You've probably seen him online. That shimmering, metallic-gold figure blinding you with his reflection as he zooms past on a matching golden kart. It's Gold Mario. Honestly, the first time you see him in a lobby, it’s a bit intimidating because he represents one thing: a lot of time spent in 200cc. He isn’t just a simple palette swap or a DLC download you can grab with a credit card. He is the ultimate "flex" in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, a trophy that says you've basically mastered the most frantic speeds the game has to offer.
Most players stick to 150cc because it feels "right." 200cc is different. It's chaotic. It requires a completely different way of playing—heavy on the brake-drifting—and that is exactly what stands between you and unlocking this character.
The Grind for Gold Mario Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
To get Gold Mario Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the requirement is straightforward but physically stressful. You have to place first in every single cup at the 200cc engine class. That means winning the overall gold trophy for all 12 base-game cups. When the game first launched, this was a shorter list, but even with the addition of the Booster Course Pass tracks, the requirement still focuses on the core 48 tracks that came with the original Switch release.
You don't need a three-star rating. That’s a common misconception that keeps people up at night. You just need the gold trophy. If you get hit by a Blue Shell on the final turn of the final lap and end up with a silver, you have to restart the whole cup. It's brutal. It's frustrating. But that's why the character carries so much weight in the community.
Why 200cc Changes Everything
Standard Mario Kart is about lines and items. 200cc is about survival. If you try to take a corner on Rainbow Road at 200cc without touching your brakes, you're going into the abyss. Period. The game actually introduces a mechanic called "brake-drifting" specifically for this speed. You hold the jump/drift button, and while mid-drift, you tap the B button. You’ll see sparks, your speed will dip just enough to tighten the arc, and you’ll make the turn.
If you aren't brake-drifting, you aren't getting Gold Mario.
Many people think Gold Mario is just a skin for Metal Mario. Statistically, they are identical. They are both in the "Heavy" weight class, which means they have high top speeds but sluggish acceleration. In a game where the "Meta" often revolves around high-acceleration builds like Yoshi or Peach on the Teddy Buggy, Gold Mario is more of a statement piece than a competitive advantage. You play him because you want people to know you survived the 200cc Special Cup.
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The Rest of the Gilded Set
Unlocking the character is usually just the start of the obsession. Most players realize pretty quickly that Gold Mario looks a bit lonely if he isn't driving the Gold Standard kart with the Gold Wheels and the Gold Glider.
The requirements for these are all over the place. To get the Gold Tires, you have to beat every single Staff Ghost in Time Trials at 150cc. This is actually harder for some people than the 200cc cups because the Staff Ghosts take very tight lines. You can't rely on a lucky Red Shell to save you there. It's just you and the clock.
Then there's the Gold Glider. This one is a pure test of patience. You need to collect 5,000 coins. In the original Wii U version, this number was much higher, but 5,000 is still a massive slog. You only keep a maximum of 10 coins per race. Do the math. That's at least 500 races, assuming you're hitting the cap every single time. Most people get this naturally just by playing online for a few months, but if you're trying to speed-run the "Full Gold" look, you’ll be grinding coins on tracks like Baby Park or Big Blue for hours.
Finally, the Gold Standard Kart. This one is arguably the easiest, but it's still a hurdle. You need to get at least one star on every single cup in Mirror Mode and 150cc. Since you're already going for Gold Mario in 200cc, the 150cc requirements usually happen naturally. Mirror Mode is just a mental trip—everything you know about the tracks is flipped, and your muscle memory will betray you constantly.
Is he actually good?
Let's be real for a second. Is Gold Mario actually the best character?
Probably not.
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In the current Mario Kart 8 Deluxe meta—especially after the various balance patches Nintendo dropped alongside the Booster Course Pass—the "Heavyweight" class isn't the king it used to be. Back in the day, everyone played Bowser or Morton because top speed was everything. Nowadays, the game favors "Mini-Turbo" stats. You want a character who can trigger those purple sparks as fast as possible.
