All Tournaments - General Guide/Strategy [Current - 2025]

[UPDATED - 22 JANUARY 2025]

Google doc Version of this topic: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Q18X9RlYTlMnFz5qfpFUvgVllQwthP0IxmREfv0uf0s/edit?usp=sharing

Hey y'all!

Here's a very general but simple explanation/guide of the main category and all it's quirks. Hopefully this will be helpful in some way to any NEW runner or current runner interested in running the category.

# **Main Objective**

## **Win all 4 Main Tournaments.**

## Region differences (NTSC/PAL)

There are no current differences in between regions since both run the same way and have the same content. NTSC-U (US version) might be just a tad easier to deal with the AI since the Default difficulty is Easy, where PAL version is Normal, but I haven't fully tried a US version at all since I do not have a NTSC-U copy to run (especially to put on OPL). 

### RUN THE GAME IN 60HZ!

If ran in 50hz, the Jumping tech does not work at all and the game feels VERY clunky. Avoid playing on 50hz since it's actually slower unless you like going slow.

If anything is discovered or debunked, this will be updated accordingly.

### Load Differences

The speedrun can be done in 3 different methods:

**Disc**

**Emulator**

**OPL (Open PS2-Loader)**

Disc being the slowest, Emulator is second fast and OPL having the faster loadings for the game.

- Emulator and OPL are similar, but Emulator loads lose about 1.5/2 seconds per load compared to OPL. Disc is atleast 10-15 seconds slower per load.

A load-remover is being currently tested and improved as the time starts to go into parts where Disc becomes way too hard to achieve. This is still being discussed if splitting or using no loads is going to be a thing, but there is currently not a big enough sample case for this to be relevant (unfortunately not active enough YET - Please run the game and help the community develop!)

The 2 main techniques used in this run is **Backwards driving**, which has a higher cap of speed compared to driving forward, and **Jumping**, which is the result of pulling the Left Analog down and pushing any of the trigger buttons (Swerve/Dodge) to create momentum.

Misc but Important tech: **Off-track timer** (in between 2 to 3 seconds off the track). This timer counts down every frame that the vehicle is outside of the range of the track (below and above track have few exceptions). Timer only resets when the timer runs out. Intentional drops are needed for certain skips due to the time needed for the vehicle to reach the checkpoint.

Good tutorial/general guide for all tech above, etc by AestheticVoid:[ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkd330vDiClkSHJLCTdjo9cnr0_tc6Y1Y](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkd330vDiClkSHJLCTdjo9cnr0_tc6Y1Y)

(still to be updated due to new tech, better tech - still useful for any beginner, so don’t skip this)

**ONLY** usable characters for the run:

**Coyote** or **Elmer Fudd**

- Both have the same stats (Good Speed and Accel, Mediocre Turning). Coyote may be a bit easier to jump due to the vehicle being pointy (Rocket), but they are way too similar to notice the difference.

**Marvin The Martian (2,500 ACME Tokens)**

- Max Speed and Accel stats, Terrible turning stat. You need to buy him on the **Galleria -> Secret Stuff** menu only after you beat Looney Dish.

## **Category explanation**

Game is divided into 4 main tournaments which 3 of the tournaments are subdivided with several cups.

First 3 Tournaments are subdivided into 4 cups and last tournament it’s only ONE event, in which is required for you to WIN every race.

### **Baby Carrot Tourney**

Introductory tournament, all base game tracks are played here. First 2 tournaments (ACME to Mars Cup and Space Vacation Cup) are normal cups with no gimmicks involved.

**Looney Cup** is the first variation of a gimmick cup, which all 3 races have 1 locked gimmick:

- **North Pole Star 1:** Infinite items and no turbo barrels
- **Off World City Limits 1:** All item boxes only have explosive items (Bombs and missiles)
- **Wild West Quadrant 1:** Unlimited boost (boost gauge goes up automatically)

**Super Six Series** is the last final cup of the first tournament in which you race all 6 base tracks in **ONLY 1 LAP and no items**, just pure racing

When you finish beating the first FULL tournament, this will unlock the next tournament, **Super Carrot Tourney**, and also 6 new tracks, The Asteroid Belt, Planet ACME 2, Off World City Limits 2, Galactorama Park 2, The Pyramids of Mars 2 and Wild West Quadrant 2.

### **Super Carrot Tourney**

First route change. Instead of going to the first cup, **you want to start the 3rd cup (Looney Dish)** because this cup will give you enough ACME tokens to buy **Marvin The Martian**, also mainly because it is easier with Coyote/Elmer to deal with the gimmicks.

