Mario Kart Wii, released in 2008, remains a fan-favorite title with its unique blend of fun, chaos, and competitive racing. One of its most exciting aspects is the wide range of playable characters, including many that are locked at the beginning of the game. Unlocking them not only gives you access to fan favorites like Funky Kong and Rosalina, but also improves your gameplay since many hidden characters offer better speed, handling, or acceleration.
This guide explains how to unlock all 14 hidden characters in Mario Kart Wii, divided by weight class, with clear step-by-step instructions, helpful pro tips, and essential notes on how to unlock faster.
Character Weight Classes
Mario Kart Wii characters are divided into three weight classes:
- Lightweight – Good acceleration and handling, best for beginners.
- Middleweight – Balanced stats.
- Heavyweight – Higher top speeds but lower acceleration and handling.
Understanding these classes helps you choose the best character for your playstyle.
LIGHTWEIGHT CHARACTERS (Unlock Guide)
1. Baby Daisy
- How to Unlock: Earn at least a 1-Star Rank in all 50cc Wii Grand Prix Cups.
- Steps:
- Select 50cc engine class.
- Race in Mushroom, Flower, Star, and Special Cups (Wii tracks only).
- Finish each cup with clean races (avoid crashes, stay in top 3).
- Pro Tip: Use Toad or Baby Mario for better handling in 50cc.
2. Baby Luigi
- How to Unlock: Unlock 8 Expert Staff Ghosts in Time Trials.
- Steps:
- Go to Time Trials from the main menu.
- Select any track and beat the Normal Staff Ghost Time by 7–10 seconds.
- Do this on 8 different tracks.
- Pro Tip: Use a fast character like Daisy or Funky Kong with a good bike like Mach Bike or Flame Runner.
3. Toadette
- How to Unlock: Play all 32 tracks in Time Trials mode.
- Steps:
- Enter Time Trials.
- Select and complete all 32 tracks (one lap is enough per track).
- No need to win or beat any ghost—just race once on each.
MIDDLEWEIGHT CHARACTERS (Unlock Guide)
4. Daisy
- How to Unlock: Win the 150cc Special Cup.
- Steps:
- Unlock the Special Cup by completing the Mushroom, Flower, and Star Cups in 150cc.
- Then race in the Special Cup and finish 1st overall.
- Tracks include Dry Dry Ruins, Moonview Highway, Bowser’s Castle, and Rainbow Road.
- Pro Tip: Use bikes with inside drifting like the Mach Bike.
5. Diddy Kong
- How to Unlock: Win the 50cc Lightning Cup.
- Steps:
- Play through the Shell, Banana, Leaf Cups to unlock the Lightning Cup.
- Win the Lightning Cup in 50cc Grand Prix mode.
- Tip: Stick with easy-to-handle characters in 50cc.
6. Birdo
- How to Unlock: Complete 16 different Time Trial tracks OR play 250 Wi-Fi races.
- Steps:
- In Time Trials, race on 16 unique tracks (same method as for Toadette).
- Completing 250 Wi-Fi races is no longer an option (Nintendo WFC is offline).
- Pro Tip: Stick to the Time Trials method.
7. Mii (Outfit A)
- How to Unlock: Win the 100cc Special Cup.
- Steps:
- Play the 100cc Grand Prix.
- Unlock Special Cup by clearing Mushroom, Flower, and Star Cups.
- Win Special Cup overall.
- Make sure your Mii is created in the Wii Mii Channel before this.
HEAVYWEIGHT CHARACTERS (Unlock Guide)
8. Bowser Jr.
- How to Unlock: Get 1-Star Rank or higher in all 100cc Retro Cups.
- Steps:
- Retro Cups = Shell, Banana, Leaf, and Lightning Cups.
- Play 100cc Grand Prix and get top ranks.
- Pro Tip: Avoid falling, maintain high speed, and use items smartly.
9. Dry Bowser
- How to Unlock: Earn 1-Star Rank or better in all 150cc Wii Cups.
- Steps:
- This includes Mushroom, Flower, Star, and Special Cups.
- Focus on clean racing, high placements, and lap consistency.
10. Funky Kong
- How to Unlock: Unlock 4 Expert Staff Ghosts in Time Trials.
- Steps:
- Race in Time Trials.
- Beat the default ghost time by a significant margin on 4 tracks.
- Pro Tip: Funky Kong + Flame Runner is top-tier for competitive time trials.
11. King Boo
- How to Unlock: Win the 50cc Star Cup.
- Steps:
- First unlock the Star Cup by winning Mushroom and Flower Cups.
- Then win the Star Cup in 50cc.
12. Rosalina
- Two Methods to Unlock:
- Method 1: Have a Super Mario Galaxy save file on your Wii.
- Method 2: Earn 1-Star Rank in all Mirror Mode Wii Cups (Mushroom, Flower, Star, Special).
- Pro Tip: Rosalina is a top pick for balanced performance.
13. Mii (Outfit B)
- How to Unlock: Unlock all 32 Expert Staff Ghosts in Time Trials.
- Steps:
- Each track has an expert ghost.
- Beat the normal ghost time fast enough to unlock the expert version.
- Pro Tip: Use Funky Kong or Daisy with fast bikes to make this easier.
Final Tips to Unlock Characters Faster
- Use Manual Drift: Offers better control and faster boosts.
- Replay Cups for Higher Ranks: If you didn’t get a star rank, try again.
- Practice on Time Trials: Helps improve speed and learn track shortcuts.
- Unlock Funky Kong Early: His speed boost helps with Time Trials and rankings.
Conclusion
Unlocking every character in Mario Kart Wii is a rewarding challenge that brings new gameplay depth and fun. From the adorable Baby Luigi to the ultra-competitive Funky Kong, each racer offers a different feel and stat advantage. Whether you’re a completionist or a competitive racer, knowing how to unlock all characters gives you the freedom to pick your perfect driver and dominate the track.
So, power up your Wii, grab a controller, and get racing—because Mario Kart is best enjoyed when every character is on the grid!