Hyrule Circuit
Template:Racecourse Hyrule Circuit is a racecourse included with The Legend of Zelda × Mario Kart 8 downloadable content in Mario Kart 8, and the fourth and final course of the Triforce Cup. Hence the name, this course is based on the The Legend of Zelda series. This track sports several references to that series, such as having Rupees replace Coins, Deku Babas replace Piranha Plants, Keese replace Swoopers, and swapping out sounds from classic Zelda games. The music for this course is a remix of The Legend of Zelda music.
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 U-turn, the player arrives in a grand hall with the Master Sword resting in a Triforce-shaped pedestal. 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. After a final jump, the player returns to the start.
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 a player touches all three, the puzzle complete sound from The Legend of Zelda series will play as a Boost Pad ramp opens up before the Master Sword, allowing the player to jump into it. It acts as an Anti-Gravity Spinner.
- After exiting the castle a 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.
- Standard track enemies like Swoopers and Piranha Plants are replaced by The Legend of Zelda equivalents (Keese and Deku Babas). 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 sound played when opening a big treasure chest in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
- Death Mountain, with its familiar circular smoke stack, 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 cause the Master Sword to rise, allowing a trick to be performed. Also, this triggers the puzzle solving tune in The Legend of Zelda series.
Gallery
- MK8-DLC-Course-icon-HyruleCircuit.png
The track's icon.
- MK8-DLC-Course-HyruleCircuit-startingline.jpg
The course as seen from the starting line.
The only portion of the track that uses the glider.
- Rosalina-CastleExterior-HyruleCircuit-MK8.jpg
Rosalina approaches the castle's interior.
The forest portion of the track. Deku Babas and Keese are encountered there.
- MK8-DLC-Course-HyruleCircuit-Link01.jpg
Link turning the corner before the anti-gravity section.
- MK8-DLC-Course-HyruleCircuit-Link02.jpg
Link showing off his sword with the castle in the background.
- MK8-DLC-Course-HyruleCircuit-Link03.jpg
Link turning a corner on the Master Cycle.
The stamp for this course.
Names in other languages
Trivia
- This is one of three tracks in the Mario Kart series to have a sound of the roulette item that differs from other tracks of the original game. The others are Waluigi Pinball and Animal Crossing.
