Anti-gravity

Anti-gravity is a fundamental game mechanic introduced in Mario Kart 8. When drivers are in anti-gravity mode, they can drive upside-down as well as on walls and various other surfaces. Additionally, drivers receive a speed boost whenever they bump into other drivers or designated obstacles. Drivers enter anti-gravity mode when they pass over blue panels in the road akin to Boost Pads. While driving in anti-gravity mode, the wheels of the player's vehicle turn so that they are on their sides. Every nitro course in the game (except Excitebike Arena is given an anti-gravity section, likely to fully incorporate the new feature. However, only eight retro courses are given this feature;


 * GBA Mario Circuit
 * N64 Toad's Turnpike
 * 3DS DK Jungle
 * DS Wario Stadium
 * GCN Sherbet Land
 * 3DS Piranha Plant Slide
 * N64 Rainbow Road
 * Wii Wario's Gold Mine (DLC)

Mute City is the only course to take place entirely in anti-gravity.

Trivia

 * Neither of the two Super Mario Kart Retro Courses (Donut Plains 3 and Rainbow Road) received anti-gravity sections, thus making Super Mario Kart the only game with Retro Courses in Mario Kart 8 that lack any anti-gravity sections.
 * In courses like Mario Circuit, if the player goes in the opposite direction than what they are meant to, the wheels will turn horizontal once they touch an anti-gravity section despite an Anti-gravity strip not being present. This is because the Kart is programmed to avoid glitching by falling in anti-gravity sections. This applies to any course with anti-gravity where it is possible to drive backwards from a non-Anti-gravity section into an Anti-Gravity section.
 * The DLC course Mute City is the only course which is entirely in anti-gravity.