Table of Contents
UPGRADES................................................UP14
THE CHARACTERS..........................................CH14
PIPSY...................................................PI14
TIPTUP..................................................TI14
DIDDY...................................................DI14
DIXIE...................................................DX14
TINY....................................................TY14
TIMBER..................................................TI14
BUMPER..................................................BU14
KRUNCH..................................................KR14
DRUMSTICK...............................................DR14
T.T.....................................................TT14
TAJ.....................................................AJ14
WIZPIG..................................................WI14
TESTING.................................................TS14
OTHER STUFF.............................................OS14
Versions
1.5: Fixed a few more typos. I think I finally got them all.
1.4: Added the comment about the wish race backgrounds.
1.3: Finished the testing section, added the acceleration chart for the
hovercraft, added a list of sites that currently host this guide.
1.2: Corrected a small error and a few more typos.
1.1: Fixed some typos that made it past spell check.
1.0: The guide got accepted at gamefaqs. Yay!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
UP14 UPGRADES
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
In this section I'll tell you about the individual upgrades, what they do and
what they look like.
You can only use one upgrade at a time, they don't stack.
Upgrades work the same over wifi as they do in single player,
so picking the right one can be important
Now let's begin.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STANDARD UPGRADE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The default set of vehicles that you start out with all have the standard
upgrade equipped. They aren't anything special to look at and they reflect the
stats of the character that's using them. Since anyone that plays the game
already knows what they look like, I'm not going to bother with a description.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RACER UPGRADE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This upgrade improves all parameters of your vehicle. You'll be faster, you'll
turn sharper, and you'll go from zero to your new top speed that much quicker.
Since it's the first upgrade you can buy, I highly suggest getting it and using
it as quickly as possible upon starting a new file in this game.
CAR- It looks like the standard car, except it's sporting a spoiler mounted on
the back. This is actually what the cars looked like in the N64 version of DKR.
HOVERCRAFT- Two small, horizontal, triangular fins stick out the rear of the
vehicle, with one on either side of the fan.
PLANE- A second, arrow-like cross piece has been added to the tail-fin of the
plane. It makes the plane look a little faster. Maybe that's because it is.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BASIC DOWNFORCE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DON'T USE THIS UPGRADE!
Just don't. This is probably an oversight by the programmers, but this upgrade
improves handling by the EXACT same amount as the RACER upgrade. The problem is
that it doesn't increase anything else. All of the BASIC upgrades share this
problem. For some odd reason they only equal The RACER in their respective
categories, but equal the standard in all others. Got that?
ALL BASIC UPGRADES ARE WORTHLESS! THE RACER UPGRADE IS BETTER!
CAR- It's got a spoiler attached to the rear with fins on the ends and an
aerofoil mounted on the front. The whole thing looks like it's trying to mimic
the look of F1 cars, but it ends up looking more like a go cart. DO NOT USE.
HOVERCRAFT- Two small, diagonal fins stick up from the rear of the vehicle,
with one on either side of the fan. DO NOT USE.
PLANE- It looks like the STANDARD plane, but the wings both end with a thick,
spiked rod mounted on their tips. Kinda hard to describe. DO NOT USE.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOWNFORCE A & B
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These upgrades greatly improve your vehicle's handling. You'll find that you
can take sharp turns (or any turns, for that matter) much easier with one of
these equipped. Most characters won't be able to keep up in a straight race if
you choose either of these upgrades. However, they're an excellent choice for
heavier characters if you're going to play Battle mode or Token Tussle.
The only difference between A and B is appearance.
Choose the look you like best.
CAR A- Just like the BASIC downforce model, the DOWNFORCE A mimics the F1 look
With a large, finned spoiler on the rear and a large aerofoil on the front.
Both are a bit larger than the BASIC version.
CAR B- The spoiler and aerofoil on this upgrade are HUGE. If you like the
over-sized look, then this upgrade is for you.
HOVERCRAFT A- Two diagonal fins stick up from the rear of the vehicle. Each are
about half as tall as the fan on the hovercraft.
HOVERCRAFT B- Two giant diagonal fins stick up from the rear of the vehicle.
