Tired of dealing with blue shells? Looking to outshine a suit-wearing primate in a kart race? Renowned economist from Paris Antoine Mayerowski has crunched the numbers to determine the most effective combination of karts, wheels, and gliders out of over 700,000 possible choices in Mario Kart 8: Optimal setup includes Peach with the Teddy Buggy, roller tires, and cloud glider.
Mayerowski’s groundbreaking study centers on a creative utilization of economist Vilfredo Pareto’s techniques. While Vilfredo’s era predates Mario Kart, his theories unexpectedly align with this virtual testing ground.
This piece won’t delve deep into 19th-century Italian economic theory, but Pareto specialized in the intricacies of trade-offs, addressing scenarios where multiple elements interact, necessitating balancing benefits and drawbacks. He mastered the art of optimizing systems to ensure every component derives optimal benefits without worsening the overall system, coined as “Pareto-efficient.”
Nintendo’s Mario Kart characters exhibit two vital attributes: speed and acceleration. By graphing these attributes, it’s evident that certain characters can be immediately dismissed as subpar, lacking in both speed and acceleration compared to other characters. Removing suboptimal choices reveals a selection of potentially optimized configurations, where each character excels in either speed or acceleration but not both, embodying the essence of trade-offs. This optimal lineup is referred to as the Pareto front.
This principle can be extrapolated to choosing your vehicle, tires, and glider: eliminate suboptimal options to focus on the remaining superior choices. Even accounting for minor variables like off-road capabilities and mini turbo, Pareto’s methodology remains applicable, guiding players towards efficient builds.
While the theory guides the way, individual preference still plays a crucial role. No character encompasses the best in speed, acceleration, and turbo altogether. Players must decide whether they prioritize top speed like a high-performance vehicle with limited maneuverability, opt for swift acceleration akin to a sporty EV, or embrace turbo boosts reminiscent of a digital nitrous injection.
The final decision lies with the player. Mayerowski offers tools on his platform to simplify the calculations. While Nintendo prohibits real-life Mario Kart adventures due to copyright concerns, enthusiasts can fine-tune their virtual racing experiences.