Mario Kart World Grand Prix Guide: How to Win and Earn Three Stars in Every Cup

Mario Kart World Grand Prix Guide: How to Win and Earn Three Stars in Every Cup Since its debut, Mario Kart World has quickly become a key title on the Nintendo Switch, revitalizing the classic franchise for both returning fans and new players.

Developed and published by Nintendo, Mario Kart World continues the series’ legacy of exciting kart racing while introducing major changes to gameplay formats and progression.

In this comprehensive guide, we break down the Grand Prix mode’s updated structure, offer pro tips for winning every race, and outline the steps needed to earn a coveted three-star ranking in every cup. Understanding the New Grand Prix Format Mario Kart World’s Grand Prix mode contains a total of eight cups, each featuring four courses, with the Special Cup unlocking after players complete the first seven.

A significant update in this entry is the altered lap and route system.

Where previous games involved three laps on each course, Mario Kart World now has players race three laps only on the first course.

For the remaining courses, players traverse connecting routes for two laps, with the final lap taking place on the designated course. After each course, there is an intermission where players’ positions are tallied and points awarded.

An example from the Mushroom Cup illustrates these changes: - Course 1: Complete three laps on Mario Bros.

Circuit - Intermission: Points are tallied - Course 2: Two laps on the connecting route from Mario Bros.

Circuit to Crown City, then one lap on Crown City - Intermission: Points are tallied - Subsequent courses follow a similar pattern Race Points Distribution Success in Mario Kart World’s Grand Prix relies heavily on accruing race points based on finishing position.

The full breakdown is as follows: - 1st place: 15 points - 2nd place: 12 points - 3rd place: 10 points - 4th–5th place: 9 points - 6th–7th place: 8 points - 8th–9th place: 7 points - 10th–12th place: 6 points - 13th–15th place: 5 points - 16th–18th place: 4 points - 19th–21st place: 3 points - 22nd–23rd place: 2 points - 24th place: 1 point Confirmed Speed Classes and Difficulty True to series tradition, Mario Kart World supports multiple speed classes for its Grand Prix mode: 50cc, 100cc, and 150cc.

Higher speed classes provide faster races and greater CPU difficulty, increasing both the challenge and the need for expert racing strategies.

While earlier entries such as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe included additional Mirror and 200cc modes, only the three core classes have been officially confirmed for Mario Kart World as of its reveal. Winning Strategies for Gold and Three-Star Rankings To secure first place in every Grand Prix race—and the maximum score of 60 points per cup—players must implement a blend of offensive and defensive tactics.

Key strategies include: - Always strive for and maintain the lead.

Consistently hold protective items such as bananas, green shells, Bob-ombs, or Super Horns to block incoming attacks. - Collect the maximum allowed coins (20) early in the race for faster acceleration and improved top speed. - Grab and strategically use Dash Food to execute timely shortcuts. - Master core racing mechanics: prioritize drifting, boost jumps, wall rides, and rail riding for optimal speed and obstacle avoidance. Earning three stars in every Grand Prix cup requires obtaining a perfect score of 60 points by finishing first in each race.

This achievement must be repeated for every available speed class, making it a true test of skill and consistency. Rewards for Perfection in Grand Prix While three-star rewards for Mario Kart World’s Grand Prix mode have not been detailed as of this writing, players can expect further updates from Nintendo in future Nintendo Direct presentations or official news releases. For more in-depth information, discover our comprehensive guides covering Mario Kart World’s full course list, playable characters, unlock methods, and new items, as well as advanced feature breakdowns including Smart Steering and Camera Rotation. As Mario Kart World continues to evolve, stay tuned for the latest updates on the Nintendo Switch eShop and upcoming patch notes direct from Nintendo.

Mario Kart Nintendo Switch Mario Kart World Nintendo Mario Switch Grand Prix Kart Special Cup eShop