Wii Grumble Volcano: Difference between revisions

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{{rewrite}}
{{classic title}}
{{distinguish|Rumble Volcano}}
{{distinguish|Rumble Volcano}}
{{Racecourse
{{race course infobox
|image=[[File:Grumble_Volcano.PNG|250px]]
|title=Grumble Volcano
|appearances=''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'' ([[List of Mario games by date#2008|2008]])<br>''[[Mario Kart 8]]'' ([[List of Mario games by date#2014|2014]])
|image=[[File:Grumble_Volcano.png|280px]]
|cups=[[Star Cup]] (MKW)<br> [[Lightning Cup]] (MK8)
|appears_in=''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'' ([[List of games by date#2008|2008]])<br>''[[Mario Kart 8]]'' ([[List of games by date#2014|2014]]) <br> ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]'' ([[List of games by date#2017|2017]])
|ghost=Nin*Gorin (2:28.237) (MKW)<br>Nin★Yuya (2:18.305) (MK8)
|cups=[[Star Cup]] (''Wii'')<br> [[Lightning Cup]] (''8'', ''8 Deluxe'')
|expert_ghost=Nin*aki (2:11.852) (MKW)
|online_play=No longer available ([[Wii]], [[Wii U]])<br>Available ([[Nintendo Switch|Switch]])
|wifi=No longer available ([[Wii]])<br>Available ([[Wii U]])
|sample=''Mario Kart Wii'': Asuka Ota, Ryo Nagamatsu<br>[[File:GrumbleVolcanoMKW.oga]]<br>''Mario Kart 8'' / ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'': [[Asuka Hayazaki|Asuka Ohta]][[File:MK8-Music-Wii-GrumbleVolcano.oga]]<br>''Mario Kart 8'' / ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'' (frontrunning)<br>[[File:WiiU_Wii_GrumbleVolcano_Frontrunning.oga]]
|music=[[File:GrumbleVolcanoMKW.ogg]] (MKW)<br>[[File:MK8-Music-Wii-GrumbleVolcano.ogg]] (MK8)
|map=''Mario Kart Wii''<br>[[File:Grumble Volcano MKWii layout.png|140px]]<br>
|map=Wii<br>[[File:GrumbleVolcanoLayout.PNG|100px]]<br>Wii U Map<br>[[File:MK8 Wii Grumble Volcano Map.png|200px]]
''Mario Kart 8'' / ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''
<div style="white-space: nowrap;">[[File:MK8 Wii Grumble Volcano Map.png|frameless|upright=0.65]][[File:MK8DX Wii Grumble Volcano Map.png|frameless|upright=0.65]]</div>
|ghost={{ghost|Wii|Nin★Gorin|2:28.237|[[File:MK Wii Dry Bowser.png|32px|link=Dry Bowser]][[File:Offroader_(Dry_Bowser)_Model.png|32px|link=Offroader]]}}{{ghost|Wii <small>Expert</small>|Nin★aki|2:11.852|[[File:MK Wii Dry Bowser.png|32px|link=Dry Bowser]][[File:Spear_(Dry_Bowser)_Model.png|32px|link=Spear]]}}{{ghost|8|Nin★Yuya|2:18.305|[[File:MK8 Roy Icon.png|32px|link=Roy Koopa|Roy]][[File:BadwagonBodyMK8.png|32px|link=Badwagon]][[File:Off-Road.png|32px|link=Off-Road]][[File:MK8ThumbRoySG.png|32px|link=Super Glider]]}}{{ghost|8DX <small>150cc</small>|Nin★Yuya|2:16.524|[[File:MK8 Roy Icon.png|32px|link=Roy Koopa|Roy]][[File:BadwagonBodyMK8.png|32px|link=Badwagon]][[File:Off-Road.png|32px|link=Off-Road]][[File:MK8ThumbRoySG.png|32px|link=Super Glider]]}}{{ghost|8DX <small>200cc</small>|Nin★Maria|1:44.284|[[File:MK8 Morton Icon.png|32px|link=Morton Koopa Jr.|Morton]][[File:StandardBikeBodyMK8 Morton.png|32px|link=Standard Bike]][[File:CushionTiresMK8.png|32px|link=Cushion]][[File:ParachuteGliderMK8.png|32px|link=Parachute (glider)|Parachute]]}}
}}
}}
'''Grumble Volcano''' is the last course in the [[Star Cup]] of ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]''. It takes place in a volcanic area covered with [[lava]]. Drivers will have to jump over gaps in the track with lava beneath using the ramps, avoid [[Fire Snake]]s, and dodge [[Volcanic Debris]] coming from the erupting volcano. The track's theme is very similar to that of [[World 8 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 8]] in ''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]''. It also appeared as a retro track in ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'' as the third course in the [[Lightning Cup]].
'''Grumble Volcano''' is the fourth and last course of the [[Star Cup]] in ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]''. It takes place in a volcanic area covered with [[lava]]. The course features many jumps and moving platforms, as well as many sharp corners. At certain times, sections of the track will crumble away into the lava, making the road smaller and harder to drive around. The track's music is very similar to that of [[World 8 (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 8]] in ''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]'' It reappears in ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'' and ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]'' as the third course of the [[Lightning Cup]].


