Rainbow Road (Mario Kart 8): Difference between revisions

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(Rewrote sections of the article describing the tiled structure of the racetrack in an effort to draw attention to the fact that the racetrack is designed to resemble solar panels, in keeping with its space station theme.)
m (Text replacement - "([^'])\[\[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass\|Booster Course Pass\]\]" to "$1''Booster Course Pass''")
 
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{{italic title|id=yes}}
{{italic title|id=yes}}
{{about|the race course from ''[[Mario Kart 8]]''|Rainbow Road as a whole and other versions of the track|[[Rainbow Road]]}}
{{about|the race course from ''[[Mario Kart 8]]''|Rainbow Road as a whole and other versions of the track|[[Rainbow Road]]}}
{{racecourse
{{race course infobox
|title=Rainbow Road
|image=[[File:MK8-Course-RainbowRoad.png|300px]]
|image=[[File:MK8-Course-RainbowRoad.png|270px]]
|appears_in=''[[Mario Kart 8]]'' ([[List of games by date#2014|2014]]) <br> ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]'' ([[List of games by date#2017|2017]])
|appearances=''[[Mario Kart 8]]'' ([[List of games by date#2014|2014]]) <br> ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]'' ([[List of games by date#2017|2017]])
|cups=[[Special Cup]]
|cups=[[Special Cup]]
|ghost=2:23.967 by Nin★Mizuho (''8'') (as [[Pink Gold Peach]])<br>2:25.267 by Nin★Mizuho (''8 Deluxe'') (as [[Pink Gold Peach]]) (150cc)<br>1:55.767 by Nin★Pedro (''8 Deluxe'') (as [[Rosalina]]) (200cc)
|ghost={{ghost|8|Nin★Mizuho|2:23.967|[[File:MK8 PGPeach Icon.png|32px|link=Pink Gold Peach]][[File:CometBodyMK8.png|32px|link=Comet]][[File:SlimTiresMK8.png|32px|link=Slim (tire)|Slim]][[File:MK8ThumbPinkGoldPeachSG.png|32px|link=Super Glider]]}}{{ghost|8DX <small>150cc</small>|Nin★Mizuho|2:25.267|[[File:MK8 PGPeach Icon.png|32px|link=Pink Gold Peach]][[File:CometBodyMK8.png|32px|link=Comet]][[File:SlimTiresMK8.png|32px|link=Slim (tire)|Slim]][[File:MK8ThumbPinkGoldPeachSG.png|32px|link=Super Glider]]}}{{ghost|8DX <small>200cc</small>|Nin★Pedro|1:55.767|[[File:MK8 Rosalina Icon.png|32px|link=Rosalina]][[File:Mach8BodyMK8.png|32px|link=Mach 8]][[File:Blue Standard.png|32px|link=Blue Standard]][[File:MKTVParafoilGliderMK8.png|32px|link=MKTV Parafoil]]}}
|wifi=Available ([[Wii U]], [[Nintendo Switch|Switch]])
|online_play=No longer available ([[Wii U]])<br>Available ([[Nintendo Switch|Switch]])
|music=Shiho Fujii[[File:MK8-Music-RainbowRoad.oga]]
|sample=Shiho Fujii<br>[[File:MK8-Music-RainbowRoad.oga]]<br>Frontrunning<br>[[File:WiiU RainbowRoad Frontrunning.oga]]
|map=''Mario Kart 8'' / ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''
|map=''Mario Kart 8'' / ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''
<div style="white-space: nowrap;">[[File:MK8 Rainbow Road Map.png|frameless|upright=0.65]][[File:MK8DX Rainbow Road Map.png|frameless|upright=0.65]]</div>
<div style="white-space: nowrap;">[[File:MK8 Rainbow Road Map.png|frameless|upright=0.65]][[File:MK8DX Rainbow Road Map.png|frameless|upright=0.65]]</div>
}}
}}
'''Rainbow Road''' is the fourth and final course of the [[Special Cup]] in ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'' and ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]''. Unique from its predecessors, this incarnation takes place in a space station presumably owned by [[Mario Kart TV]] or [[List of sponsors debuting in Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe#Rainbow Exploration Agency|REXA]], with its multiple satellites floating, satellite-formed bleachers with audience cheering, and the road designed to resemble a space station's solar panels, as opposed to the transparent glass surface of previous games. It is located above the [[Earth]]'s atmosphere, similar to that of [[Rainbow Road (Mario Kart Wii)|Rainbow Road]] from ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]''. One noticeable feature of the course is a space shuttle that resembles a [[Blooper]] which circles around the course, similar to how a flying train circles around {{classic-link|N64|Rainbow Road}}. Due to the presence of the space shuttles and technological architecture, the course has a unique electronic and futuristic design, appearing like a stadium floating above the atmosphere.
'''Rainbow Road''' is the fourth and final course of the [[Special Cup]] in ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'' and ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]''. Unlike its predecessors, this incarnation takes place in a space station presumably owned by [[Mario Kart TV]] or [[List of sponsors debuting in Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe#Rainbow Exploration Agency|REXA]], with its multiple satellites floating, satellite-formed bleachers with an audience cheering, and the road designed to resemble a space station's solar panels, as opposed to the transparent glass surface of previous games. It is located above the [[Earth]]'s atmosphere, similar to {{Classic-link|Wii|Rainbow Road}}. One noticeable feature of the course is a space shuttle that resembles a [[Blooper]] which circles around the course. Due to the presence of the space shuttles and technological architecture, the course has a unique electronic and futuristic design, appearing like a stadium floating above the atmosphere.


