the beginning of the race when the lights are counting down, press A just before the light turns blue. You will get a big speed burst that will put you out in front. Be careful not to press A too soon before the lights change, or you will spin out. If you start out in the back of the pack, try this. Then right before you hit another player, press R to jump over them.

Banana Peel Recovery
Make bananas useless to your enemies with this technique. Immediately after you hit a banana, press the B button. A musical note will appear above your character indicating you avoided a spin.

Mario Kart 64 Shortcut Video Walkthrough Series for Nintendo 64

Mario Kart 64 - Yoshi Valley Shortcut Video

This shortcut eliminates nearly the entire track! Right at the beginning, position yourself so that you are on the left side of the track, looking left. The tree should be on the left side of you, and the mountain to your right. Use a mushroom, and drive until the hill starts to go down, then jump. You should fall down into the valley, where Lakitu will tow you back up. If done correctly, you will skip a lap!

Mario Kart 64 Shortcut Video Walkthrough Series for Nintendo 64

Mario Kart 64 - DK's Jungle Parkway Shortcut Video

There are several useful shortcuts in this course, but the video shows the best one!

Turn around and go reverse inside the tunnel, then turn back around and continue forward. Right before you reach the end of the tunnel, drop down on the left side. If you do this correctly, the lap will change before you land, and you can drive back up the tunnel to do it again.

Alternate Shortcuts
1. When you reach the section that you can see the bridge to your right, jump over the guardrail.
2. When you are taking the bridge, veer off to the left as far as possible without falling into the water.
3. Inside the tunnel, cut time off by driving up the hairpin curve and cut the corner very short.

Mario Kart 64 Shortcut Video Walkthrough Series for Nintendo 64

Mario Kart 64 - Bowser's Castle Video

Bowser's Castle course doesn't have any unique shortcuts, so please enjoy a drive-through video of the track and some advanced techniques to try.

Advanced Techniques
Power Slide
This move is especially helpful for lightweight racers because it helps them avoid losing speed through the turns. Press and hold R as you go into a turn, then use the joystick to maneuver back and forth. If you let go when the letters behind the kart turn orange, you will receive a power boost.

Power Pass
When you are gaining on another player and need a small boost to get past them, get very close to them and stay there for awhile until a small puff of smoke comes from your engine. Use the boost to leave them in the dust!

Mario Kart 64 Shortcut Video Walkthrough Series for Nintendo 64

Mario Kart 64 - Royal Raceway Shortcut Video

Here are two shortcuts you can use in combination to get a better time on the track. First, drive around until you are near the section of track with the "U" shaped turn. Run off the track and into the water. Lakitu will tow you to the gap. From here, go across as if you were going to hit the other side of the gap, but veer off toward the left. Lakitu will then to you to the finish line.

Mario Kart 64 Shortcut Video Walkthrough Series for Nintendo 64

Mario Kart 64 - Sherbet Land Video

There are no known shortcuts for Sherbet Land, so here is a drive-through video of the course, and a few more tips to help you become a Mario Kart champion!

Weight Classes
Each character is divided into a weight class. Each class has their advantages and disadvantages in the race.

Lightweight - Peach, Yoshi, Toad
These characters are the lightest and have the best acceleration. They also have less traction and lose speed in the turns.

Middleweight - Mario, Luigi
These characters have average speed and acceleration. They handle much better than the lightweights, and lose less speed in the turns.

Heavyweight - Bowser, DK, Wario
These characters are the big guys. They are a lot harder to spin out, but have slower speeds. They are also able to run into other characters and knock them off the track.

Mario Kart 64 Shortcut Video Walkthrough Series for Nintendo 64

Mario Kart 64 - Wario Stadium Shortcut Video

Nearly all the walls in Wario stadium are jumpable, but this is perhaps the coolest shortcut ever. As soon as the race starts, head toward the left and jump over the wall. Instead of continuing the track as normal, stick to the wall you just jumped. As soon as you pass the finish line, jump back over. Cross the finish line and do it again. You can win a race in mere seconds with this shortcut.

Mario Kart 64 Shortcut Video Walkthrough Series for Nintendo 64

Mario Kart 64 - Mario Raceway Shortcut Video

Follow the track until it starts heading uphill and toward the left. In the distance toward the right there should be a "T" shaped wall. Use a mushroom right before you normally turn left, and jump to the right. You should land over the wall in the area right before the tunnel.

