Rocket Start

File:Rocket Start (Mario Kart Wii).jpg

Koopa Troopa doing a successful Rocket Start in Koopa Cape from Mario Kart Wii.

Rocket Start (also referred to as Turbo Start or Boost Start) is a move used in all of the Mario Kart games and some Mario games. It is a short boost that occurs at the beginning of each race. It is executed by pressing the acceleration button in tune with the starting lights. If the player over-revs when the final beep sounds, it may make the player's kart/vehicle falter for a few seconds at the beginning of the course (sometimes known as a Dud Start).

Controls

To perform a Rocket Start, drivers must press or hold the corresponding acceleration button when a race is about to begin. How to use the technique depends on which game in the Mario Kart series and which control scheme the player uses.

Main Series

• Super Mario Kart – Holding down between the first and second light.
• Mario Kart 64 – Holding down when the signal's light turns green.
• Mario Kart Super Circuit – Same as Mario Kart 64, but by pressing instead.
• Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
  • Rocket Start (Single Player) – Same as Mario Kart: Super Circuit and Mario Kart 64. Alternately, players can tap repeatedly during the countdown.
  • Double Dash!! (Co-Op Play) – Same as Single Player, but with both members simultaneously.
• Mario Kart DS – Holding down right when the number "2" grows and fades away.
• Mario Kart Wii - Same as Mario Kart DS, but with one of four control schemes.
  • With Wii Wheel or Wii Remote –
  • With Classic Controller –
  • With GameCube Controller –
  • With Wii Remote and Nunchuck –
• Mario Kart 7 - Holding down the acceleration button and works the same way as Mario Kart DS - or .

Arcade Series

• Mario Kart Arcade GP – Same as Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, but with the gas pedal.
• Mario Kart Arcade GP 2 - Pressing down on the accelerator when "1" appears on the game screen.
• Mario Kart Arcade GP DX – Same as Mario Kart Arcade GP 2.

Other Appearances

A similar move appears in Super Mario Galaxy. This move can be done to pass Cosmic Mario at the beginning of the races against him. When it is utilized, Mario runs very fast and glows yellow for a short period of time. To use it, players must hold the up on the Nunchuk while the countdown begins, press when the timer hits 2, and press on the when the word GO! appears on the game screen. It must be used in order to beat Cosmic Luigi in some cosmic comets.

In Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, racers in a "track" event perform a Start Dash to begin the race with a boost. When executed at the exact time the event begins, the character will receive an incredible burst of speed.

In Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games, players can execute a Rocket Start in various events like Alpine Skiing Giant Slalom, Short Track 1,000m and more. If the word "GO!" appears and the player times it just right, then a Rocket Start will occur.

In the Wii game Donkey Kong Barrel Blast, the technique can be performed by shaking the and the Nunchuk when "1" disappears. The character will receive a burst of speed a second later, which is a very helpful move.

Double Dash!!

The Double Dash!! in action at Mushroom Bridge.

The Double Dash!! is a move that can be performed only in the co-op play mode of Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, which is named for this signature move. Both players must press at the same time when Lakitu's starting lights turn green to perform this move, which will make the kart be launched at a higher speed.