The track itself is located on a series of enormous, curved solar panels covered in multicolored, square tiles. The rainbow patterns are similar to that of the ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]'' [[Rainbow Road (Mario Kart: Double Dash!!)|iteration]], which mainly consists of light pink, yellow, and turquoise, though the colors now appear to be shifting within a color spectrum, similar to [[Dash Panel]]s of previous installments before ''Mario Kart 7''. Several [[Toad (species)|Toads]] can be seen floating around the starting line, wearing spacesuits.
The track itself is located on a series of enormous, curved solar panels covered in multicolored, square tiles. The rainbow patterns are similar to that of the ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]'' [[Rainbow Road (Mario Kart: Double Dash!!)|iteration]], which mainly consists of light pink, yellow, and turquoise, though the colors now appear to be shifting within a color spectrum, similar to [[Dash Panel]]s of previous installments before ''Mario Kart 7''. Several [[Toad (species)|Toads]] can be seen floating around the starting line, wearing spacesuits.


This is the only Rainbow Road (so far) to have off-road terrain segments. The music also has a different feel to it, with more emphasis on electronic rock style. The game's producer, [[Hideki Konno]], describes it as "really spectacular".<ref>Makuch, Eddie. (April 3, 2014). [https://www.gamespot.com/articles/mario-kart-8-it-s-not-all-about-luck-two-rainbow-roads-confirmed/1100-6418730/ Mario Kart 8: It's not all about luck, two Rainbow Roads confirmed]. ''GameSpot''. Retrieved March 13, 2021.</ref>  
This is the only Rainbow Road to have off-road terrain segments. Its music also has a different feel to it, with more emphasis on an electronic rock style. The game's producer, [[Hideki Konno]], describes it as "really spectacular".<ref>Makuch, Eddie. (April 3, 2014). [https://www.gamespot.com/articles/mario-kart-8-it-s-not-all-about-luck-two-rainbow-roads-confirmed/1100-6418730/ Mario Kart 8: It's not all about luck, two Rainbow Roads confirmed]. ''GameSpot''. Retrieved March 13, 2021.</ref> Its music is used in various promotional material for the ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass|Booster Course Pass]]'' downloadable content for ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''.


==Course layout==
==Course layout==
[[File:MK8-Course-RainbowRoad-overview.jpg|thumb|left|290px|Overview of the course]]
[[File:MK8-Course-RainbowRoad-overview.jpg|thumb|left|290px|Overview of the course]]
The course starts from the first space station with its rainbow-colored solar panel. After a turn the racers drive through the first anti-gravity section, that is 8-shaped. A [[Glide Ramp]] is found after the anti-gravity section and leads to the second space station with a large imprint of [[Mario]]'s emblem in the entrance. It contains conveyor belts with opposite directions that changes every 50 seconds, like [[Toad's Factory]] from ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]''. At the end of the conveyor belts there is a slope with alternate Dash Panels (that turn on and off through time) and at the end of it are two Glide Ramps that lead to two intertwining anti-gravity sections. The gliding section consists of three [[Ring (Mario Kart series)|Rings]] that resemble [[Launch Star]]s, and it acts similarly to a [[Cannon (Mario Kart series)|cannon]], though racers can slightly control their gliders.
The course starts in the first space station with its rainbow-colored solar panel. After a turn, the racers drive through the first [[anti-gravity]] section, which is 8-shaped. A [[Glide Ramp]] is found after the anti-gravity section and leads to the second space station with a large imprint of [[Mario]]'s emblem on the entrance. It features [[conveyor belt]]s with opposite directions that changes every 50 seconds, like [[Toad's Factory]] from ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'', even using red and green as the colors denoting which one is slowing racers down and which one is speeding them up. Unlike that course, though, the green belt has ramps pop up, allowing for [[Jump Boost|trick]]s to be performed. At the end of the conveyor belts, there is a slope with alternating sets of two [[Dash Panel]]s and at the end of it are two Glide Ramps that lead to two intertwining anti-gravity sections. The gliding section consists of three [[Ring (Mario Kart series)|Rings]] that resemble [[Launch Star]]s, and it acts similarly to a [[Cannon (Mario Kart series)|cannon]], though racers can slightly control their gliders.