==Description==
Grumble Volcano is the only course in ''Mario Kart Wii''{{'}}s Star Cup to not appear in ''[[Mario Kart Tour]]'', although an asset titled "RoadGuraGuraTest" in the [[List of Mario Kart Tour pre-release and unused content#Courses|game's files]] suggests that it was planned.
The course takes place in an area riddled with lava. It takes place inside and around a volcano. The first parts of the track take place inside a volcano with crumbling rocks that break and fall into the lava from time to time. Outside, the volcano may throw out Volcanic Debris, which slide in the ground from side to side. This obstacle appears just outside past the moving platforms in the lava. After the fire on the ground part, there are [[Fire Snake]]s that come out of pipes that jump around and can spin out the player if the player makes contact with them. [[? Block]]s and [[Brick Block]]s are found dislodged in the volcano as scenery for the course.


==Course layout==
==''Mario Kart Wii''==
[[File:Grumblevolcano1.PNG|235px|thumb|left|Inside the volcano, after the crumbling road and tunnel.]]
===Course layout===
At the beginning of the race, there is a straightaway. At the first lap, the road is completely intact with no signs of crumbling land. Then, as time passes on and the player advances to the second lap, the sections of this will crumble, leaving lava and lava pillars spilling out of the disintegrated section of the road. After that part is a small, curvy tunnel that leads into the interior of the volcano. This part also has crumbling sections of the road, just like the beginning parts of the race. After the player turns left, the player will then hop onto moving platforms on the lava that move left and right and onto the road again, with more sections of the road that will crumble and fall down from time to time.
[[File:Grumblevolcano1.png|200px|thumb|left|The road inside the volcano]]
The course takes place inside and around an active volcano surrounded by endless lava. There are also many huge rock formations around the course, with [[? Block]]s and [[Brick Block]]s lodged in them. At the beginning of the track, racers go off a simple ramp and briefly drive straight, where they reach the first set of [[Item Box]]es. They then enter the volcano and take a slight left turn followed by a right turn. This brings them to another ramp followed by the first of several stone platforms; each platform will move left and right across the lava and has a pair of Item Boxes on it. Racers then take a slight right turn and a slight left turn as they enter a cave adjacent to the volcano, where there is a split path and another item set. Both paths involve a right U-turn followed by a left U-turn and then a right turn, though the left path is higher up. As racers exit the cave, there is another ramp and another stone platform, followed by a small piece of normal track and then one last platform.  


