Rocket Start

Rocket Start (also referred to as Turbo Start or Boost Start) is a move used in all of the Mario Kart games. It is a short boost that occurs at the beginning of each and every race. It is executed by pressing the acceleration button in tune with the starting lights held by Lakitu. If the player over-revs when the final beep sounds, it may make the player's kart/vehicle falter for a few seconds at the beginning of the course (sometimes known as a Dud Start).

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

Main series

 * Super Mario Kart – Holding down between the first and second light.
 * Mario Kart 64 – Holding down when the signal's light turns green.
 * Mario Kart Super Circuit – Same as in Mario Kart 64, but by pressing instead.
 * Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
 * Rocket Start (Single Player) – Same as in Mario Kart: Super Circuit and Mario Kart 64. Alternately, players can tap repeatedly before the green light.
 * Double Dash!! (Co-Op Play) – Same as in Single Player, but with both members simultaneously.
 * Mario Kart DS – Holding down right when the number "2" grows and fades away.
 * Mario Kart Wii - Same as in Mario Kart DS, but with one of four control schemes.
 * With Wii Wheel or Wii Remote –
 * With Classic Controller –
 * With GameCube Controller –
 * With Wii Remote and Nunchuck –
 * Mario Kart 7 - Same as in Mario Kart Wii and Mario Kart DS, but with one of two buttons -  or.

Arcade series

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

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 Lakitu's starting lights turn green to perform this technique, which will make the kart be launched at a higher speed.