Gameplay Guides

Master the mechanics of Trackmania Galaxy with these in-depth guides.

Table of Contents

  1. Basic Controls
  2. Game Modes
    1. Pursuit 🚔
    2. Goal Hunt 🎯
    3. Hunters 🏃
  3. Advanced Techniques
    1. Steer Tapping
    2. Reactor Boosts
    3. Bug Slides
    4. Full Speed (FS) Driving
  4. Map Types
  5. Tips for Improving Your Times

Basic Controls

Trackmania Galaxy uses a simple control scheme:

Action Default Key
Accelerate Up Arrow / W
Brake / Reverse Down Arrow / S
Steer Left Left Arrow / A
Steer Right Right Arrow / D
Respawn Backspace
Reset to Start Enter
Open Openplanet Overlay F3

Controls can be rebound in the ManiaPlanet settings. Many players use custom setups for competitive play.

Game Modes

Pursuit 🚔

The flagship mode — cops vs thieves. Police try to capture thieves; thieves survive and score points.

  • Police capture thieves by ramming them.
  • Thieves earn survival points and bonus points for lasting until the end.
  • The last surviving thief gets a massive point bonus.

See the full TrackMania² Pursuit documentation for detailed mechanics, zones, and scoring.

Goal Hunt 🎯

A checkpoint hunting race mode:

  • Each player has an individual goal checkpoint.
  • Reach your goal to score points and receive a new random goal.
  • Combines racing with strategic checkpoint selection.

Hunters 🏃

A free-for-all hunt mode:

  • Catch opponents to score points.
  • Avoid getting caught yourself.
  • Everyone is both hunter and prey.

Advanced Techniques

Steer Tapping

Steer tapping involves rapidly tapping the steering key to maintain control around tight corners without losing speed. This technique is particularly useful on slippery surfaces and sharp bends.

Reactor Boosts

Reactor boosts are environmental speed boosts found on certain maps. Learning to enter and exit boost zones at the optimal angle is key to maximizing your speed.

Bug Slides

Some surfaces in ManiaPlanet allow for physics-based slides. Mastering bug slides can shave significant time off your runs.

Full Speed (FS) Driving

Full speed driving means completing a track without braking or releasing the accelerator. Many maps are designed to be completed full speed — study the optimal lines to pull this off.

Map Types

Trackmania Galaxy features several surface types that require different techniques:

  • Road — Standard surface with predictable grip
  • Dirt — Lower grip, requires smooth inputs
  • Grass — Varies by map; typically slower
  • Platform — Elevated sections requiring precise jumps
  • Ice — Very low grip, requires anticipation and smooth steering
  • Plastic — Smooth surface with moderate grip
  • Wood — Often used for ramps and technical sections

Tips for Improving Your Times

  1. Study replays — Watch top player replays to understand the optimal lines.
  2. Take notes — Identify where you lose the most time.
  3. Practice segments — Use checkpoint respawns to practice difficult sections.
  4. Consistency over speed — A clean run beats a risky one.
  5. Learn the surfaces — Each surface type demands a different approach.
  6. Watch the Pursuit meta — Understand which vehicles excel on which maps.

More technique guides are coming soon! Check back regularly or contribute your own.

Trackmania Galaxy Wiki — Community maintained.