Twice the size of model A's and these fins each have another fin on them!
PLANE A- It looks like the STANDARD plane, but the wings both end with a thick,
spiked rod mounted on their tips. Kinda hard to describe. They're a little
longer than the BASIC downforce model and they narrow as they trail off the rear
of the wing.
PLANE B- Just like the downforce A model, except the rods narrow all the way
down to needle-sharp tips in the rear.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BASIC SPRINT
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SPRINT upgrades boost vehicle acceleration. This upgrade only boosts it as much
as the RACER upgrade, so don't use it. All airplanes accelerate at the same
speed, regardless of character or upgrades used, so putting it on the plane is
a bad idea. ALL BASIC UPGRADES ARE WORTHLESS! THE RACER UPGRADE IS BETTER!
CAR- The car now has a set of streamlined fenders above the wheels.
Cool looking, but DON'T USE THEM.
HOVERCRAFT- The fan on the back is replaced with some sort of futuristic
looking jet engine. DO NOT USE.
PLANE- The plane has a small tube that seems to be some sort of rocket booster
hanging from the middle of each wing. Using this upgrade is just like using
nothing at all, so don't.DO NOT USE.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SPRINT A & B
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These upgrades boost vehicle acceleration, which is handy for whenever you
happen to slow down. Didn't take that last turn quite right? Got hit with a
missile? These upgrades will get you back into the race that much quicker. Like
the DOWNFORCE upgrades, these don't do anything for top speed, so you may have
a hard time keeping up if you use them in a normal race. They're perfect for
Token Tussle and Battle Mode though. For some strange reason they have zero
effect on the plane, so don't bother. The only difference between A and B is
appearance. Choose the look you like best.
CAR A- The rear and front fenders from the BASIC version have been melded
together, giving it an extremely sleek, streamlined look, almost like that of a
Ferrari.
CAR B- Exactly the same as the A model, except this version has a spoiler on
the back.
HOVERCRAFT A- The fan on the back is replaced with some sort of futuristic
looking jet engine. Similar to the BASIC version, but a slightly different
design.
HOVERCRAFT B- The fan on the back is replaced with some sort of futuristic
looking jet engine. Similar to the BASIC and A versions, but a slightly
different design.
PLANE A- The Plane now has what appears to be rocket boosters attached to the
bottom of the wings. Too bad they don't do anything. DO NOT USE.
PLANE B- This model has huge boosters that are actually built into the middle
of the wings. They still don't do anything though. DO NOT USE.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BASIC AIR
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AIR upgrades make your vehicle faster. Much, much, faster! This one is only as
fast as the RACER upgrade though, so don't waste your time with it.
ALL BASIC UPGRADES ARE WORTHLESS! THE RACER UPGRADE IS BETTER!
CAR- It looks like the standard, but has a large tail pipe sticking out of the
rear. DO NOT USE.
HOVERCRAFT- It has two small exhaust vents mounted on either side of the main
fan to give it some extra kick.DO NOT USE.
PLANE- It looks like the standard, but has a large tail pipe sticking out of
the rear. DO NOT USE.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AIR A & B
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These are fast upgrades. They're so fast that even a slower character like
Pipsy or Tiptup can easily outrun a faster character like Krunch or TT. Simply
put, you need these upgrades to compete in online races if you want a chance to
win.
The only difference between A and B is appearance.
Choose the look you like best.
CAR A- Twin tail pipes stick out the rear of the vehicle.
CAR B- A huge tail pipe that looks more like a rocket sticks out the back of
the car.
HOVERCRAFT A- It has two exhaust vents mounted on either side of the main fan
to give it some extra kick. Larger than the BASIC version.
HOVERCRAFT B- It has two exhaust vents mounted on either side of the main fan
even larger than model A's.
PLANE A- Twin tail pipes stick out the rear of the vehicle.
PLANE B- A huge tail pipe that's more like a rocket sticks out the back of the
plane.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STANDARD CUSTOM
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Custom upgrades are a little strange. They tend to look cool and they increase
speed equal to that of the AIR upgrades, but they also decrease handling a
little. This upgrade is equal to the RACER in top speed, but it steers worse
than a standard vehicle, so steer clear.
