Rocket Start

Rocket Start (also referred to as Turbo Start, or Boost Start) is a move used in most of the Mario Kart games. It is simply a short boost at the beginning of each race. It is brought about by pressing the Acceleration Button in tune with the starting lights. If done wrong, it may make the player's kart falter for a few seconds at the beginning of the course. Mario Kart: Double Dash!! also has a new kind of Rocket Start known as Double Dash!! which can only be performed in co-op mode.

A similar move appears in Super Mario Galaxy. This move can be done to pass Cosmic Mario at the beginning of the races against him. When it is utilized, Mario runs very fast and glows yellow, for a short period of time.

In Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, racers in a "track" event preform a Start Dash to begin the race with a boost. When executed at the exact time the event begins, the character will receive an incredible burst of speed also called a "Rocket Start".

Performing a Rocket Start

 * Super Mario Kart – Hold down B between the first and second light.
 * Mario Kart 64 – Hold down A between the first and second light.
 * Mario Kart Super Circuit – Press A right when the green lights up.
 * Mario Kart: Double Dash!! – Press A right when the green lights up.
 * Mario Kart DS – Hold down A right after the number "2" shows up.
 * Super Mario Galaxy – Hold up the Nunchuck while the race is about to start but when the word GO! appears on the screen, the player then has to press A on the Wii Remote.
 * Mario Kart Wii – Hold down A or 2 right after the number "2" shows up.