Mario Kart World characters driving on grass
Image via Nintendo

How to get starting Speed Boost in Mario Kart World

Make the most of the start.

If you want to make the best of each race, then learning how to do a starting speed boost is vital in Mario Kart World to give you that couple of extra seconds of a lead at the start of the match to try to hold onto first place.

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A Starting Speed Boost, also known as a Rocket Start, has been a mainstay in Mario Kart games for a while now, and when done correctly, it gives you a tiny speed boost at the start of a race to give you a head start in acceleration and can sometimes be the difference between placements. Every little helps after all.

How to get a Rocket Start in Mario Kart World

wait until 2 appears to start the boost.
Wait for the timer. Screenshot by Destructoid

To get a Rocket Start in Mario Kart World, wait until the countdown timer appears and wait for the number “2” to appear. The moment it appears, wait until the split second before the number 2 fades, and hold down the A button. If you hold the A button all the way until the end of the countdown, your character should perform a successful Rocket Start.

If you hold the A button down too early or too soon, then either the Rocket Start won’t happen at all, or your car will stall, putting you further behind the competition for unsuccessfully completing the Boost Start. It comes with risks, after all, even if it’s easy to do once you get the timing right.

In previous games, there has been a perfect Speed Boost, but that doesn’t appear to be in this title, unfortunately. Either way, try to get used to the timing and you’ll be knocked out Rocket Starts in every race and increasingyour chances of winning any of the game modes, from Grand Prix, to the new Battle Royale modes.


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Adam Newell
Assigning Editor
Assigning Editor. In 2015, Adam graduated from the University of Aberystwyth with a bachelor's in Media and Communications. Working in the industry for over ten years. If it has anything to do with Nintendo and Pokémon chances are you will see me talking about it, covering, and likely not sleeping while playing it.