Mario Kart 8: Fastest Setups

If players want to go fast in Mario Kart 8, then it’s best to look for the fastest setups in one of the best Kart racers. Mario Kart 8 has a variety of options to choose from. Whether it’s in the Weight class of the character, the kart body, wheels, and glider, all of these things come together to make the best kart in Mario Kart 8 and ensure that Speed will be on the side of the player so they can claim that gold trophy.

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By  Jake Fillery

Many factors make the fastest setups in Mario Kart 8, and gaining Speed is not all there is to it when it comes to the game. Mario Kart 8 players should be aware of drifting, and its necessity, especially when going for the sheer fastest karts in Mario Kart 8.

Updated on January 21, 2025, by Gerardo Molina: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has arguably one of the largest rosters in the franchise's history. This allows players to have a ton of options regarding which character they want to drive as, the kart they want to use, and the tires they want to equip. While there's no one-size-fits-all build for every track, having a decent amount of speed can be the difference between staying behind and taking the lead. Ironically, a lot of the characters in the heavier class tend to be the fastest when combined with the right kart and tires, but this isn’t always the case, so players must be careful with their selection.

16 Rosalina's Breezy Badwagon

Top Speed: 5.0

• Racer Weight Class: Heavy
• Kart: Badwagon
• Wheels: Hot Monster
• Glider: Gold Glider

It could be argued that while Rosalina is very popular, she’s still not as famous and beloved as characters like Peach or Daisy. However, she doesn't let this stop her from being one of the fastest racers in the game when paired with the Badwagon, the Hot Monster Tires, and the Gold Glider.

With a top-speed of 5 and a grip of 4.2, by using this build, players will be able to both stay ahead of the competition and manage to have a decent amount of control over their vehicle.

15 Morton's Slick Gold Standard

Top Speed: 5.2

• Racer Weight Class: Heavy
• Kart: Standard ATV
• Wheels: Slick
• Glider: Plane Glider

Morton is probably one of the lesser known characters in the roster of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. He's on the heavier side, and many players likely think that this means that he won't be as fast as lighter racers.

However, this couldn’t be more far from the truth. When paired with the Standard kart, the Slick Tires and the Plane Glider, Morton has a top speed of 5.2. And while this combo’s acceleration isn’t the best, it’s still higher than that of other, slower characters.

14 Funky Kong's Funky ATV

Top Speed: 5.8

• Racer Weight Class: Heavy
• Kart: Standard ATV
• Wheels: Cyber Slick
• Glider: Waddle Wing

Based on pure speed and nothing but speed, this setup will certainly get players shooting off at the starting line, but will it hold out against other racers builds? The acceleration and handling is pretty poor, but if players just want to bully other smaller characters thanks to the large weight and use of a heavy class, then they are in for a treat.

This setup is designed around speed only, and it certainly boasts some of the highest stats in the game in that regard. Yet, players are going to need to utilize those long roads to get the most out of the fact that a drift boost won't complement them all that much.

13 Link's Hyrule Horsepower

Top Speed: 4.8

• Racer Weight Class: Heavy
• Kart: Master Cycle
• Wheels: Triforce Tires
• Glider: Hylian Kite

For the Legend of Zelda fans, this kart setup is for them. It takes everything from Link's set, and shows the Hyrule hero in action, showing the true strengths of a warrior against the might of Mario and Luigi. It's a great class in its own right, thanks to the gripping tires on the road, the moderate acceleration, and of course, the high speed.

It's a well-rounded setup for the heavy characters, and the fact that it can be achieved with none other than Link makes it all the better. Hopefully, there's no cataclysmic event that stops Link from racing, as these speeds are something to enjoy against the competition.

12 Yoshi's Sports Bike

Top Speed: 3.5

• Racer Weight Class: Medium
• Kart: Sport Bike
• Wheels: Azure Roller
• Glider: Waddle Wing

Yoshi will always be a fan-favorite pick in Mario Kart 8, not only for his loveable appearance but due to his incredibly decent stats that proves he's one of the best medium-class characters. Yoshi and other medium-class characters work great with the Sport Bike, a vehicle that might feature some sharp turns that will have players bonking into walls and off the road if they're not skilled enough.

