Can I win WITHOUT Using Items? | Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Using items from item boxes is one of the most important techniques in mario kart. How bad is trying to win without items? I have to do frontrunning, because bagging does not work!
How to get Better at Mario Kart: • FULL Beginner Guide | ...
Combo used:
Luigi + Biddybuggy + Roller + Paper Glider
for maximum acceleration and maximum mini turbo (helps with frontrunning)
0:00 No Items Allowed
13:07 ITEMS ARE ALLOWED

[@Shortcat321]

A lot of people saying "you used an item" clearly didn't watch the whole video!!! Didn't even watch that whole race smh

[@capyyy-_-]

Day 53 of asking for "How Good is MAX TRACTION" vid 😭😭😭😭😭 liked and subbed as usual

[@oMysti]

asking for too long bro

[@gdpineapplesoup5687]

J Perm, is this you?

[@mrMario468]

Why even put that race in the video anyway?

[@Shroom-Mage]

Are they watching with sound off or something? What on earth

[@LunarAbyss12]

13:53 Shortcat uses a coin in 1st "This is game changing"

[@Shortcat321]

Tbh tho being able to get to 10 coins without sacrificing lines is pretty game changing

[@joshwu6180]

Also a banana at 14:19 and hit someone@@Shortcat321

[@joemama-tp1zz]

​@@maykolmarante2530keep going bro

[@fusionwing4208]

This game is quite possibly the best combination of luck and skill you can possibly get, you can win on skill, or, make everyone look horrible as you win with sheer luck

[@str4wb3rry13]

I always tell my friends this about Mk8, Skill brings you to the top half. Luck keeps you there.

[@Shortcat321]

I enjoy that there's a random element, as it creates infinite possibilities that you have to adapt to. It can get too crazy sometimes, but it keeps the game fresh

[@Gummieberries]

Which is why I love the game so much. ANYBODY can win at Mario Kart

[@65435]

Skill isnt getting rewarded enough

[@omegahaxors3306]

I watched MKwii and that game is really bad by comparison. DS is a pure expression of skill while wii is a bunch of dumb gimmicks most of which were so bad they didn't even make the cut in Mk8 delux. Oh and everyone plays the same kart and character because the stats are so unbalanced. Even in the upper echelons of DS you have dry bones yoshi egg, bowser tank, waluigi standard, and ROB gyro kart to keep it fresh. Mk8 does a good job balancing each of the series into one package. It's always a good time no matter which MK is your go to.

[@bobosaurus331]

‘I’ve never had protection’ -Shortcat

[@skibidigyattrizzler1000]

😳🤨

[@Shortcat321]

no comment

[@bludgeon1081]

​@@Shortcat321lmao

[@Mr_Spudder]

Shortcat when he’s bagging: I need more boulets!

[@PerrellLaquarius]

Shortcat when he sees a blue shell: "Omaygot, donkam, donkam!"

[@Mr_Spudder]

Shortcat after shock dodge: Yes, thank you so much.

[@PerrellLaquarius]

Shortcat when he’s near the bob-omb: ambatublow!

[@KylieBoomerang-ww8de]

The blue shell be like: Ambatukam!!

[@MrCheese270]

Shortcat after getting bomb sniped: Ugguh, wau.

[@botaphumeiro]

It always feels so strange when you see Mario Kart without using items

[@Shortcat321]

Not blocking a red shell was the hardest thing I've ever done

[@max_nui]

That last guy was genuinely Shortcats arch enemy

[@turtle2470]

Yeah めろん was definitely skilled. That was a great race.

[@notshortstack]

This is honestly one of the most entertaining channels I've watched in a while. The content is great, and I really enjoy the small bits of humor spread throughout the video. I'm sure you'll get to 1 million subs in no time! Edit: Also can't wait for the intermediate player guide!

[@Maebbie]

the way he approaches it i am sure that is his goal

[@Shortcat321]

Thank you so much!

[@notshortstack]

@@Shortcat321 your welcome . I haven't seen a channel like yours with not many videos but quite a number subscribers. That is a true testament to the quality of your videos. Keep it up!

[@dysfunctionalkidney5774]

Average shortcat video: "Can i win a race while actively DISARMING A NUCLEAR BOMB?! | Mario Kart 8 Deluxe"

[@DaShikuXI]

While this certainly shows how important items are, it also shows how far you can get with just good driving.