CAR- This car upgrade has what looks to be an old-fashioned convertible roof
folded up on the back of it. DO NOT USE.
HOVERCRAFT- This version of the hovercraft has two long flagpoles mounted on
the back with pennants hanging from them. It also has a splash-guard on the
front of the tube. DO NOT USE.
PLANE- It looks like the standard. On close inspection you'll notice the wings
are shaped slightly different. meh. DO NOT USE.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CUSTOM A & B
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With top speed equal to that of AIR A & B and a cool new look, CUSTOM A & B
can make a decent substitute. They reduce handling a little, so don't stick
them on any character that already has a hard time turning, but otherwise
you'll probably barely notice the difference on mid and light weights. Some
people might even prefer it if they normally find a certain character's turning
slightly too sensitive. They might also help with that squirmy hovercraft.
Give'em a try!
CAR A- Some old fashioned headlights are mounted on the front.
CAR B- You can see the top of an over-sized engine sticking up through the
car hood.
HOVERCRAFT A- A pair of short wing/fins are attached to the sides of the tube.
They look cool, but they're actually solid, so that means they can get caught
on the edge of walls and other stuff. You're craft is actually slightly wider
with this upgrade equipped, so keep that in mind.
HOVERCRAFT B- A powerful looking engine is attached to the rear fan.
PLANE A- The wings of the plane are tilted forward more than usual, with a
different shape. It can be hard to see the difference while racing.
PLANE B- The plane's wings are actually bent into an arch shape, like the wings
of a bird in mid-flap.
*******************************************************************************
THE CHARACTERS: Who's been lying to you? CH14
*******************************************************************************
Before you read any farther, there's something you need to know.
The character's stats lie.
Quite a few characters in this game aren't quite what they seem.
TT isn't as fast Krunch. Bumper starts out faster than he wants you to know.
The Kongs may actually be some of the best characters in the game.
Drumstick most definitely is NOT a 5 out of 5 in acceleration.
TRUST NO ONE...
err... Except me.
In the following section I'll show you how the racers really stack up.
Then I'll go into detail on each character and reveal what I've found their
true stats to be on a 10 point scale, along with providing a few tips.
Let's get started!
Top Speed
============
Fast
============
Taj/Wizpig
Drumstick
Krunch
T.T.
Bumper
Timber
Diddy/Dixie/Tiny
Pipsy/Tiptup
============
Slow
============
Not too many surprises here except that T.T. isn't nearly has fast as the game
would have you believe. I should note that Bumper is only slightly faster than
Timber. In all the tests I did, the badger always beat the tiger by a very slim
margin. So slim that at first I thought it was just human error. But it
happened EVERY TIME. Finally, after many repeats I was satisfied that it was
just too much to be an accident.
Handling
============
Good
============
Pipsy/Tiptup
Diddy/Dixie/Tiny
Timber/T.T.
Bumper
Krunch
Drumstick
Taj/Wizpig
============
Bad
============
The Kongs easily handle better than Timber. Once again, T.T. gets caught making
stuff up. The timepeice can take corners about as well as Timber and they both
trump Bumper by a bit. Krunch actually CAN do something better than Drumstick.
Finally, it should be mentioned that Taj and Wizpig actually turn too sharply
in the car. It's kind of like trying to take every turn with the "R" button
held down.
Acceleration
Car Hovercraft
============ ============
Fast Fast
============ ============
Pipsy/Tiptup Pipsy/Tiptup
T.T. Diddy/Dixie/Tiny
Diddy/Dixie/Tiny Timber/Bumper
Timber/Bumper Krunch/Drumstick/T.T.
Taj/Wizpig Taj/Wizpig
Krunch/Drumstick
============ ============
Slow Slow
============ ============
Whoa! What happened here?! T.T. finally lives up to his reputation!
(except when he's in the hovercraft. Then he's slightly worse than Timber!)
The monkeys easily beat out Timber again, who happens to tie with... BUMPER?!
Odd as it may sound.