After the small section is a tunnel with hexagons for walls. There are two paths to take, though both will lead to the same area with little or no time difference if driven without error. Both paths first curve right, then left. Both are filled with the exact same locations of the item boxes. The only difference is that the left one is greater in height than the other.
After the platforms, racers have the option to go right and go off a [[Dash Panel|dash panel]] ramp, or go left and drop down onto a lower part of the track, where there is another pair of Item Boxes. Both choices involve a slight turn to the left. Afterwards racers will begin to encounter [[volcanic debris]], which is launched onto the course from another volcano far in the distance; hitting volcanic debris will make racers spin out. There is then a gradual U-turn to the right, with dead trees on both sides of the track and more volcanic debris on the track. Along the first half of the turn on the outside is an elevated path that once again ends in a dash panel ramp. After the turn, racers go off another simple ramp and reach one more split path, with a slight left turn or a slight right turn; at the start of each path is one last item set. If racers go left, there is a turn to the right followed by a very brief straight and one last dash panel ramp. If racers go right, there is a left turn, a simple ramp, and a right turn. Along both paths, racers must pass several [[Warp Pipe|pipe]]s which [[Fire Snake]]s occasionally jump onto the track from. Hitting one will make racers spin out. Where the two paths join, there is one last simple ramp followed by the finish line.


After the paths and the tunnel is a place with more platforms that move left and right, now outside the volcano. The player has to manage to go through the platforms because they move at different times. After the platform part is two roads. One is greater in height than the other and can only be reached by the platform, on the right. It has a ramp with a boost pad on and can be used to dodge incoming flames. The other path, the left one, can be reached by any means and item boxes can be found below.
There are also many cracks visible along the course, outlining certain chunks: In addition to the course's obstacles, there is a mechanic where these chunks of the course will start shaking and then sink into the lava, limiting the area where racers can safely drive. Racers will typically observe most chunks shaking on lap 2 and then they will all be gone on lap 3. All of the huge rock formations around the course will also be gone. The reduced track width is most noticeable at the volcano entrance, the cave entrance, and the split paths before the finish line; the right path in particular also loses an Item Box in the process. A few [[Lava Geyser]]s will also erupt from where chunks of the course used to be, though this does not affect gameplay.


After the two paths merge again, there it the danger that the player can run into incoming Volcanic Debris, released by the volcano in the background of the course. The path splits again, after a right turn and functions exactly the same as the last except for the boost pad is on the right ramp and the lack of item boxes. After that curve, there are more fireballs to avoid, with a ramp that can give the ability for the player to perform tricks on.
===Shortcuts===
[[File:Grumble Volcano shortcut.png|thumb|The rock glitch that allows lap completion]]
The first notable shortcut involves a glitch and can be found near the starting line. To the left of it is a rock that can be reached with a [[Dash Mushroom|Mushroom]] and performing a wheelie at the starting line, or it can be reached by performing a [[Jump Boost|trick]] off of the ramp before the finish line and aiming towards the rock. Once on the rock, the course can be completed by driving around the rock. The player must be careful as the rock will start to shake at 53 seconds, and sink at 65 seconds. This glitch was removed in ''Mario Kart 8'' as it does not use the same checkpoint system to determine if the lap will count like ''Mario Kart Wii'' does; additionally, the slopes of the rock are so steep that players will simply slide off.


Two paths split again and eventually merge later on. The path on the left leads to a turn on the left, uphill, eventually leading into a ramp with a boost pad on it that the player can trick off of. The other path on the right leads to a sharp turn on the left, with a ramp and another turn to the right. After that is the area where the two paths meet, near the finish line. Past the finish line is the next lap of the race.
The second notable shortcut can be found after the last stone platform. If the player goes right after the platform, they can reach a rock formation where it is possible to drive on the side of it by using a Mushroom. If performed correctly, they can use this to reach the right side of the split path section, skipping the entire gradual U-turn. The rock formation will sink 95 seconds into the race; after this point, there is an alternate version possible where the player can use a Mushroom while hopping off the edge and aiming towards the track on the other side of the lava. This will allow them to respawn on the right side of the split path section, still saving time in the process.
 
