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Mario Kart World

Drifting Guide: How to Drift Like a Pro

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Drifting Guide: How to Drift Like a Pro

This is a guide for executing drifts to win races in Mario Kart 8. Learn how to perform a drift and get advanced drifting tips in this guide!

List of Contents

How to Perform a Drift

Drifting Basics

To perform a drift, hold down the R button and move the left joystick in the direction of the turn that you need to make. This will cause your character to do a short hop, then immediately start drifting as soon as you land. Releasing the R button will end the drift, so make sure to keep the button held down unless you want to end the drift early.

As a general rule, begin your drift by pressing and holding the R button while tilting the joystick in the opposite direction of the turn in order to create space. Then, adjust your drift by tilting the joystick toward the turn. Finally, to continue the drift, change back to the original direction.

For courses with numerous bends and sharp turns, you may choose to drift directly toward the corner for a tighter turn. Then, adjust your drift as needed.

Extending Your Drift Charges Your Mini-Turbo

Mini-Turbo
Super Mini-Turbo
Ultra Mini-Turbo
Mini-Turbo
Super Mini-Turbo
Ultra Mini-Turbo

Mini-Turboes can also be charged via wall-riding!

Maintaining your drift charges your Mini-Turbo, which provides a momentary speed boost. The Mini-Turbo is only used when you end your drift.

There are three levels of the Mini-Turbo, each with a different duration. Mini-Turbo levels increase in duration as the level increases. The Mini-Turbo has the shortest duration. The Super Mini-Turbo has a longer duration, and the Ultra-Mini Turbo has the longest.

Each Mini-Turbo level has a distinct color, making it easy to distinguish one from another. Mini-Turbo will have blue sparks on your wheels, while the Super Mini-Turbo will have orange sparks. The Ultra-Mini Turbo will be colored pink, making it the most distinct color of all three.

All Mini Turbo Types

Advanced Drifting Tips

Insert Text
Check IconTurn Off Smart Steering
Check IconUtilize Jump Boosts
Check IconDrifting After Rail and Wall Riding
Check IconUtilize the Correct Mini-Turbo Levels
Check IconDelay Drift When Needed

Turn Off Smart Steering

Smart Steering

Although Smart Steering is a great option for beginners, it isn't recommended for intermediate to advanced players because it restricts your ability to gain an Ultra Mini-Turbo boost while drifting. Turn this option off as soon as possible so you can learn how to play the game without it.
Should You Use Smart Steering?

Utilize Jump Boosts

While Jump boosts can provide a speed boost after you land, you can also start drifting as soon as you land, skipping the initial hop phase of the drift. This is especially useful when doing tight corners directly after a jump or a ramp.
How to Jump

Drifting After Rail and Wall Riding

You can also perform a drift immediately after a rail or wall ride upon landing. Since these techniques can be chained together during certain sections of some courses, you can drift afterwards to maintain momentum.

Utilize the Correct Mini-Turbo Levels

Although the Super Mini-Turbo and Ultra Mini-Turbo provide longer-lasting speed boosts, it is not always optimal to aim for them. This applies to most tracks. You'll find that optimization for some tracks requires only a mini-turbo or, at most, a super mini-turbo.

Delay Drift to Charge Mini-Turbo Faster

Ordinary Drift Delay Drift
PressNSW - R and move NSW - Left Analog
at the same time.
PressNSW - R and move NSW - Left Analog right before you hit the ground.

Drifting normally is easier as you don't have to time your left joystick. All you have to do is press the R button and move your left joystick at the same time.

Delay Drifting, on the other hand, is when you have to move your left joystick the second before you hit the ground. Mastering the timing is the trickiest part.

How to Delay Drift

Is Drifting Always the Right Move?

Drift Only When Necessary

Although mini-turboes offer a speed boost after drifting, drifting isn't always the right move. Snaking, or drifting during straight sections of courses, can work for some, but it doesn't apply to all courses. Learn the ins and outs of each track and only drift as needed.
How to Do Snaking

Mario Kart Related Guides

Techniques Partial
List of Techniques

Other Technique Guides

New Techniques Drifting Guide: How to Drift Like a Pro
How to Charge Jump How to Rail Ride
How to Wall Ride How to Jump
How to Do an Ultra Mini Turbo How to Get a Rocket Start
How to do a Spin Turn How To Do A Lakitu Rocket Dash
Frontrunning: How to Stay in First Place Bagging Explained: Is Bagging Worth It?
How to Do No Item Shortcuts (NISC) How to Do Snaking
How to Delay Drift How To Do Slipstreaming (Drafting)

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