Rocket Start
Rocket Start (also referred to as Turbo Start, Boost Start, or Head Start) is a technique used in the Mario Kart series. It is a short speed boost that occurs at the beginning of each and every race. It is executed by pressing the acceleration button in tune with the starting countdown, with each game has different timing to do so. If the player over-revs when the final beep sounds, it will make the player's vehicle stall for a few seconds at the beginning of the course (sometimes known as a Dud Start).
Controls
To perform a Rocket Start, drivers must press and hold the corresponding acceleration button when the race is about to begin. How to use it depends on which installment in the series and which control scheme the player uses.
Main series
| Game | Control | Timing | Failure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super Mario Kart | Holding down  |
Between first and second lights | Kart accelerates slowly at the start |
| Mario Kart 64 | Holding down  |
When the light turns green | Kart steers left and right with no forward movement |
| Mario Kart: Super Circuit | Holding down  |
Kart accelerates slowly at the start | |
| Mario Kart: Double Dash!! | Holding down or tapping  |
Sparks appear between wheel and ground and kart does not move | |
| Mario Kart DS | Holding down  |
When number "2" starts fading | Kart's engine backfire and stalls for a second or two |
| Mario Kart Wii | With Wii Wheel or Wii Remote –  With Classic Controller  With GameCube Controller – With Wii Remote and Nunchuck – 
| ||
| Mario Kart 7 | Holding down  or  |
When number "2" stops spinning | |
| Mario Kart 8 | With Wii U GamePad/Wii U Pro Controller–  ,  or  (tilt forward) With Wii Wheel or Wii Remote – With Wii Remote and Nunchuck – |
When number "2" fully appears |
Arcade series
- Mario Kart Arcade GP – Same as Mario Kart: Super Circuit and Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, but with the gas pedal.
- Mario Kart Arcade GP 2 and Mario Kart Arcade GP DX - Pressing down on the accelerator when "1" appears on the screen, or same as Mario Kart: Super Circuit and Mario Kart: Double Dash!!.
Double Dash!!
The Double Dash!! is a technique that can be performed only in the co-op play mode of Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, which is named after the game's subtitle. Both players must press at the same time when the light turns green to perform this technique, which will make the kart be launched at a higher speed. A blue trail will follow the kart, showing that the technique was performed correctly. This move's control is slightly different to that of a normal Rocket Start.
Super Mario Galaxy
A form of Rocket Start appears in Super Mario Galaxy. At the beginning of a Cosmic Mario or Cosmic Luigi race, if the player holds the 
up, then 
when the timer hits 2, and then hits just as the race starts, Mario or Luigi will get an extra boost at the beginning of the race. This can be shown by a yellow color appearing on Mario or Luigi, shrinking gradually, showing the end of the speed boost.
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
A Start Dash is a term from Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games. It is when the racers at the beginning of a "track event" crouch down into their starting position and build up their potential energy to gain a quick boost in their start. In the Wii version, players hold down the 
button to build up the energy of their character. Once the "GO" sign appears on the screen, releasing the button and swinging the 
downward will make the racer rocket out of the blocks. When playing the DS version, holding the 
down on the touch screen will charge up the energy and releasing will activate the speed boost.
Official descriptions
Mario Kart 64
- Instruction booklet: "When you start, if you press the Button when the signal changes from red to blue, you can make a dash start at maximum speed (called a "Rocket Start"). But if you press too early, the tires will spin and you will start even slower, so be careful."
Mario Kart: Super Circuit
- Instruction booklet: "If you press the button at just the right moment before the light turns green, you'll start the race with a huge burst of speed."
Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
- Instruction booklet: "If you press just as Lakitu's start signal turns green, you'll perform a Rocket Start."
Mario Kart DS
- Instruction manual: "During the countdown to the start, hold down with the right timing to rev up your engine and give yourself a burst of speed off the starting line."
Mario Kart Wii
- Instruction manual: "Press and hold at just the right time during the countdown to rev up your engine and give yourself a burst of speed off the starting line."
Mario Kart 7
- Digital manual: "If you press and hold or at just the right time during the starting countdown, you will launch off the starting line much faster than normal."
Mario Kart 8
- Digital manual: "Get off to a Rocket Start! To launch from the starting grid at a high speed, press and hold at just the right moment during the countdown."
- Guide: "Timing a perfect Rocket Start can determine the whole nature of a Grand Prix race's first lap, and this technique is essential for posting record-breaking Time Trials. When Lakitu begins the countdown, start accelerating when "2" is on screen and the second red light is lit. If this is well timed, you'll have a perfect Rocket Start."
Gallery
- Rocket Start (Mario Kart Super Circuit).png
- Rocket Start (Mario Kart Double Dash!!).jpg
- Rocket Start (Mario Kart Wii).jpg
- Rocket Start MK7.jpg
Mario Kart 7 (First-Person View)
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Names in other languages
Rocket Start
Double Dash!!
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