Lastly, the final turn on the right path at the end of the track can be skipped if the player uses a Mushroom or two to drive through the off-road and launch themselves off the edge of the track that is slanted upwards.<ref>https://youtu.be/F2_aW8Iz1zs?t=449</ref>
 
===Tournaments===
[[File:2009-TournamentJune1.jpg|215px|thumb|The first tournament of June 2009]]
[[List of Mario Kart Wii tournaments#Tournaments|June 2009's first tournament]] required players to complete a Time Trial in reverse on Grumble Volcano. There are several ramps added to make this possible, though there are also some barriers and extra Lava Geysers added. Players start the Time Trial with a set of [[Triple Mushrooms]]. Vehicles are restricted to karts only. The tournament was later repeated as the second tournament of May 2011, the second tournament of August 2012, and the first tournament of November 2013.
{{br}}
 
==''Mario Kart 8'' / ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''==
[[File:MK8-Course-Wii GrumbleVolcano.jpg|thumb|The course in ''Mario Kart 8'']]
Grumble Volcano makes its classic course debut in ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'' and ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]'' as the third race of the [[Lightning Cup]]. Its layout is mostly retained but has several notable changes. There are two [[Glide Ramp|glide ramp]]s, one on the second stone platform and one at the end of the left path at the end of the track, replacing its dash panel ramp. An additional chunk of the track right after the first dash panel ramp sinks into the lava. [[Volcanic debris]] falls more slowly than in the original course, and chunks of the course start shaking and sinking sooner into the race. The course geometry has also been modified along the right path at the end of the track, enabling a new shortcut that functions similarly to the shortcut that skipped the final turn in the original iteration. In this case, it cuts off the turn but is blocked by a large rock formation until lap 3. Lastly, most Item Boxes have been removed, with exception of the first and second full item sets. Instead, there is a set along the gradual right U-turn next to the dash panel ramp. Double Item Boxes also appear at the second and last item sets in ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''. Visually, the clouds in the sky appear to be more orange than purple as opposed to in the original version. The volcano that the players drive through as well as the volcanoes in the background now have lava running down them. The starting banner has been changed, now resembling a slightly deteriorated structure with torches added and the modern ''Mario Kart'' logo. Similar to {{classic-link|Wii|Mushroom Gorge}}, {{classic-link|3DS|Neo Bowser City}}, {{classic-link|3DS|DK Jungle}}, and the stadium and museum portions of {{classic-link|Tour|Madrid Drive}}, the music remains mostly unchanged, but the guitar and sitar have been updated and the mastering has been tweaked.
{{br|left}}
{{br|left}}


==Official description==
==Profiles==
*'''Official European website:''' ''"With deep lava awaiting anyone who strays off the track and flaming fireballs littering your path, Grumble Volcano will undo all your previous hard work in the Star Cup if you aren't at the top of your game."''
===''Mario Kart Wii''===
[[File:MKW Grumble Volcano Trading Card.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*'''European website bio:''' "''With deep lava awaiting anyone who strays off the track and flaming fireballs littering your path, Grumble Volcano will undo all your previous hard work in the Star Cup if you aren't at the top of your game.''"
*'''Trading card bio:''' "''The racing can really heat up when battling it out at Grumble Volcano. [[Lakitu]] is always busy fishing racers out of the lava beds that line this course. There are many opportunities for mishaps here so watch who you're bumping into. And be sure to watch out for the sections of track that fall away.''"


==Tournaments==
===''[[Mario Kart 8 Original Soundtrack]]'' liner notes===
{{right|[[File:2009-TournamentJune1.jpg|215px|thumb|The first tournament of June 2009.]]}}
''"This is a remastered version of the Mario Kart Wii track. With all its boiling lava and cracking, sinking surfaces, there's something slightly bleak and downbeat about this course. We wanted to get this across in the music, but without making the atmosphere too heavy."''
The first tournament of June 2009 took place at this course. Players competed in a time trial race, but they had to race the track backwards. To start the time trial, players received a set of [[Triple Mushrooms]]. This tournament was later repeated as the second tournament of May 2011, the second tournament of August 2012, and the first tournament of November 2013, though with a "Karts only" restriction.
 