Taj and Wizpig are slightly better off the starting line in the car than you
might think. Drumstick proves that T.T.'s not the only fibber. He ties with
Krunch for last place. Finally, every character accelerates exactly the same
in the plane, for reasons we'll probably never understand.
Weight
============
Heavy
============
Taj/Wizpig
Drumstick
Krunch
Bumper
Timber/T.T.
Diddy/Dixie/Tiny
Pipsy/Tiptup
============
Light
============
Weight is a hidden stat that effects the game nonetheless.
Heavier characters can push lighter ones out of their way, but they slow down
more if they go off road. Light characters can still knock heavier racers out
of the way if they get a speed boost.
Both have their advantages, so this one is more a matter of choice.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PI14 Pipsy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|Top Speed 2/10 |Handling 10/10 |Acceleration 10/10 |Weight 2/10
|## |########## |########## |##
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
She may be a bit on the slow side, but what she lacks in raw speed, this mouse
makes up for with perfect handling and acceleration. With Pipsy, racing is all
about taking tight corners, hitting every zipper, and picking the weapons you
want carefully. By taking the most direct route you'll find you can catch
characters that would normal leave you in the dust.
The only thing she's missing is speed, so it wouldn't make sense to use any
upgrade other than AIR A or B. CUSTOM A or B would also be a fine choice if you
find her turning a little too sensitive. She has handling to spare, so she'll
still turn sharper than Diddy and company.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TI14 Tiptup!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|Top Speed 2/10 |Handling 10/10 |Acceleration 10/10 |Weight 2/10
|## |########## |########## |##
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Tiptup the turtle has exactly the same stats as Pipsy and so he should he
should be driven the same way. If you prefer finesse to raw power, he may be
the perfect racer for you. Tiptup can take any corner with ease and if you do
happen to take a hit or make a mistake, his high acceleration will put you
right back in the race when other characters would still be spinning their
wheels.
Like his lightweight counterpart Tiptup should stick to AIR or CUSTOM upgrades.
A Tiptup or Pipsy with those upgrades will easily out run even a non-upgraded
Drumstick, so you'll still be able to tear up the track.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DI14 Diddy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|Top Speed 4/10 |Handling 8/10 |Acceleration 8/10 |Weight 3/10
|#### |######## |######## |###
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
As the game's namesake, Diddy is probably the first character many new players
will try. That's not a bad thing at all, because this monkey is perfect for
beginners. Diddy's handling is still good enough to take any turn, and he has a
little more speed than the super-lightweights to get him out of tough
situations, should the need arise. In the hands of a master, this Kong can do
some simply amazing things. Never underestimate him.
Since his handling and acceleration are so close to perfect, AIR A or B should
be a Diddy driver's upgrade of choice. Anything else would be pointless.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DX14 Dixie!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|Top Speed 4/10 |Handling 8/10 |Acceleration 8/10 |Weight 3/10
|#### |######## |######## |###
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Dixie is the female equivalent of Diddy. She can do anything he can do without
any problem. In fact, all of the Kongs have identical stats, so it's really
just a matter of which one you like best. Like Diddy, Dixie boasts what just
might be the perfect combination of finesse and speed. Easy for beginners,
deadly when mastered, give her a try and she might surprise you.
This character is brought to you by upgrades AIR A and B. CUSTOM A or B
wouldn't be a bad choice either.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TY14 Tiny!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|Top Speed 4/10 |Handling 8/10 |Acceleration 8/10 |Weight 3/10
|#### |######## |######## |###
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The last of the three Kongs, but by no means the the least. Tiny is Dixie's
younger sister. Yep... younger. I guess some Kongs just develop faster than
others... Anyway... Tiny must take after her "big" sister, because she handles
exactly the same. She can take any turn, keep up with the pack, make a last
second comeback and look good doing it.
If you couldn't guess, Tiny should use AIR/CUSTOM A or B. With them, she and
the other Kongs are faster than a non-upgraded Drumstick.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TI14 Timber!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|Top Speed 5/10 |Handling 6/10 |Acceleration 6/10 |Weight 4/10
|##### |###### |###### |####
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
"Middle of the road" would be the perfect way to describe Timber. Not that you
should actual dive in the middle of the road. That would be stupid. He handles
better than the heavyweights and he's faster than the lightweights. This tiger
is for the person that wants to do it all. He doesn't have any weak points, but
no real strengths either. Of course, this makes him very, very versatile, which
is a strength unto itself. Timber can race however the situation calls for.
