View source for Mini-Turbo

[[File:BCW3.png|thumb|Performing a Mini-Turbo in ''Mario Kart Wii'']]
The '''Mini-Turbo'''<ref>Nintendo of Europe (2005). [https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/gameslist/manuals/DS_Mario_Kart_DS.pdf Mario Kart DS manual]. ''Nintendo of Europe CDN''. Retrieved January 18, 2016.</ref><ref>Nintendo of Europe (2014). [https://cdn02.nintendo-europe.com/media/downloads/games_8/emanuals/wii_u_6/mario_kart_8/ElectronicManual_WiiU_MarioKart8_EN.pdf Mario Kart 8 manual]. ''Nintendo of Europe CDN''. Retrieved January 18, 2016.</ref>, also known as '''Turbo Slide''', '''Boost Slide''', '''Slide Boosting''', or simply a '''Boost''', is a technique used in the [[Mario Kart (series)|''Mario Kart'' series]], it consists of a short speed boost following a successful [[Drifting|drift]]. It appears in every game in the series since ''[[Super Mario Kart]]''.<ref name="SMKboost">Joe Bernier. [http://www.mariokart64.com/smk/whatisnbt.php NBT (New Boost Technique) Strategy Description]. ''SMK Players' Page''. Retrieved January 18, 2016.</ref> Usually, players tend to manage several consecutive Mini-Turbos to accelerate faster.

==Charging methods==
===Boost counter===
What is commonly known as ''boost counter''<ref name="SMKTAS">[http://tasvideos.org/GameResources/SNES/SuperMarioKart.html Game Resources / SNES / Super Mario Kart]. ''TASVideos''. Retrieved February 19, 2018.</ref> is a value which is meant to start at 0 when a drift begins and gradually increase while drifting, at a rate that can vary depending on certain conditions. When a certain threshold value is reached, an event happens, which might either be a cosmetic event (sparks appearing indicating that the full charge of a degree of Mini-Trubo is near) or the charge of a certain degree of Mini-Turbo (either Mini-Turbo, Super Mini-Turbo or Ultra Mini-Turbo). Once drifting ends, the counter resets and the degree of Mini-Turbo charged is released.

===Manual charging===
This method of Mini-Turbo charging relies on the player steering toward the outside of the turn, then toward the inside and then toward the outside again during a drift to charge a Mini-Turbo.<ref name ="MK64manual">[http://www.retrogames.cz/manualy/N64/Mario_Kart_64_-_Nintendo_64_-_Manual.pdf Official manual of ''Mario Kart 64''. Retrieved February 19, 2018.</ref> After the first time the player correctly steers toward the outside of the turn, there are visual indicators coming from the driving wheels that the Mini-Turbo has been half charged, either a different colors of the letters or sparks coming out of the tires. When the Mini-Turbo is fully charged, said indicators change color again. After charging it, the Mini-Turbo is released by releasing the drift button.

==History==
===''Super Mario Kart''===
{|class="wikitable"
!Charging method
|colspan="2"|boost counter<ref name="SMKTAS"/>
|-
!rowspan="2"|Charging rate
|colspan="2"|1 unit per frame the first 20 frames<ref name="SMKTAS"/>
|-
|colspan="2"|2 units per frame the following frames<ref name="SMKTAS"/>
|-
!Thresholds
|128 units
|full charge of Mini-Turbo<ref name="SMKTAS"/>
|}
The Mini-Turbo boost is introduced in ''[[Super Mario Kart]]'' (where it is an undocumented technique commonly known as '''Boost'''<ref name="SMKboost" />), using the boost counter as charging method. Said counter is increased every time a combination of three buttons are pressed: {{button|snes|A}}, {{button|R}} or {{button|L}}, {{button|Padleft}} or {{button|Padright}}.<ref name="SMKTAS"/> The counter is reset to 0 and the Mini-Turbo is released when this combination of buttons is no longer pressed.

There is no animation associated to the charging of the Mini-Turbo, but during the release the kart animation stops and the engine revs up.<ref name="SMKboost" /><ref name="boostvideo"/>

In addition, the boost is somewhat able to skip off-road surfaces, similar to the [[Mushroom]]<ref name="SMKboost" /><ref name="boostvideo" />.