{{br}}
==Sponsors==
==''Mario Kart 8''==
===''Mario Kart 8'' / ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''===
[[File:MK8-Course-Wii GrumbleVolcano.jpg|thumb|230px|left|Grumble Volcano in ''Mario Kart 8''.]]
*[[Bullet Bill Speed Trial]] (Signs)
Grumble Volcano returns as a retro course in ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'' as the third track in the [[Lightning Cup]]. It appears with higher graphics and better shading. The volcano that the players drive through in the cave now has lava running down it. The course itself maintains it's layout from the original, though the first platform after the cave and the jump from the uphill left path, now have gliding pads. The effect of eruption got longer and Volcanic Debris falls more slowly than the original. The course banner has been changed, now resembling a slightly deteriorated structure with torches added. The music also remains the same, similarly to [[DK Jungle (Mario Kart)|<small>3DS</small> DK Jungle]], but has been given an echo effect.
*[[Morton Construction]] (Signs)
{{br}}


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
====Wii appearance====
===''Mario Kart Wii''===
<gallery widths=140px>
<gallery widths=150px>
File:Grumblevolcano3.PNG|Through the hexagon tunnel.
MKW Grumble Volcano Banner.png|The course banner
File:Grumblevolcano2.PNG|On the moving platforms.
MKWii-GrumbleVolcanoCoursePreview.gif|A preview of the course
File:Grumblevolcano4.PNG|Just after the fireball shooting and before the path splitting.
Grumblevolcano3.png|Through the lava cave
Grumblevolcano2.png|On the moving platforms
Grumblevolcano4.png|Just after the [[volcanic debris]] area and before the splitting path
</gallery>
</gallery>
====Wii U appearance====
 
===''Mario Kart 8'' / ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''===
<gallery widths=150px>
<gallery widths=150px>
File:MK8- Wii Grumble Volcano.PNG|The track's icon.
MK8 Wii Grumble Volcano Course Icon.png|The course icon
File:MK8-Course-Wii GrumbleVolcano-startingline.png|The course, as seen from the starting line.
MK8 Wii Grumble Volcano Starting Line.png|The course, as seen from the Finish Line
File:Roy Koopa MK8.PNG|[[Roy Koopa]], in the updated course in ''Mario Kart 8''.
Rocket Start MK8 Deluxe.jpg|The Finish Line with [[Mii]] performing a [[Rocket Start]] to begin the race
File:MK8 - Wii Grumble Volcano.PNG|[[Princess Peach|Peach]], in the updated course in ''Mario Kart 8''.
Roy Koopa MK8.png|[[Roy Koopa|Roy]] racing on the course
File:Rosalina-GrumbleVolcano-MK8.jpg|[[Rosalina]] races inside one of the track's interior areas.
MK8 Wii Grumble Volcano.png|[[Princess Peach|Peach]] racing on the course
File:Morton-SteelDriver.jpg|[[Morton Koopa Jr.|Morton]] performs a trick after passing through one of the track's [[Boost Pad]]s.
Rosalina-GrumbleVolcano-MK8.jpg|[[Rosalina]] races inside one of the track's interior areas.
File:Fire Snake Stamp.png|The [[Stamp (Mario Kart 8)|stamp]] obtained for beating the staff ghost at this course.
Morton-SteelDriver.jpg|[[Morton Koopa Jr.|Morton]] performing a trick after passing through one of the [[Dash Panel]]s
MK8WiiGrumbleVolcano.png|A released screenshot of the course, revealing the name of the track
Fire Snake Stamp.png|The [[List of Mario Kart 8 stamps|stamp]] obtained for beating the staff ghost at this course.
</gallery>
</gallery>


==Names in other languages==
==Additional names==
{{Foreignname
===Internal names===
{{internal names
|game1=''[[Mario Kart Wii]]''
|name1=<tt>volcano_course</tt>
|meaning1=Volcano course
}}
 
