Rocket Start



Rocket Start (also referred to as Turbo Start, Boost Start, or Head Start) is a technique used in the Mario Kart series, as well as the racing games of the Donkey Kong franchise such as Diddy Kong Racing. It is a powerful burst of speed that occurs at the beginning of each and every race, which easily accelerate racers to top speed from standing still. It is executed by holding the acceleration button at the correct time in the starting countdown, with each game having different timing to do so, although the general timing of the technique in most games is to press the button sometime when the number 2 or equivalent appears on-screen. If the player holds the button too early and over-revs when the final beep sounds, the player's vehicle will backfire and stall for a few seconds at the beginning of the course (sometimes known as a Dud Start or Fail Start).

Strength
Since Mario Kart DS, the strength of the Rocket Start depends on the power of the rev is currently at the moment before START/GO! appears onscreen. For example, if the player starts to rev when the countdown reaches 2, depending on when the player started to hold down the acceleration button when 2 was onscreen, the duration of the technique can be roughly between half a second to two seconds long, indicated by the flames coming off of the exhaust pipes of the vehicle. In other words, if the player starts to rev right at the moment when the countdown reaches 2, the resulting rocket start would be longer than if the player started to rev half a second after the 2 came onscreen.

Controls
To perform a Rocket Start, drivers must press and hold the corresponding acceleration button when the race is about to begin. How and when to use it depends on which installment in the series and which control scheme the player uses.

Arcade series

 * Mario Kart Arcade GP – Same as Mario Kart: Super Circuit and Mario Kart: Double Dash!!.
 * Mario Kart Arcade GP 2 and Mario Kart Arcade GP DX - Pressing down on the accelerator when "1" appears on the screen.

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 on Lakitu's starting signal turns green to perform this technique, which launches the kart at a higher speed. Blue flames follow the kart, showing that the technique was performed correctly.

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 (Rocket Start): "If you press just as Lakitu's start signal turns green, you'll perform a Rocket Start."
 * Instruction booklet (Double Dash): "In co-op play you can get an even better launch if both the front and rear perform a Rocket Start at the same time. This is called a Double Dash."

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 / Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
 * Digital manual (MK8): "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."
 * In-game manual (MK8D): "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 (MK8): "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."
 * Guide (MK8D): "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. Pay attention to Lakitu’s countdown, and begin accelerating immediately after the “2” appears onscreen, accompanied by a tone. Properly done, you’ll rocket off the line with a Mushroom-like boost. If you begin accelerating too soon, as the tone sounds and the 2 appears, rather than just after, you’ll stall at the starting line."

Trivia

 * In Paper Mario: Color Splash, the Rocket Start is used by Luigi in his Standard Kart before he transports Mario and Huey up the rainbow to Black Bowser's Castle near the end of the game. It uses Mario Kart 8's chimes.