Big Blue
- This article is about the DLC course in Mario Kart 8. For the stage from Super Smash Bros. Melee and Brawl, see Big Blue (stage).
Template:Racecourse Big Blue is the fourth and final course of the Bell Cup included with 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. As in Mute City, Coins can only be obtained by driving over the recharge pathways, Item Boxes, or picking up the coins dropped by other players. This is the only DLC course in Mario Kart 8 to be divided into three sections, instead of three laps, and the sixth overall in the series. This track and Mute City have the F-Zero version of the starting line countdown and results theme. This track shares similar characteristics and features from Rainbow Road.
Course layout
The entirety of the course is in anti-gravity, much like Mute City. The players start off on a straightaway that leads into a bend with Boost Pads and recharge pathways. After a slight jump, the road splits into two paths; one with a recharge path, but both contain Boost Pads. 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 next 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 boost rings similar to those on Mount Wario. After a few bends, a gliding pad similar to a cannon takes the player into the next and final section of the race.
The final section has several conveyor belts going backwards and forwards, each containing one or two Boost Pads. After a couple of turns, the track splits into two paths, both containing several Boost Pads 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.
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 recharge pathways beyond the rings. (150cc and 200cc only)
- On the last section of track, mushrooms can be used to cut off the bends in the track just before the finish line.
Gallery
- MK8-DLC-Course-icon-BigBlue.png
The track's icon.
A player's Mii at the starting line
Recharge pathways are in replacement for coins on this course.
The water slides portion of the track.
Luigi, in the Blue Falcon, driving over a recharge pathway.
Dry Bowser drifts around one of the waterways, at the second section of the track.
Toad, in the Blue Falcon, driving on the track.
Toad, taking one of the two gliding sections of the track, near the end of the second section.
The stamp for this course.
Names in other languages
Trivia
- Reaching the final section will have an announcer speak, saying "Yeah!! The final lap!" using the voice clip from F-Zero X. It is the only course in Mario Kart 8 with this distinction.
- 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).
- Big Blue and GBA Cheese Land 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.