===Names in other languages===
{{foreign names
|Jap=グラグラかざん
|Jap=グラグラかざん
|JapR=Gura Gura Kazan
|JapR=Guragura Kazan
|JapM=Rumbling Volcano
|JapM=Rumbling Volcano
|Spa=Volcán Gruñón
|Spa=Volcán Gruñón
|SpaM=Grumpy Volcano
|SpaM=Grumpy Volcano
|FraA=Volcan Grondant
|Fre=Volcan grondant
|FraAM=Thundering Volcano
|FreM=Thundering Volcano
|FraE=Volcan grondant
|FraEM=Thundering Volcano
|Dut=Dondervulkaan
|Dut=Dondervulkaan
|DutM=Thunder Volcano
|DutM=Thunder Volcano
|Ger=Vulkangrollen
|Ger=Vulkangrollen
|GerM=Volcano Grumbling
|GerM=Volcano's Grumbling
|Ita=Vulcano Brontolone
|Ita=Vulcano Brontolone
|ItaM=Grouchy Volcano
|ItaM=Grumble Volcano
|Por=Vulcão Rezingão
|Por=Vulcão Rezingão
|PorM=Grumpy Volcano
|PorM=Grumpy Volcano
Line 84: Line 112:
|KorR=Igeul-igeul Hwasan
|KorR=Igeul-igeul Hwasan
|KorM=Blazing Volcano
|KorM=Blazing Volcano
|Chi=摇晃的火山
|Chi=震震火山
|ChiR=Yāohuàng Dě Huǒshān
|ChiR=Zhèn Zhèn Huǒshān
|ChiM=Shaking of the volcano}}
|ChiM=Quake Volcano
}}


==Trivia==
==References==
*This is the only course with lava in the series that is not named after [[Bowser]].
<references/>
*There is an extremely well hidden shortcut in the new version of this course. Near the end, at the right side of the fork, there is a pipe. Beside the pipe is small part that the player can trick off of. In laps 1 and 2, there is a rock blocking the shortcut, but at the start of lap 3, it will sink into the lava, letting the player use it on lap 3.


{{BoxTop}}
{{MK race courses}}
{{Racecourses}}
{{MKW}}
{{MKW}}
{{MK8}}
{{MK8}}
[[Category:Volcanic Areas]]
[[Category:Mountains]]
[[Category:Unlockables]]
[[Category:Volcanic areas]]
[[Category:Mario Kart Wii Race Courses]]
[[Category:Classic courses]]
[[Category:Mario Kart 8 Race Courses]]
[[Category:Mario Kart Wii race courses]]
[[Category:Retro Courses]]
[[Category:Mario Kart 8 race courses]]
[[de:Vulkangrollen]]
[[it:Vulcano Brontolone (circuito)]]

Latest revision as of 19:48, September 7, 2024

Not to be confused with Rumble Volcano.
Grumble Volcano
Grumble Volcano
Information
Appears in Mario Kart Wii (2008)
Mario Kart 8 (2014)
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017)
Cup(s) Star Cup (Wii)
Lightning Cup (8, 8 Deluxe)
Online play No longer available (Wii, Wii U)
Available (Switch)
Music sample
Mario Kart Wii: Asuka Ota, Ryo Nagamatsu

Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Asuka Ohta
Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (frontrunning)
Course map
Mario Kart Wii
Mario Kart Wii

Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Map of Wii Grumble Volcano in Mario Kart 8.Map of Wii Grumble Volcano in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
Staff ghost(s)
Wii Nin★Gorin
2:28.237 Dry BowserOffroader
Wii Expert Nin★aki
2:11.852 Dry BowserSpear
8 Nin★Yuya
2:18.305 RoyBadwagonOff-RoadSuper Glider
8DX 150cc Nin★Yuya
2:16.524 RoyBadwagonOff-RoadSuper Glider
8DX 200cc Nin★Maria
1:44.284 MortonStandard BikeCushionParachute

Grumble Volcano is the fourth and last course of the Star Cup in Mario Kart Wii. It takes place in a volcanic area covered with lava. The course features many jumps and moving platforms, as well as many sharp corners. At certain times, sections of the track will crumble away into the lava, making the road smaller and harder to drive around. The track's music is very similar to that of World 8 in New Super Mario Bros. It reappears in Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe as the third course of the Lightning Cup.