While other players might lock themselves into a failing tactic just by the
character that they pick, Timber can switch strategies on the fly if something
isn't working out. Consider using him and see if there's anything he can't do.
As far as upgrades are concerned, AIR A and B are still the way to go. Timber
could probably do alright with CUSTOM too, but he doesn't have much turning
room to spare, so limiting him further might not be a good idea.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BU14 Bumper!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|Top Speed 6/10 |Handling 5/10 |Acceleration 6/10 |Weight 5/10
|###### |##### |###### |#####
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Bumper the badger is fairly similar to Timber. He can't turn quite as sharply,
but He's ever so slightly faster and he has a little more weight to throw
around. Over all, a player could probably switch back and forth between the two
without much trouble. Bumper is another character that can do it all. No matter
what type of race you're in, he'll give you a solid performance.
Just don't steal his eggs.
Badgers hate it when you do that.
AIR A or B. Are you sick of reading that yet? It might be fun to play around
with DOWNFORCE or SPRINT in battle mode, but Bumper just isn't naturally fast
enough to keep up with the other racers if they upgrade speed and he doesn't.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
KR14 Krunch!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|Top Speed 8/10 |Handling 3/10 |Acceleration 2/10 |Weight 8/10
|######## |### |## |########
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Krunch is definitely what you could call a "niche character." He's the fastest
of the original characters, but the slowest of the heavyweights. Still, he has
his advantages. He handles better than Drumstick, he's great in the hovercraft,
and he's quite a bit faster than midweights like Bumper, Timber, and even T.T.
Racing well with Krunch takes some practice. It helps to memorize the tracks so
that you can anticipate the turns. It helps even more to learn how to use the
"R" button effectively. Not for everyone, but a select few will undoubtedly
find he's the perfect fit.
Krunch should use AIR A and B upgrades in normal races, but it might be a good
idea to switch them for DOWNFORCE or SPRINT upgrades in Battle Mode and Token
Tussle where maneuverability can be the difference between victory and defeat.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DR14 Drumstick!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|Top Speed 9/10 |Handling 2/10 |Acceleration 2/10 |Weight 9/10
|######### |## |## |#########
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Drumstick is basically a faster version of Krunch with worse handling. There's
no hiding it, this rooster is all about the speed. He does well in the
hovercraft, but in the car or plane he can have some trouble turning. This
problem can be solved if you just start turning a little earlier than you
normally would and learn to use the "R" button effectively. If you can keep him
on the course, any other racer will be hard-pressed to catch him. When you just
want to throw subtlety to the wind and plow through the competition,
Drumstick is the bird for you.
Drumstick is fast. Very fast. But sadly, he's still not fast enough to avoid
using AIR A or B. Without a speed upgrade, he's slightly slower than a
fully upgraded Tiptup or Pipsy. The Downforce and Sprint just don't improve him
enough to compete with other characters faster than himself. They work
wonderfully in other modes of play, however.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TT14 T.T.!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|Top Speed 7/10 |Handling 6/10 |Acceleration 9/10 |Weight 4/10
|####### |###### |######### |####
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
T.T. is, simply put, an enigma. Almost none of the stats that the game provides
for him are accurate and he has a few odd gameplay quirks, like the fact that
his acceleration is much worse in the hovercraft. That said, T.T. is still an
awesome character. He's faster than Bumper, has better acceleration that the
Kongs (in a car) and handles like Timber. He does have one downside, however.
He's so big that he can block your view of the road ahead. Spotting any
droppers or road zippers directly ahead of you can be a huge problem. Zippers
can be memorized, but droppers... Still, if you're that far ahead of the other
racers, droppers aren't much of an issue.
