Spiny Shell (blue): Difference between revisions

In ''Mario Kart 64'', the Spiny Shell (also called the '''Spiny's Shell''' in the instruction booklet) travels along the ground. Any player from fourth to eighth place can receive this item. However, the Spiny Shell is the rarest item in the game. Additionally, CPUs cannot receive this item.

In ''[[Mario Kart DS]]'', the Spiny Shell works in the same manner as in ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!''. It is obtainable from 4th to 6th place, with it also being obtainable in 7th place for offline VS Races and 8th place for online VS Races. Once fired, a Spiny Shell flies following the road to reach the leader. Once it has located its target, the shell flies around briefly and falls over the vehicle before exploding on impact, throwing the vehicle upwards and destroying the items held by the racer. A player can avoid the explosion by using invincibility items like a [[Super Star|Star]], a [[Bullet Bill]], or [[Boo]]. Tumbling as a result of getting hit by a [[Banana|Banana Peel]] or [[Fake Item Box]] also prevents the damage received by the explosion. Finally, the shell can be avoided by skillful use of a [[Mini-Turbo]] when playing on 150cc.

The Spiny Shell makes its fifth ''Mario Kart'' appearance in ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]''. Its function is identical to ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]'' and ''[[Mario Kart DS]]'', and it can be obtained if the racer is anywhere from 4th to 8th place (middle ranked positions), with CPUs also being able to obtain it in 9th place. Its rarity is similar to that of the [[POW Block]]. The best chance of getting this item is in 6th place, with a 7.5 percent (3 out of 40) chance of getting it in said position. If the player drops out and sees the Spiny Shell flying to that area in courses like {{classic-link|N64|Sherbet Land}}, the shell makes a U-turn and still targets the racer in 1st place. It is one of six items wherein only one can be in play at a time (the other five being the [[Thunder Cloud]], [[Blooper]], [[Bullet Bill]], [[POW Block]], and [[Lightning]]), and is one of four items with a cooldown timer for the first few seconds of a race (the other three being the Blooper, POW Block, and Lightning). Spiny Shells are unobtainable for the first thirty seconds of a race, only then can back-to-back Spiny Shells be potentially obtained.

The Spiny Shell makes its sixth ''Mario Kart'' appearance in ''[[Mario Kart 7]]''. The shell is now wingless, like its first incarnation, and is larger than previous versions. Unlike the original incarnation, however, this and all later versions have separate hexagonal plates on the carapace akin the winged design. Like before, it explodes on impact with the leading racer, but this time it also hits other racers in its way, since it travels along the ground and spins like the original appearance. Its rarity is on par with [[Lightning]]. This item can be obtained anywhere from 5th to 8th place, with CPUs not being able to obtain it in 8th place. The explosion is also weaker than in ''Mario Kart Wii'' and disappears faster; this time, it knocks racers sideways, although this can potentially cause them to fall off the course. Additionally, being in flight from a cannon or similar object no longer provides immunity against the Spiny Shell.

Unlike in ''Mario Kart Wii'', the Spiny Shell is easier to avoid by simply dropping out of first place before the item is launched, or falls off the course, though it is much harder to dodge with a Mushroom, as the item now explodes ahead of the targeted racer. Being hit by a perfectly timed Shell, a Banana, invincible racers, or Lightning nullifies its effects. Additionally, racers behind the first-place racer can avoid the shell by swerving out of its way.

It now also has a new sound effect when launched, rather than the traditional hissing noise of previous versions, although the aforementioned sound can still be heard slightly when it is about to explode. In addition, the "incoming item" warning sound from ''Mario Kart Wii'' now can only be heard when either a Spiny Shell or Bullet Bill is launched.

{{quote2|[[Phantom of the Bwahpera|You're first and doing so well<br>But here comes the Spiny Shell!]]|[[Phantom (boss)|Phantom]]|[[Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle]]}}