===''Mario Kart 64''===
{|class="wikitable"
!Charging method
|manual charging
|-
!Boost duration
|14 frames<ref>[http://tasvideos.org/GameResources/N64/MarioKart64.html#MiniTurboMt Game Resources / N64 / Mario Kart 64]. ''TASVideos''. Retrieved February 19, 2018.</ref>
|}
In ''Mario Kart 64'' Mini-Turbo are now officially documented in the manual and their charging method is changed to manual charging.<ref name ="MK64manual"/> Said charging is denoted by a change in the color of the smoke trails (which resemble letters V and E) that come out from the rear tires, from white to yellow to indicate an half charge and from yellow to orange to indicate a full charge. The release has no animation associated and is denoted by drivers shouting. Unlike in other games, the Mini-Turbo in ''Mario Kart 64'' does not grant an instant boost. Instead, it slightly increases the player's top speed for several seconds. If the speedometer is activated, it can be seen increasing to higher speed and the engine will also rev up.

===''Mario Kart: Super Circuit''===
{|class="wikitable"
!Charging method
|boost counter
|-
!Charging rate
|currently unknown, presumably the same of ''Super Mario Kart''
|-
!Thresholds
|currently unknown, presumably the same of ''Super Mario Kart''
|}
''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'' fully resuses the Mini-Turbo mechanics of ''Super Mario Kart'', both in terms of charging and in terms of reduced slowdown in off-road terrains.

The main difference is that in ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'' there is an animation associated with its release, with blue flames bursting from the exhaust and an associated sound.

===''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!''===
{|class="wikitable"
!Charging method
|manual charging
|-
!Boost duration
|dependent on the Mini-Turbo in-game statistics
|}
''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'' reintrodcues the manual charging of Mini-Turbo boosts, with the difference that in this game steering toward the inside of the turn is not needed. The charging is indicated by a change in the color of the sparks coming from the wheels of the kart from yellow to orange to indicate a half charge, and then blue to indicate a full charge.
There is a small animation associated to the release, with flames from the exhaust pipes and small yellow sparks coming from the rear wheels, along with a sound effect and call by the driver who is behind. In co-op, the player who is driving must press the {{button|gcn|R}} or {{button|gcn|L}} button to drift while the back player must tilt the Control Stick to left and right; however, in single-player or non-co-op VS modes, each player controls both parts. In this game, a Mini-Turbo in-game stat is introduced, that indicates how many frames does the Mini-Turbo boost last. As an example, all large karts, such as the [[Koopa King]], have a Mini-Turbo boost that lasts 10 frames, while the small karts and the [[Parade Kart]] have a Mini-Turbo boost that lasts 30 frames.

Well-timed Mini-Turbo boosts can be used to avoid [[Spiny Shell (blue)|Spiny Shell]]s when they are about to hit the players.

===''Mario Kart DS''===
{|class="wikitable"
!Charging method
|manual charging
|-
!Boost duration
|dependent on the Mini-Turbo in-game statistics
|}
In ''Mario Kart DS'' Mini-Turbos are again manually charged, although unlike in ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'', the steering toward the inside of the turn is mandatory again. The charging animation is similar, but with sparks' color reversed from blue, then orange. There is no evident animation following the release, but a small sound is associated with it along with a revving up of the engine (a similar sound as if driving through a [[Dash Panel]] or using a [[Mushroom]]), along with a wind lines on the screen akin to [[slipstreaming]]. Like in ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'', there is a hidden Mini-Turbo stat that determines how long does a boost last. Karts with higher handling and lower weight tend to have a stronger Mini-Turbo boost, with [[Dry Bomber]] being the strongest and the [[Tyrant]] being the weakest.

Well-timed Mini-Turbo boosts, possibly accompanied by hopping, can be again used to avoid [[Spiny Shell (blue)|Spiny Shell]]s.

===''Mario Kart Wii''===
{|class="wikitable"
!Charging method
|colspan="2"|boost counter<ref name="BCM">Mister Wu (February 18, 2018). [http://www.forums.mkboards.com/threads/meet-the-boost-counter-mini-turbos-best-friend-since-1992.41626/ Meet the Boost Counter, Mini-Turbo's best friend since 1992!]. ''MKBoards''. Retrieved February 19, 2018.</ref>
|-
!rowspan="2"|Charging rate
|colspan="2"|5 units per frame when the lateral component of the input is at least 0.5 toward the direction of the turn<ref name="BCM"/>
|-
|colspan="2"|2 units per frame in all the other cases<ref name="BCM"/>
|-
!rowspan="4"|Thresholds
|148 units
|appearances of blue sparks<ref name="BCM"/>
|-
|270 units
|charge of Mini-Turbo<ref name="BCM"/>
|-
|448 units
|appearance of orange sparks<ref name="BCM"/>
|-
|570 units
|charge of Super Mini-Turbo<ref name="BCM"/>
|-
!Boost duration
|colspan="2"|dependent on the Mini-Turbo in-game statistics, Super Mini-Turbo boosts lasting three times as much as Mini-Turbo boosts<ref>Jonathan Aldrich (July 27, 2012). [http://www.gamefaqs.com/wii/942008-mario-kart-wii/faqs/64637 MARIO KART WII Detailed Kart/Character/Item Stats FAQ]. ''GameFAQs''. Retrieved April 11, 2016.</ref>
|}

