Mario Kart 8 for the Wii U and its enhanced Nintendo Switch counterpart, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, incorporate a progression system where cosmetic kart parts are unlocked by collecting in-game currency. This mario kart 8 coin unlock list details the mechanics behind acquiring every body, set of wheels, and glider, from standard unlocks to the coveted golden components.
Unlocking Kart Parts with Coins: The Core Mechanic
At the heart of the mario kart 8 coin unlock list is the coin collection system. Both versions of the game use accumulated coins from races and battle modes to progressively unlock new kart customization options. These parts are primarily cosmetic, offering different aesthetic choices for players to personalize their vehicles.
Coin Accumulation and Unlock Order
Players gain coins by picking them up on the track during races or by collecting them in battle arenas. A maximum of 10 coins can be earned per race or battle. These collected coins contribute to a cumulative total that dictates when new parts become available.
A key characteristic of this system is the random nature of the unlocks. While the game tracks your total coin count, the specific kart body, wheel set, or glider you receive upon reaching an unlock threshold is not predetermined. This introduces an element of surprise for players as they progress through the unlock process.
Coin Thresholds and Unlock Pace
The rate at which new parts unlock changes as players amass more coins, differing slightly between the Wii U and Nintendo Switch versions of the game. Understanding these thresholds is crucial for players optimizing their coin grinding efforts.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Nintendo Switch)
- Initial Phase (0-449 coins): A new part unlocks for every 30 coins collected. This fast initial pace allows players to quickly build a basic collection of parts.
- Mid-Game Phase (450-1499 coins): After reaching 450 total coins, the unlock rate slows. A new part then unlocks every 50 coins.
- Late-Game Phase (1500+ coins): Once players surpass 1500 coins, the unlock interval increases again. From this point forward, a new part unlocks every 100 coins.
To acquire all regular kart parts in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, players must collect a total of 3100 coins. This comprehensive mario kart 8 coin unlock list for the Deluxe version ensures players have access to all standard customization options.
Mario Kart 8 (Wii U)
- Initial Phase (0-999 coins): For the first 1000 coins, a new part unlocks every 50 coins.
- Late-Game Phase (1000+ coins): After accumulating 1000 coins, the unlock rate changes. A new part then unlocks every 100 coins.
Unlocking all non-gold parts in the original Mario Kart 8 on the Wii U requires a total of 2800 coins. This earlier version had a slightly smaller pool of standard parts compared to its Deluxe counterpart.
Golden Parts and Unique Unlock Criteria
Beyond the standard parts unlocked via coin accumulation, both Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe feature special “golden” parts. These highly sought-after components are not tied to the mario kart 8 coin unlock list for standard items but instead require players to complete specific, often challenging, in-game achievements.
Gold Standard (Kart Body)
The Gold Standard kart body is a prestigious unlock, signifying mastery of the Grand Prix modes.
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: To unlock the Gold Standard kart in Deluxe, players need to achieve at least a one-star rank in every cup in Mirror Mode. This requires consistent performance across all Grand Prix circuits played in their mirrored layouts.
- Mario Kart 8 (Wii U): In the original game, unlocking the Gold Standard kart involved earning a star rank in every Grand Prix cup across all engine classes (50cc, 100cc, 150cc, and Mirror Mode). This was a significant challenge requiring high scores in all competitive circuits.
Gold Tires
The Gold Tires are awarded for excellence in Time Trials, demonstrating a player’s ability to race efficiently against the clock.
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Players must beat the Staff Ghosts in all 150cc Time Trials. This means outperforming the pre-set fastest times for each track on the 150cc engine class.
- Mario Kart 8 (Wii U): The requirement for the Gold Tires in the Wii U version was to beat the Staff Ghosts in all Time Trials, encompassing all available tracks.
Gold Glider
The Gold Glider stands out as the only golden part that is tied to a coin collection milestone, albeit a much higher one than for standard parts.
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Players must collect a staggering 5000 coins to unlock the Gold Glider. This goes beyond the 3100 coins needed for all other standard parts, making it a true long-term goal for coin collectors.
- Mario Kart 8 (Wii U): The coin requirement for the Gold Glider in the original Mario Kart 8 was even higher, demanding a total of 10,000 coins. This made it one of the most time-consuming unlocks in the game.
Strategies for Coin Collection and Unlocking
Efficiently progressing through the mario kart 8 coin unlock list requires strategic play and an understanding of the game’s mechanics.
Maximizing Coin Gain Per Race
As players can collect a maximum of 10 coins per race or battle, focusing on consistently grabbing these coins is key.
- Prioritize Coin Items: When item boxes are available, prioritize obtaining and using coin items if your coin count for the current race is below 10.
- Track Awareness: Learn the optimal paths on each track that contain coin pick-ups. Some tracks have areas with dense coin clusters.
- Avoid Hazards: Falling off the track or getting hit by items can cause you to lose collected coins, slowing down your progress towards the 10-coin maximum for that race.
Grinding for Coins
For players aiming to quickly complete their mario kart 8 coin unlock list, certain strategies can accelerate coin accumulation.
- Short, Coin-Rich Tracks: Tracks like Baby Park are often cited as ideal for coin grinding due to their short length and multiple laps, allowing for repeated coin collection.
- High Engine Classes (e.g., 200cc): While challenging, playing on higher engine classes like 200cc can lead to faster race times, meaning more races completed in a shorter period and, consequently, more coins earned.
- Battle Mode: Some players find battle mode an efficient way to gather coins, particularly in modes where coins are readily available on the arena.
Utilizing Local Multiplayer
Playing with multiple people in local multiplayer contributes to a shared coin total. This means that if you’re playing with friends or family, all coins collected by all players in a session count towards your personal unlock progression. This can significantly speed up the process of completing the mario kart 8 coin unlock list for everyone involved.
Tracking Progress
Players can monitor their overall coin count and progress towards unlocks.
- Play Stats Screen: Both games feature a “Play Stats” or similar screen accessible from the main menu, which displays your total collected coins. This is the primary way to track your progress through the mario kart 8 coin unlock list.
- Hidden Menu (Wii U): The original Mario Kart 8 on Wii U also included a hidden menu that allowed players to track their coin collection more precisely. While not as prominently displayed, it offered another way to check progress.
Conclusion
The mario kart 8 coin unlock list is a fundamental aspect of progression in both Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. While standard kart parts are unlocked incrementally through coin milestones, the coveted golden parts demand specific skill-based achievements or exceptionally high coin totals. Understanding these mechanics and employing efficient coin-gathering strategies allows players to fully customize their racing experience and display their accomplishments on the track. Whether aiming for all standard unlocks or the ultimate challenge of the Gold Glider, the journey through coin collection is a rewarding part of the Mario Kart experience.
Are there any secret unlocks in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe?
Gold Mario is the only unlockable character in the game, and he’s essentially a palette swap of Metal Mario. You can unlock him by beating every 200cc cup with at least one star. The Gold Standard kart piece unlocks when you clear every Mirror Mode cup with at least one star.
What happens when you get 5000 coins in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe?
Screen. So this counter will go up for every single coin you collect in Grand Prix. And once you’ve collected. 5,000. You will unlock the gold glider.