Anti-gravity

Anti-gravity is a fundamental game mechanic introduced in Mario Kart 8. When drivers are in anti-gravity mode, they hover and 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 special bumpers found throughout the track. Drivers automatically activate anti-gravity mode when they are in sections requiring it, whose beginning is signaled with Antigravity Panels. The first time the driver enters an anti-gravity section, they will shout or say something related to the activation of anti-gravity mode. While driving in anti-gravity mode, the wheels will glow and turn horizontal, while at the same time, the vehicle levitates slightly from the surface. Every new course in the game except Excitebike Arena, Animal Crossing and Super Bell Subway is given an anti-gravity section, likely to fully incorporate the new feature. However, twelve (7 originally added; 5 DLC) classic courses are given this feature:


 * (part of The Legend of Zelda × Mario Kart 8)
 * (part of Animal Crossing × Mario Kart 8)
 * (part of Animal Crossing × Mario Kart 8)
 * (part of Animal Crossing × Mario Kart 8)
 * (part of Animal Crossing × Mario Kart 8)
 * (part of The Legend of Zelda × Mario Kart 8)
 * (part of Animal Crossing × Mario Kart 8)
 * (part of Animal Crossing × Mario Kart 8)
 * (part of Animal Crossing × Mario Kart 8)
 * (part of Animal Crossing × Mario Kart 8)
 * (part of Animal Crossing × Mario Kart 8)
 * (part of Animal Crossing × Mario Kart 8)

None of the non-DLC classic courses, however, have Spin Boost Pillars, while some of the new courses and three DLC classic courses,, and , do.

Mute City, Big Blue, and are the only courses to take place entirely in anti-gravity, while Wild Woods starts on an anti-gravity section as well; in these tracks the vehicles are already in anti-gravity mode during the race introduction, before the race starts.

In Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Battle Stadium and Lunar Colony are the only battle courses to feature anti-gravity, with the latter course being entirely in anti-gravity.

None of the courses in the first wave of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass DLC feature anti-gravity sections, though the second wave features a course named Sky-High Sundae, which is set entirely in anti-gravity. The third wave will have Merry Mountain from Mario Kart Tour, which has added anti-gravity on the road leading up to and down from the hilltop workshop.

Trivia

 * Certain vehicles glow and light up when anti-gravity is active. In some cases, the engine may glow as well.
 * While holding a drift in anti-gravity mode, the blue glow will match the corresponding level of Mini-Turbo sparks present, which means it will become orange for a Super Mini-Turbo, and purple for an Ultra Mini-Turbo.
 * According to Mario Kart 8 producer Hideki Konno, the anti-gravity mechanic was inspired by drivers racing on the moon on Rainbow Road in Mario Kart 7.