Mario Kart 64 Shortcut Video Walkthrough Series for Nintendo 64

Mario Kart 64 - Choco Mountain Shortcut Video

Just before you reach the big hill prior to the overpass area, go directly into the wall on your left. Drive into it at full speed and jump as you hit it. If you do this in the right place, you will clear the wall and land just behind the three hills immediately behind the finish line.

Mario Kart 64 Shortcut Video Walkthrough Series for Nintendo 64

Mario Kart 64 - Frappe Snowland Shortcut Video

This video has a very good walkthrough by the creator. At the beginning of the course, turn around and drive across the bridge. Turn back around and drive toward the snow, but do not touch any part of the track between the bridge and the finish line. Instead, veer off to the right after you reach the end of the bridge and drive off the course into the snow until you reach the finish line. At this point, drive further off the course until Lakitu picks you up and sets you back.

Mario Kart 64 Shortcut Video Walkthrough Series for Nintendo 64

Mario Kart 64 - Toad's Turnpike Shortcut Video

This shortcut is a little tricky to pull off, but worth it. Drive around the track until you reach the part where the paths overlap. Turn sharply to the right, and jump to get onto the guardrail. Lakitu will tow you back to the track, but this time jump over the guardrail into the abyss. The closer you can jump toward the other section of track, the more likely you are to be towed to the other side.

Mario Kart 64 Shortcut Video Walkthrough Series for Nintendo 64

Mario Kart 64 - Kalimari Desert Video

Here is a "drive through" of the Kalimari Desert Course. The shortcut for this track is not seen in the video, but is very easy to explain. If you manage to get a Star on either of the first two laps, head toward the tunnel by taking a left at the second railroad crossing. Just before you enter the tunnel, activate the Star and the lap counter will increase inside the tunnel. This shortcut does not work on the third lap!

Mario Kart 64 Shortcut Video Walkthrough Series for Nintendo 64

Mario Kart 64 - Koopa Troopa Beach Shortcut Video

The shortcut in this track is easy to spot, because of the ramp leading to it. Take the last ramp toward the tunnel in the wall, and right when you reach the end of the ramp, jump to make it into the tunnel. If you're racing against others, this ramp would be an excellent place to leave traps, just don't fall into them yourself!

Mario Kart 64 Shortcut Video Walkthrough Series for Nintendo 64

Mario Kart 64 - Moo Moo Farm Video

There are no shortcuts on this one, because it is used to introduce the roadway obstacles. Here is a runthrough of the track, as well as some helpful gameplay tips so you know what to expect the next time you play!

Special Items
Along each of the courses you may notice some translucent rainbow boxes with a question mark on them. Inside each of these boxes is a special item that can help you win the race. Let's take a look at each of them:

Green Shell
These shells come in singles or sets of three, and can be used to knock enemies off the track, or to destroy bananas that have been set in the path ahead.

Red Shell
These shells are the 'smart' shells, and also come in singles or sets of three. When you shoot one of these at an enemy, the shell will automatically hone in on them, there's no need to aim.

Spiny Shell
This special shell is used to knock the first-place racer off the track. Simply set it free, and the shell will automatically find and hit the player. It may also hit other players on its journey.

Banana
This slippery treat comes in singles or sets of five. Drop a banana along the path to trip up your opponents. Be careful though, you can fall victim to a banana trap even if you were the one who set it.

Fake Item Box
This is a box that looks nearly identical to the real item boxes, except the question mark is upside down. Running into this will cause a player to fly into the air. Leave a couple of these near a set of real item boxes for a sneaky trap.

Mushroom
These come in sets of one or three. Use the mushroom for an extra boost of power for your kart. The super mushroom has the same effect, but you can use it for many boosts, rather than just one.

Thunder Bolt
This item shrinks all the other players on the course, slowing them down. If you are invisible, invincible, or still recovering from another road hazard, you won't be shrunk.

Super Star
This is the best item to have. It makes your character invincible. They can drive fast, hit other players, and pass through hazards with no trouble. It doesn't prevent you from falling off the course, which will make it stop working.

Boo
This little ghost will do two things. First, it makes you invisible. Second, it will steal an item from another player for you to use. The invisibility wears off after a few moments.

Mario Kart 64 Shortcut Video Walkthrough Series for Nintendo 64

Mario Kart 64 - Luigi Raceway Shortcut Video

This shortcut is right after you come out of the tunnel. Head toward the wall to the left where the gray wall meets brick. Use a blaster mushroom to shoot yourself toward the wall, and right as you hit, jump over the wall. You will be right near the finish line, cutting precious time off your race.

Mario Kart 64 Shortcut Video Walkthrough Series for Nintendo 64