20 Best Mario Kart 8 Racer & Kart Combinations

Balance has finally come to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe with the final Wave 6 Booster Pack and stat adjustment. Though the previous meta is not necessarily gone, it does have some variation, as many of the characters now share the same overall stats. Unfortunately, though there is character variation for players, the Karts and attachments themselves remain limited.

However, the gap between the best and worst combinations is not as wide as it once was on the Mario Kart 8 City Tracks. This means skilled players can still win first place with a build that isn’t necessarily top-tier in terms of stats. Using some of the new meta builds to give that extra boost could help players have better odds, but remember that the meta doesn’t guarantee a win every time.

20 Iggy & Inkstriker

Roller Wheels & Paper Glider

Iggy is probably one of the less common options when selecting a racer, but this update is bound to change that. Pairing Iggy with the Inkstriker creates a combination that can become a nightmare for opponents.

With the Rollers’ additional stat increase and the mini-turbo boost, Iggy has no trouble going from last to first on any Mario Kart 8 Deluxe track.

This makes this build a solid option for players who tend to encounter more obstacles in their race than normal, as it will allow for an easier time re-adjusting after a wipeout.

19 Dry Bowser & Circuit Special

Cyber Slick & Wario Wing

This one may not win you many competitions, as you lose a lot on Handling and Acceleration. However, this is a very fun and very aesthetic combination, featuring the skull and bones look of Dry Bowser with the purple traits of the Kart and mods. What this combination does have going for it is that it is actually the fastest combination in the game, with a Speed bar that is nearly all the way full.

You will do best with this combination on maps that have straighter racing lines and fewer technical tricks to pay off. If you create enough distance by simply driving faster, you can win even if you get hit with a shell of various colors because they cannot make up the distance. You can see this play out in YouTuber Shortcat’s video showcasing the combination and how good and bad it is.

18 King Boo & Cat Cruiser

Roller Wheels & Standard Glider

King Boo might be a solid choice, but the Cat Cruiser is where the heart of this build lies. The Cat Cruiser has quickly risen to the top of the list as one of the best Kart options in the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Not only does this build have the speed and acceleration to achieve an easy win, but the traction and handling shine.

For players who have a hard time with sharp turns and navigating their way around maps, this build is perfect. Turns that would normally have King Boo ramming into the sidelines feel almost seamless with the combination of the Cat Cruiser and Roller Wheels.

17 Rosalina & Teddy Buggy

Roller Wheels & Paper Glider

Every Mario Kart 8 Deluxe player has seen the previous meta featuring Rosalina and her cozy Teddy Kart. The build was severely broken in the Wave 4 update, and although it is no longer considered the meta—at least Rosalina isn’t—it is still a solid option that can get the job done.

Whether inexperienced or seasoned, this kart setup can help secure a win with its massive acceleration and mini-turbo boost, even on difficult Mario Kart 8 Deluxe tracks like Rainbow Road. On top of that, its balanced weight and traction make it easy to control, something that can’t be said for many of the light, speedy combos in the game.

16 Inkling Boy & Mr. Scooty

Roller Wheels & Parachute

This combination, shown off by YouTuber Shortcat, is mostly built on the idea that the Weight Stat matters. You could use several different characters to gain the same stats, but in this case, Inkling Boy was chosen because he has a slightly better Water Speed than some of the other options. While he may not be the best racer, he does have some things going for him.

Mainly the idea is that the Weight Stat increasing from 4 to 5 does make a fairly big difference, as characters will go from 30 to 45 in MassD. The difference between Inkling and Yoshi on the same bike is that Yoshi will have slightly more traction, while Inkling Boy makes up for it in Weight and has an increased Water Speed. For players looking to try something new, this could be a great combination to experiment with.

15 Luigi & Streetle

Roller Wheels & Parachute

When factoring in all overall stats, Luigi is one of the best racers in the game. While not too bulky, Luigi can maintain a decent weight with good handling and traction. This also means that he has a pretty fair speed and acceleration balance.

The Streetle Kart got an increase in Ground Speed in

Mario Kart 8
‘s Wave 5 DLC
, helping it reach pretty decent speeds and be one of the best options in the game.

The Rollers also give a small boost that adds to this Kart’s benefits.

This build may not be the top-tier option, but it is a viable option for seasoned players looking to test their skills with something that doesn’t offer an easy win but keeps it within reach.

14 Diddy Kong & Inkstriker

Roller Wheels & Peach Parasol

The combination of Diddy Kong and the Inkstriker may not be a popular online choice right now, but he does edge Rosalina and the Teddy Bear kart out with the boost to his Mini-Turbo stat. He has a little less speed than most of the top competitive choices but is very close to the same Mini-Turbo boost, and that trade-off matters a lot, as that is the stat that matters the most in this game. Additionally, that means that Diddy moves very smoothly in this setup and can still pull off wins in the right setting.