''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'' reintroduces the boost counter, this time charged exclusively when drifting. The charge rate is affected by how much the player is steering toward the inside of the turn while drifting: if the lateral component of the input is more than halfway toward the inside of the turn, the charging rate becomes 2.5 times the charging rate obtained in all the other cases.

The imminent charge of a Mini-Turbo or Super Mini-Trubo boosts is denoted by respectively blue and orange sparks coming out of the vehicle. More vibrant sparks coming out of the driving wheels of the vehicle indicate the Mini-Turbo or Super Mini-Turbo is ready and its release is denoted by flames coming from the exhaust pipes along with a nitrous-like noise and racers shouting. 

In ''Mario Kart Wii'' only karts can charge a Super Mini-Turbo, which lasts three times as long as than the regular Mini-Turbo.

Furthermore a special Mini-Turbo can be charged while standing still by holding both the jump/brake button and the acceleration button at the same time. It is fully charged in 75 frames and blue sparks indciating its imminent charge are missing. Karts in this case only charge a regular Mini-Turbo and not a Super Mini-Turbo. This kind of Mini-Turbo is released immediately when the jump/brake button is no longer pressed.

===''Mario Kart 7''===
{|class="wikitable"
!Charging method
|boost counter
|-
!Charging rate
|currently unknown, presumably the same of ''Mario Kart 8'' and ''Mario Kart Wii''
|-
!Thresholds
|currently unknown, presumably the same of ''Mario Kart 8''
|-
!Boost duration
|dependent on the ''MiniTurbo'' in-game statistics
|}
In ''[[Mario Kart 7]]'', the mechanics remain unchanged from the previous installment, though standstill Mini-Turbo is no longer possible. If racing in [[First-Person View]], the sparks appear from the front wheels instead of rear wheels. The duration of both Mini-Turbo and Super Mini-Turbo boosts is defined in a [[Mario Kart 7 in-game statistics#Mini-Turbo (Param_MiniTurbo)|dedicated table]] and directly depends on the hidden ''MiniTurbo'' statistics. The characters don't shout from either Mini-Turbo level.

===''Mario Kart 8''===
{|class="wikitable"
!Charging method
|colspan="2"|boost counter<ref name="BCM"/>
|-
!rowspan="4"|Charging rate
!rowspan="2"|While drifting
|5 units per frame when the lateral component of the input is at least 0.5 toward the direction of the turn<ref name="BCM"/>
|-
|colspan="2"|2 units per frame in all the other cases<ref name="BCM"/>
|-
!rowspan="2"|While autodrifting
|2 units per frame when the lateral component of the input is at least 0.5 toward the direction of the turn<ref name="BCM"/>
|-
|0.8 units per frame in all the other cases<ref name="BCM"/>
|-
!rowspan="3"|Thresholds
|135 units
|appearances of blue sparks<ref name="BCM"/>
|-
|270 units
|charge of Mini-Turbo<ref name="BCM"/>
|-
|570 units
|charge of Super Mini-Turbo<ref name="BCM"/>
|-
!Boost duration
|colspan="2"|dependent on the ''MT'' in-game statistics
|}

In ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'', the boost counter is again used as charging method, reusing the charging rate and thresholds of ''Mario Kart Wii'', with the only exception of blue sparks signaling the incoming charge of a Mini-Turbo boost that now appear when said boost is half charged. Furthermore, the orange sparks indicating the incoming charge of a Super Mini-Turbo boost are missing and the characters shout only from the Super Mini-Turbo. Importantly, unlike in ''Mario Kart Wii'', in ''Mario Kart 8'' [[bike]]s can perform a Super Mini-Turbo. 

The boost counter can be also increased when autodrifting, although in this case the rate is 2.5 times slower than the charging rate while drifting and the boost is immediately released as soon as the autodrift ends.

