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What Is the Difference Between 50cc, 100cc, and 150cc in Mario Kart?

In Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the cc classes set top speed: 50cc is slowest, 100cc is faster, 150cc is fastest of the three. Here is what Nintendo says and what it leaves out.
WorldMario Kart? Length3 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team

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In Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, 50cc, 100cc, and 150cc are race speed classes. The higher the class number, the faster the top speed, according to Nintendo’s official beginner guide. 50cc is the slowest of the three and the one Nintendo recommends for new players, 100cc is faster, and 150cc is the fastest of the three. Nintendo does not publish a percentage, multiplier, or lap-time gap between the classes, so the difference is one of direction rather than measured size.

What the cc number means in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

The “cc” label has nothing to do with engine displacement or a kart part you can tune. In Mario Kart 8 Deluxe it names a Grand Prix race class, and each class sets how fast the vehicles can go. Nintendo’s English beginner guide states the rule directly: “The higher the number, the higher the maximum accelerator for all vehicles.” The guide’s wording refers to maximum speed, so that is how it is read here.

Because the rule is about the upper limit of speed, it tells you which class is faster at the top end. It does not tell you how quickly a kart reaches that top end, how tight its turns are, or how strong the computer opponents are in each class. Nintendo’s materials do not address those points class by class.

50cc, 100cc, and 150cc compared

Class Top speed relative to the other two (Nintendo’s rule) Handling Nintendo’s guidance on who it suits
50cc Lowest of the three Easier to handle, per Nintendo’s beginner guide Recommended starting class for beginners
100cc Middle of the three Not stated Not stated; a natural step up from 50cc is an editorial suggestion, not a Nintendo threshold
150cc Highest of the three Not stated Not stated; Nintendo does not set a skill level required for it

The only handling claim Nintendo makes is that 50cc is easier to handle. Nothing in the official material sets out how 100cc or 150cc feel to steer, so do not assume a difference in control beyond the top-speed change.

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#1 Best Overall
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]
  • Hit the road with the definitive version of Mario Kart 8 and play anytime, anywhere! Race your friends or battle them in a revised battle mode on new and returning battle courses
  • Play locally in up to 4-player multiplayer in 1080p while playing in TV Mode. Every track from the Wii U version, including DLC, makes a glorious return
  • Plus, the Inklings appear as all-new guest characters, along with returning favorites, such as King Boo, Dry Bones, and Bowser Jr.
  • Players can choose a new Smart Steering feature which makes driving and staying on the track easy for novice players and kids even at 200cc

Is 150cc faster than 100cc?

Yes, under Nintendo’s stated rule that a higher class number means a higher maximum speed. Choosing 150cc over 100cc changes the pace of the race, not the game mode, rules, or track selection. The official materials give no ratio, so the size of the gap is something you will have to judge by playing.

Which class should you pick?

  • New to the game: start at 50cc. Nintendo recommends it because speeds are low and handling is easier.
  • When 50cc feels slow: move to 100cc. This is a practical step, not a skill test.
  • When you want a faster race: try 150cc. Nintendo does not describe it as something players must earn or reach.
  • Playing with a mixed-skill group: let each player choose a class they enjoy. The classes change pace only, so mixing them in one session is a matter of preference.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has a fourth speed class

Nintendo’s official Mario Kart 8 Deluxe page also lists a 200cc speed class. The beginner guide covers 50cc and 100cc, and the general rule about higher numbers applies to the full set. This article compares only the three classes in the title, and it does not rank 200cc against them beyond Nintendo’s general rule.

Rank #2
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Non-US Version)
  • Nuevos personajes: Inkling, Rey Boo, Huesitos y Bowsy
  • Inclusi n de circuitos in ditos en el modo batalla
  • Los pilotos cuentan con el volante inteligente, que ayuda a no salirse de la pista
  • Hasta 8 pilotos en partidas de multijugador local
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Other Mario Kart games may use different classes

The class list is specific to each installment. Nintendo’s instruction manual for Mario Kart DS lists 50CC, 100CC, and 150CC as selectable classes, so the three-class set in that game matches the one in this article. That manual does not show that the other entries in the series use the same list or the same meaning for each number. When you read about a Mario Kart game, check its own menus or official materials before applying the comparison above.

The Nintendo Switch release of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was announced in 2017 for launch on 28 April of that year. The class information above comes from Nintendo’s official materials for that game and should be read as applying to it.

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Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 2
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Non-US Version)
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Non-US Version)
Nuevos personajes: Inkling, Rey Boo, Huesitos y Bowsy; Inclusi n de circuitos in ditos en el modo batalla
$57.20

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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