Mario Kart 8 is here: 8 tips to win pole position © Nintendo

It’s not even on sale yet, but we've already played the new Wii U version of Nintendo's hit racing game until our thumbs are sore and blistered. Jealous much? Not to worry – it’s all to give you a helping hand on launch day. We present to you our top tips for winning on the track, outsmarting your opponents and – possibly most importantly of all – avoiding the heartache of being halted in your tracks by one of those pesky blue shells.

Boost start

Getting the perfect start is imperative in Mario Kart 8 – pulling away from the pack in the early stages of the race allows you to avoid being sucked into a costly battle with numerous, angry rivals. As has been the case with all Mario Kart games from the past few years, it's possible to attain a boost start if you get your timing just right – press and hold the accelerator just after the number two appears in the starting countdown and you should turbo off the line and leave your opponents eating your dust. However, make sure you don't press too soon, or you'll suffer a blowout and be left looking rather foolish.

Slipping And (power) sliding

The original Super Mario Kart arguably pioneered the power slide – a move which allows racers to put their vehicles sideways around corners, taking a tight racing line and snaking past opponents. This tried-and-tested mechanic remains firmly in place in Mario Kart 8 and is the first thing you'll want to master after strapping yourself into your racer. Tapping the R trigger when turning into a corner will cause your kart to perform a slide, and wiggling the stick from side to side will build up your boost power. The first stage makes blue sparks appear on your wheels, but keep wiggling and you'll create an orange spark and receive a more potent dose of turbo when you exit the slide.

Mario Kart 8 © Nintendo

Stunning stunts

When it comes to maintaining a brisk pace in Mario Kart 8, you ignore stunts at your peril. As with its 3DS predecessor, you can perform a stunt by pushing the R shoulder trigger just before lift off from any ramp in the game, and doing so not only results in your character pulling off a death-defying pose in mid-air, but also grants a small boost of speed. Chaining these stunts together can create a massive surge of pace and you can perform stunts on other pieces of the environment – such as the undulating floors in the Twisted Mansion and off the back of the massive eel in Dolphin Shoals. Keep your eyes peeled for stunt chances and you'll be well on your way to becoming a real challenger.

Defense is the best form of attack

Nothing ruins your race quite as much as being hit repeatedly by a variety of shells, but you're not entirely defenseless in Mario Kart 8. Certain items can be used as shields to block attacks coming from the rear – just hold down the L trigger and the item will hover magically behind your kart, ready to intercept any incoming ordinance. This strategy also means that your can have a shell ready for quick release, as lifting your finger away from the L trigger unleashes it immediately, allowing for faster and more precise attacks. Finally, for once you're not totally powerless against the dreaded blue shell in Mario Kart 8, either – if you have the Super Horn item you can activate it just before the blue shell makes contact, destroying it.

Mario Kart 8 © Nintendo

Alternative routes

Ever since Nintendo slipped cheeky shortcuts into the original Super Mario Kart on the SNES, the series has delighted in hiding alternative routes on its many tracks. Mario Kart 8 takes this to an entirely new level, with most of the courses showcasing secret pathways tucked just out of view. For example, Toad Harbour boasts a network of winding streets to explore and exploit, while the Sunshine Airport circuit allows you to drive inside a plane to avoid the traffic. You'll also notice that as a result, it pays to keep an eye out for any potential shortcuts – these could mean the difference between success and failure in a particularly heated contest.

Always carry change

Coins are dotted around every single circuit in Mario Kart 8, and should be collected whenever possible for two very good reasons. The first is related to speed; the more coins you hold – up to a maximum of 10 – the faster your kart goes. Coins are shed whenever you get hit, so be sure to keep an eye out for more in order to maintain a decent pace. The second reason is unlocking content; additional vehicle customisation options – such as new chassis designs, grippier tyres and more outlandish glider attachments – are dished out depending on how many coins you've nabbed during your time with the game.

Mario Kart 8 © Nintendo

Defying gravity

Anti-gravity is the single biggest addition to Mario Kart 8, and has allowed Nintendo to create some amazing tracks which twist, turn and snake around in near impenetrable configurations. However, going upside down isn't just a cool visual trick to appreciate during replays – there are tactics to consider even here. Colliding with another racer when anti-gravity is enabled will trigger a Spin Turbo, granting a short burst of speed. You also need to look out for elements of the track which also deliver this boost, and clip them at just the right angle to ensure you keep ahead of the pack. Alternatively, collide with the pack leader at the right time and you could cause them to accelerate off the edge of a curve and into the void – make no mistake, this is a thinking man’s racing game .

Eyes in the back of your head