Yoshi's Sport Bike is a joy, and the fact that all of its stats are near perfect across the middle of the board makes it a vehicle that should be used, especially since the motorcycles of Mario Kart 8 are usually underrated and deserving of a thrilling ride.

11 Toadette’s Buggybud

Top Speed: 1.5 Points

• Racer Weight Class: Light
• Kart: Buggybud
• Wheels: Azure Roller
• Glider: Cloud Glider

If players don't want to be in for a stressful time in this Nintendo game, then selecting a very light character like Toadette will provide the lack of weight necessary to speed off with great acceleration. Whilst some players might not be impressed by the fact that the points placed into speed are practically none, the acceleration will propel them into first place and beyond, provided with the right skill.

Players will need to utilize their drifts and boosts in order to stay ahead, as the acceleration provided makes this setup one of the best karts in Mario Kart 8. With decent grip, great handling, and a beautiful amount of acceleration, this kart is a go-to for players who enjoy using lighter characters, and for those who have gotta go fast.

10 Shy Guy's Mach 8

Top Speed: 2.8 Points

• Racer Weight Class: Light
• Kart: Mach 8
• Wheels: Leaf Tyres
• Glider: Cloud Glider

Shy Guy bursts onto the scene with his Mach 8 build, which will grant him consistent stats across the board. As one of the lighter characters to the game, Shy Guy doesn't have it in him to gain speed as high as heavier characters like Bowser. Yet, Shy Guy is here to prove that every class can have the right setup to make them the fastest Mario Kart 8 build, and Shy Guy does just that with the Mach 8.

When paired with the Leaf Tyres, Shy Guy gains a considerable amount of speed, but also a great amount of acceleration. Pair this with decent handling and grip, players will be able to easily boost, and build up turbo from their easy drifting.

9 Inkling Boy's Circuit Special

Top Speed: 4.7 Points

• Racer Weight Class: Medium
• Kart: Circuit Special
• Wheels: Metal Tires
• Glider: Super Glider

While it's not the fastest setup in the game, Inkling Boy's Circuit Special is a great choice for players who want a Medium weight class character with decent handling to take sharp turns and drift comfortably. While this combo lacks greatly in acceleration and grip, it's an overall solid choice that can help players gain an edge over heavier characters or faster ones that can easily lose control, especially when playing in 200CC. Not to mention that the colors of the combo fit very well with the character, featuring a blue-heavy setup that looks neat.

8 Wario's Badwagon

Top Speed: 5.8 Points

• Racer Weight Class: Heavy
• Kart: Badwagon
• Wheels: Slick Tires
• Glider: Hylian Kite

Wario's Badwagon is a great choice for players who want one of the fastest setups in the game, as this combo boasts a whopping 5.8 speed stat, which is more than enough to leave other players eating dust during the starting seconds of a race. Unfortunately, though, this combo lacks in the Acceleration department, which can probably be explained by Wario's weight. The handling isn't great either, which can cause players to lose control of their vehicles often while drifting, especially in 200 CC. Overall, this combo is ideal if players are willing to sacrifice most stats in exchange for unmatched speed.

7 Rosalina’s Teddy Buggy

Top Speed: 3.5 Points

• Racer Weight Class: Heavy
• Kart: Teddy Buggy
• Wheels: Roller
• Glider: Waddle Wing

A new meta in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe means a new fastest setup. Rosalina and the Teddy Buggy Kart is a combination of cuteness that goes great together. With the Roller wheels, Teddy Buggy, and Waddle Wing glider, players will have one of the most balanced heavy character builds that excels past the rest.

The stats remain anywhere between 3 and 4, but that is not a stat to laugh at. Rosalina’s Teddy Buggy build will provide players with a great balance of stats, meaning players can use turbos and their normal Speeds to drift around and reach first place with ease. That is unless a pesky blue shell is on its way.