Mario Kart (series): Difference between revisions

==Items and Effects==

*'''Banana''' - ''[[Super Mario Kart]], [[Mario Kart 64]], [[Mario Kart Super Circuit]], [[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]], [[Mario Kart DS]], [[Mario Kart Arcade GP]]''

The banana is a staple in every Mario Kart game. They can be held behind your kart, and spin you out for about 1.5 seconds upon contact. When thrown forward, your current speed and altitude determines how far it will be thrown.

This is essentially the same as the banana, but there are three of them. When first activated the three bananas trail your kart, then you fire each one off seperatly. The Items stat available in some games increases your odds of getting a triple instead of a single. Triple Bananas follow the same physics as single Bananas.

*'''Green Shell'''  - ''[[Super Mario Kart]], [[Mario Kart 64]], [[Mario Kart Super Circuit]], [[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]], [[Mario Kart DS]], [[Mario Kart Arcade GP]]''

Another classic staple of the Mario kart franchise, these things are useful in sniping other players... if you're a good shot. You can hold one behind your kart, and they can be thrown backwards. Green shells move slower when thrown backwards, however. If you get hit by one, you will be stunned for about 2 seconds.

This is the same as the single Green Shell, except you have three of them

orbiting around your kart. In Mario Kart DS you can fire these shells behind your kart, in other games you must only fire them forwards.

*'''Fake Item Box''' - ''N/A''

This is basically the stationary version of a Green Shell; lay it down and watch as an unobservant driver gets pelted. Please note, however, that you cannot block a Green or Red shell with one, so don't bother trying. Upon hitting a Fake Item Box, you will be stunned for about 2 seconds. As with the Banana, the speed you're going at determines how far it will be thrown forward. When laid down on the track, you can (somewhat) easily spot one by looking for the telltale question mark inside the box. If there isn't a question mark, it's a fake.

Mushrooms have been around since Super Mario Kart, and they serve pretty much the same purpose; speed. However, charging into another driver while 'shrooming will result in knocking them to the side, regardless of how light or heavy your kart is. Talk about handy! Breaking is pretty much useless while you are using a Mushroom. It may offer a slight increase in handling for the duration of the boost, but it will not slow the kart down. It can be useful for slowing

down ASAP, though.

This is basically the same as a Mushroom, but in triple form, meaning you can use it three times. A higher Items stat, for the games that have it, means you will get this more often.

*'''Blooper''' - ''[[Mario Kart DS]]''

This annoying little squid can really slow down computer players and obscure the view of human players. This item will affect every racer that is currently ahead of you. If you are affected by a Blooper, your Items stat determines how long the ink will stay on your screen. The lower your Item stat is, the faster the ink will go away. Fairly simple to understand. Using a Blooper while you are in first will result in a backfired Blooper! Be careful when using one of these when you're close to the front of the pack. If you are affected by a Blooper, try to get a Mushroom or drive onto a booster pad. This will quickly rid your screen of the obstructive goo.

Everybody's favorite homing projectile, the red shell is a little smarter in [[Mario Kart DS]]. These babies won't always take the quickest route to your target. Instead, they'll usually strike them from the side to avoid any item they might be carrying behind them. If a red shell is trailing you, use a green shell, banana, or another red shell to get rid of it. You may need to attempt a power slide or two in order to position yourself properly, though. As with green shells and fake items, you are stunned for 2 seconds when hit. Red shells can be held behind you and fired backwards, just like a green shell. Also note that Red Shells will perform complete 180 degree turns to pursue you. This renders jumping off of ramps ineffective in avoiding red shells. The best method to rid yourself of a red shell is to hit it with a Banana, Green Shell or a Bob-omb, or cleverly drive near a wall and coax the shell into hitting it.

Red shells, in a group of three. Basically a red version of triple green shells. Again, a higher Items stat means you'll get these more often.

*'''Boo''' - ''N/A''

*'''Bullet Bill''' - ''[[Mario Kart DS]]''

Upon using a Bullet Bill, you will gain a MASSIVE amount of speed, turn into a Bullet Bill, and follow the track automatically. The duration of the Bullet Bill depends on how high your Items stat is. If it's high, it will last about 8 seconds, and 4-5 seconds with a low Items stat. It IS possible to steer the Bullet Bill, but only slightly. This feature may allow you to "home in" on other racers as you're flying right past them.

Stars are awesome. They grant you complete invincibility and offensive control. Any poor soul to get in your path will be knocked away from you as if they were hit by a fake item box. A Star lasts for about 8 seconds.

''NOTE: Most of the item descriptions listed here are taken from, with his permission, Mystic Aurora's Mario Kart DS guide on www.gamefaqs.com''

[[Category: Games]]