As the very first course in the Mushroom Cup, Mario Bros. Circuit is one of the first tracks you’ll experience in Mario Kart World.
It’s simple on the surface, but there are a few slick shortcuts hidden around the course that can give you a big edge—especially if you’ve got a boost item or solid drifting skills.
Let’s break down every shortcut on the track and how to pull them off:
🔄 Shortcut #1: Drift the Inside of the Big Circular Turn
📍 Location: Midway through the course
🏎️ Requires: Good handling + strong drifting skills
This isn’t a classic off-road shortcut, but more of a tech shortcut. About halfway through the race, you’ll hit a huge 360-degree right turn.
Most players will drift around the middle or outer lane—but if you’ve got a kart with great handling, you can hug the very inside edge and pull off a tight drift that shaves valuable seconds off your lap.
Tip: Practice your drift timing and release just at the end of the turn to launch out with a mini-turbo.
🔀 Shortcut #2: Boost Through the Fork’s Middle Gap
📍 Location: Around three-quarters through the track
🎯 Requires: Boost item or mushroom
You’ll come to a fork in the road with a dirt path splitting the middle. Normally you’d pick left or right, but if you’ve got a boost, go right through the middle!
- Launch off the edge
- Do a trick mid-air for a mini landing boost
- Hit your boost as soon as you land in the dirt to shoot back onto the road
It’s risky but rewarding—and saves a good chunk of time.
⤴️ Shortcut #3: Cut the Final Corner with a Boost
📍 Location: Just after the fork merges
🚀 Requires: Boost item
Right after the fork rejoins into a single road, you’ll see a dirt patch on the left interior of the final turn. Boost through this dirt area to cut the corner tight and fly toward the finish line.
Pro Move: This shortcut is easiest if you came from the left or center lane of the fork before it.
🎢 Shortcut #4: Secret Grind Rail Left of the Starting Line
📍 Location: Immediately at race start
🎯 Requires: Starting boost + perfect positioning
Here’s a hidden gem: right at the starting line, look to the far left for a pile of tires. If you get a perfect start boost and line yourself up correctly, you can smash through the tires and start grinding on a hidden rail.
This rail lets you skip the first turn completely, gives you grind speed, and drops you back on the road with momentum. Just make sure to jump off the rail before it ends.
⚠️ Warning: If you’re not boosting when you hit the tires, you’ll just bounce off and lose momentum—so commit or skip it.
Mario Bros. Circuit might look basic, but these shortcuts give skilled players plenty of room to dominate.
Whether you’re going for leaderboard times or just trying to beat your friends, learning how and when to use each shortcut will give you the edge.
Play Mario Kart World on Nintendo.
Related articles:
