Getting the Boost Start, often referred to as the “Rocket Start,” in the original Super Mario Kart for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) is a great way to get an advantage at the beginning of a race. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to perform this maneuver:
Timing is Everything
The key to getting the Boost Start in Super Mario Kart is about timing your acceleration at the start of the race.
Step-by-Step Guide to Performing the Boost Start
Step 1: Prepare to Race
As the countdown begins and the traffic lights start to signal the start of the race, get ready to press the acceleration button. In Super Mario Kart, the acceleration button is typically the ‘A’ button on the SNES controller.
Step 2: Watch the Lights
Pay close attention to the traffic light sequence. You’ll see the lights go from red to yellow, and then finally green, which signals the start of the race.
Step 3: Timing Your Acceleration
Press and hold the acceleration button (A) just as the second light turns on, right between the change from red to the last yellow light before the race starts. If the game had a signal countdown, you would start accelerating precisely between the second and first signals before the start (2-1).
Step 4: Experience the Boost Start
When executed correctly, your kart should burst forward with an extra boost of speed just as the race begins, allowing you to get ahead of your competitors from the very start.
Practice Makes Perfect
It may take a few tries to get the timing down, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t get it right away. The more you practice, the better you’ll get at timing your starts to rocket ahead of the competition.
Additional Tips
– If you accelerate too early, you will spin out, causing a delay in your start.
– If you start accelerating too late, you will miss out on the boost and start the race with normal speed.
– Each character has slightly different handling and acceleration, so it might be helpful to practice with your preferred racer to get the timing down.
Conclusion
Mastery of the Boost Start can set the tone for the rest of the race in Super Mario Kart. Practice to nail down the perfect timing, and enjoy zooming past your opponents right out of the gate!
Remember, this trick is specific to the original Super Mario Kart on SNES, and while the principle of a Boost Start applies to many racing games (and other Mario Kart titles), the timing and buttons may vary. Practice, enjoy the racing, and good luck!