Power Up System[edit]
On any single Sector, if you meet certain conditions and reach the goal, Mach Rider will change colour and receive a power up at the beginning of the next Sector. You will keep this power up until you lose a life.
| Requirement | Colour | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Destroy exactly 3 Blue Drums and end with at least 180 Bullets | Red/Blue Rider | Not affected by water, oil, tacks, black drums, rocks or icy conditions |
| Destroy exactly 12 Black Drums | Red/White Rider | Unlimited ammo and continuous fire |
| Destroy exactly 6 Bomber Balls | Peach/White Rider | Super bullets take out any enemy in one shot |
The power ups can be combined across multiple Sectors in a single game. When you combine power ups, Mach Riders colour changes each time.
| Colour | Combined abilities |
|---|---|
| Dark Blue/White Rider | Red/Blue and Red/White Rider |
| Green/White Rider | Red/Blue and Peach/White Rider |
| Light Blue/White Rider | Red/White and Peach/White Rider |
| Purple/White Rider | Red/Blue, Red/White and Peach/White |
You can power up Mach Rider on any of the three game modes, however the first power up is not available on Solo Course mode, as you are unable to earn additional bullets.
Power up strategy[edit]
The following pathway provides an optimised route to get all three power ups as soon as possible in Fighting Course mode.
Sector 1, Route A or B[edit]
You start the course with 80 bullets, and each shot spends 2 bullets. You can replenish your bullets by pushing enemies into obstacles (blocking). For each enemy you block, you receive 16 bullets.
- Shoot exactly 3 of the Blue Barrels at the side of the road, then do not fire your gun again.
- Push at least 7 enemies into barrels by the side of the road to bring you up to 186 bullets.
- Reach the goal.
This will earn you the first power up, making you immune to slipping (water, oil, tacks, ice) and you won't crash into rocks or black barrels. You can still lose a life if you run into a barrel by the side of the road, get rammed at low speed by an enemy, or hit a Bomber Ball.
Sector 2, Route B[edit]
The Black Barrels appear as obstacles on the road on Route B only. Shoot 12 of them before the end of the stage to earn the second power up, giving you infinite ammo and continuous fire if you hold 
.
Sector 4, Route A[edit]
Shoot exactly 6 Bomber Balls and reach the goal. Bomber Balls are difficult to hit, but the continuous fire should help. This will give you the final power up: super shots that take out all enemies in a single shot.