[@Reliztik82]

I play competitive Pokémon, a game that is also riddled with luck and the parallels to Pokémon are impeccable. 1) hidden stats that are difficult to get information on how to utilize 2) luck based elements 3) strategies that force you to adapt When I picked up Mario Kart 8 Dx again I wanted to get better and I thought to myself “dude this game is so luck based” and then I had a moment of realization of people possibly thinking the same about Pokémon. HOLY COW your videos are entertaining and addictive. Been binge watching and have learned a lot. Keep up the great content!

[@Shortcat321]

Oh yeah competitive Pokemon goes way deeper than just luck. The fact that luck (and an unpredictable opponent) creates so many different options, the adaptation goes wild. And this is way more apparent if you ever play against a lower level opponent. Those are the people who say "its so luck based" and then get completely predicted at every turn, and never having a path to victory. It only feels luck based when you're against someone equally skilled! PS I played competitive Pokemon before 😊

[@Reliztik82]

@@Shortcat321 that’s awesome! It makes too much sense that you’ve played comp Pokémon haha! I think people refuse to look at anything deeper in games such as Mario Kart or Pokémon, despite them having shortcuts and ANYTHING has a strategy. It’s why some people win all the time. I know the first time I played an online Pokémon tournament I was already a pretty good player and I absolutely read someone’s soul and in a couple turns had 4 Pokémon with full HP and he only had two. I felt so good about that, BECAUSE it wasn’t sheer luck. Before the moment of the huge game changing read I looked at my friend who was watching and I said “hey, watch this” and proceeded to read his soul LOL I appreciate the response man. Good luck in your future tourneys and have fun!

[@Shortcat321]

That sounds incredible! Those are super memorable moments and shows how much skill and experience matters. One of those moments I remember really well is (gen 4) when I had a magnezone and the opposing blissey was trying to scout if I had explosion or not, but they knew I could predict their timing for protect and they could also gamble on a double protect or switch out. I think I waited 4 turns before exploding from behind a substitute. Another common thing I did was I used Moltres (who was UU) and tyranitars would switch in all the time thinking I can't hit them. But Moltres has pressure and substitute, and ttar with stone edge will use up its PP before I run out of substitutes. I loved the "oh crap" moment as my opponent realized how this was going to go, and they'd start thinking for a long time.

[@Reliztik82]

@@Shortcat321 that’s AMAZING! I think I heard about how some people also ran hidden power fighting on their moltres to hit Ttar for quad effectiveness, pressure is such a funny choice > Flame Body, but that’s what I love about small little quirks about Pokémon. You might not get “kart variation” in MK8, but you can still get those crazy reads. You can see someone holding a ahead, throw a red shell and scout to see if they have a box, or they might know you’re gonna pass them before a cannon spot where 1st will get distance meaning their item boxes will be better while not sacrificing much distance. It’s little stuff like that where skill will shine through luck.

[@Shortcat321]

@@Reliztik82 Yeah even with HP fighting, it's still rough because of sandstorm's special def boost for ttar, and it's hidden power which just sucks to begin with. 70 * 4 / 1.5 = 187 base power, which is definitely strong (like a stab fire blast) but i have no business trying to 2HKO a ttar when most of them had choice scarf anyway. plus, draining its stone edge PP is great utility for the rest of the battle, or locking it into crunch makes it easy to set up on. I had breloom on the team and getting a free turn with breloom is insane.

[@Jimbahiya]

Short, I legitimately look forward to your uploads. I've learned so much about MK just through your channel alone and its also inspired me to try different cart combos to test how good I really am. I'm not as good as you but I feel so much more aware of what to do in the game. Thanks man!

[@JosephHk743]

Essentially, it’s a shroomless time trial* mindset. The asterisk was intentional. I agree acceleration is pretty crucial if you’re taking hits a lot for doing a challenge like this. I can tell you wanted to use items so badly at certain points, even on the high placement races. It’s hard not to do certain habits when you’re playing a game for so long. Good job!

[@Adamcito.]

I formerly request a video on that room called "no items just skill" it can be interesting see a bunch of people running without luck involved

[@koraydon_]

the races aren't exactly interesting tbh. whoever manages to break away at the beginning and doesn't mess up will win because there's no way to catch up. but i quite like it. it's nice and peaceful in there

[@Adamcito.]