Gold Mario has a massive hitbox and low acceleration. If you get hit by a stray Banana or a Green Shell, it takes him forever to get back up to speed. In a chaotic 12-player online lobby, that can be a death sentence. You'll see the pros using characters like Daisy or Yoshi because they can recover from mistakes faster.
But Gold Mario isn't about the meta. He's about the "wow" factor. He's the only character in the game that turns into a literal solid gold statue when he performs a stunt jump. That’s a level of flair you just don't get with Toadette.
Strategy for the 200cc Unlock
If you're struggling to secure those gold trophies, you need to change your loadout. Don't use a heavy kart. When you're learning 200cc, speed is actually your enemy. You want as much Handling and Traction as possible.
- Character: Use a Small or Medium character (even if you're trying to unlock Gold Mario, don't use a Heavy yet).
- Body: The Biddybuggy or Mr. Scooty are the kings of 200cc. They have tiny frames and incredible handling.
- Tires: Roller or Azure Roller. They have the best Mini-Turbo stats in the game.
- Glider: Paper Glider or Cloud Glider.
With this setup, the kart will feel "sticky." You can take corners much tighter, and the brake-drifting becomes way more forgiving. Once you've unlocked Gold Mario, then you can switch back to the heavy build and show off, but use the "training wheels" build to get through those 200cc cups first.
Another tip: don't be afraid to hold onto defensive items. In 200cc, the pack moves so fast that a single Red Shell can put you into 8th place in three seconds. If you're in first, keep that Banana behind you. Don't throw it. You need that shield.
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Common Misconceptions and Pitfalls
A lot of players think they need to buy the DLC (Booster Course Pass) to get Gold Mario. You don't. While the DLC adds a ton of tracks, the unlock criteria only applies to the original 48 tracks. This is a relief for some, as some of the DLC tracks like Ninja Hideaway are absolute nightmares on 200cc.
Also, people often ask if you can unlock him in multiplayer. Yes, you can. If you have a friend who is a Mario Kart god, have them play split-screen with you. As long as one of you finishes in first place overall for the cup, the unlock counts for the primary profile. It's a bit of a "cheat code" way to do it, but hey, a win is a win.
The Psychological Aspect of the Gold Skin
There is a weird phenomenon in Mario Kart online. When people see a Gold Mario, they tend to target them. It's like having a giant bullseye on your back. You're the "final boss" of the lobby. Expect to get hit with every Fire Flower and Boomerang that comes your way.
It’s also worth noting that Gold Mario doesn’t have different outfits or colors. Unlike Birdo or Yoshi, who have a rainbow of options, Gold Mario is just... gold. He is a variant of Metal Mario, who was already a variant of regular Mario. It's a lot of layers of the same plumber.
Despite the target on his back and the sub-optimal stats, the journey to get him makes you a better player. By the time you finish those 200cc cups, your reaction times will be sharper. You'll know exactly when to let go of the accelerator. You'll understand the tracks at a level that most casual players never reach.
Final Steps for Your Unlock Run
- Check your progress: Go to the main menu and look at your 200cc trophies. Any cup without a gold trophy needs to be cleared.
- Master Brake-Drifting: Go into a Time Trial on a twisty track like Neo Bowser City. Practice drifting and tapping 'B' without losing your drift sparks.
- Optimize your build: Swap to the Biddybuggy and Roller tires to prioritize control over raw speed.
- Learn the shortcuts: Many 200cc shortcuts don't even require a Mushroom because you're moving so fast. Research "200cc mushroomless shortcuts" for tracks like Mute City or Big Blue.
- Stay patient: The AI in 150cc is annoying, but in 200cc, they are aggressive. You will get "Mario Karted" at the finish line. Just take a breath and restart the cup.
Once that final trophy is secured, Gold Mario will appear on your character select screen, usually right next to Pink Gold Peach. He’s the ultimate proof that you’ve conquered everything the game has to throw at you. Grab your Gold Standard kart, head into a regional or global lobby, and let everyone know exactly how much time you put into the grind. Just watch out for the Blue Shells—they don't care if you're made of gold.