Looking for a KartRider: Drift guide? We’ve created this handy guide for new players. It can be overwhelming when starting a new game, espeically a free-to-play one. After getting our own hands-on experience with the game, we decided to cook up an easy to read guide that can be referrred back to whenever you need it.
KartRider: Drift is an exciting, and adorable, driving game. Think Mario Kart, but free-to-play. Play through the various game modes, including the popular Item Mode. Collect randomised items as you race against fellow players. Throw bananas, use shields, and speed-boost your way to victory. You can even collect new outfits for your characters, and design your own kart.
For more information about the game, visit the official website.
KartRider: Drift Guide
Now, let’s move on to the actual guide.
Gameplay
Let’s go over the core gameplay first. The aim of the game is to win the race – or at least in the top three. If you’ve ever played Mario Kart, the main mechanics of KartRider: Drift will seem pretty familiar. Drive as fast as you can, while avoiding the walls during sharp corners, and get to first place. During a match, you’ll come across random item boxes that you can pick up by driving into them.
These boxes contain a randomly generated item that you can use to help you win. Some items can either directly affect your opponents, such as a banana or a wall that blocks the road. However, some items help you specifically, like the speed boost item, or the shield.
Game Modes
There’s a great variety of game modes available in KartRider: Drift!
Item Mode – Solo, Duo, Squads
This is the standard mode in the game. It’s the mode that allows you to collect items during the race to use on yourself and your opponents – similar to Mario Kart.
Speed Mode – Solo, Duo, Squads
This mode doesn’t have items that you can pick up, but it focuses on intense speed and drifting.
Licence
This mode includes the more challenging races that can unlock new content once you complete them. You’ll start off with a B2 licence, which you can upgrade to a B1 licence, and then a Pro licence.
Keep in mind that the races in this mode are more difficult, and will get harder as you progress.
Time Attack
Try to beat the clock and get the top record in the solo play mode, or battle against other players in the ranked Time Attack challenges.
Custom Race
Custom Races let you create your own games for you and your friends, or you can join other players who have created a private race!
The Garage
Now, this is where the magic happens! If you’re a fan of customisation in games, you’ll be happy to know that you can pick your own character and design your kart to your liking.
Characters
When you open up the Garage, you can click on the “Characters” tab to take a look at the roster. You’ll start off with a fantastic selection of “Common” rarity outfits, which already look amazing. As you progress through the game, you’ll unlock more outfits for the characters. In fact, you’ll get a free “Fine” rarity outfit when you finish the tutorial.
You can also unlock new outfits in the Racing Pass and the Premium Racing Pass. The Item Shop also sells outfits and character packages which refresh regularly.
Studio
This is where you can take screenshots of your presets! What’s the point in designing your own decals and car wraps, if you can’t show them off a bit? You can alter the animations for your characters in the studio to create the perfect photo.
Kart
This is where you’ll find all of your unlocked karts. Similarly to outfits, you can unlock new karts in the Race Pass/Premium Race Pass, the Item Shop, and by progressing through the game.
Click on the “Accessories” tab to customise your kart! You can change the wheels, booster colour, and licence plate.
Livery
The Livery is where you can change the overall colour scheme of your kart, allowing you to truly make it your own creation. You can also add decals here to customise your kart even further. It also includes a feature that allows you to design your own decals!
Once you’re done with your creation, you can save the Wrap Preset. This means you can go back to it whenever you want, even if you change cars.
Presets
On the topic of presets, you can also save up to four presets that include a character too. This is perfect for when you design a kart specifically for that character, such as a particular colour scheme or design. This little feature is incredibly handy when you want to swap out your characters now and again.
Item Shop
As with every free-to-play game, it’s no surprise that there’s an item shop. While micro-transactions aren’t for everyone, it’s important to remember that you don’t need to actually buy anything from here.
The Item Shop refreshes regularly, allowing you to purchase special packages, character outfits, karts, and more. There’s also the option to buy the premium currency called K-COINS. You use these coins to buy the Premium Race Pass.
Race Pass
Similarly to other free-to-play games, there’s a Race Pass – it’s basically a battle pass with 40 levels. If you don’t purchase it, you can still earn free rewards simply by playing the game. The normal rewards may not be as “special” as those in the Premium Race Pass, but they’re still great little freebies!
If you choose to buy the Premium Race Pass, you’ll earn rare rewards as you complete each level on the pass. In general, the Race Pass includes items such as karts, accessories, outfits, currency, and more.
Challenges
KartRider: Drift also includes daily challenges to work through. By completing these challenges, you’ll earn trophies and Racing Pass EXP that can help you increase your Racing Pass level.
There are also Premium Challenges that are unlocked once you have purchased the Premium Race Pass.
Looking for more KartRider: Drift content? Check out our KartRider: Drift tier list. If you”re on the hunt for something new to play, take a look at our guides for our Flash Party tier list, and our Brawl Stars tier list.