Here are all the guides, tips, and strategies to enjoy playing Mario Kart 64 with unlockables and cheats.
Unlockables
Extra Mode (Mirror Mode)
Get the Gold trophy in 150cc Mario GP on the Special Cup.
Speed Boost
At the start of a race, wait until the last light flashes, then hit the gas. Proper timing will ensure you get a boost that will easily have you in 1st place from the get-go.
New Title Screen
Get the Gold trophy on 50cc, 100cc, and 150cc on Mushroom Cup, Flower Cup, Star Cup, and Special Cup.
Hidden Ending
Finish 4th place overall in Mario GP.
Cheats
The game is enjoyable by itself, but cheating makes it even better.
Lap Skip (Frappe Snowland)
At the start of the race, immediately make a U-turn and cross the log bridge. Once on the other side, turn around and get on the bridge. Jump from the bridge to the snow without touching the road.
Keep driving through the snow past the finish line. When Lakitu comes to rescue you, he will place you down before the finish line, allowing you to cross and skip a lap.
1/2 Lap Skip (Toad’s Turnpike)
Ram the barrier on the sides of the track, hopping as you approach. You will need to do this at the point in the track in which the upper half crosses the lower half. When leaping at the barrier, you will get stuck and Lakitu will come to rescue you.
Hold B and steer to the right, then accelerate as soon as you hit the ground. Once released, release B when going straight to the right. If you do this fast enough, you will end up flying through the barrier and the wall and onto the lower half of the track without interference from Lakitu.
Mario 64 Castle
On the Royal Raceway track, follow the yellow road just after the big jump to the right. This will take you straight to the Mario 64 Castle.
Tips & Tricks
Prevent Slipping
If you accidentally slip on a banana and are about to spin out of control, hit the brakes. This will prevent you from spinning and save you a lot of time. You’ll know you did it right if you see a music note in a balloon appear next to your driver.
Jump Over Racers
Use a Mushroom or turbo boost right when another driver is in front of you. If you time it correctly, you’ll pass right over their head.
Shortcuts
Certain tracks allow you to take shortcuts to easily get ahead of competing racers. Your positioning and timing of taking these shortcuts are critical to success.
Bowser’s Castle
Jump over the stairs to gain a small burst of speed.
Choco Mountain
Just before the big loop, you will see a road to your left. Powerslide towards it and jump over the wall. This can only be performed on 150cc.
DK Jungle Park
Attempt to jump into the wall to the left of the tunnel exit right before the finish line. This requires proper angling, and you need to get behind the wall and fall into the dark space. If Lakitu picks you up and places you back on the track inside of the tunnel, you succeeded. As soon as you cross the finish line, the lap counter will advance.
Hydro Pond
About halfway through the course, you will enter the ghost house. Take a slight right and pass by a wall on the left. Rather than aim towards the bats, go slightly left, passing on the left side of the wooden pole. Willingly jump off the edge of the star-shaped pool.
Kalimari Desert
In Mario GP, grab the Super Star item. From the second crossing, turn left and follow the tracks to the train tunnel entrance. Activate your Super Star just prior to entering the tunnel, and your lap counter will advance by one.
Mario Raceway
Obtain a Mushroom item. Just before the fourth turn that makes a hairpin around the large mushroom, veer off to the left and go slightly up the hill. Make a sharp turn towards the wall and hit your Mushroom boost prior to leaving the road and jump at the same time.
Aim slightly right of the wall intersection. You’ll know you made the jump successfully when you come down near the green pipe.
Rainbow Road
At the start of the race, hit the gas just before the final light flashes to get a turbo. Just before the steep part of the first hill, make a left turn and hit jump as you fly off the road. If your angle is correct, you will land about 1/3 of the way around the track. This shortcut is made even easier with Mushroom items.
Royal Raceway
After the first time you make a hairpin turn, go off-road to the left approximately halfway between the next turn. Drive to the dark spot on the opposing shore and use a Mushroom item to boost over the water while jumping. When you arrive on the other side, Lakitu will pick you up and place you back on the course prior to the monster jumping over the pond.
Toad’s Turnpike
At the start of the crossover, get a mini turbo from a powerslide before reaching the intersection, then jump to the right-hand rail. Lakitu will come to grab you. Just before he puts you down, hold A + B. You have a chance to land on the road or in the water. By landing in the water, you’ll be placed on the road that has the shortcut.
Wario Stadium
Use a Mushroom to jump over the wall to the left of the starting line. Approach it at high speed to drive directly towards it as you reach the tip of the small hill. Jump before hitting the wall to sail over. Your timing must be perfect.
Yoshi’s Valley
Follow the course until you reach the maze, then immediately go left. Proceed down this path, and eventually, you will hit a checkered ledge with a big red and white sign on the left. Accelerate quickly and stay far to the right. Once the left rail makes a hard left powerslide off the road.
Mario Kart 64 is a kart racing game developed by Nintendo and released exclusively for the Nintendo 64 in 1996.