Grumble Volcano is the only course in Mario Kart Wii's Star Cup to not appear in Mario Kart Tour, although an asset titled "RoadGuraGuraTest" in the game's files suggests that it was planned.

Mario Kart Wii[edit]

Course layout[edit]

Grumble Volcano
The road inside the volcano

The course takes place inside and around an active volcano surrounded by endless lava. There are also many huge rock formations around the course, with ? Blocks and Brick Blocks lodged in them. At the beginning of the track, racers go off a simple ramp and briefly drive straight, where they reach the first set of Item Boxes. They then enter the volcano and take a slight left turn followed by a right turn. This brings them to another ramp followed by the first of several stone platforms; each platform will move left and right across the lava and has a pair of Item Boxes on it. Racers then take a slight right turn and a slight left turn as they enter a cave adjacent to the volcano, where there is a split path and another item set. Both paths involve a right U-turn followed by a left U-turn and then a right turn, though the left path is higher up. As racers exit the cave, there is another ramp and another stone platform, followed by a small piece of normal track and then one last platform.

After the platforms, racers have the option to go right and go off a dash panel ramp, or go left and drop down onto a lower part of the track, where there is another pair of Item Boxes. Both choices involve a slight turn to the left. Afterwards racers will begin to encounter volcanic debris, which is launched onto the course from another volcano far in the distance; hitting volcanic debris will make racers spin out. There is then a gradual U-turn to the right, with dead trees on both sides of the track and more volcanic debris on the track. Along the first half of the turn on the outside is an elevated path that once again ends in a dash panel ramp. After the turn, racers go off another simple ramp and reach one more split path, with a slight left turn or a slight right turn; at the start of each path is one last item set. If racers go left, there is a turn to the right followed by a very brief straight and one last dash panel ramp. If racers go right, there is a left turn, a simple ramp, and a right turn. Along both paths, racers must pass several pipes which Fire Snakes occasionally jump onto the track from. Hitting one will make racers spin out. Where the two paths join, there is one last simple ramp followed by the finish line.

There are also many cracks visible along the course, outlining certain chunks: In addition to the course's obstacles, there is a mechanic where these chunks of the course will start shaking and then sink into the lava, limiting the area where racers can safely drive. Racers will typically observe most chunks shaking on lap 2 and then they will all be gone on lap 3. All of the huge rock formations around the course will also be gone. The reduced track width is most noticeable at the volcano entrance, the cave entrance, and the split paths before the finish line; the right path in particular also loses an Item Box in the process. A few Lava Geysers will also erupt from where chunks of the course used to be, though this does not affect gameplay.

Shortcuts[edit]

Grumble Volcano
The rock glitch that allows lap completion

The first notable shortcut involves a glitch and can be found near the starting line. To the left of it is a rock that can be reached with a Mushroom and performing a wheelie at the starting line, or it can be reached by performing a trick off of the ramp before the finish line and aiming towards the rock. Once on the rock, the course can be completed by driving around the rock. The player must be careful as the rock will start to shake at 53 seconds, and sink at 65 seconds. This glitch was removed in Mario Kart 8 as it does not use the same checkpoint system to determine if the lap will count like Mario Kart Wii does; additionally, the slopes of the rock are so steep that players will simply slide off.

The second notable shortcut can be found after the last stone platform. If the player goes right after the platform, they can reach a rock formation where it is possible to drive on the side of it by using a Mushroom. If performed correctly, they can use this to reach the right side of the split path section, skipping the entire gradual U-turn. The rock formation will sink 95 seconds into the race; after this point, there is an alternate version possible where the player can use a Mushroom while hopping off the edge and aiming towards the track on the other side of the lava. This will allow them to respawn on the right side of the split path section, still saving time in the process.

