Anti-gravity
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Anti-gravity is a fundamental game mechanic introduced in Mario Kart 8. When drivers are in anti-gravity mode, they 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 designated obstacles. Drivers enter anti-gravity mode when they pass over blue panels in the road akin to Boost Pads. While driving in anti-gravity mode, the wheels of the player's vehicle turn so that they are on their sides. Every nitro course in the game, except Excitebike Arena, is given an anti-gravity section, likely to fully incorporate the new feature. However, only eight retro 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 (DLC)
Mute City is the only course to take place entirely in anti-gravity.
Name in other languages
Trivia
- Neither of the two Super Mario Kart Retro Courses (Donut Plains 3 and Rainbow Road) received anti-gravity sections, thus making Super Mario Kart the only game with Retro Courses in Mario Kart 8 that lack any anti-gravity sections.
- If the player goes in the opposite direction than what they are meant to, the wheels will turn horizontal once they touch an anti-gravity section despite an anti-gravity strip not being present. This is because the Kart is programmed to avoid glitching by falling in anti-gravity sections. This applies to any course with anti-gravity where it is possible to drive backwards from a non-anti-gravity section into an anti-gravity section, such as Mario Circuit.
