Super Bell Subway is one of several brand new tracks coming to Mario Kart 8.
So you know what that means, it’s time to break it all down and uncover all of its shortcuts
and hidden hidden--and boy there's a ton of them.
So let’s begin at the starting line--which takes place in the terminal portion of Super
Bell Subway.
And sure enough, there are bell logos all over the place, including on the starting
line, on the suspended signs, and even on the garbage cans.
Exciting, right?
Now what’s really cool about this stage is how much it looks like an actual subway.
I mean, we have a map of the local region on the right, directional signs on the left,
for tickets, bathrooms, and transportation--including specific directions to the 6 and 4-lines.
Wait a second...64.
Could that be a Nintendo 64 reference?
We also see some of the myriad vending machines found around here, including these two which
are branded as Burning DK and Moo Moo Meadows Milk, which are brands we’ve seen elsewhere
in the game.
Hell, you can even see the milk bottles inside--as well, as a Royal Patisserie branded one nearby.
And in the DK machine, one of the drinks appears to have a Shine Sprite on it, which is kind
of neat.
And of course, we can see some of spectators that can be found all over the terminal, which
include Yoshis, Toads, and Shy Guys.
Now just ahead are a couple of shops.
The one on the left is Tropical Bakery, complete with chalkboard menus that list Weekly Specials,
Sandwiches, and has another Bell logo, and the shop on the right is Fun Flower, complete
with a Piranha Plant logo, and chalkboards all its own,, including one that says Mario
kart.
Oh and it’s manned by a Pianta.
Just a little further ahead, we can see a sign that lists the two upcoming train platforms,
one which is heading for Yoshi Valley, and the other to Music Park.
As the hallway bends slightly left into the first set of item boxes, we can a pair of
advertisements for Fountain Cafe and Yoshi’s Egg Market, which are also business found
elsewhere in the game.
Now just across from them are Toads manning the ticket gates, as well as nearby ticket
machines.
And they’re just below a detailed map of the subway line that lists all of the Subway’s
stops along its 4-lines, which just so happen to be locations from Mario kart 8, such as
Dry Dry Desert, Wario's Gold Mine (?), Sunshine Airport, and more.
We could list them all, but we’re pretty sure it’d be really boring.
But what is also interesting about this map is that it essentially reveals the geography
of how Mario Kart 8’s tracks are arranged in this world--which is both kind of neat,
and completely pointless.
As you turn the corner, you’ll see a couple of new ads, including the 1-Up Mushroom Car
Insurance Group--and let’s be real, who couldn’t sue an extra life or two--as well
as another for Princess Orange.
You’ll then pass through some fare gates which open automatically on approach.
And yes, there is also a bell on the build-in screen.
So here we are finally at the platforms, and sure enough, the one on the left is bound
for Yoshi Valley, whereas the right one will take you to Music Park.
And like any good station platform, there’s a handy clock right here, as well as a bell-alarm
right above it.
As you drop down the stairs to the waiting area, we can see a detailed sign on the right
giving a step-by-step breakdown of the line, which again are actual locations in Mario
Kart 8.
And there are a few more new ads on the left including Royal Patisserie and good ol’
Mario Kart TV.
Now in what has to be a huge safety violation, the platform drops right into the subway tunnel
itself, where you’ll of course, encounter various Subway trains heading in both directions,
which will cause you to spin out if you hit them.
But you can also give them a taste of their own medicine with a star.
And as you might have guessed, you’ll find the Bell logo on them too, including on the
front and back, 3-different places on the side, and even on the escape hatches on the
roof.
Anyways, at first, the tunnel bends to the right and splits early on--though both lead
to the second set of item boxes.
The lower path sticks to the tracks, while the upper-path leads to some speed-boosts
along a grated catwalk, that eventually terminates with a drop you can perform a stunt off-of.
But let’s back it up for a second, because there’s some pretty cool graffiti around
here.
Like on the left wall which features a Bob-Omb and says Bob-Omb Plugs.
Then just ahead are three Koopa Shells along a supper beam.
And just below them is a Bullet Bill Launcher on a column, with a Bullet Bill found on 3
of the subsequent columns.
But just before that Launcher, the track splits again, this time with the right path leading
up to an early pair of item boxes and onto another grated catwalk.
And they have the option of either riding it out for some time to another stunt-drop
OR they can drop off early for another item box, either at the main set here, or by taking
yet another split path up the left side which leads to another speed-boost and a pair of
item boxes all its own.
And that path eventually leads to a glider-ramp that will let you fly to just about the end
of the tunnel.
But let’s back it up a second because there’s some more cool graffiti down here, starting
with this artwork of a Piranha Plant, just underneath the left path.
Oh, and did you notice the cables that run underneath it--yeah, they’re red and blue--like
Mario, unlike the rest of the gray ones around here.
Now just after that left path ends, you’ll find some rather elaborate graffiti that recreates
World 1-2 from the original Super Mario Bros--look, it even says World 1-2 along the side, and
in the corner.
And it features the same distinct bricks and black background of the original level, as
well as the initial set of item boxes, goombas and Koopa Troopas to match.Oh, and the next
few support columns have been painted to look like Warp Pipes, complete with Piranha Plants
coming out of some of them.
At ant rate, the tunnel bends right once more, before concluding with a split path on either
side--though it doesn’t really matter which path you take as they all have speed-boosters.
Now real-quick, there are two things we haven’t mentioned about the tunnel yet.
For one, at just about any point, you can drop from a higher path onto one of the passing
trains for a speed-boost, which is cool.
And two, whenever you’re on the lower level of the tunnel, you can always cut along the
inside-wall using a speed-boosting item--which is especially helpful for the final turn.
Anyways, once you’re done with the tunnel, you’ll then pop back up into the terminal
where you’ll find even more ads, including a billboard for Mario Kart 8 on the left,
Princess Orange on the right, followed by one 100% Organic Anti Freeze.
You’ll then head upstairs, where you'll find a pair of banners for the Rainbow Exploration
Agency from Rainbow Road, before the track banks left.
Here you’ll find a Bell Fountain on some artificial grass that you can cut across with
a mushroom.
But if you stick to the outside, you might notice a few more details, like an ad for
Dry Dry Desert, the bathrooms, and Coconut Cafe, which serves all kinds of sweets, including
cookies that look like they came from Sweet Sweet Canyon, which makes sense seeing as
they have a poster featuring that track right there.
In addition, we can see a magnet for Moo Moo meadows on the fridge.
And though it’s hard to tell, it looks like the drinks here may have Yoshi eggs, as well
as Cheep Cheeps on them.
And after all that, you’re back at the finish line
And there you have it--that’s everything we could dig up on the Super Bell Subway track.
But as always, let us know if we missed anything by posting in the comments below.
Thanks for watching and make sure to stay-tuned to GameXplain.com for more Mario Kart 8 track
analyses and other things gaming too.