How to Get the Colored Boost in "Diddy Kong Racing 64"

Mastering the use of Zippers and Boost Balloons is all but necessary on higher difficulties.

There are several ways to briefly increase your speed in "Diddy Kong Racing" such as driving through special boost pads or rings called Zippers, using a Blue Balloon to gain speed boost items and doing somersaults in an airplane. Each of these methods give you a significant but brief speed boost and vents black smoke from your vehicle. There is a way to increase both the speed and duration of these boosts, however, that leaves a trail of multicolored smoke in your wake.

Instructions

1. Approach any Zipper -- the red and yellow pads or rings -- on any track. Drive toward it at maximum speed and release the accelerator (the "A" button) just before driving through it. Wait until the multicolored smoke begins to thin before pressing the accelerator again -- pressing it too early will shorten the duration of the boost.

2. Obtain at least one Blue Balloon to gain the speed boost item. Release the accelerator just before activating it (the "Z" button) for a multicolored smoke boost -- as with the Zipper boost, wait until the smoke begins to thin before pressing the accelerator again.

3. Choose the airplane vehicle and accelerate to high speed. Fly at a low altitude so you don't bump into the course's "invisible ceiling." Tap the "R" button twice to perform a somersault and release the accelerator just before the end of it -- this will result in a brief boost that functions in the same way as the Zipper and Blue Balloon multicolored boosts.

Tips & Warnings

• You should only perform a somersault in the airplane to evade an attack, as it stops your progress for a moment. Even with the multicolored boost it's a net loss in terms of race progress.

• You can perform another boost technique in the airplane (although it doesn't leave a smoke trail). Accelerate to your top speed and begin to turn left or right -- as you turn, release the accelerator and tap the "R" button twice to perform a barrel roll. Continue tapping "R" while turning to accelerate to very high speeds. The only downside to this technique is that it is very difficult to control, making it all but useless in narrow courses or courses with many obstacles.

References

• "GameFAQs"; Diddy Kong Racing FAQ/Walkthrough; Chris Quigley, et al.; 2004