Asphalt 8: Airborne tips and tricks

Are you barely reaching the finish line? Go faster, jump higher, and win more races with our expert advice.

“Asphalt 8: Airborne” is one of the best free racing games on Windows Phone, boasting spot-on physics and beautiful graphics worthy of a full-blown gaming console.

Hitting your stride can take time and practice, though. I’ve compiled some winning tips to make you a better driver and a fierce online competitor.

Buy the right car

The default car of a Dodge Dart GT may get you around the track, but it won’t turn you into a winner.

I recommend investing in a car with good acceleration and handling first. Beginners will benefit from purchasing a Starter Car Pack ($4.99 USD) or Class D Car Pack ($1.99 USD) to get the Audi R8 e-tron.

Block the competition

It may sound rude, but stepping on the brake at the start of a race will stop cars behind you. Multiplayer racers typically hit nitro to get a head-start on the competition; block their efforts by braking, wait three seconds, and then hit nitro yourself.

Know your shortcuts

There is more than one route to the finish line! Learn the quickest shortcuts and ramp placements for every track in single-player mode to ensure that you get from point A to point B the fastest in multiplayer.

Grab that nitro!

Nitro boosts your overall speed, so try to keep your tank filled at all times. If you have the extra cash, it doesn’t hurt to upgrade the size of the nitro tank in your car.

Do as many tricks (such as barrel rolls, flat spins, and drifting through curves) as you can to earn nitro. Also be sure to pick up nitro icons along the way to refill your supply.

Most importantly, use your nitro when you get it! Don’t waste time driving at normal speed with a full tank of nitro.

Pull off a Perfect Nitro

After you hit a nitro boost, a small red zone appears in the boost bar. Hit the boost again while the boost meter is in the red zone to perform a Perfect Nitro. Your car will accelerate even more!

Be aggressive in multiplayer

Ram into other players before they ram into you! Knocking out other cars earns money and experience points, so don’t be afraid to be an offensive driver.

One good tip is to flank another car from the side and push them into a wall at top speed. They won’t be walking away from that one.

Practice, practice, practice

It probably goes without saying, but the more you play, the better you’re likely to get.

• If a particular track is giving you trouble, keep racing through it in single-player mode until you’ve mastered it.
• Work on drifting; the best players can drift through curves effortlessly.
• Avoid wrecking your car.

Start your engines! Try out these tips for yourself by downloading “Asphalt 8: Airborne” here or search for “Asphalt 8: Airborne” in the app store on your Lumia.

Do you play “Asphalt 8: Airborne?” Tell us your favorite tips and tricks in the comments below.