@@koraydon_ I imagined so, but just highlighting the contrasts would be a nice short video maybe 10min or so 🤷

[@azza5332]

Great channel and content that shows you don't need to be loud to be funny. The slowdown edits add humour enough. Glad there are still youtubers who can be calm yet entertaining without resorting to screeching like a banshee. Hope you enjoy what you do.

[@Nicholas-iw2xc]

Ive had more fun playing mario kart recently than ive had playing any other game in a long time Your content is a huge part of that! Keep it up

[@soup3ppee]

I love your videos shortcat! you're funny and your videos always put a smile on my face the entire time I'm watching 😄

[@cocoatwist]

6:43 the peach who went for the shortcut and then just twirled off the track 😭😭😭

[@grrumakemeangry]

Challenge idea: Can I win without collecting item boxes Punishment when collecting item boxes: you can use the item collected BUT you must instantly drop to 12th place first

[@Overkill9991]

I was recommend one of your videos within your first month of being in YT and that was 5 MONTHS AGO and that is amazing. Keep up the amazing work.

[@lukafichtl8215]

I think this challenge on inside drift would be fun

[@ScareSans]

I had an idea! Similar to your cute combos video, what if you did a video about the *best color-coordinated combos?* Mine is Waluigi/Circuit Special/Cyber Slick/Wario Wing, same as the fastest combo but with Waluigi instead of Dry Bowser. Only 1 point less speed, which is only a 10% decrease from Dry Bowser, but with +1 handling which is a 100% increase, and it goes from 0 to 1 in both acceleration and mini-turbo which math says is an infinite% increase, so according to my very real very smart math Waluigi should be way better on this combo! I'm definitely not biased because he's my favorite character under the entire Nintendo brand! Also purple is just an awesome color

[@Shortcat321]

That sounds fun! Also instead of no math, you did 1 math, which is a 100% increase so i think you're right

[@fridge_fire]

Hi, just wanted to say I love your content!! Your vids are fun and you probably have one of the best game commentary on here.

[@Shortcat321]

Thank you so much!!

[@panpantellez2683]

I love your videos and I love putting them in the background when I shower or when I’m doing random shot

[@azzlckdavid517]

Awesome video, I always check my notifications, if you made a video and I always get excited when there is one. Also I would love to see a video,where you try to win/finish a race without getting hit

[@The_Abi_]

A absolute masterpiece just perfection !🎉🎉

[@CGREENSTER]

As someone who is accustomed to not using items as a handicap when playing against my family, I appreciate this video a lot! Shortcat, I love your videos!

[@mews75]

This is quickly becoming my favorite channel

[@BrandonChen-sdef123]

One of the best Mari kart creators out there

[@imdissapearinghelp]

I really love your content man, it always makes my day better, keep doing videos man!

[@lucasprim76]

Alternative title: Chronic bagger realizes the real importance of items

[@B0NES48]

I was clenching in that last lap lol good race

[@aquawrld]

This was a display of skill over the other players that’s for sure I don’t know if I could even handle your lobbies WITH items ☠️

[@DuckLikesPlanes]

BRO IS THIS J PERM?!?!?!?!?😂

[@J.A.G790]

This is the same feeling as getting your lunch stolen by a highschool bully

[@carlosdeaustria4448]

I don’t remember which was the first video I saw from you, but ever since I subscribed I have been enjoying your content so much.

[@Bryan.Hernandez]

How about after wave 6, do like a 3 part marathon where you race with every charater in the game but you must get a top position before moving on to the next character on the board.

[@adrvapor9433]

THAT LAST RACE WAS AMAZING!

[@DanielDeLeon69]

Shortcat I Just Watched Your Recent Video and I Love It!😇

[@emilianosolimeno9850]

I dont play mario kart and i dont know anything about this game but i like ur video a lot, so good job keep like this and ur gonna reach 1milion in 1 sec!!

[@Giltia]

The "no items, just skill" thing is accurate. While it does take skill to use and avoid items, it's still 100% luck based. Nobody has any real control over what items they get and when. Blue shells, shocks, boos, etc etc. It's all based on luck whether or not you have to contend with them. Whereas zero items, there's no surprise lucky super horns or bullet bills. Bagging is impossible. The only thing to contend with is other racers existing, and the track itself. Which, if I'm being honest, I kinda wish that was a real mode I could queue up for. I like the racing aspect of MK8 more than I like the Chaos Generator aspect of MK8.