The anti-gravity paths alter in height, so if the player falls from the highest one, they can simply land on the other one. The player can see a Blooper-like spaceship orbiting around. Then the paths merge each other and the anti-gravity section ends. A 180° turn with some Dash Panels at the outermost part, like in [[Mario Kart Stadium]], and another turn make the track loop end. At this turn the player can see a hologram projection that says [[Special Cup|"SPECIAL CUP"]] with its trophy logo, but only in single-player mode. The racers then return to the space station where the finish line awaits them and starts the next lap.
The anti-gravity paths alter in height, so if the player falls from the highest one, they can generally land on the other one. Each one twists in different ways, forming another 8-shape. Then the paths merge and the anti-gravity section ends. A 180° turn with some Dash Panels along the outermost part, like in [[Mario Kart Stadium]], and another turn make the track loop end. The third 8 is formed by the ending portion of the split path and the 180° turn. At this turn the player can see a hologram projection that says [[Special Cup|"SPECIAL CUP"]] with its trophy logo, albeit only in single-player mode. The racers then return to the space station where the finish line awaits them and begin the next lap.


There are three 8-shaped sections in this course, referencing its game, ''Mario Kart 8''. One is right away from the starting line after exiting the large space station, and the other two are formed by the two twisting paths in the descending anti-gravity segment.
There are three 8-shaped sections in this course, referencing its game, ''Mario Kart 8''. One is right away from the starting line after exiting the large space station, and the other two are formed by the two twisting paths in the descending anti-gravity segment.


Before the finish line, a screen can be seen displaying the course's map. Other courses containing their own map are [[Water Park]] and {{classic-link|GCN|Yoshi Circuit}}. The screens can also display the structure of the Blooper space shuttle.
Before the finish line, a screen can be seen displaying the course's map. Other courses containing their own map are [[Mario Kart Stadium]], [[Water Park]], {{classic-link|GCN|Yoshi Circuit}}, and, in ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'', [[Merry Mountain]]. The screens can also display the structure of the Blooper space shuttle.


===Shortcut===
==Shortcuts==
*On the second space station, there is a patch of off-road to the right of the conveyor belts, which can be cut through with a [[Dash Mushroom|Mushroom]].
*After the cannon, the lower path offers drivers a shortcut if they stay to the right of the [[Spin Boost Pillar]] and drive off the edge.<ref name="Mario Kart 8 Nitro Rainbow Road Shortcut">[http://mariokart8.onegameguide.com/rainbow-road-track/ Mario Kart 8 Nitro Rainbow Road Shortcut]</ref>
*After the cannon, the lower path offers drivers a shortcut if they stay to the right of the [[Spin Boost Pillar]] and drive off the edge.<ref name="Mario Kart 8 Nitro Rainbow Road Shortcut">[http://mariokart8.onegameguide.com/rainbow-road-track/ Mario Kart 8 Nitro Rainbow Road Shortcut]</ref>
*Each route has an off-road section along the penultimate turn before they merge together, allowing for shortcuts to be performed with [[Dash Mushroom|Mushrooms]].