This clock runs pretty fast. He'll run even faster with AIR A or B upgrading
his vehicle.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AJ14 Taj!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|Top Speed 10/10 |Handling 1/10 |Acceleration 3/10 |Weight 10/10
|########## |# |### |##########
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
If Drumbstick is fast, then Taj is beyond fast. His natural speed is equal to
that of Krunch sporting and AIR A or B upgrade! His handling is just strange.
In the car, rather than having a hard time turning, the lightest tap of the
D-pad can make him pivot 90 degrees. Naturally, this means you're going to be
slamming into a lot of walls unless you can get used to it. That's a bad thing,
because Taj has some of the worst acceleration in the game. His hovercraft is
decent and his plane behaves just like one would expect. Don't plan on making
any turns. While most people can become nearly unstoppable with Taj's car and a
little practice, only a true master can learn to use his plane effectively.
Taj is fast enough to use any upgrade you want, but the way you race can change
dramatically depending on what you choose. In the car, you can use a CUSTOM A
or B to further enhance Taj's already blinding speed and make his handling a
little more controllable at the same time, or you could go with a SPRINT
upgrade to eliminate his only real weakness. In the plane if you can actually
manage to turn with the increased speed of an AIR upgrade, then props. The rest
of us might find it more useful to invest in a DOWNFORCE upgrade to make
steering a little easier.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WI14 Wizpig!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|Top Speed 10/10 |Handling 1/10 |Acceleration 3/10 |Weight 10/10
|########## |# |### |##########
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
The evil pig that's as big as an elephant and twice as fat. What's not to like?
Wizpig controls exactly like Taj, right down to the wonky steering in the car.
With a little practice Mr. Pig could very well have his revenge for his defeat
in Adventure mode. If you can master him then the only thing you have to fear
is the weapons of the other racers, because his acceleration is pretty lousy.
As with Taj, you can feel free to pick and choose the upgrade you'd like to
race with. Give it some thought and choose the one that suits you best.
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
TS14 TESTING
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Now I've made a lot of crazy claims in this guide.
You may be wondering why you should believe any of them.
In this section I will describe the tests I performed to get the information to
make this FAQ. I'll show you the numbers and how I got them. I'll tell you how
to recreate them so that you can see for yourself.
TOP SPEED TESTS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the the top speed course that I used for my testing.
Actually, this a pretty poor picture, because the real version
is a perfect hexagon and the corners are nowhere near as sharp as this
crude drawing makes it look, but that's ok.
The real purpose of this drawing is to help you recreate the track for
your own use.
Each "O" is a single unit of track on the wish race track edittor.
As you can see, each side of the hexagon is 6 units long, with the end units
each shared between two sides. The "s" marks the starting line.
You drive around the track counter-clockwise.
Naturally, the track is set to completely flat.
O
O O
O O
O O
O O
O O
| O O ^
| O O |
v O O |
O O
O O
O O
O O
O O
O s O
O
s
I used this track because of the long straight sections, and because the
corners are gental enough that any character, even Drumstick, can take them
without slowing down or going off course.
Next is a cross section of the track.
__________
^ ()()()() ^
^ )()()()( ^
^ ()()()() ^
inside ^ ()()()() ^ outside
^ )()()()( ^
^ ()()()() ^
^ )()()()( ^
^ )()()()( ^
----------
/\
/\
Again, not the best drawing, but work with me.
The edges of a wish track are lined with a thin, white, slightly upraised strip
along the sides of the track. This is represented by the "^"s in the diagram.
Next is a smooth, light grey berm along the edges that's about the same width
as the cars. It's represented by the empty gap in the diagram.
Finally, the center of the track and the part that makes up most of it is a
mass of wavy cloud textures, which are represented by the "()."
For my runs, I drove on the inside of the track, with half of my car in the
light grey berm area and the other half in the wavy cloud area.
The large arrows point to where I drove.
I did my absolute best to keep the line between these two areas going straight
down the center of my vehicle at all times. This way, no matter which character
I chose, I always knew that I was taking the exact same course. You should be
over just enough to pop the balloons closest to the edge of the track.
When you start a wish race the game randomly picks one of four backgrounds for
your race. The Dino Domain (brown) and Dragon Forest (green) backgrounds make
the details of the track much easier to see. I restarted if I didn't get them
because it's much, much harder to tell if you're on course without them.
