Master Cycle

The Master Cycle is a bike included in the The Legend of Zelda × Mario Kart 8 downloadable content pack for Mario Kart 8. It is the signature bike of Skyward Sword-style Link. It is an inside drifting bike shaped after a horse, based and named after the signature sword Link wields in The Legend of Zelda series, the Master Sword. The sides of the bike feature the Hylian Shield.

The artwork design for Link riding the Master Cycle is drawn in the same style as artwork from The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, rather than 3D renders like the rest of the Mario Kart 8 characters. As stated by Nintendo's Twitter account, the Master Cycle has "plenty of horsepower", a reference to Link traveling by horse in his games.

The Master Cycle's strengths are its speed and handling, while its known weakness is its traction. The Master Cycle has the highest top speed of any bike. It is tied with The Duke for having the highest weight and lowest acceleration of all bikes. The bike is unique in that no other vehicle part in the game shares its stats.

A CPU-controlled Link will occasionally use this vehicle body, paired with the Triforce Tires, and Hylian Kite. The Master Cycle shares its engine sound with the Bone Rattler.

In Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the Master Cycle is randomly unlocked by collecting coins. A CPU Skyward Sword-style Link can use this bike body. However, its stats are different, with its only advantage being a small ground speed boost, while its water speed, acceleration, anti-gravity handling, traction, and mini-turbo are hindered. The Master Cycle shares its stats with the Sneeker and Gold Standard.

Mario Kart 8

 * Ground Speed: +0.25
 * Water Speed: +0.5
 * Air Speed: +0.5
 * Anti-Gravity Speed: -0.25
 * Acceleration: 0
 * Weight: 0
 * Ground Handling: +0.5
 * Water Handling: +0.5
 * Air Handling: +0.75
 * Anti-Gravity Handling: +0.5
 * Traction: -0.75
 * Mini-Turbo: 0
 * Bike Type: Sport

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

 * Ground Speed: +0.25
 * Water Speed: -0.25
 * Air Speed: 0
 * Anti-Gravity Speed: 0
 * Acceleration: -0.5
 * Weight: 0
 * Ground Handling: 0
 * Water Handling: 0
 * Air Handling: -0.25
 * Anti-Gravity Handling: 0
 * Traction: -0.75
 * Mini-Turbo: -0.25
 * Bike Type: Sport