What do the 6 stars mean in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe? An In-Depth Guide for Unlocking Every Secret

As an avid Mario Kart fan, I was thrilled to dive into the latest iteration, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Nintendo Switch. This version refines the classic formula while introducing new features that deepen strategy and customization. One subtle change that caught my attention during gameplay was the mysterious row of stars visible at the top of the screen.

What could these cryptic stars signify? After pouring many hours into mastering every track, I‘ve unlocked the secrets behind this star system. Read on as I guide you through the various meanings and uses for stars in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe!

Highlight Reels at Your Fingertips

Let‘s start with the most basic function – the ability to save highlight reels of your favorite races. As a fellow racing enthusiast, I‘m sure you‘ve had those standout performances that left you grinning as you crossed the finish line. With the star system, preserving these replays for future enjoyment is simple.

After each race, you can press X to add a star rating from 0 to 6. This “favorites” the replay so you can easily find it under the “View Highlight Reels” section in Mario Kart TV. According to dedicated players on Reddit, the number relates to the replay slot that your highlight will occupy.

So a 3-star rating saves that race in the third slot, overwriting any previous clip in that position. It’s a seamless way to curate and store your most memorable races without hassling with video exports. Trust me, there’s nothing more satisfying than reliving an epic comeback or flawless time trial run!

Grand Stars Unlock New Cups and Gifts

Now let’s move on to another role stars play within the Mario Kart universe – as “Grand Stars” in Mario Kart Tour for mobile. This version has you collecting stars by completing cups and challenges. These Grand Stars are then used as currency to unlock new cups and receive gifts.

For example, you may need to acquire 5 Grand Stars by scoring at least 90 points on the Star Cup tracks. Once enough stars are earned, the next set of races opens up. It provides incentive to fully complete cups using a variety of characters and optimize point scoring.

Here’s a quick overview of how Grand Stars are utilized in Tour:

• Earned by finishing cups, completing challenges, leveling up, and more
• Used to unlock tours, gifts, characters, karts, and gliders
• Requirements increase each tour
• Can be acquired from the shop using rubies
• Need to collect all gifts each tour to get the Grand Star gifts

This mechanic extends longevity by gating content behind skill. As a devoted player, it gives me a sense of progression and achievement seeing those gifts open tour after tour!

Star Rankings Indicate Difficulty from 1 to 3

Now let’s explore the star rating system implemented in many console Mario Kart titles. Each cup earns up to 3 stars based on the points accumulated during those 4 races. More stars means you exceeded higher scoring requirements for that cup.

Here’s a quick rundown of how it works in the newest Mario Kart 8 Deluxe edition:

• 1 Star – Earn at least 37 points in the cup
• 2 Stars – Earn at least 59 points in the cup
• 3 Stars – Earn at least 91 points in the cup

To put this in perspective, getting perfect scores of 15 on each of the 4 races gives you the max of 60 points. So 2 and 3-star rankings demand highly optimized runs, especially on the more challenging cups.

I love the risk-reward factor this adds. It encourages me to refine my racing skills to achieve 3-star mastery of every cross-country, retro, DLC, and even the dreaded Mirror cups! Getting that sparkling 3-star rating on the 150cc Cloudtop Cruise still stands as one of my proudest Mario Kart accomplishments.

Accumulate Stars to Unlock Gold Parts and Vehicles

In addition to rating difficulty, stars also unlock rewards in Mario Kart 8 and other console versions. By earning 3-star rankings on all cups in a certain engine class, you can unlock ultra-rare gold vehicle parts!

These include the prestigious Gold Standard kart body, Gold Tires, and Golden Glider. Sporting a complete set proves you’re a true Mario Kart master worthy of these glittering prizes.

Here’s an overview of how to unlock all the gold parts:

• Gold Standard Kart – 3 stars on all cups in 50, 100, and 150cc
• Gold Tires – 3 stars on all cups in 50, 100, 150, and Mirror
• Golden Glider – 3 stars on all cups in 50-200cc and Mirror

As you can see, getting all gold requires serious skill across multiple engine types. But cruising past my friends in a fully golden ride brings a deep sense of satisfaction. It’s the ultimate status symbol for devoted Mario Kart racers.

Coins Grant Speed Boosts and Unlock New Items

Let’s not forget about coins! Collecting these during races serves multiple purposes:

• Permanent speed increase – Every 10 coins up to 100 grants a small speed boost
• Micro-boosts – Coins give a tiny burst of speed when picked up
• Unlocking vehicle parts, tires, and gliders

In Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, vehicle parts unlock at milestones like 30, 100, and 200 coins collected. This incentive keeps me striving for new records and high-coin runs on favorite tracks.

Coins also enable that addictive sensation of incrementally boosting my speed stats race after race. And who doesn’t love a good micro-boost while powersliding around tight corners! Coins are a Mario Kart staple for good reason.

In Summary

I hope this guide imparted a deeper understanding of the varied star mechanics implemented throughout the Mario Kart series. From rating highlight reels to unlocking rewards and new content, stars encourage mastery and progression from casual play to high-level optimization.

As a passionate Mario Kart ambas
sador, I‘m eager to see what new innovations the stars hold in future iterations and mobile versions. Will you join me in unraveling their secrets and basking in the glory of hard-won gold kart parts? The thrilling ride has just begun. Now grab those coins and see you on the racetrack!