Drifting 101: How to Drift and Boost in Mario Kart World

Mario Kart World brings some fresh new gameplay features to the series, but it also holds onto tried-and-true mechanics that are key to winning races—and drifting is one of the big ones. 

Whether you’re a karting rookie or a long-time fan, knowing how to drift is absolutely essential if you want to cross that finish line in first place.

This guide will walk you through how drifting works in Mario Kart World, how to do it, and how to trigger those sweet mini-turbo boosts. Also read Photo Mode Guide and Mastering Grand Prix.

How to Drift in Mario Kart World

Drifting isn’t just for style points—it’s a must-have skill on tight turns. To drift in Mario Kart World, press and hold ZR, R, or SR while accelerating with the A button and steering into a turn.

Here’s how it works:

• Press and hold ZR/R/SR as you start turning
  
• Keep holding the A button to maintain acceleration
  
• Your kart will slide into a drift, hugging corners more efficiently
  
• Let go of the drift button when ready to snap back into normal driving
  

Not only does this help with sharp turns, but it actually maintains your speed instead of slowing you down like normal turning might.

How to Trigger a Mini-Turbo While Drifting

The best part about drifting in Mario Kart World? You can charge up a mini-turbo boost just by holding that drift a little longer.

Here’s what to watch for:

• Sparks appear under your tires as you drift
  
• The longer you hold the drift, the more intense the sparks get (color will change)
  
• Let go of the drift button to activate a mini-turbo, giving you a speed boost
  

Pro Tip: The sharper the turn, the easier it is to charge up higher-level boosts. So go ahead and lean into those curves!

Related Article: Unlocking Donkey Kong in Mario Kart World: A Quick Guide