Anti-gravity
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 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 Nitro Course in the game but 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) 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 (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 retro courses, however, have spin boost bumpers, while some of the nitro courses and three DLC retro 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.
Name in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | 反重力[?] Hanjūryoku |
Antigravity | |
| Dutch | Antizwaartekracht[?] | Antigravity | |
| German | Antigravitation[?] | Antigravity | |
| Italian | Antigravità[?] | Antigravity | |
| Portuguese | Antigravidade[?] | Antigravity | |
| Russian | Антигравитация[?] Antigravitatsiya |
Antigravity | |
| Spanish | Antigravedad[?] | Antigravity |
Trivia
- Certain vehicles glow and light up when anti-gravity is active. In some cases, the engine may also 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'll become orange for a Super Mini-Turbo, and pink for an Ultra Mini-Turbo.
