Scientist analyzes Mario Kart 8's 703,560 possible builds to create a formula that picks the best racer for you
Apr. 19, 2024There are builds that are mathematically optimized, but it all depends on your playstyle
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A data scientist has developed a tool to determine which Mario Kart 8 racer and build, out of every possible customization option, is statistically the best one for your playstyle.
Well, analyzing those 25,000-odd Mario Kart 8 builds, Mayerowitz then used the Pareto efficiency model, a popular concept in economics named after the Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto, to develop a tool that helps you find the right one “given your play style and skills.”
I’ll be real frank here, dear readers, I am not an economist, nor a mathematician, by any stretch of the imagination. For reference, my mother recently sent me my 8th-grade results from a national education test and my math comprehension was described as “average,” so that’s what we’re working with here. For that reason, I would gently guide you toMayerowitz own comprehensive explanationof the science behind all of this, but needless to say, it’s incredibly thorough.
Essentially, though, using Mayerowitz’s tools based on Pareto’s model, you can filter out “suboptimal” options and then apply weight to performance variables like speed, handling, acceleration, and weight based on your playstyle. That’ll leave you with the most optimized builds for your own unique playstyle presented as a set known as the Pareto front. Even more subtle gameplay variables like the amount of time you spend off-roading and using the mini-turbo are considered.
As an example, I plugged in what I think is important in a build according to my playstyle; acceleration got the most weight, because I’m constantly being derailed by blue turtle shells, and from there I prioritized weight and the mini-turbo. According to science, that means I should be playing as Metal Mario with a Biddybuggy kart, Roller tires, and a Peach Parasol. There are other identical options presented as well in case you prefer the aesthetics of one combination over the other.
Of course, the debate around the best possible Mario Kart 8 build will rage on for the foreseeable future, and there are various player-created tools online to back up arguments, but Mayerowitz’s is unique in the fact that it uses this particular mathematical model and allows you to make weighted variables based on your unique playstyle. Ultimately, though, we all know the ultimate variable eternally deciding Mario Kart matches:
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After scoring a degree in English from ASU, I worked as a copy editor while freelancing for places like SFX Magazine, Screen Rant, Game Revolution, and MMORPG on the side. Now, as GamesRadar’s west coast Staff Writer, I’m responsible for managing the site’s western regional executive branch, AKA my apartment, and writing about whatever horror game I’m too afraid to finish.
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