Overview
With some certain techniques and the perfect combination, this guide shows you how to not only increase your time trial score, but become a better racer overall.
Why are you reading this
I am making this because I am so abhorrently bored and I thought making a Steam guide would be kinda funny. I’ve been playing Garfield Kart a lot so I thought I might as well share my wisdom with everyone else who spent money on this game.
Garfield Kart: Furious Racing is no ordinary racing game, you see. It is way more broken and buggier than most, however, it has Garfield characters, instantly making it better. With that being said, the way this game works is a little bit confusing, but don’t worry, we’re about to get into how you can become a better racer.
Character Stats Explained
In a racing game, there are usually stats that are more important than the rest. In Garfield Kart: Furious Racing, there are three stats shown when selecting your character, speed (at the top), acceleration (in the middle), and handling (at the bottom).
[link]Usually, in a racing game, speed is your best bet, because if your car is faster, you can complete the track faster, simple enough. However, this is not always the case. Let’s take Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, for example. In that game, acceleration is the most important stat, and it has to do with the physics of the game. The character may not have as high as a top speed, but it can preserve that speed easier, especially at sharp turns. Of course, whenever the vehicle is stopped by a wall or an item, they can get back to normal speed much more easily.
In Garfield Kart: Furious Racing, acceleration is the most important element of your kart combination, however, speed is important, too. Handling is usually never that important especially when you can simply drift or slow down (the only exception with this is on the track Country Bumpkin).
Because of this, you will want to balance these two stats. Most of the time, you will see players using Odie, because of his high speed and acceleration. Garfield has the same base stats, and I believe Arlene does as well, if not, then someone else.
However, you will notice that Odie and Garfield’s speeds are higher than their acceleration. Especially since I have just said the acceleration is the most important element, with characters that have a higher acceleration, you would think that they are better in comparison. The reason why Odie and Garfield are preferred all goes down to kart combination.
The Perfect Kart Combination
When customizing your kart, you can change your kart, add a hat, and add a spoiler. These can all be unlocked in various different ways, usually by completing a time trial, winning a race, gathering puzzle pieces, or winning a Grand Prix. There are also certain degrees at which you can obtain these add-ons. For example, if you complete a time trial and get a bronze medal, you will obtain a hat, however it won’t be as effective as if you got a gold medal in that time trial.
The hats usually do not affect time trial score, for they affect how items work in the race. However, some character have their own exclusive hats that only they can wear. Hats affect how much of an item you get, and how long you get it for. The reason why most people choose Odie when playing is because of his exclusive hat, Joe Montagno (the football helmet). This hat makes lasagnas last up to 30% longer, which can be very useful. This is the reason why Odie is preferred over Garfield in regular play, because although their base stats are the same, Odie’s hat gives him a huge advantage.
Kart Combination, if done right, can drastically change a character’s stats depending on what character they use. This is called a Perfect Combo. Odie’s perfect combo just so happens to be the best combination in the game, giving him an extra bonus. This makes Odie, by far, the best character. I forgot to mention this so keep it in mind.
Karts affect the base stats of your combination, and are important in all game modes including time trials. Since they are all unlocked at the start of the game, you don’t have to complete certain missions to get the one that you want. The best kart in the game, especially paired up with Odie, is the Woof-Mobile, giving an insane acceleration boost. Remember what I said earlier, when I said that Odie’s speed is higher than his acceleration, but acceleration is more important? The Woof-Mobile only slightly decreases the speed, while drastically increasing acceleration, giving Odie above-average stats in both areas. Even with this, the handling isn’t awful, either.
Spoilers, similar to karts, affect the base stats of your combination, however less so. They also need to be unlocked by winning a Grand Prix. Since they don’t affect your combination drastically, they are not needed for a good race or time trial, but if you want to optimize your stats and be as good as possible then I suggest you try to unlock them anyways. The best spoiler to be paired with Odie is the Cyclobone spoiler, because of its high acceleration and perfect combo.
Basically, choosing Odie with the Joe Montagno hat, the Woof-Mobile, and the Cyclobone spoiler will give you the best stats.
[link]Optimizing Your Time
Many of these tips apply for regular racing as well, however they will be easier to perform in time trial mode without items or computer players. When performing a time trial, you want to have the highest speed possible for the longest amount of time, while driving in perfect, close-cutting lines. This can take practice, but eventually you will naturally become used to the track.
First we have a basic tip that some people may not know. When in the starting line before the race, if you begin to hold your accelerate button in between the 2 and 1 of the countdown, you will have a starting boost, immediately bringing you to top speed. Timing your starting boost just perfectly, by pressing the accelerate button right as the timer hits 1, will give you an even larger boost. Make note of how to align yourself so you don’t run out of control into an obstacle.
You will be drifting a lot during a time trial, for two main reasons. Firstly, drifting lets you take sharper turns than normal, which will be needed in many tracks. Drifting also removes the need for slowing down before a turn. Secondly, drifting gives you a mini-turbo when you release. This is very important in keeping your speed as high as possible, and with a mini-turbo you can perform some shortcuts you wouldn’t normally be able to do. Naturally, you will learn to chain drifts together in between turns so you can keep your speed consistent.
Like in every racing game, you will want to take the shortest route possible. This is accomplished by staying very close to where turns are occurring, and avoiding any drastic movements. This can be difficult to master, because depending on the track, bumping into walls and obstacles can be easy. Repeatedly racing on the track in question will get you used to following the lines needed for the fastest time.
Finally, avoid air time at all costs. Like with the stats of this game mentioned earlier, different racing games handle air time differently based on their physics. While some games have racers move faster and farther in the air, usually your best bet is to stay grounded entirely. This is true for Garfield Kart: Furious Racing because when you go into the air, some of your preserved speed is lost. You may also land awkwardly, losing all of your speed, or go out of bounds. Unless it is absolutely necessary (such as in Sneak-A-Peak), staying on the ground is your best bet. Of course, there are some shortcuts that involve falling off of ledges to get back onto the main track, so if it’s obvious that these shortcuts save time, then take them.
Linked below is the formal World Record for the Catz In The Hood 150cc Time Trial. This video uses all of the tips that I have explained, so watching it would be a good idea.
To Conclude I Guess
If you read this carefully you will become really good at Garfield Kart: Furious Racing, especially when pertaining to time trials. If you’re looking for something to start speed running, and you just happen to have this game, then taking these tips would be a good idea.
But still, I don’t know why you’re reading this. This game usually has 30 or 40 concurrent players at best and there are so many other games on Steam to play. But, despite all of the issues this game currently has, I am kind of disappointed this game didn’t get as popular as it could’ve. It’s a fun, cheap racing game and could’ve had a player base if there were more advertisements and updates. Anyways thanks for reading
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