[@Sebboebbo]

Da king is back baby he neva miss

[@tomfoolery2885]

This reminds me of the time that I played the arcade version of Mario Kart for the first time as a kid. I didn't know how to use the items, so I just held on to one and got last place against a bunch of computer players

[@dannywilkes6601]

This video just shows how naturally good you are at racing in mario kart. Great vid as always mate!

[@TheRennanzao]

Best MK youtuber out there!

[@user-os8gq4vq9s]

Kind of reminds me when that one guy solved a square-1 without help

[@whyamihereilivein1770]

reminds me of jperm

[@PunggolRain]

I just played 'no items just skill' today and I was thinking, like, when you fall behind a lot, it's hard for you to make a comeback because there are no items. Normally, when you are behind a lot, you'll usually get items like Golden Mushrooms, Stars and Bullet Bills.

[@funbottlegames4158]

Let’s go shortcat is the goat.

[@Bestgirl3]

To follow up with an item challenge, you could do a video where as soon as you get an item you have to use it.

[@bludgeon1081]

I'm surprised you had the motivation to do this challenge. It's just kinda sad to have items but not be able to use them hahaha

[@ninesix2088]

FINALLY ive been refreshing utube every few hrs just for some new shortcat content and i dont even play mk8🎉🎉🎉

[@usergiusv8977]

Could you make a video on characters you usually don´t play? Like Roy, Koopa...

[@zephyr4191]

I just want to say he has got to be Jperm bro. He uses the same phrases and everything, he taught me to solve a Rubik’s cube so his voice is so similar. Not only is he the best speed cuber content created is is also the best Mario kart content creator like 💀. Honestly I hope this is Jperm it shows even if it’s not his signature speed-cubing people still love him. (IT STILL MIGHT NOT BE HIM BUT ISTG ITS HIM)

[@lucienoskova2658]

Just stop talking about this he clearly doesnt wanna talk about it and it might not even be him

[@BrandonChen-sdef123]

The fact that winning without items is almost as hard as winning after waiting 30 seconds shows how messed up Mario kart is

[@Mage_Nichlas_]

If you ever do this again you could maybe try remapping L and L2 to be different buttons so it's impossible to use your Item, even on muscle memory or freak accident.

[@Dadmagic]

The green shell worked quite nicely as a threat to other drivers 😂

[@5ardino]

that win was so HYPE!

[@Drolomath66]

Hey just a idea for videos could you make a series where you go over the best kart combos for each character? I wanna find ways to play my favorite characters optimally like DK and wario

[@Raging]

9:22 Most insane banana snipe I've ever seen, you can see the arc and the banana for a whopping 2 frames

[@sEaNoYeAh]

I find at a low level you win from just being pretty efficient with items or racing pretty well. At a higher level you need something of both, then surprisingly at higher still levels racing lines can take you far because when everyone is effective with items the chaos of the pack takes a bigger mental load to process and people can get sloppier. Plus not worrying about item boxes is one fewer distraction from focusing on racing lines. (But obviously at the highest levels of try hard no mistakes, perfect with items and great racing lines are all necessary for a chance to win).

[@dirtyrainbow2501]

You are so funny Shortcat I have watched every single one of your videos! I love seeing your channel grow!

[@kingacrisius]

I think the idea of the "no items just skill" is that there is no item rng. Hopefully they realize that there us skill in item play, but there is definitely less luck without them.

[@BBTfnC]

Havent wachted the whole video but i am gonna try this against my friends to give them a chance XD

[@Absolutepower7]

Shortcat: I can finally sleep. Dude has been awake for 7 days fyi.

[@darkally1235]

Based on this test and your other videos, you've shown that items are secondary to map & shortcut knowledge. In fact, I would say that the most important items is the mushroom as it typically opens up additional shortcuts and provides defence against blue shells.

[@lordlicorice6324]

I really enjoy your videos, but I want to know - is there like a spreadsheet where you can look at characters' stats in mini-turbo and speed? Because I'm not even sure which characters are considered in which weight category, and how that changes the carts' stats.

[@TheZapota]

I want to see some more time races!

