Big Bang Racing guide: tips, tricks, and hints

Big Bang Racing isn't your average racing game. For one thing, you don't even start the game able to race.

You're also not trying to beat anyone by going fast in a straight line. Anything but, actually, as you learn to make your way through physics-defying courses of every kind that can send you backwards, upside-down, and through all manners of strange obstacles before you get to the finish.

Oh, and did we mention that the courses were designed by other players?

It can be a little tough getting your bearings in a game like this, but that's why we're here. Take a ride through out Big Bang Racing guide and we'll give you all the tips, tricks, and hints you need to have the basics down pat.

Ride before you race

In contrast to other popular mobile games that don't give you much instruction before turning you loose (ahem, Pokemon GO, ahem), Big Bang Racing wants to ensure you know what you're doing before you get into anything too crazy. Thus, you won't even be racing until you know how to control your off-road vehicle.

The controls aren't that tricky. Your vehicle is controlled by a pair of buttons on the right that accelerate it forward or backward, and another pair on the left that can rotate it in mid-air in order to pull off flips or simply ensure that you don't land on your head. Your driver can be killed, so that last part is kind of important.

Spin for speed

Pulling off flips isn't just for show. Completing a full rotation in either direction after going off a jump or ramp of any kind gives you a speed burst once you land.

That becomes crucial once you unlock races. You're competing against the ghosts of other racers and not live players, but you'll still need extra speed wherever you can find it. A limited supply of nitros is an option, but you should always be looking to flip whenever possible.

A familiar upgrade system

The system of improvements in Big Bang Racing owes a lot to Clash Royale. Not only do parts for your truck or motorcycle come on cards that pop out of chests, but it's also possible to max out the number of chests you have waiting to open, preventing you from acquiring more and serving as a de facto limit on your play sessions.

To upgrade, simply tap on the wrench icon from the game's main screen -- which will helpfully prompt you if you have improvements that can be made. You'll need specific amounts of coins to install new parts or level up the ones you have, along with increasing amounts of the same card for the latter.

Every upgrade you make increases the cc rating of your off-road truck. You'll want to do that as quickly as possible, because 150cc unlocks the dirtbike, granting a whole new series of courses to play.

The object of your ride

Big Bang Racing will have you alternating between two different types of courses as you progress, each of which requires something slightly different. Solo courses ask you to find three map pieces before you reach the end of the level, and the lack of time pressure means you can be a little more careful and take your time.

Races, on the other hand, pit you against three ghost racers in a flat out sprint to the finish. That doesn't mean you can throw caution to the wind, as there are many things that can kill your racer, including anything colored red. At least you can create and save entertaining deaths in GIF form by tapping the pop-up window in the bottom-left corner.

In race levels, you'll get four chances to improve your standing and claim more trophies before you advance to the next race. You can also replay solo levels to find all the map pieces. Getting the most trophies or map pieces is important to open the next set of chests.

Rock the vote

After every level, you can give a thumbs up or down to the course, voting the best ones into constant use. New levels published by other players will appear as challenges in the sky on the main game screen, and playing these untested courses gives you a chance to win gems, the game's hard currency.

You can also design your own levels using items and obstacles you win in chests, but that's another guide altogether. Hopefully we've given you the foundation to be better at Big Bang Racing, no matter what crazy courses await you.