Testing a Track

Before a release, the author must make a little test series. Simple errors like freezes or very bad respawn point sucks much. Here is a little test list:

Test your track on the Wii

Many ct developers use Dolphin (Wii Emulator) to create and test tracks. Running the tracks on the Wii may change the behavior of textures and game play, and sometimes a freeze will be found.

Test in time trial, VS and online

Time trial and versus races are different. So some items like item boxes or wood boxes have a different behavior. Also make tests with 2 player offline on the split screen with enabled enemies to detect a Slow Motion Bug.

If possible, test the track online with some friend. There is for example a well known positioning bug, which only appears online.

If you have jumps over an abyss, test them in 50cc and also if you are small after a cloud. Also try with many different characters and vehicles, at least with a bike and kart of each weight class. Many tracks fail here.

Test all possible routes of your track

Testing only the main road is a bad decision. Try to leave the main road and to find positioning and lap not counting bugs.

Test the item routes

Test all possible routes of your track, also all possible short cuts using mushrooms or other boost items. Use an item cheat for a long usage of Red shells and Bullet Bill. If you use a short cut, start Bullet Bill direct after entering the short cut to verify, if it follows the route. If this fails, your item routes are defined badly.

Verify the item routes

Verify, that all enemies reach the finish line. Very often bad respawn points are the reason for enemy problems.

Check all respawn

Check the position and direction of all respawn points. Fall down on every place you can. Use mushrooms to fall down far away from the main route.

Think about item box places

Think about the item boxes groups (or rows). Use 3-5 groups with 4-6 item boxes in each group for a 3 lap round. There are 2 problems, if you do not so:

1. If a driver gets 18 or more items in an online race, all following items are mushrooms. This contradict the main idea of Mario Kart: Bad items for the first and good items for the last.
2. If a row have less than 4 items, only the first 2 players in a group get an item. And this is also bad for the game play.

Chose a wise version number

A version number of your track (preview, alpha, beta, RC, v) reflects its status. Read »Version number« and select a good version number.