Rocket Start

File:Rocket Start (Mario Kart Wii).jpg

Koopa Troopa doing a successful Rocket Start in Mario Kart Wii.

Rocket Start (also referred to as Turbo Start or Boost Start) is a move used in all of the Mario Kart games. It is simply a short boost at the beginning of each race. It is executed by pressing the acceleration button in tune with the starting lights. If done wrong, it may make the player's kart falter for a few seconds at the beginning of the course.

Performing a Rocket Start

To perform a rocket start, drivers must press or hold the corresponding acceleration button when a race is about to begin. How to use the technique depends on which game in the Mario Kart series and which control scheme the player uses.

• Super Mario Kart – Holding down between the first and second light.
• Mario Kart 64 – Holding down when the signal's light turn green.
• Mario Kart Super Circuit – Pressing right when the signal's light turns green.
• Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
  • Rocket Start (Single Player) – Pressing right when the signal's light turns green.
  • Double Dash!! (Co-Op Play) – Pressing at the same time right when the signal's light turns green.
• Mario Kart DS – Holding down right when the number "2" is at its biggest point to the time the "2" is fading away.
• Mario Kart Arcade GP 2 - Pressing down on the accelerator when "1" appears on the game screen.
• Mario Kart Wii
  • With Wii Wheel or Wii Remote – Holding down right when the number "2" is fading away.
  • With Classic Controller – Holding down right when the number "2" is fading away.
  • With GameCube Controller – Holding down right when the number "2" is fading away.
  • With Wii Remote and Nunchuck – Holding down right when the number "2" is fading away.
• Mario Kart 7 - Same as Mario Kart DS and Mario Kart Wii.

Double Dash!!

The Double Dash!! in action at Mushroom Bridge.

The Double Dash!! (or just Double Dash without the exclamation marks) is a move that can be performed only in the co-op play mode of Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, which is named for this signature move. Both players must press at the same time when Lakitu's starting lights turn green to perform this move which will make the kart be launched at a higher speed.

Other Uses

A similar move appears in Super Mario Galaxy. This move can be done to pass Cosmic Mario at the beginning of the races against him. When it is utilized, Mario runs very fast and glows yellow for a short period of time. To use it, players must hold the up on the Nunchuk while the countdown begins, press when the timer hits 2, and press on the when the word GO! appears on the game screen.

In Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, racers in a "track" event preform a Start Dash to begin the race with a boost. When executed at the exact time the event begins, the character will receive an incredible burst of speed.

In Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games, players can execute a rocket start in various events like Alpine Skiing Giant Slalom, Short Track 1,000m and more. If the word "GO!" appears and the player times it just right, then a Rocket Start will occur.

In the Wii game Donkey Kong Barrel Blast, the technique can be performed by shaking the Wii Remote and the Nunchuk when "1" disappears. The character will receive a burst of speed a second later, which is a very helpful move.