[@zammich3649]

One thing I think these matches highlight is the value of intentionally going for sub-optimal mix-ups with your lines when there are lots of enemies around. Taking only the best lines has 2 negatives that can work against you: 1. it tells opponents exactly where you will be and when, which allows them to time their item usage for a perfect hit at the perfect time. 2. the most optimal route is usually the most *popular* route, which means A LOT of things, but in general, it means a higher chance of getting screwed over by one of the MANY players who already know the optimal path. So actually, sometimes choosing "sub-optimal" options can actually save you from a bigger mishap while screwing over another player instead.

[@makskozierowski]

The blue shell in last race was personal

[@pina66vandijk]

Love your videos man 😊 What do you think of this combo: Shy guy (orange 4 aerodynamics) Tanooki kart GLA wheels Flower glider Seems to work as good as the "meta" and looks better 😂

[@corrector7405]

It gets me on my nerves when you have useful items but you can't used them (as most of players are used to do). Nice video.

[@die_buzzies]

Hey shortcat can you do a challenge with max underwater-speed?

[@Lamellae]

That yoshi's island question cloud clutch was INSANE even if u didnt get first

[@patrickpatrick4131]

When are you posting again on your cubing channel?I really like your content and watch you when i practice all the time.I think i watched all your videos at least 3 times (:

[@aaravdesai5898]

When I was a beginner at cubing, Shortcat (JPERM) helped be improve so much and now I just started playing Mario Kart and I am hopefully going to improve after watching his videos.

[@lucienoskova2658]

Stop talking about him being jperm

[@kuachoontat5841]

Love ur vids❤

[@jimmy13morrison]

Honestly i haven't played mario kart since double dash i dont care for it but shortcat is just really entertaining and charismatic

[@loggling5135]

In one of your vidoes you said you never hit one of the mushrooms that pop out from the leaf piles. But at 13:32 you finally hit one! No you can say it's viable lol

[@IzzyMcsquizzy_]

7:24that green shell looked liked a red shell

[@BBTfnC]

Alternative title: Time trilling in multiplayer

[@maruigi1123]

Evil Shortcat be like: I’m gonna play Mario kart normally Cool challenge though, I could never fathom doing this myself, this man is just built different

[@splash7351]

Do you think that you'll ever play any other games on your channel just for one or two videos in the next coming months? Like party animals or smt? (not saying the mariokart content isn't good cause it's insane)

[@doexgames]

Shortcat i found a new bill extension on yoshi's island use it next to the cloud and take the bridge shortcut and it will take you all the way to the water section

[@uhhhhGuest]

Shortcat when are you going to do a max cuteness stat video?

[@ifamfive5142]

I love your cubing videos

[@dutchieey]

“I just drive” SHORTCAT RYAN GOSLING CONFRIMED?

[@hjyeager9877]

9:21 No, not lag. You got BANANA SNIPED

[@vinxe42]

Hey Shortcat, just wanna say: your content is amazing! I don't even have a switch to play MK8D (I play the classic one on wii u), but when I see a notification coming from you, I feel very happy! Thanks for the amazing content!

[@lampshade6579]

(12:50) Shortcat is now the reason I'll never wear protection.

[@Agilent736]

Hey shortcat can you try this combo: yoshi splatbuggy roller with regular or cloud glider?

[@Speedy_Boi__]

Lets gooo, Shortcat upload 😎

[@tecnicoyt]

Idea: Mario Kart, but you can't touch a single coin/use a coin item. For every placement you get, you get points. 1st = 6 | 2nd = 5 | 3rd = 4 | and so on. From 7th down, you don't get any points. For every coin you collect, you get -1 point. Can you finish with over 60 points? (I bet you can 🙂)

[@bruhbruh7660]

rawdogging mariocart 8 is crazy

[@SmashPortal]

I think a good punishment for breaking the challenge rule is to have to come to a full stop.

[@65435]

I played with you online today!My name was HiShortcat

[@Brakmar_QC]

most of the time i race in this game, i miss so many item boxes so i have to race well ^^

[@ivanmarcusdegoeslopes1705]

Invalid, someone's blue shell is everyone blue shell. The true win is yet to come

[@itzleeky6461]

4:01 "I just drive." He's literally him

[@timoepkenhaus2221]

Sooo when 35s waiting? 😊 But you are one of the few youtubers who can really make good videos respect

[@Sonnen_Licht]

Maybe you could do another video where you can only use one item per race and you'll have to strategically plan when to use one