There is not that much to say about this combination other than that, as YouTuber JpGiviner points out in his video. That is because it is simply a good build that feels better and faster than the previous Rosalina combination. He may rest at the low end of competitive play, but pulling him out for a more casual game against friends might be your ticket to victory.

13 Funky Kong & Mr. Scooty

Roller Wheels & Cloud Glider

Many were delighted to see Funky Kong return to Mario Kart in Wave 6. Unfortunately, he didn’t come with great stats and is comparable to Wario in terms of his base character stats. That being said, he is not completely unusable, either.

Regardless of which combo is selected, Funky Kong will generally have a harder time going up against meta combos.

For those looking to play Funky Kong, pairing him with Mr. Scooty, Rollers, and the Cloud Glider is a great way to make up for some of his inferior stats. However, Teddy Buggy with the same attachments is also a good option for this character for those who aren’t tired of that Kart.

12 Pauline & Mr. Scooty

Roller Wheels & Cloud Glider

Pauline, another new character in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe with Wave 6, is another option completely viable against some of the more obvious meta choices. While she technically could be paired with the Teddy Buggy for a better balance of stats, Mr. Scooty ensures better handling for tighter turns in 200cc races.

Pairing Pauline with Mr. Scooty means players only miss out on a slight mini-turbo disadvantage compared to the meta, which, for those who have more overall skill, is likely to go unnoticed. This combination is an excellent option for racers looking for something unique with great stats.

11 Kamek & Teddy Buggy

Roller Wheels & Paper Glider

Making his debut in the Wave 5 update of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Kamek has made a strong first impression by being part of the previous and current meta. Though he isn’t necessarily the best racer in the game, Kamek is a solid choice.

Though there is some flexibility among the top choices between characters and Karts, the Roller Wheels and Lightweight gliders are undeniably some of the best options for Kart attachments, regardless of whatever other options are selected to be paired with them.

Even though he may require a sacrifice in mini-turbo stats, he makes up for it with an equal increase in overall speed.

Not every player is looking to be confined to the often overplayed meta characters, so this is a great alternative that still holds a fair shot at pulling out the win in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

10 Mario & Teddy Bear

Roller Wheels & Peach Parasol

Bringing in the titular character for one of the top spots, Mario can do big things on the Teddy Bear. While it was Yoshi and the Inkstriker that took center stage in the meta before some of the updates post Wave 4, Mario on the Teddy Bear could have taken his spot. This combination has the same Ground Speed and Mini-Turbo stat as the more meta combination. However, what puts this combination over the Yoshi/Instriker one is his slight advantage in Acceleration and Weight.

That is important because while those stats are not as important as the speed stats, they are some of the most important secondary stats. This is not a huge margin over the other, but it is a good thing to keep in mind, and it could be a tiebreaker if it comes down to it. Additionally, your Mii has the same stats as Mario, so you could swap them out and race with your own face.

9 Birdo & Cat Cruiser

Roller Wheels & Paper Glider

Both Birdo and Yoshi are some of the best characters in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, as medium-weight characters are significantly better options than their light-weight or heavy-weight counterparts. Additionally, since several characters share similar stats and two Kart options that are both equally viable, players potentially have more options than ever in building their perfect combo while utilizing the meta.

Birdo, paired with the Cat Cruiser, Rollers, and virtually any lightweight glider, will make any opponent nervous. One perk Birdo has over some of her similarly stated friends is the different color options, which allow for a slightly more unique feel.

8 Yoshi & Teddy Buggy

Rollers Wheels & Cloud Glider

Though players are probably tired of seeing this combination, as it held the high point in the previous meta, this is still one of the best combinations. Yoshi, alongside Peachette, Daisy, and Birdo in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, remains one of the best characters, stat-wise.

The perfect pairing for him, Teddy Buggy, has also been part of the meta in several variations over the last several Waves and stat changes, and since Wave 6 concludes DLC content, for now at least, Teddy Buggy will likely remain in the meta permanently. Match these two with Rollers and the Cloud Glider, and this pair will prove as valuable as it has been.

7 Diddy Kong & Mr. Scooty

Roller Wheels & Peach Parasol

Coming back for a higher slot, Diddy Kong and Mr. Scooty have a lot going for them. Earlier, it was mentioned that Pauline had a slight disadvantage on Mini-Turbo with this kart, and that is the worst stat to have the disadvantage on. In this combination, Diddy has the second-highest Mini-Turbo stat in the game, with a slight disadvantage on Speed instead. However, that does not matter as much as the more important stat that should be considered.

