Choosing Characters
Choosing the character you use is an important part of the game. Characters are divided up into three categories; lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight. Each has their own characteristics. Lightweight characters are quick off the mark and can easily get back on track when hit or when going over bumpy surfaces.However, they have a low high speed. Heavyweights on the other hand are slow off the mark and can barge those lighter weights around. They also have a high speed but it takes them longer to reach top speed. Middleweights are somewhere in between and balances both weights.
Which character you choose is up to you, however it is advisable to start with a more controllable character such as a lightweight or middleweight. As your skills start to develop you may have better control to handle the heavyweights with their top speed.
If you still are unsure about which character to use have a look at the character select screen. Each character has their own speed/ weight ratings. Test how each character will perform by pressing "L" to fire a shell or "R" to jump. Also "Select" makes the kart 'honk'. These are the following ratings for each character...
| Character | Speed | Weight |
| Mario | xxx | xxx |
| Luigi | xxxxxx | xxx |
| Peach | xxxxx | x |
| Toad | xxxxx | x |
| Yoshi | xxxx | xx |
| DK | xx | xxxx |
| Wario | xx | xxxx |
| Bowser | x | xxxxx |
If you're still unsure remember there's the random box button in the middle of the character select screen!