Mario Circuit 1
The Retro Grand Prix offers 16 "new courses" in the form of classic tracks
upgraded (or downgraded) for play on the Ds. We start with the classic SNES
track, Mario Circuit 1. The basic nature of this course is evident by its
simplistic turns and lack of anything really noteworthy. After you Drift
Boost around the first turn you'll need to be careful of all the pipes on the
second turn, it can be difficult to drift in between them. The sole shortcut
in this level comes after the third turn. Ahead of you is a very long stretch
of sand while the road goes off to your left. If you have not one, but two
Mushrooms or a Star then you can get across this fairly easily and save a
decent amount of time. There's one final sharp turn before the finish.
Moo Moo Farm
The Moo Moo Farm comes directly from the classic Mariokart 64 track of the
same name. Everything is still in tact right down to the fantasterrific
music. Blast from the starting line and get ready for a long source with many
many Drift Boosts. This course is so wide that you can practically Drift
Boost anywhere. Sure perhaps overdoing it would border on Snaking, but hell
that's up to you. Every time you come to a large turn make sure to Drift
Boost as many times as you can to get the full benefit of the speed boost.
The real danger is when you're drifting around the corner and one of those
stupid moles pops out of the ground and nails you. You'll be knocked out
momentarily but don't let that stop you. The course isn't very long and
you've got plenty of chances to get ahead. When in doubt keep Drift Boosting!
Peach Circuit
A simplistic course from the GBA rendition of Mariokart. Do a sharp drift
turn and Drift Boost around the first 180 degree turn to the left. Try to
stay on the inside of the winding "S" curves that follow after this.
Everything else is pretty straight forward, it's one of the easiest courses.
Luigi Circuit
Now we've reached the Gamecube tracks which can be a lot of fun to navigate.
This track in particular features some nice large turns with Booster Pads, and
an interesting section of the track you drive going one way, and then the
other. Launch out of the starting gate and boost down the track. Try to
stay to the right but not too far, when you approach the turn you'll be
attacked by a chomp if you're too close to the right side. As you approach
this turn start to drift and wiggle the D-Pad to get a Drift Boost going. Aim
your direct toward the left side of the first Booster Pad. Hit it and keep
drifting around through every other pad, finally letting go of your own boost
after hitting each one of them and before hitting the final boost that
launches you back down onto the centre track again. At the opposite end
you'll find the exact same kind of turn once again. Use the exact same
drifting strategy as the other one to maximize your speed to the finish line.
