Quick Links
KartRider: Drift is an item-based racing game much like Mario Kart, where you can stop and slow down other racers. You can enjoy this game either on your own or with friends in the numerous game modes available to you. With its kart style of racing and great customization across karts and characters, there are lots of options to race into.
Related:Best Racing Games For Beginners
to get the jump on the competition in this free-to-play cross-platform kart racer read on below for tips and tricks to help you race past the competition. You’ll learn the importance of practice, how to get to grips with using the items, the purpose of the license, and much more.
Switch On Practice Mode To Get An Edge
For each game mode, you can turn on practice mode; this allows you to understand different strategies and tips while only racing AI. This can be really handy when you are looking tolearn different aspects of racing, like the items, drifting, and speed start. You can set the track difficulty and what mode you want to play, giving you full control.
Switching on this mode is going to help give you that advantage when racing certain tracks. By playing all the different tracks and track difficulties, you can make sure you know exactly where to go and how to take certain corners to make sure you have the best speed.

The speed boost at the start is a great way to pass the competition in the beginning; utilize practice mode to ensure you’re getting your early boost at the start, as well as the value of each item available to you.
Get To Grips With Items
Items are the main part of this racing game, so you need to take some time to get used to what they do and learn how best to utilize them. Some items will be defensive when others are trying to attack you, and others you may attack with.
One of the main things to learn when using items is the timing, so you’re able to make sure you make an impact or defend and dodge things correctly.

For example, if you see someone firing a rocket at you, if you have a shield, you’re able to activate it at the right point to stop the rocket. To help with timing, when you use an item,a little box showing a view behind you will come up in the bottom left.
This helps you see who is following close behind you to set traps for or to see when to activate a shield if something is heading for you.There are a total of 12 different items for you to use in the race, all doing different things.

Effect
Banana
Drop a banana behind you to spin out an opponent that hits it.
Barricade
Puts up a barrier in front of the person in first place.
Used to counteract the UFO item.
Magnet
Target a racer further down the track and be dragged towards them at fast speeds.
Missile
Locks on to a racer of your choice then blows them up on impact to slow them down.
Nitro
This hits you with a speed boost for a short amount of time.
Shield
Used to block offensive items; the only one it does not block is the UFO.
Hits any racers ahead of you and slows them down.

UFO
Will target the racer in first place and slow them down.
Water Bomb
You throw a water bomb out in front, and it explodes on impact; anyone in the bubble is slowed.
Water Wisp
Similar to Water Bomb, but you only hit the car ahead with the Wisp.
Angel Wings (Team Only)
This is similar to a Shield; however, it is for your whole team, and the only thing it will not shield against is the UFO.
Make Use Of Different Modes
You’ll benefit the most from practicing on each of the different available modes. There are a few different modes you can utilize when playing this game, and each mode can complement another.
Ensure to practice on and play each mode so you’ll gain some advantages for the other modes. If you play Time Attack then this is all about speed, so this skill transfers over to Speed Race mode.

Also, theability to create a boost item through driftingis in both modes, so this is another transferable skill. Then for Items mode, you’re able to play License mode to learn more about what the items do and how to use them most effectively.
Learn More Of The Game In License Mode
License mode is a single-player game mode that can help you to get better with your items.Each stage in License mode is a challenge with an item, such as hitting a certain amount of AI with rocketsor getting enough AI with the water bomb.
Here’s where you’llget used to utilizing every itemto be prepared when you get back to the races against others. There are different License levels for you to get through and achieve.

Another great reason to play the License mode is to unlock tracks; for each license you get, you will unlock the tracks associated with this. You will alsounlock other rewards like characters and currencyfor use in the game.
Race As A Team
Should you want to play with friends or race in a team then leave Duo and Squads ticked when you are looking for a game.You can play Speed Mode and Item Mode as a team;by doing so, you will be able to work together to win the race.
As long as one of you wins, then the whole team wins. This is whytrying to protect your fastest team memberis important. You canattack racers around them or throw up defenses for them;just be wary of using any attacks that affect first place in case you hit a teammate.
The main item you are going to want for defense when in a team is theAngel Wings. When used, this will act asa shield for the entire team, but this will only last a short time, so time it wisely.You can see on the player list to the left of the screen what items everyone has, so use this information to help you strategize what items you will counter with.
Turn On Assists
Some racing games can be tough, especially for some younger players, and without accessibility options, they can be even harder to play. Kartrider: Drifthas a few assist options in the menu that can really help you out. You can turn onsteering assists or acceleration assists;you also have the option to have all assists on or pick and choose which you want to activate.
Another option for those that struggle with staying on the map, you canadd sides to the track where you can fall off or get stuck in corners;this helps to keep you on the right route. This can only be turned on with your assist mode on, though, not when you are on original settings. You can also use this to practice if you’ve been struggling to stay on the track on your own.