Anti-gravity

Mario driving a kart in anti-gravity mode

Bowser near the anti-gravity panel (blue, with circles) in Mario Circuit from Mario Kart 8.

Anti-gravity is a fundamental game mechanic introduced in Mario Kart 8. When drivers are in anti-gravity mode, they hover and can drive upside-down as well as on walls and various other surfaces. Additionally, drivers receive a speed boost whenever they bump into other drivers or special bumpers found throughout the track. Drivers automatically activate anti-gravity mode when they are in sections requiring it, whose beginning is signaled with Antigravity Panels. The first time the driver enters an anti-gravity section, they will shout or say something related to the activation of anti-gravity mode. While driving in anti-gravity mode, the wheels will glow and turn horizontal, while at the same time, the vehicle levitates slightly from the surface. Every new course in the game except Excitebike Arena, Animal Crossing and Super Bell Subway is given an anti-gravity section, likely to fully incorporate the new feature. However, twelve (7 originally added; 5 DLC) classic courses are given this feature:

• GBA Mario Circuit
• N64 Toad's Turnpike
• 3DS DK Jungle
• DS Wario Stadium
• GCN Sherbet Land
• 3DS Piranha Plant Slide
• N64 Rainbow Road
• Wii Wario's Gold Mine (part of The Legend of Zelda × Mario Kart 8)
• GCN Baby Park (part of Animal Crossing × Mario Kart 8)
• GBA Cheese Land (part of Animal Crossing × Mario Kart 8)
• 3DS Neo Bowser City (part of Animal Crossing × Mario Kart 8)
• GBA Ribbon Road (part of Animal Crossing × Mario Kart 8)

None of the non-DLC classic courses, however, have Spin Boost Pillars, while some of the new courses and three DLC classic courses, Wii Wario's Gold Mine, GBA Cheese Land and 3DS Neo Bowser City, do.

Mute City, Big Blue, and GCN Baby Park are the only courses to take place entirely in anti-gravity, while Wild Woods starts on an anti-gravity section as well; in these tracks the vehicles are already in anti-gravity mode during the race introduction, before the race starts.

In Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Battle Stadium and Lunar Colony are the only battle courses to feature anti-gravity, with the latter course being entirely in anti-gravity.

None of the courses in the first wave of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass DLC feature anti-gravity sections, due to them using their appearances from Mario Kart Tour, a game that does not feature anti-gravity. Though, the second wave features a course named Sky-High Sundae, which is set entirely in anti-gravity.

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Japanese	反重力[?] Hanjūryoku	Antigravity
Chinese	反重力[?] Fǎnzhònglì	Anti-gravity
Dutch	Antizwaartekracht[?]	Antigravity
German	Antigravitation[?]	Antigravity
Italian	Antigravità[?]	Antigravity
Korean	반중력[?] Banjungnyeok	Antigravity
Portuguese	Antigravidade[?]	Antigravity
Russian	Антигравитация[?] Antigravitatsiya	Antigravity
Spanish	Antigravedad[?]	Antigravity

Trivia

Larry charging a Super Mini-Turbo on his Standard Bike while in anti-gravity mode

• Certain vehicles glow and light up when anti-gravity is active. In some cases, the engine may glow as well.
• While holding a drift in anti-gravity mode, the blue glow will match the corresponding level of Mini-Turbo sparks present, which means it will become orange for a Super Mini-Turbo, and purple for an Ultra Mini-Turbo.
• According to Mario Kart 8 producer Hideki Konno, the anti-gravity mechanic was inspired by drivers racing on the moon on Rainbow Road in Mario Kart 7.