Big Blue

Big Blue is the fourth and last course of the Bell Cup included with the Animal Crossing × Mario Kart 8 downloadable content in Mario Kart 8 as well as the base content of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. This course is based on the Big Blue course that appears throughout the F-Zero series. In the same way as in Mute City, Coins can only be obtained by driving over the Pit areas, Item Boxes, or picking up the coins dropped by other players. This is the only DLC course in Mario Kart 8 (and the sixth overall in the Mario Kart series) to be divided into three sections instead of three laps. Just like on Mute City, Big Blue has the F-Zero version of the starting line countdown and results theme instead of the normal version. This track shares similar characteristics and features to the game's original Rainbow Road. The music of the track is split in two parts: the first part plays in the first two sections, and the second part plays in the final section.

This is the second track after Mount Wario to have separate soundtracks for different laps/sections. However, this may actually be a potential homage to F-Zero GX, as that game has an identical method of handling the music for its courses (i.e. having the initial variation of a tune play on the first and second laps and so on, while the second variation plays on the final lap).

Course layout
The entirety of the course is in anti-gravity, much like Mute City. The first section starts off on a straightaway that leads into a bend with Dash Panels and Pit areas. After a slight jump, the road splits into two paths; only one has a recharge path, but both contain Dash Panels. Both paths end in a jump leading onto one track that contains several conveyor belts similar to the ones in the space station on Rainbow Road, one moving forward and the other moving backwards, that go through several bends on this segment. The conveyor belts end in a gliding pad, leading the player to two recharge paths and the next section of the race.

The second section is lined entirely with water, increasing the speed of the player should they remain in it. After the first bend of the section, the track jumps and splits into two paths, though both end up leading into a single track with recharge strips, with the player passing through rings. After a few bends, a gliding pad similar to a cannon takes the player into the next and final section of the race.

The third section has several conveyor belts going backwards and forwards, each containing one or two Dash Panels. After a couple of turns, the track splits into two paths, both containing several Dash Panels and ending in a small jump into the final stretch of the race. The final segment bends in a slight curve and contains several dirt patches that can be boosted over with Mushrooms or other speed-boosting items. At the end of this segment is the finish line.

When Lakitu is holding the start signal, he is shown on the right side of the player. When crossing the checkpoint to start the next section, he’s also shown on the right side of the player, holding the section count signs.

The staff ghost for this track is Mario on the P-Wing, with a time of 1:37.316. In Mario Kart 8 Deluxe 200cc, the staff ghost is Luigi with a time of 1:13.516.

Shortcuts

 * In the first section, on the corners with moving platforms, Mushrooms can be used to cut off the corners.
 * Players can drive off the edge of the track midway on the first waterway on the left, to land on the Pit areas beyond the rings.
 * On the last section of track, Mushrooms can be used to cut off the bends in the track just before the finish line.

Mario Kart 8 Original Soundtrack liner notes
"When it came to arranging a song as well-loved as this one, I felt I had no choice but to really go for it. We had the sax and guitar engage in a kind of duel before a drum solo cuts in, and then added a buzzing bass solo on top of that. The performances on this track really are white hot!"

Trivia

 * Reaching the final section will have an announcer speak, saying "Yeah!! The final lap!" using the voice clip from F-Zero X which was provided by Jim Wornell. It is the only course in Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe with this distinction.
 * Big Blue,, and Sky-High Sundae are the only courses that contain gliding segments taking place entirely in anti-gravity.
 * The glider segment from the second segment to the third segment is similar to the boost ring glider segment on Rainbow Road, in which it launches racers at a straight line like a cannon. Furthermore, both sections have the same sound effect when driven through.