Understand? No? Too Bad. =p
I can't explain it any better.
Here are the times I got with the tests I did. No starting boost, items, or
powersliding, just straight driving using the method described above.
Characters \ Standard \ Racer \ Air A & B
-------------|----------|----------|----------
Pipsy\Tiptup | 2:22:44 | 2:15:54 | 2:04:06
-------------|----------|----------|----------
Kongs | 2:19:52 | 2:13:20 | 2:02:00
-------------|----------|----------|----------
Timber | 2:17:26 | 2:11:33 | 1:59:38
-------------|----------|----------|----------
Bumper | 2:17:04 | 2:11:02 | 1:59:02
-------------|----------|----------|----------
TT | 2:15:42 | 2:09:45 | 1:57:50
-------------|----------|----------|----------
Krunch | 2:12:34 | 2:06:12 | 1:55:22
-------------|----------|----------|----------
Drumstick | 2:08:35 | 2:02:22 | 1:52:08
-------------|----------|----------|----------
Taj\Wizpig | 1:56:30 | 1:51:18 | 1:42:48
----------------------------------------------
ACCELERATION TESTS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For testing acceleration, I chose Ancient Lake.
The test was simple. I'd drive around the track and stop right before the
bridge. I'd get my front wheel right up to where it started and wait. When the
timer hit 00:40:00 I'd slam on the gas. The lap timer would record the time it
took to travel the short distance to the finish line. EXAMPLE: 00:42:08
With the Hovercraft I used similar methods, but I'd ride slightly up the
incline at the back of the bridge. Gravity would pull the craft backwards and
line it up at the base of the bridge for me. That way I'd always know it was in
the same starting location for each run.
I used the same method with the plane but every character got the same time,
with the only differences being made by top speed. When I tried the Sprint
Upgrades, the times were exactly the same as Standard. This is how I learned
that acceleration is the same for every character and upgrade in the plane.
Weird...
Here are the times for the car and hovercraft. Upgrade Air A/B was used for
these tests because the I noticed that with the slower upgrades, the
characters with better acceleration like Tiptup were actually hitting their
top speeds before they crossed the finish line. Raising their top speed was
the solution, because it takes them longer to max it out, thus providing a more
accurate test.
Characters \ Car \ Hovercraft
-------------|----------|----------
Pipsy\Tiptup | 2:08 | 2:00
-------------|----------|----------
Kongs | 2:18 | 2:12
-------------|----------|----------
Timber | 2:28 | 2:36
-------------|----------|----------
Bumper | 2:28 | 2:36
-------------|----------|----------
TT | 2:14 | 2:46
-------------|----------|----------
Krunch | 2:40 | 2:46
-------------|----------|----------
Drumstick | 2:40 | 2:46
-------------|----------|----------
Taj\Wizpig | 2:38 | 3:00
-----------------------------------
HANDLING TESTS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What tests? I basically just drove with each character and got a feel for them.
I also took them to Thunder Cove and did donuts with them to see how tightly
they could turn. I'd sometimes use droppers to help mark exactly how tightly
they could corner. That's it!
WEIGHT TESTS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I recruited Ujjay and Enjoyme to help out. I made a nice long wish track and
used missles to signal them to get a running start and ram me as hard as they
could. Then I'd jot down some notes, repeat, and we'd switch characters.
OS14
Special Thanks go to Ujjay Brawley and Enjoyme.
Both of them helped me do the testing for the characters' weight stats.
Thanks guys, I couldn't have done it without you.
You can contact me at [email][email protected][/email] if you have
something you'd like to add to the faq or ask about. If I get flooded with
stupid questions that are already covered here then I'll just remove my address
and that will be that.
Anyone that wants to use this guide can do so for personal use.
You can even put it on your site if you'd like.
Just let me know, and please give me credit.
It's currently hosted on Gamefaqs.com, Neoseeker.com, and Supercheats.com
Legal stuff
I don't own anything having to do with this game.
I don't have any connections to the companies that made this game.
Please don't sue me. ;_;
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