Controls

Basic Controls

Accelerate

Hold the A Button to accelerate. Release the A Button to slow down.

There is no brake in Mach Rider.

Steer

Press Left and Right on the D-Pad to lean your bike in that direction.

Keep your bike on the road, as steering onto the verge will slow you down.

Shoot

Press the B Button to shoot your machine guns.

• You start each course with 80 bullets.
• Your bike has 2 machine guns, so each shot uses 2 bullets.
• If you run out of bullets, you will be unable to use your gun again.
• Replenish bullets by blocking Invaders. You can hold a maximum of 254 bullets.

Shift Gear

Press Up on the D-Pad to shift gears up. Press Down on the D-Pad to shift gears down.

• Your bike has four gears. You always start in 1st gear at the beginning of each course and after losing a life.
• Listen to the engine noise. When the pitch stops rising, shift up a gear. Repeat until you reach 4th gear to drive at top speed.
• If you come to a stop while in 4th gear, downshift to 1st gear and start building up speed again.

You should try to stay in 4th gear as often as possible. However, you should downshift from 4th gear to 3rd or 2nd gear when:

• Navigating groups of tricky road obstacles.
• Driving alongside an Invader so you can drop back and shoot it from behind.
• Driving on ice (slip zone).

Advanced Controls

Block Invaders

Pull up next to an Invader, then steer into them to push them into oncoming obstacles. This technique is known as blocking.

• Blocking an Invader scores more points than shooting it.
• Blocking an Invader rewards you with 16 additional bullets (8 shots).
• Beware: tougher Invaders are more difficult to block and may even be able to push you back.

Countersteer

If you drive over water, oil or tacks, you will lose control of your bike. Rock the D-Pad left and right to countersteer (steer in the opposite direction) and regain control.

Countersteering is not effective if you lose control on the ice (slip zone).

Handling on Ice (Slip Zones)

When the course turns white, the road becomes extremely slippery. If you stay in 4th gear, you will lose control of your bike when steering, and likely slide into an obstacle.

If you downshift from 4th gear to 3rd gear, you may find your bike is still difficult to control. Downshifting to 2nd gear stops you from sliding, but is often too slow and puts you at high risk of being rammed by an Invader.

As soon as the ice appears, downshift twice to 2nd gear, then upshift back to 3rd gear. This technique "resets" your 3rd gear speed so you won't slide any more.

Alternatively, grab Power-Up 1 as soon as you can, as this prevents slipping.