Additionally, the higher the Mini-Turbo stat, the longer and more productive those turbo boosts are. This means that Diddy can make up for his slightly slower speed stat and take on the competition meaningfully. While he is not at the very top of the list, he deserves his spot near the top because of those factors and how well he can perform in online competition. You can see some of this play out in YouTuber Wook Gaming’s video.

6 Peachette & Cat Cruiser

Roller Wheels & Paper Glider

New to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in Wave 6 is the lovely Peachette. Though this was a shocking addition to the roster, considering there were already four variations of Peach in the game and players were hoping for completely new characters, Peachette is now the new and potentially final meta.

Teddy Buggy is also an equally great option for those looking for something more original.

Though she may not have the overall speed that some players are looking for, the mini-turbo stat is truly what makes the difference here. Pairing her with the Cat Cruiser, Rollers, and any lightweight glider is a combo that will make all Mario Kart 8 Deluxe races lean more in your favor.

5 Toaddette & Pipe Frame

Azure Roller Wheels & Accel Glider

Featherweight drivers, while having an advantage in acceleration, can be tricky for those not used to how light they are to handle. However, lightweight builds can come out on top with the right driver and combination of attachments.

To best utilize her speed, pair her with Roller or Azure Roller wheels to maximize acceleration, and complete the setup with an Accel Glider to make Toadette soar even further.

Toadette is a great option for this build style, as her lightweight becomes an advantage when placed in a speed-boosting vehicle in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, significantly enhancing her acceleration.

4 Waluigi & Wild Wiggler

Roller Wheels & Cloud Glider

This combo is a classic favorite for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe players. It synergizes Waluigi, a high-speed driver, with quick acceleration. The roller wheels give you a wide drift, which takes a bit of time to get used to but is invaluable with off-road tires. The Cloud Gliver also keeps the vehicle light, allowing you to glide further along the track before landing.

Alternatively, the MKTV parafoil

is also a great option that, unlike the Cloud Glider, keeps the Kart’s weight down, allowing you to speed along any track you choose. Ultimately, players should choose the glider that best suits their playstyle.

Games With Alex vouches for this build and showcases why Waluigi and the Wild Wiggler make an optimized pairing with the modifications added. The video demonstrates a review and test drive of the combination during several races.

3 Bowser & Landship

Azur Roller Wheels & Hylian Kite

While tanky builds tend to be less popular as they tend to sacrifice speed, Bowser in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and the Landship are an iconic pairing that can often knock back other players, landing you in First Place. While most speed-focused builds increase Bowser’s already high weight and speed at the expense of acceleration and traction, this combination aims to balance speed with control, addressing these weaknesses.

The Landship vehicle enhances acceleration and traction with a minor boost to the mini-turbo stat. Pairing it with Azure Roller Tires further improves acceleration, handling, and mini-turbo. The Hylian Kite is a tactical addition as it doesn’t affect stats, resulting in a build with decent speed, significantly higher acceleration, and better traction.

2 Link & Master Cycle

Triforce Wheels & Hylian Kite

Link is nearly unbeatable in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe when driving the Master Cycle, paired with Triforce Tires and the Hylian Kite. Aesthetically speaking, Link and his sleek bike also create a visually appealing combination for players who want to race down the roads in style.

This setup offers balanced speed and weight with medium acceleration, which is unusual for a bike in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. This build offers excellent control, making it easy to drift through long turns, weave between obstacles, and maintain stability at high speeds. It’s especially effective on challenging tracks like those in The Bell Cup.

1 Wario & Mercedes GLA

Gold Tires & Wario Wing

Playing as Wario in the Mercedes GLA is one of the fastest Mario Kart 8 Deluxe setups, while Wario also ranks in the second-highest weight class. This build is ideal for seasoned players aiming to maximize the speed stat without adding excessive weight. Although it sacrifices acceleration, skilled drivers who can maintain top speed without crashing will excel with this setup.

Omega
showcases Wario’s drifting prowess in the Mercedes GLA when meandering around Moo Moo Meadows in

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

.

Initially seen as a marketing gimmick, the Mercedes GLA offers valuable stats, boosting speed, weight, and traction, making it an excellent choice for Wario. Pairing it with the stylish Gold Tires further enhances these stats, and the Wario Wing provides a small weight advantage.

Source: Games With Alex/YouTube, Omega/YouTube;JPGiviner/YouTube; Shortcat/YouTube

Video Credit: Wook Gaming/YouTube