Mario Kart 8 Deluxe allows players to get to grips with every conceivable combination when it comes to customizing a kart, and since the release of the second wave on August 4th there are even more tracks to play on. Gamers get to choose the wheels, body of the vehicle, and flying device, each of which brings with it different attributes. But there are a few that players want to absolutely avoid including when it comes to the characters.
For a chance of actually winning the race, these objects or personalities shouldn't be chosen, especially together. They might not boast the same speed as other options, can slow down players on corners, or perhaps be terrible off-road. No matter their drawbacks, hardcore Mario Kart fans will know why these specific items, combined together in various incarnations, are best off left out.
Bandwagon
The Bandwagon in Mario Kart just doesn't utilize the speed that it might have been capable of. With slower racers, it's definitely a struggle to get off the line. Plus, regardless of the wheels available, the Bandwagon just doesn't corner as well as other options.
With unimpressive agility and a need for a more powerful engine, the Bandwagon definitely brings the looks to the track but not much else. Absolutely avoid pairing this with any larger wheels, as it will be a catastrophe in terms of maneuverability. Despite problems with acceleration and handling, it is great on traction.
Slick
The slick tires can't be overlooked when looking to carry heavy loads. They are far more useable with larger characters but outside of this they don't bring a lot to the table, especially alongside vehicles with poor acceleration, leading to terrible combinations.
The slick tires are also favorable long-term when it comes to speed, but if paired with vehicles that are low on traction, there's not a chance that players are making their way around the latest round of DLC tracks in one piece. The Slick tires are exactly as they sound; pretty slippery.
GLA
Considering the GLA is part of a brand deal, it's not surprising that it boasts some of the best stats in the game. It's thus surprising that it can even be placed among the least fast Mario Kart combinations. It's not actually the speed that holds it back though.
As has continued to be the case with poor combinations, the handling and the acceleration on the GLA is seriously lacking. That's why, with an item like the Slick wheels, it's absolutely a poor choice for the most challenging tracks. In a straight line, the GLA can get going, but players won't be off the starting point quickly if combined with smaller wheels especially.
Lemmy
Each racer actually brings their own attributes and stats to the table, which can make them even more useful in a race, or a real liability. When looking at Lemmy, while the design of the character is fun, he is one of the lightest racers in the whole game.
That's a total disaster with the wrong setup. Giving Lemmy a vehicle like the GLA which is poor on handling, means that it's even more likely to be moving all across the road. Karts with slower acceleration like the Bandwagon benefit from a lighter load, but it's the handling that will suffer with the wrong choices; slick tires are just the same.
Peach Parasol
The Peach Parasol doesn't have many benefits. Any vehicle that's looking to accelerate mid-air and thrives on that kind of movement, like the Bandwagon would surely be brilliant paired with the Parasol. Outside of this though, there's a lot to contend with.
If paired in a combination with a light character, like Lemmy or perhaps Baby Peach, the Parasol is almost impossible to fully maneuver successfully. Its handling is off, and it doesn't deal well with weight. There's a sweet spot to be found considering characters like Bowser are too heavy for the umbrella.
Baby Rosalina
Much like Lemmy, weight is a real factor here when concerning the handling of the driving. But for Baby Rosalina, her speed stats aren't that impressive either. For a vehicle like the Bandwagon, and wheels like the Slicks, that combination of attributes makes for a tough challenge.
There are always hidden details about how well a character might pair with a vehicle, and it's strange that laughably Baby Rosalina deals better with larger-than-life vehicles, as opposed to those that feel a little more designed for the character. In some of the worst stat-combinations, Rosalina is there because of her uniquely poor attributes.
Cloud Glider
The Cloud Glider might boost vehicles like the GLA, which struggle to produce the acceleration that players might be looking for. But paired with super-heavy characters like Wario, the Cloud Glider doesn't quite pack the punch that gamers are going to want.
What's more, when combined with tires that are low on speed, players don't stand much of a chance of heading to the front of the race. For the worst combinations, the Cloud Glider can be fitted with vehicles like the Standard ATV, for an especially slow entry into the field.
Super Glider
The best racing games ever made bring in unexpected elements and while the no-gravity tracks really appeal, the gliding feature of Mario Kart 8 definitely adds to the experience. But when players first log in, they are greeted with the Super Glider, which isn't the best option... ever really.
Sure it's a classic in every sense and feels pretty streamlined, but its benefits are few and far between. Its stats are pretty much 0. It doesn't weaken a setup, but it doesn't strengthen anything either. That means, for those facing huge deficits in their stats, the Super Glider is the worst choice in every capacity.
Cyber Slick
The Cyber Slick and the Slick tires are pretty similar in terms of their attributes. Color wise they really stand out, but their size is the main issue. Their strong stats use speed and weight to their advantage, but they are weaker on absolutely everything else.
For vehicles like the Bandwagon, which struggle with acceleration and handling, these tires are absolutely not the ones that players should be choosing. There are very few incarnations of kart that will utilize the Cyber tires to the best of their abilities, meaning it is part of all the worst setups.
Monster
The Monster tires look pretty great and are reasonably useful when going off-track. They are useful for dealing with heavier characters especially and are fantastic with traction. When there's a vehicle struggling with staying on the track, these are the wheels that can enhance them.
But any vehicle that boasts terrible handling and acceleration, just like the GLA, the Monster tires will only make the situation worse. It's a combination designed for disaster, with players moving around the track at a snail's pace. The worst combinations involve Monster tires alongside characters that just aren't made for speed.