**Looney Dish** is the first type of cup where the game throws certain items at you the entire time. You wanna max your jump and good evasive driving to avoid a lot of these nuisances.

**The Asteroid Belt:** Game Spawns random portable holes all over the track

- First track you need to maximize getting the item boxes for the Clove for invincibility since there are going to be holes everywhere. Maximize the off-track timer for certain skips to make it easier. 

**Planet ACME 2:** Item boxes are actually explosive traps

- Avoid getting any of the item boxes. Maximize jumping as there are several item boxes that are too tight for you to avoid.

**Off World City Limits 2:** Aggressive Granny…

- Shouldn’t be an issue with your speed, but Granny is just hitting everyone to cause chaos. Main problem is the track is very tight so drive carefully. First choke of the track is very item based so expect getting hit, if not, be blessed LMAO

### **Second instance of menuing:**

Down input -> **Galleria**

Down input -> **Secret Stuff**

2x Left input -> **Marvin The Martian**

2x Triangle to back off to the main menu

**Press No when the Save Game screen pops.**

Up input -> **Tournaments**

Press X til’ character select screen

(COYOTE) 3x Right input to choose **Marvin**

(ELMER) 1x Right input to choose **Marvin**

**Galact-o Cup-O Rama** very straightforward cup in which you just race 3 of the new tracks unlocked. No gimmicks.

**Cup O’ Mystery** one of the biggest run killer of the speedrun. 3 races entirely randomized. It will randomize if items/no items, boosts/no boosts, ALL tracks unlocked so far, and laps in between 1, 3, 5 or 7 laps.

**Best case scenario:** Planet ACME 1, West Quadrant 2, Asteroid Belt. 1 to 3 laps always good.

**Worst case scenario:** Pyramids 1, Pyramids 2 if >= 5 laps, Off World City 1 and 2, North Pole 1

Any track that gets **7 laps** and the track has zero to no skips is going to result in a **HUGE timeloss**.

**Slowpoke Pursuit** is the last cup of the 2nd Tournament. Gimmick is a Elimination type race, 5 laps on 2 tracks (Wild West 2 and Pyramids of Mars 2), every lap last place gets eliminated.

After beating the 2nd Tournament you unlock the track **“The Nebula”**.

### **Mega Carrot Tourney**

Simple progression, difficulty ramps up as there are several tracks that may lose you some time, like Planet ACME 1 with Marvin (SC is a lot harder)

**ACME Grand Buffet** is a straightforward cup, no gimmicks, introduces **The Nebula** to the player.

**Blue Star Special** same straightforward cup, no gimmicks but only 2 laps. You’ll be playing all the first 2 tournament tracks variants.

**Looney Spoon** is the third instance of menuing (small menuing). It’s optimal to go back to Coyote/Elmer due to the very first track gimmick. The cup runs the same gag as Looney Dish except it’s 2 laps.

**Planet ACME 1:** Falling objects all over the place.

- Abuse the Jumping mechanic to avoid getting hit or hitting any debri. Abuse the shortcut for free win. 

**The Nebula:** Hare Oil all over the place, it makes you lose control of the vehicle and spin-out.

- Abuse jumping again and optimal evasive lines. Play it safe, over hitting the oil and drop out of the track.

**Pyramids of Mars 1:** Normal race but shaky screen.

- Awful to look at, but a regular race. It doesn’t change anything… It’s just a visually awful gimmick.

**The Gold Rush** is Last cup(ish) of the 3rd Tournament. **Single track cup of 7 laps**. You race in **“The Nebula”**. The gimmick is every placement gains points, who has more points wins (You’ll be first (ideally) so it’s just a normal 7 lap race).

3rd Tournament beaten, you unlock the last track available in-game, **North Pole Star 2**.

### **Carrot Masters Tourney**

**Night of 1000 Tunes** is the last cup of speedrun. Featuring 3 tracks from the 1st Tournament and the last track of the run being the new unlocked track, **North Pole Star 2**.

**2 LAPS** and **you can ONLY WIN to be able to continue**. Every race has a single item.

- **North Pole Star 1:** Hare Oil only
- **Galactorama Park 1:** Boxing Gloves only
- **Wild West Quadrant 1:** Rockets only
- **North Pole Star 2:** Fake ACME boxes traps item only

Will be updating this as there is more development to the speedrun.

I'll be covering all known shortcuts til' now (2025) that are usable on the run, in the future.