===Staff ghost===
{{br}}
[[Pink Gold Peach]] on the [[Comet (bike)|Comet]] bike with [[Slim (tire)|Slim]] tires and [[Super Glider]] is the staff ghost for this course. [[Rosalina]] on the [[Mach 8]] kart with [[Blue Standard]] tires and [[MKTV Parafoil]] is the 200cc staff ghost for this course in ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''.{{br}}


==Sponsors==
==Sponsors==
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RainbowRoadMK82.png|[[Princess Peach|Peach]] about to drive into the first anti-gravity section
RainbowRoadMK82.png|[[Princess Peach|Peach]] about to drive into the first anti-gravity section
RainbowRoadMK8.png|Peach gliding in front of the second space station
RainbowRoadMK8.png|Peach gliding in front of the second space station
Rainbow Road MK8 Mario boost.png|[[Mario]] performs a Trick.
Rainbow Road MK8 Mario boost.png|[[Mario]] performing a trick
MK8 Toad on Rainbow Road.png|[[Toad]], driving on the sloped anti-gravity section
MK8 Toad on Rainbow Road.png|[[Toad]] driving on the sloped anti-gravity section
Rosalina-RainbowRoad-Glider-MK8.jpg|[[Rosalina]] uses the first Glide Ramp.
Rosalina-RainbowRoad-Glider-MK8.jpg|[[Rosalina]] using the first Glide Ramp
RainbowRoadAerial.jpg|[[Metal Mario (character)|Metal Mario]] jumping off of a section on the course
RainbowRoadAerial.jpg|[[Metal Mario]] jumping off of a section on the course
SpaceStationRoad.jpg|A released screenshot of the course revealing the name of the course
SpaceStationRoad.jpg|A released screenshot of the course revealing the name of the course
Blooper Spaceship stamp MK8.png|The [[Stamp (Mario Kart 8)|stamp]] obtained for beating the staff ghost at this course
Blooper Spaceship stamp MK8.png|The [[Stamp (Mario Kart 8)|stamp]] obtained for beating the staff ghost at this course
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|JapM=Rainbow Road
|JapM=Rainbow Road
|Spa=Senda Arco Iris
|Spa=Senda Arco Iris
|SpaM=Rainbow Trail
|SpaM=Rainbow Path
|Fra=Route Arc-en-ciel
|Fre=Route Arc-en-ciel
|FraM=Rainbow Road
|FreM=Rainbow Road
|Dut=Regenboogbaan
|Dut=Regenboogbaan
|DutM=Rainbow Track
|DutM=Rainbow Track
Line 82: Line 82:
|Chi=彩虹之路
|Chi=彩虹之路
|ChiR=Cǎihóng zhī Lù
|ChiR=Cǎihóng zhī Lù
|ChiM=Rainbow Road}}
|ChiM=Rainbow Road
}}


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*This course, {{classic-link|N64|Rainbow Road}}, {{classic-link|SNES|Rainbow Road}}, and {{classic-link|GCN|Baby Park}} are the only courses in ''Mario Kart 8'' to have the map in multiple colors instead of just blue.
*This course, {{classic-link|N64|Rainbow Road}}, {{classic-link|SNES|Rainbow Road}}, and {{classic-link|GCN|Baby Park}} are the only courses in ''Mario Kart 8'' to have the map in multiple colors instead of just blue.
*The sound effect heard in the circular conveyor belt section is from ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'' and is similarly used with rotating objects.


==References==
==References==
<references/>
<references/>


{{MK race courses}}
{{MK8}}
{{MK8}}
{{Racecourses}}
[[Category:Cosmic areas]]
[[Category:Cosmic areas]]
[[Category:Unlockable race courses]]
[[Category:Mario Kart 8 race courses]]
[[Category:Mario Kart 8 race courses]]
[[de:Regenbogen-Boulevard#Mario Kart 8]]
[[de:Regenbogen-Boulevard#Mario Kart 8]]
[[it:Pista Arcobaleno (Wii U)]]
[[it:Pista Arcobaleno (Wii U)]]

Latest revision as of 20:23, April 13, 2024

This article is about the race course from Mario Kart 8. For Rainbow Road as a whole and other versions of the track, see Rainbow Road.
Rainbow Road
Rainbow Road in Mario Kart 8.
Information
Appears in Mario Kart 8 (2014)
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017)
Cup(s) Special Cup
Online play No longer available (Wii U)
Available (Switch)
Music sample
Shiho Fujii

Frontrunning
Course map
Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Map of Rainbow Road in Mario Kart 8.Map of Rainbow Road in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
Staff ghost(s)
8 Nin★Mizuho
2:23.967 Pink Gold PeachCometSlimSuper Glider
8DX 150cc Nin★Mizuho
2:25.267 Pink Gold PeachCometSlimSuper Glider
8DX 200cc Nin★Pedro
1:55.767 RosalinaMach 8Blue StandardMKTV Parafoil

Rainbow Road is the fourth and final course of the Special Cup in Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Unlike its predecessors, this incarnation takes place in a space station presumably owned by Mario Kart TV or REXA, with its multiple satellites floating, satellite-formed bleachers with an audience cheering, and the road designed to resemble a space station's solar panels, as opposed to the transparent glass surface of previous games. It is located above the Earth's atmosphere, similar to Wii Rainbow Road. One noticeable feature of the course is a space shuttle that resembles a Blooper which circles around the course. Due to the presence of the space shuttles and technological architecture, the course has a unique electronic and futuristic design, appearing like a stadium floating above the atmosphere.

