5 Best Builds for Time Trial mode Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

If the Grand Prix wasn’t enough for you, and you’re still looking to challenge yourself, look no further than the heart-pumping, adrenaline-rushing, time trial mode! This is where you can push your kart and skills to the absolute limit while trying to beat your best times. It’s a race against the clock; only the quickest, most skilled drivers will come out on top. 

If you’re looking to dominate the competition in Mario Kart 8’s time trial mode, you will need the right build. With so many kart combinations to choose from, it can take time to figure out where to start. 

But fear not, because we’ve done the research and tested countless builds to bring you the top 5 setups for time trial mode. 

Best 5 Builds for Time Trial

These builds will help you shave precious seconds off your lap times and set new personal records. So get ready to take your racing game to the next level because, with these builds in your arsenal, those Staff Ghosts stand no chance.

Precision Handling Build

• Character: Any lightweight character
• Kart: Biddybuggy 
• Tires: Roller tires 
• Glider: Super Glider

Some Time Trial tracks are made difficult due to sharp turns and long winding tracks that require a lot of precision in your handling. This lightweight setup provides exceptional acceleration, handling, and mini-turbo boosts, making it perfect for tight turns and complex tracks. You will also get enough Turbo Boost to glide smoothly across those corners so that no time is lost in accelerating repeatedly.

Maximum Speed Build

• Character: Morton
• Kart: Circuit Special
• Tires: Cyber Slick tires 
• Glider: Cloud Glider

Some time trial stages focus more on long straights, and for these occasions, you need a build that can go blazing fast. This speed-focused build, using Morton, lets you easily hit the speed limit of 5.75 while also availing mini-turbo boosts. The Cyber Slick tires’ superior traction and Cloud Glider’s air speed make it versatile and handy for both ground and airborne sections.

Just note that it will be extremely difficult to control in 150cc and a nightmare in 200cc.

Waluigi Biggybuddy Build

• Character: Waluigi
• Kart: Mr. Scooty or Biddybuggy
• Wheels: Roller, Azure Roller
• Glider: Paper Glider

The extremely popular Waluigi Biddybuggy build has some of the most well-balanced stats in Mario Kart 8. This build focuses on maximizing the usage of Turbo Boosts and Waluigi’s well-balanced stats for a very controllable yet fast Kart. This kart will not be hitting top speeds when it comes to long straights, but for any map that features a good mix of straights and turns, this setup is one of the best options and will handle like a dream.

Baby Handling Build(Balanced)

• Character: Baby Mario, Baby Luigi
• Kart: Biddybuggy or Mr. Scooty
• Tires: Slim or Crimson Slim tires
• Glider: Paper or Cloud Glider 

This build is focused on finding a good balance between Turbo Boosts, Top Speed and Handling. It’s a solid all-rounder that tends to perform well in most situations and is versatile enough to be taken to most tracks. Most tracks have more turns than they have straights and a kart that can deal with those. At the same time, utilizing turbo boosts will surely get you sailing across those much faster. Realistically, you can complete all Time Trial challenges using this setup.

World Record Build

• Character: Morton/Dry Bowser
• Kart: Streetle
• Tires: Slick/Cyber Slick tires 
• Glider: Cloud Glider/Gold Glider

Variations of Morton and Dry Bowser builds using the Streetle currently hold the most number of World Records in Mario Kart 8’s time trial modes. Morton and Dry Bowser are two of the fastest characters in the game, and combined with the acceleration from the Streetle, they can clear courses ridiculously fast. However, note that this build is difficult to run due to the precision and control you will require. Feel free to take it as a fun challenge and see if you can compete with the best times in the world.