There might be another good reason to pick up Mario Kart 8 Deluxe—no more obnoxious post-boost hopping. According to a video from GameXplain, the contentious “fire-hopping” technique apparently didn’t make the trip from Wii U to Switch.
Discovered way back in the summer of 2014, “fire-hopping” is a trick that helps maintain speed coming out of a short boost in Mario Kart 8 for the Wii U. The idea is that vehicles lose speed from a boost when they are in the air, so the jumping helps keep the extra MPH for a little bit longer.
“Fire-hopping” has long been a point of contention among Mario Kart 8 players. Some see the unofficial technique as something players just need to master in order to enhance their play. Others feel like it’s an exploit, especially who favor inner-drifting bikes, as they’re the only vehicle type the technique doesn’t work with.
Looks like it’s all moot now, as GamXplain demonstrates in the video below.
I tried to replicate the video results with my copy of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, reaching the conclusion that I suck at Mario Kart before wandering off to play more Battle Mode.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe launches for the Switch on April 28. I predict people will finally stop the futile hopping a month later.