1) With the first hydro jet you get, upgrade each level twice. This should get you through the beginning parts of the game. Start saving up for the Fireball hydro jet.
2) When you buy the Fireball hydro jet, upgrade each level twice. This should get you through a majority of the game. If you need a little help, you can upgrade any stats you deem necessary. Once you have saved $300,000, buy the Manta.
3) Now that you have the Manta, you will be set for the rest of the game. When this hydro jet is fully upgraded, you can easily beat any mission.
Side Note: I grinded out money a few times so I get the Fireball/Manta sooner. Even with doing the grinding, I was still about 4-5 races short of level 20.
Aggressive Racer
Earn 3 stars in every Elimination event
See Champion
Tricky Racer
Earn 3 stars in every Freestyle event
See Champion
Pro Racer
Earn 3 stars in every Race event
See Champion
Amateur
Get 1 star in all Career events
See Champion
Professional
Get 2 star in all Career events
See Champion
Champion
Get 3 star in all Career events
All of the trophies will be received automatically while getting 3 stars on every career event. If you need tips on what hydro jet to upgrade, please refer to the 1st post.
Once you have a fully upgraded Manta, the game becomes much much easier. The trick to the game is earning boosts consistently off jumps. Not only earning boosts, but doing good tricks to earn better boosts. If you find yourself needing some cash, replay some missions you can earn cash easily.
Also, just because you land a boost does not mean its effective. You might land a level 10 boost trick, but if you land awkwardly, you slow down so much, it ends up not being worth it. Try to remember which jumps can handle a level 5 or level 10 boost trick. Sometimes I noticed skipping a jump all together was the faster option.
There are 4 categories to upgrade on a hydro jet. Acceleration, Top Speed, Handling, and Boost. Each category can be upgraded 4 times. Once you do this, you will get the trophy. If you want to get this trophy early, you can upgrade your 1st hydro jet which will be really cheap.
However, it is not necessary since there is more than enough money to upgrade your Manta.
Call Me Picasso
Paint your hyrdo jet
When you go to the upgrade screen, there is an option to paint your hyrdo jet. Painting the jet is free, so you can do this at any point in the game.
My First Hydro Jet
Buy 1 hydro jet
See Collector
Enthusiast
Buy 4 hydro jets
See Collector
Collector
Buy 8 hydro jets
I believe there is 11 hydro jets you can purchase in the game. After you buy the jets you needed to get through Career Mode, buy the cheapest hydro jets to get the trophy. At the end of the game, winning races can net as much as $65,000 so this trophy is not an issue.
Freeky Stylie
Unlock a level 10 stunt
You will get this trophy as you play through the game. This is actually required because you need high level points to win freestyle events.
Seasoned Vet
Reach Level 20
There is a possibility you may not reach level 20 by the time you reach the end of the game. If that is the case, you can replay the last cup and pick your favorite race and replay as many times as you need.
A great race to replay is Tower Defense because it is very short. You have to do 3 laps, but you can do them in about 25 seconds.
RANDOM TROPHIES:
Still Counts
Win a race without a rider
You can do this trophy on the very first race of the game. There is a jump right at the end of the race, jump off the ramp and attempt to do a trick late in the jump. You will fall off your hydro jet and skip across the finish line for the trophy.
It's a Secret to Everybody
Find the hidden easter egg
To get this easter egg, you need to select VR Challenge and then select Harbor Master. Right at the start of the race, you will keep going straight until you reach some boats. Once you reach the boats, the game wants you to turn right, but you want to go behind them and eventually you will see an easter egg in the ocean.
To get this trophy, you will need to collect it so you have to jump. You will have to go against the choppy water to get some air time.
Destructive Tendencies
Smash a bridge in the Factory Shift Event
To get this trophy you need to destroy a bridge. You can do it in the Factory Shift Event which is the very last event in the 1st Cup. About 10 seconds in the game you will have to take a left hand turn and you will get to a part where there is water coming down atop of you. You will have to take another left hand turn and there will be a jump ahead.
GO SLOW OVER THE JUMP. If you go slow, you will collide into the bridge and get the trophy.
I might bump it up a little if people think it is necessary. I did not think it was that hard but maybe it is just me. It is not easy to master the boost and jumps, but once you do its cake.