Stay tuned :)

Strategy (OLD - Pre-Backwards Driving)

Powerups from Galleria/Secret Stuff
======================================================================
Only buy the turbo fill powerup, which is affordable after you beat any Cup within the Mega Carrot Tourney.
https://imgur.com/a/BnDrqg2
The other gags aren't worth picking up, and would (probably) reduce the odds of picking up clovers and turbo fills.


Boosting
======================================================================
Normal laps (not final lap, no points awarded for the lap):
Boost as soon as you fill your turbo and there is a semi-straightaway.

Final Lap:
Remember about where is the last place you could boost and be able to grab enough turbo cans before the final finish line. Once you pass that area, do not boost until the boost would carry you over the finish line. This is to prevent chance gags from hitting you after your final boost. Save that final boost for if you do get hit by a gag, or someone passes you with a boost of their own.

General boost tips:
Be careful of spending a turbo too soon. Often times you boost, then a gag hits you after and you have no way to accelerate quickly anymore. If you're way out front, boost as often as possible, following the above lap-specific guidelines. If you're in the middle or back of the pack, wait until it's safe to boost (watch the racers in front of you for equipped gags).


Acme Pickups
======================================================================
If you're in the middle/back of the pack:
Pick up and use everything immediately. If you can't hit someone immediately with a close-ranged gag, drop it immediately (square button on old PS2 controller). Never save damage gags if you're surrounded by racers or if you're behind everyone.

If you're in the front 3:
Prioritize damage gags and deploy them immediately towards your 1st-3rd place rivals. If you get the turbo fill powerup or the clover, generally you should use them immediately to protect you or break out of the pack. The exception is when you're sitting in 3rd and watching the front 2 racers pummel each other with gags. Wait until they don't have a gag equipped to break out front.

If you're in 1st:
Drop every damage gag immediately, with the possible exception of fast-use seeker items like the stormcloud or the rockets. Remember though, while the gag animation is playing, you can't boost or pick up new gags. Most of the time, it's best to immediately drop gags.

The only gag you should care about is the four-leaf-clover, and the turbo boost fill (unlockable mid-way through the game). Turbo fill is self-explanatory; wait to use it until right after you boost so that you get a full fill. Save clovers for as long as possible. Once a seeker gag like the rockets or the elephant approaches, wait for a small time and then deploy the clover. This is to allow the clover to remain in place as long as possible after protecting you from the immediate gag danger.


Race-Type-Specific
======================================================================
Normal races (Acme Pickups + turbo cans):
Always prioritize turbo cans. Always. Miss Acme pickups if it means a chance to align with a row of turbo cans coming up.

Gag-only (no boost cans):
Follow the general gag use guidelines above.

Boost-only (no gags):
The speedrunner's dream race. Spam turbo as often as possible. Keep in mind the points in the track where boosting will send you over the side of the track, however.


Griefing computer players
======================================================================
Always try to stay out in front. When you are ahead of any racer, try to pick up the boost cans and acme pickups which are most easily obtainable. For example, on tracks with tight turns, some pickups or boost cans aren't easy to grab unless you slow down a lot. By taking the easy grabs, you're depriving the computer of chances to overturn your lead. This is especially important for boost cans. Be aware that the computer can do this to you on normal difficulty (looking at you bugs bunny).

In the final tournament, there's a race where the only gag are fake, exploding acme pickups. If you practice the boosting guidelines above, you should have no problem staying near the front or in 1st. To really cement your lead, drop any fake acme pickups you get, directly over turbo cans whenever possible. This will hurt computer players trying to catch up with boosting.

Advanced fall gag evasion
======================================================================
L2 and R2 (PS2 controller layout) are your friend. These allow you to bump yourself to the left or right, which can save you from falling if you time it right. Also, if you hit it precisely, you can bump out of the shadow of a falling object, but it has to be right as it's about to hit you.

The main way to avoid falling gags (besides using a clover), is to take advantage of the raised sides of the track. If you cuddle up in the raised sides just right, the shadow of the falling gag is deflected and it will miss you. Be careful of trying this around curves, in which case you often have to swerve in and out of the side to stay on the track. If this happens, the falling gag can hit you if you aren't swerved over the side at just the right moment. This technique is most easily used inside of tunnels with hard sides, which prevent falling off the track. Keep in mind that running over the sides and running against the walls will slow you down (though not as must as a falling gag).

Nombre	Autor
All Tournaments - General Guide/Strategy [Current - 2025]	FreezeChamp 4 months ago
Strategy (OLD - Pre-Backwards Driving)	orderedchaos 5 years ago