Thunder Cloud

This article is about an item in the Mario Kart series. For the enemy from Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3, see Pikkarikun. For the boss from Wario Blast: Featuring Bomberman!, see Thunder Cloud (Wario Blast: Featuring Bomberman!).

Thunder Cloud
A Thunder Cloud from Mario Kart Wii
First appearance	Mario Kart Arcade GP (2005)
Latest appearance	Mario Kart Arcade GP DX (2013)
Effect	Speeds up vehicle, and shrinks the vehicle if it strikes.

The Thunder Cloud (originally Thundercloud and also known as Lightning Cloud) is an item from the Mario Kart series, appearing in Mario Kart Arcade GP, Mario Kart Arcade GP 2, Mario Kart Wii, and Mario Kart Arcade GP DX. This item works similarly to the Time Bomb in Mario Kart Arcade GP and Mario Kart Arcade GP 2. However, it shrinks opponents rather than exploding. In Mario Kart Wii, unlike the rest of the items that appear in said game, it activates itself automatically when obtained from an Item Box, and cannot be thrown, unlike in the arcade games. This item makes a buzzer sound when received from an Item Box, a sound that is not heard from any other item in the game. It can be obtained if the player is anywhere from 3rd to 7th place, and in VS Races, they can also obtain it in 8th place.

When obtained, the player automatically receives a constant boost of speed. Also, drivers with a Thunder Cloud will not slow down when they go off-road. However, the Thunder Cloud eventually strikes and shrinks the player after having it for exactly ten seconds, having the same effects of the Lightning. The Cloud, however, can be passed on to another kart by bumping into any other racer before the lightning strikes. To use the item efficiently, racers have to bump another player and let them be shrunk instead. It can be destroyed when the character holding it drives into a cannon, falls off the track, uses a Star, a Mega Mushroom or a Bullet Bill.

Mario Kart Wii trading card information

Description: "The Lightning Cloud can be thought of as an unwanted gift, if you will. Unlike other items, you may not necessarily want this item to show up in your Item Window. When you pick it up it activates immediately and there's nothing you can do about it. Granted, it increases your speed and stability, but when its effects runs out you'll shrink down as you would when hit with Lightning."

Game Tip!: "If the Lightning Cloud appears overhead, quickly bump into the nearest Kart or Bike and the Lightning Cloud will be transferred to that vehicle!"

Gallery

• 

  Icon from Mario Kart Wii

• 

  Model from Mario Kart Wii

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  A Thunder Cloud in Mario Kart Arcade GP DX

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  Screenshot from Mario Kart Arcade GP

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  Luigi is shrunk by the Thunder Cloud

See also

• Rain Cloud
• Snow Cloud

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Japanese	カミナリくも[?] Kaminari Kumo	Lightning Cloud
German	Wolkenblitz[?]	Cloud lightning
Italian	Nuvola grigia[?]	Gray cloud
Spanish (NOA)	Nube de rayos[?]	Lightning cloud
Spanish (NOE)	Rayo Intra Nube[?]	Lightning inside Cloud

Trivia

• Thunder Clouds and Triple Bananas are the only items from the Mario Kart Arcade GP series that appear in the main Mario Kart series.