Mine Cart Race in Super Mario RPG. The guide covers the Mine Cart Race minigame, including tips and rewards. Use this as a reference when doing Mine Cart Race.
Table of Contents
Mine Cart Race Guide Video
Mine Cart Race Guide Video (2:14)
Tips for the 3D Part
- Braking is necessary for U-turns and S-curves
- When boosted by a Mushroom, you also need to brake on normal curves
- Use Mushrooms generously on straightaways
- At forks, choose the path with mushrooms
- At the shortcut fork in the latter half, choose the right path
Braking is Necessary for U-Turns and S-Curves
| Curve | Description |
|---|---|
  | L-shaped Curve No braking required (Required when boosted by a Mushroom) |
 | U-shaped Curve Braking required |
 | S-shaped Curve Braking required |
The 3D part has three types of curves: L-shaped, U-shaped, and S-shaped. You will derail on U-shaped and S-shaped curves if you don't apply the brakes when turning. Be sure to press the brake when navigating U-turns and S-curves.
When Boosted by a Mushroom, You Also Need to Brake on L-Shaped Curves
While you are accelerating with a Mushroom, you will also need to brake on L-shaped curves, so be careful not to forget.
Use Mushrooms Generously on Straightaways
In the 3D part, you'll want to use Mushroom boosts when going straight. You don't want to have any left over, so use them generously whenever you have a chance on a straight path.
At Forks, Choose the Path with Mushrooms
In the 3D part, several left/right forks will appear, and you can choose your direction with the directional keys. Your time will be faster if you take the fork with the Mushrooms, so choose that path.
At the Shortcut Fork in the Latter Half, Go Left
In the second 3D part, after the 2D section, a fork will appear where the left track is broken. If you go left here and jump, you can significantly reduce your time,, so be sure to choose the left path when aiming for a fast time.
Tips for the 2D Part
- If aiming for time, just focus on mushrooms
- If farming for coins, aim for the top level
- In the second 2D part, mash the Mushroom button
If Aiming for Time, Just Focus on Mushrooms
The first 2D part has different levels, with up to three tiers: top, middle, and bottom. It generally doesn't matter which path you take, but the number of Mushrooms affects your time, so if you're aiming for a good time, focus only on the Mushrooms as you proceed.
If Farming for Coins, Aim for the Top Level
:p Coins are generally placed in greater numbers on the top level. If your goal is to farm coins, try to aim for the top level while jumping.In the Second 2D Part, Mash the Mushroom Button
The second 2D part has no different levels and is a single-tier course, so go forward while mashing the Mushroom button generously. You'll want to grab the Mushrooms along the way, too.
List of Mine Cart Race Rewards
Get the Coins You Acquired in the Minigame
The coins you get in the minigame are added to your total after the game ends. It's possible to get over 100 coins in a single run.
Not Highly Recommended for Coin Farming
However, it's not very time-efficient, so it's not highly recommended for coin farming. If you want to collect coins, it's better to choose other methods.
Pay 30 Coins and Beat Your Time to Get 50 Coins
From your second attempt onward, you can choose to pay either 10 or 30 coins to play. If you pay 30 coins and beat your record time, you'll receive 50 coins as a reward.
Get a Star Mark on Your Play Record for a Time Under 2:20
There are no particular rewards, but if your best time is under 2 minutes and 20 seconds, a ★ mark will be added to the Play Records that are added after clearing the game.
How to Play the Mine Cart Race
Play During the Story When Clearing Moleville
The Mine Cart Race is a minigame you play in the story after defeating the boss of Moleville Mines. It's divided into a 3D part and a 2D part, where you ride a mine cart and collect Mushrooms as you go.
After the First Time, Play by Talking to the Mole Above the Mine Entrance
After your first attempt, you can play again by talking to the mole above the entrance to Moleville Mines. You can choose to pay 10 or 30 coins to play; the gameplay doesn't change, but if you pay 30 coins, you can get 50 coins for beating your record.
You Can Also Play Directly from the Mine Cart Platform
You can also play by going to the mine cart platform deep inside Moleville Mines and getting on the cart directly. There's no reward coin for beating your record, but you can still get the coins on the course, making it the same as the 10-coin option, so you can save 10 coins.