The track itself is located on a series of enormous, curved solar panels covered in multicolored, square tiles. The rainbow patterns are similar to that of the Mario Kart: Double Dash!! iteration, which mainly consists of light pink, yellow, and turquoise, though the colors now appear to be shifting within a color spectrum, similar to Dash Panels of previous installments before Mario Kart 7. Several Toads can be seen floating around the starting line, wearing spacesuits.

This is the only Rainbow Road to have off-road terrain segments. Its music also has a different feel to it, with more emphasis on an electronic rock style. The game's producer, Hideki Konno, describes it as "really spectacular".[1] Its music is used in various promotional material for the Booster Course Pass downloadable content for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

Course layout[edit]

Rainbow Road
Overview of the course

The course starts in the first space station with its rainbow-colored solar panel. After a turn, the racers drive through the first anti-gravity section, which is 8-shaped. A Glide Ramp is found after the anti-gravity section and leads to the second space station with a large imprint of Mario's emblem on the entrance. It features conveyor belts with opposite directions that changes every 50 seconds, like Toad's Factory from Mario Kart Wii, even using red and green as the colors denoting which one is slowing racers down and which one is speeding them up. Unlike that course, though, the green belt has ramps pop up, allowing for tricks to be performed. At the end of the conveyor belts, there is a slope with alternating sets of two Dash Panels and at the end of it are two Glide Ramps that lead to two intertwining anti-gravity sections. The gliding section consists of three Rings that resemble Launch Stars, and it acts similarly to a cannon, though racers can slightly control their gliders.

The anti-gravity paths alter in height, so if the player falls from the highest one, they can generally land on the other one. Each one twists in different ways, forming another 8-shape. Then the paths merge and the anti-gravity section ends. A 180° turn with some Dash Panels along the outermost part, like in Mario Kart Stadium, and another turn make the track loop end. The third 8 is formed by the ending portion of the split path and the 180° turn. At this turn the player can see a hologram projection that says "SPECIAL CUP" with its trophy logo, albeit only in single-player mode. The racers then return to the space station where the finish line awaits them and begin the next lap.

There are three 8-shaped sections in this course, referencing its game, Mario Kart 8. One is right away from the starting line after exiting the large space station, and the other two are formed by the two twisting paths in the descending anti-gravity segment.

Before the finish line, a screen can be seen displaying the course's map. Other courses containing their own map are Mario Kart Stadium, Water Park, GCN Yoshi Circuit, and, in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Merry Mountain. The screens can also display the structure of the Blooper space shuttle.

Shortcuts[edit]

  • On the second space station, there is a patch of off-road to the right of the conveyor belts, which can be cut through with a Mushroom.
  • After the cannon, the lower path offers drivers a shortcut if they stay to the right of the Spin Boost Pillar and drive off the edge.[2]
  • Each route has an off-road section along the penultimate turn before they merge together, allowing for shortcuts to be performed with Mushrooms.

Sponsors[edit]

Mario Kart 8 Original Soundtrack liner notes[edit]

"This course is actually located on a space station and we've reflected that in the music by using futuristic-sounding effects."

Gallery[edit]

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese レインボーロード[?]
Reinbō Rōdo
Rainbow Road
Chinese 彩虹之路[?]
Cǎihóng zhī Lù
Rainbow Road
Dutch Regenboogbaan[?] Rainbow Track
French Route Arc-en-ciel[?] Rainbow Road
German Regenbogen-Boulevard[?] Rainbow Boulevard
Italian Pista Arcobaleno[?] Rainbow Track
Korean 무지개 로드[?]
Mujigae Rodeu
Rainbow Road
Portuguese Estrada Arco-Íris[?] Rainbow Road
Russian Трасса Радуга[?]
Trassa Raduga
Rainbow Track
Spanish Senda Arco Iris[?] Rainbow Path

Trivia[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Makuch, Eddie. (April 3, 2014). Mario Kart 8: It's not all about luck, two Rainbow Roads confirmed. GameSpot. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  2. ^ Mario Kart 8 Nitro Rainbow Road Shortcut