===''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''===
{|class="wikitable"
!Charging method
|colspan="2"|boost counter
|-
!rowspan="2"|Charging rate
!While drifting
|maximum 5 units per frame
|-
!While autodrifting
|maximum 2 units per frame
|-
!Thresholds
|colspan="2"|dependent on the ''MT'' in-game statistics
|-
!Boost duration
|colspan="2"|dependent on the ''MT'' in-game statistics
|}
''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]'' introduces a third level of Mini-Turbo known as '''Ultra Mini-Turbo''', that is indicated by pink sparks, and grants a boost that is even longer than the one of the Super Mini-Turbo. This kind of Mini-Turbo can only performed if Smart Steering is disabled. Ultra Mini-Turbo also has a slightly different sound effect indicating its charge.

According to an official Mini-Turbo tutorial video released by Nintendo for ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'', regular Mini-Turbo lasts for 0.621 seconds, Super Mini-Turbo lasts for 1.674 seconds and the Ultra Mini-Turbo lasts for 2.633 seconds. <ref> [https://youtu.be/yeju5WcQr8A Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Mini-Turbo Tutorial - Nintendo Switch]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved May 22, 2017. </ref>

==Exploits==
===New Boost Techniques (NBT)/Zig Zag Mini-Turbos (ZZMT)===
The '''New Boost Techniques''' (NBT)<ref name="SMKboost" /><ref name="boostvideo">Kanal von Boom3r2007 (January 20, 2008). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3NzEkHOdcQ Discover The Opportunities Of The New Boosting Techniques]. ''Youtube''. Retrieved january 18, 2016.</ref> are special exploits executed in ''Super Mario Kart'' and ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'', among them in the latter game the '''Zig Zag Mini-Turbos''' (ZZMT) are the most popular.<ref>[https://www.speedrun.com/mksc ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'' speedruns]. ''Speedrun.com''. Retrieved February 19, 2018.</ref> They stem from the observation that drifting is not actually required to charge the boost counter,<ref name="SMKTAS"/> and it is also possible to delay the release of the Mini-Turbo boosts.<ref name="SMKboost" /><ref name="boostvideo"/>

===Snaking===
A technique that can be done in ''Mario Kart 64'', ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'', and ''Mario Kart DS'', '''Snaking''' involves the player performing multiple Mini-Turbos in straightaways to achieve consecutive boosts, usually driving in a wavy or snake-like pattern. 

Snaking is sometimes also possible in ''Mario Kart Wii'', ''Mario Kart 7'', ''Mario Kart 8'', and ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'', using vehicles with a good handling and high Mini-Turbo.

===A-tech===
''A-tech'' is one of the main exploits of ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!''.<ref name=Atech">[http://mariokart.video/mkdd-opedia/ ''Techniques'' section of the ''MKDD-opedia'']. Retrieved February 22, 2018.</ref> It consists in releasing the {{button|gcn|a}} button as soon as the Mini-Turbo boost begins in order to prevent the vehicle from sliding slightly when starting the following drift.<ref name=Atech"/>

===Fire Hopping and Slides===
An exploit found only in ''Mario Kart 8'', '''Fire Hopping''' is done by repeatedly hopping from left to right after getting a boost of any kind, except Slipstream, to increase speed during said boost. This exploit is not effective on downhills, and requires precise timing to hop after releasing the boost. '''Slides''' are consecutive drifts that are immediately interrupted as soon as they are started. Their purpose is slowing down the return to normal speed after a boost. Fire Hopping, along with Slides are only possible in the original version, and do not work in ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''.

==Names in other languages==
{{foreign names
|Ita=Miniturbo<br>Turboaccelerazione in scivolata (''Mario Kart DS'')
|ItaM=-<br>Turboacceleration during a slide
|Jap=ミニターボ
|JapR=Mini Turbo
|JapM=-
|Rus=Мини-ускорение
|RusR=Mini-uskoreniye
|RusM=Mini-acceleration
|Spa=Miniturbo
|SpaM=-
|Fra=Mini-turbo
|FraM=-
}}

==See also==
*[[Rocket Start]]
*[[Dash Panel]]
*[[Slipstreaming]]
*[[Mushroom]]

==References==
<references />
{{SMK}}
{{MK64}}
{{MKSC}}
{{MKDD}}
{{MKDS}}
{{MKAGP2}}
{{MKW}}
{{MK7}}
{{MKAGPDX}}
{{MK8}}

[[Category:Terms]]
[[Category:Game Mechanics]]
[[Category:Mario Kart Series Moves]]
[[Category:Mario Kart 64]]
[[Category:Mario Kart 7]]
[[Category:Mario Kart 8]]
[[Category:Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]
[[Category:Mario Kart DS]]
[[Category:Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]
[[Category:Mario Kart Wii]]
[[Category:Super Mario Kart]]