Ramp
A ramp is a usually helpful object found commonly on various courses in the Mario Kart series and have been in every Mario Kart game. When used correctly, ramps have the capacity to propel players high into the air, usually over long drops and distances. Ramps are often paired with Boost Pads to reach longer distances. Starting with Mario Kart Wii, characters can perform tricks with a trick button that varies with the control scheme. Ramps also appear in Super Mario Galaxy 2.
History
Mario Kart series
Super Mario Kart
In Super Mario Kart, a ramp appears to be a yellow strip. One appears near the end of Mario Circuit 2. It sends racers over a previous section.
Mario Kart 64
In Mario Kart 64, ramps appear for the first time in a Mario Kart game in Mario Kart 64. They are the same color as Boost Pads. Two are seen in Koopa Troopa Beach. One ramp leads to a tunnel that serves as a shortcut, while the other leads to an Item Box that only gives out Spiny Shells. Non-colored ramps on Wario Stadium serve only to make the course bumpy, though one large ramp sends players over a previous section. If players are not careful or are hit by a Star or a Thunderbolt while over that particular ramp, they may fall down and lose time. Large ramps in DK's Jungle Parkway and Royal Raceway speeds players up and send them flying to a different section of the course.
Mario Kart: Super Circuit
In Mario Kart: Super Circuit, ramps appear with the same function as Super Mario Kart.
Mario Kart: Double Dash!
In Mario Kart: Double Dash!, Ramps serve the same purpose as Mario Kart 64 and can still serve as either part of the main course (as seen in Rainbow Road or a shortcut (as seen in Bowser's Castle).
Mario Kart DS
In Mario Kart DS, ramps appear in Cheep Cheep Beach. Their use in unknown, for one can not gain speed or trick off them (because tricking was not invented yet). Useful ramps with Boost Pads on them also appear in some courses. In Delfino Square, when the bridge near the end is pulled all the way up, it serves as a ramp (though is not useful).
Mario Kart Wii
In Mario Kart Wii, ramps are much more common. This is mainly due to the fact that tricks can now be done off ramps. This can be done by either flicking the 
or pressing any direction on 
/
just when taking off a ramp. The single ramp that sports a Mario Kart 64 design in DK's Jungle Parkway is capable of launching players further and higher than other ramps in Mario Kart Wii. However, characters cannot perform tricks off of this ramp and have no control over their angle, making it function more like a Barrel Cannon than a ramp. Like Mario Kart DS, in Delfino Square, when the bridge near the end is pulled all the way up, it serves as a ramp. However, it is now useful due to fact that it can be tricked off of.
Mario Kart 7
In Mario Kart 7, tricks are instead performed by pressing 
just while taking off. However, flips and turns cannot be executed unlike in Mario Kart Wii. Regardless, if the player presses while driving off a blue Boost Pad, the kart will roll in the air just before activating the glider giving an extra aerial boost, although no boost will be given upon landing unless another trick is performed on another smaller ramp before having the glider deactivated. Ramps can prolong the use of a glider if a driver just clips a ramp. A sequence of ramps in Wuhu Loop serves as a shortcut.
Mario Kart 8
Ramps serve the same purpose as Mario Kart 8. To trick off them, a player needs to press on the Gamepad or on the Wii Wheel/Wii Remote just when taking off. Depending on the direction of the Left Stick, the trick animation varies.
Super Mario Galaxy 2
In Super Mario Galaxy 2, ramps appear. They only work effectively with Rock Mario, and can launch him long distances.
