Hyrule Circuit
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| Appears in | Mario Kart 8 (DLC Pack 1) (2014) Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017) | ||||||||||||||
| Cup(s) | Triforce Cup | ||||||||||||||
| Based on | The Legend of Zelda | ||||||||||||||
| Online play | Available (Wii U, Switch) | ||||||||||||||
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Hyrule Circuit is a racecourse included with The Legend of Zelda × Mario Kart 8 downloadable content in Mario Kart 8 and in the base content of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and is the fourth and final course of the Triforce Cup. Hence the name, this course is based on The Legend of Zelda series. This track sports several references to the franchise, such as having Rupees replace coins, Deku Babas replace Piranha Plants, and Keese replace Swoops. Several sound effects from the first The Legend of Zelda are also used, while the song references several songs from throughout the series.
Course layout
The track starts in Hyrule Field, as it zigzags through a grassy area. Several ramps can be found here, before a gliding pad that sends the player into Hyrule Castle. After a spiral downwards, the player arrives in a grand hall with the Master Sword resting in the Pedestal of Time. The routes split at the sword, before merging directly afterward. After a jump out the back of the castle, the player lands in a small village before going through a valley with Deku Babas and Keese. After a final jump, the player reaches the Finish Line.
Shortcuts
- In the field, a mushroom can be used to cut through the zigzags.
- Before the Master Sword are three crystals that give spin-boosts. If all three are touched by any player within the time limit, a Dash Panel ramp opens up before the Master Sword, allowing the player to jump into it. The sword itself acts as a Spin Boost Pillar. The crystal switches can also be activated by thrown items and Lightning.
- After exiting the castle, a Dash Mushroom can be used across the grass to cut off a turn.
The Legend of Zelda references
As this course is based upon The Legend of Zelda franchise, it also features various references to those games. They are listed below:
- Coins are replaced with Rupees.
- Soldiers as portrayed in The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks can be seen near the starting line.
- Two standard course enemies, Swoops and Piranha Plants, are replaced by their The Legend of Zelda equivalents: Keese and Deku Babas respectively. The Deku Babas change their location several times over the duration of the race.
- When a player runs into an Item Box and obtains an item, the sound it plays is the jingle when opening a big treasure chest in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
- Death Mountain, with its familiar circular smokestack, can be seen towering over the treeline in the south of the course. It can easily be seen just after exiting the Master Sword chamber.
- Each Medallion found in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time can be seen on the stained-glass windows in the Master Sword chamber.
- A sign in the village part of the course has the face of Beedle on it, a recurring shopkeeper in The Legend of Zelda series. The sign also has text written in Hylian, as seen in The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds; when translated, it reads "Item Shop".
- Hitting the three anti-gravity switches on the castle staircase will trigger the "puzzle solving" tune in The Legend of Zelda series as the Master Sword rises from its pedestal. The switches can also be triggered by a boomerang as they can in many games.
- The background music is a remixed medley of The Legend of Zelda music, starting with the series' main theme, followed by small excerpts of Zelda's Lullaby and Hyrule Field's theme from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. It also incorporates a brief segment from Hyrule Field's theme from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.
Mario Kart 8 Original Soundtrack liner notes
"I wanted to arrange this in a way that would only be in Mario Kart. I've scattered a number of motifs from The Legend of Zelda series throughout the track, so I hope you'll enjoy listening out for them. Oh, and don't miss the scorching guitar solo at the end!"
Gallery
Track icon
The course, as seen from the starting line.
The only portion of the track that uses the glider.
Rosalina approaches the castle's interior.
The forest portion of the track. Deku Babas and Keese are encountered there.
Link turning the corner before the anti-gravity section.
Link turning a corner on the Master Cycle.
Link showing off his sword with the castle in the background.
The stamp for this course.
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | ハイラルサーキット[?] Hairaru Sākitto |
Hyrule Circuit | |
| Chinese (simplified) | 海拉鲁赛道[?] Hǎilālǔ Sàidào |
Hyrule Speedway | |
| Chinese (traditional) | 海拉魯賽道[?] Hǎilālǔ Sàidào |
Hyrule Speedway | |
| Dutch | Hyrule-Circuit[?] | Hyrule Circuit | |
| German | Hyrule-Piste[?] | Hyrule Track | |
| Italian | Circuito di Hyrule[?] | Hyrule Circuit | |
| Korean | 하이랄 서킷[?] Hairal Seokit |
Hyrule Circuit | |
| Portuguese | Circuito de Hyrule[?] | Hyrule Circuit | |
| Russian | Трасса Хайрула[?] Trassa Khayrula |
Hyrule Track | |
| Spanish | Circuito de Hyrule[?] | Hyrule's Circuit |
Trivia
- This is one of four courses in the Mario Kart series to change the sound of the Item Box roulette; the others are Waluigi Pinball, Animal Crossing, and Urchin Underpass.
- This is the only course in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe to have the same racer and vehicle combination for the 150cc and 200cc staff ghosts.