Lastly, the final turn on the right path at the end of the track can be skipped if the player uses a Mushroom or two to drive through the off-road and launch themselves off the edge of the track that is slanted upwards.[1]

Tournaments[edit]

The first tournament of June 2009

June 2009's first tournament required players to complete a Time Trial in reverse on Grumble Volcano. There are several ramps added to make this possible, though there are also some barriers and extra Lava Geysers added. Players start the Time Trial with a set of Triple Mushrooms. Vehicles are restricted to karts only. The tournament was later repeated as the second tournament of May 2011, the second tournament of August 2012, and the first tournament of November 2013.

Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 Deluxe[edit]

The course in Mario Kart 8

Grumble Volcano makes its classic course debut in Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe as the third race of the Lightning Cup. Its layout is mostly retained but has several notable changes. There are two glide ramps, one on the second stone platform and one at the end of the left path at the end of the track, replacing its dash panel ramp. An additional chunk of the track right after the first dash panel ramp sinks into the lava. Volcanic debris falls more slowly than in the original course, and chunks of the course start shaking and sinking sooner into the race. The course geometry has also been modified along the right path at the end of the track, enabling a new shortcut that functions similarly to the shortcut that skipped the final turn in the original iteration. In this case, it cuts off the turn but is blocked by a large rock formation until lap 3. Lastly, most Item Boxes have been removed, with exception of the first and second full item sets. Instead, there is a set along the gradual right U-turn next to the dash panel ramp. Double Item Boxes also appear at the second and last item sets in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Visually, the clouds in the sky appear to be more orange than purple as opposed to in the original version. The volcano that the players drive through as well as the volcanoes in the background now have lava running down them. The starting banner has been changed, now resembling a slightly deteriorated structure with torches added and the modern Mario Kart logo. Similar to Wii Mushroom Gorge, 3DS Neo Bowser City, 3DS DK Jungle, and the stadium and museum portions of Tour Madrid Drive, the music remains mostly unchanged, but the guitar and sitar have been updated and the mastering has been tweaked.

Profiles[edit]

Mario Kart Wii[edit]

The Grumble Volcano card from the Mario Kart Wii trading cards
  • European website bio: "With deep lava awaiting anyone who strays off the track and flaming fireballs littering your path, Grumble Volcano will undo all your previous hard work in the Star Cup if you aren't at the top of your game."
  • Trading card bio: "The racing can really heat up when battling it out at Grumble Volcano. Lakitu is always busy fishing racers out of the lava beds that line this course. There are many opportunities for mishaps here so watch who you're bumping into. And be sure to watch out for the sections of track that fall away."

Mario Kart 8 Original Soundtrack liner notes[edit]

"This is a remastered version of the Mario Kart Wii track. With all its boiling lava and cracking, sinking surfaces, there's something slightly bleak and downbeat about this course. We wanted to get this across in the music, but without making the atmosphere too heavy."

Sponsors[edit]

Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 Deluxe[edit]

Gallery[edit]

Mario Kart Wii[edit]

Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 Deluxe[edit]

Additional names[edit]

Internal names[edit]

Game File Name Meaning

Mario Kart Wii volcano_course Volcano course

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese グラグラかざん[?]
Guragura Kazan
Rumbling Volcano
Chinese 震震火山[?]
Zhèn Zhèn Huǒshān
Quake Volcano
Dutch Dondervulkaan[?] Thunder Volcano
French Volcan grondant[?] Thundering Volcano
German Vulkangrollen[?] Volcano's Grumbling
Italian Vulcano Brontolone[?] Grumble Volcano
Korean 이글이글 화산[?]
Igeul-igeul Hwasan
Blazing Volcano
Portuguese Vulcão Rezingão[?] Grumpy Volcano
Russian Ворчащий вулкан[?]
Vorchashchiy vulkan
Grumbling Volcano
Spanish Volcán Gruñón[?] Grumpy Volcano

References[edit]