Mario Kart World Knockout Tour Guide: How to Earn 3 Stars in Every Rally

The relentless competition of Mario Kart World reaches new heights with the introduction of Knockout Tour, an innovative racing mode now available for Nintendo Switch players.

Developed by Nintendo, Mario Kart World continues the franchise’s tradition of fast-paced kart racing while introducing fresh challenges that test even the most skilled drivers.

Knockout Tour’s continuous racing format and unique checkpoint system have quickly become a talking point in the competitive Mario Kart community. ### What is Knockout Tour in Mario Kart World? Knockout Tour is designed as a high-stakes, non-interrupted race across six varied locations, challenging 24 racers per rally.

Unlike the traditional Grand Prix cups, which allow for breaks and a cumulative scoring system, Knockout Tour propels players through relentless action.

After each location, racers encounter a series of checkpoints.

Maintaining a sufficiently high position at each checkpoint is essential to continue — slip below the required rank, and your rally ends immediately. The mode operates on the following qualification tiers: - **First checkpoint:** Finish 20th or better to stay in the tour - **Second checkpoint:** 16th place or higher - **Third checkpoint:** 12th place or higher - **Fourth checkpoint:** 8th place or higher - **Fifth checkpoint:** 4th place or higher - **Finish line:** 1st place is required to claim the rally victory To achieve the coveted 3-star ranking in Knockout Tour, it’s not enough to just win the final race.

Players must secure first place at every single checkpoint throughout the six-race stretch.

Failing to do so, even once, means you won’t reach that top tier of achievement.

Importantly, unlocking 3 stars at a higher difficulty (such as 150cc) automatically grants 3-star status to all lower speed classes, streamlining the completion process for determined racers. ### Expert Strategies: How to Secure 3 Stars in Knockout Tour Every Knockout Tour rally commences with all racers in 24th place.

Success in climbing the ranks quickly relies on making the most of the initial item boxes, which frequently provide triple mushrooms alongside other power-ups like mega mushrooms, golden mushrooms, or stars.

Utilizing these items strategically enables racers to take critical shortcuts and surge to the front. Your ongoing objective is to lead the pack at each checkpoint.

Maximizing the number of coins collected (up to the standard cap of 20) and prioritizing defensive driving are paramount.

Reserve powerful items, especially mushrooms and super horns, to maintain your lead and protect against disruptive attacks such as blue shells. If you lose the front position before a checkpoint, there remains a chance to reclaim it with aggressive maneuvers and well-timed item usage.

However, if you miss first place at any checkpoint, restarting the rally is necessary if your aim is to secure all 3 stars. ### Tips for High Difficulty and CPU Behavior Mario Kart World incorporates a dynamic AI system that adjusts CPU difficulty based on player techniques.

Notably, increased drifting throughout the rally causes CPU opponents to become more challenging and increases their likelihood of acquiring powerful items.

To mitigate this in tougher modes, such as 150cc and mirror mode, experts recommend minimizing or entirely avoiding drifting until the final stages.

This generally results in calmer, less aggressive AI racers and fewer threats during the tour.

Instead, make use of advanced racing tactics like wall riding, rail riding, and strategic item use to capture and hold first place at every checkpoint. ### Conclusion Mario Kart World’s Knockout Tour for Nintendo Switch offers a thrilling addition to the long-running series, demanding a blend of speed, strategy, and mastery of game mechanics.

By following the checkpoint requirements and the expert strategies outlined above, players can enhance their performance and consistently secure the 3-star rating—cementing their place at the top of the leaderboards. Stay tuned to our ongoing Nintendo coverage for more in-depth Mario Kart World guides, tips, and the latest updates from the world of kart racing.

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