Items Throughout the Ages Mario Kart has seen 4 versions over 4 consoles and each time they have shown us new and intresting ways to both get ahead in the race and destroy those in our path. Here is a list of all the weapons, power-ups and dirty tricks that have appeared in Mario Kart throughout the series.
Banana
Games: All
Description: Just as common as the Green Shell but very different. This can be either thrown forward or dropped behind you and anyone who hits it skids out (brake to control yourself). Also good for deflecting items.
Banana Bunch
Games: MK64, MKDS
Description: 3 Bananas (5 in MK64) will trail behind you and make for superb defence. Also each of these bananas can be thrown forward or dropped behind, but the long tail is great for slipping up any close by drivers.
Blue Spiny Shell
Games: MK64, MKSC
Description: Instead of homing in on the person in front of you, this shell will go around the track taking out anyone in the way untill it gets to first place.
Blue Spiny Wing Shell
Games: MKDD
Description: This one is similar to the regular blue spiked shell, but instead of going around the track it will fly to first place. On contact it will send 1st place sky high and create a blast radius that will skid anyone out nearby.
Bob-omb
Game: MKDD
Special: Wario/Waluigi
Description: A troublesome item. When dropped behind you're safe and in a few seconds it will explode and take out anyone closeby. However if thrown forward it may blow up just as you reach it.
Boo
Games: SMK, MK64
Description: Quite useful, when used it will not only make you transparent so other drivers can't see you but also allow you to steal another character's item.
Bowser Shell
Game: MKDD
Special: Bowser/Bowser Jr.
Description: Think Green Shell, now think 20 times bigger. Frequent favourite in Baby Park and unmissable to see.
Chain Chomp
Game: MKDD
Special: b.Mario/b.Luigi
Description: The most mismatched item in the game, but a great one too. Dragging the user behind it the Chain Chomp will race around the track and take out everyone in the way. Also when the user lets go the Chain Chomp will continue to go around the track causing havoc.
Coins
Game: SMK
Description: Gives you 2 coins, thats it. Coins do impove your speed and stop you from spinning out but other than that its not a great item.
Fake Item Box
Game: MK64, MKDD
Description: From a distance it just looks like a regular item but when you get close you'll notice the upside down question mark and the fact that it's red (MKDD only). Common tactic; hide amongst other item boxes.
Feather
Games: SMK
Description: Taken from Super Mario World this item lets you do a giant hop (only once though). You can jump over items with it but it's best used for shortcuts.
Fireball
Game: MKDD
Special: Mario/Luigi
Description: When fired 5 fireballs will go jumping down the track. The 5 separate fireballs can also go around courners and can travel quite a distance.
Giant Banana
Game: MKDD
Special: DK/Diddy
Description: Probably why the Banana Bunch didn't appear in this game, the giant banana will not only cover a significant width of the track but after it is hit 3 regular bananas will appear.
Golden/Royal Mushroom
Games: MK64, MKDD
Special: Toad/Toadette MKDD
Description: Infinite speed boosts, at least for a short period of time. I like to call it Goldie.
Green Shell
Games: All
Description: The most basic and common item in the game. Whilst it's good for sniping enemys ahead of you, it's common use is to deflect attacks from the rear.
Triple Green Shell
Games: MK64, MKSC, MKDD
Special: Koopa Troopa/Paratroopa MKDD
Description: It was a big dissapointment when this item was a special in MKDD as it was a great sheild in MK64. As the 3 shells span around your kart you were almost untouchable.
Hearts
Game: MKDD
Special: Peach/Daisy
Desciption: The only item in a Mario Kart game that is meant only for defence. The 2 hearts will deflect any item that hits you. Also if your rear character has no item it will absorb the item and allow you to use it.
Lava Ball
Game: SMK
Special: Bowser
Description: The only item of its kind in the Mario Kart series as it's the only way you can be burnt other than regular course obsticles (and Mario/Luigi's Fireballs). But other than that, that's it.
Lightning Bolt
Games: All
Description: A mighty item indeed and the most useful for lower place drivers. Shrinking everyone on the track and slowing them down allowing the user to catch up.
Mushroom
Games: All
Description: Gives you a speed boost. That's about it really, but it is required to perform many different shortcuts.
Triple Mushroom
Games: MK64, MKSC, MKDD
Description: It's 3 speed boosts, but always wait for one to finish before you use the next one or it will be a waste.
Red Shell
Games: All
Description: Another favourite for people in the 2nd to 4th places. Homing it will take out the next person in front of you. Annoying if you get it in the lower positions.
Triple Red Shell
Games: MK64, MKSC, MKDD
Special: Koopa Troopa/Paratroopa MKDD
Description: Virtually the same as triple green shells, they will spin around your kart offering protection (in MK64 & MKSC only). But you'll most likley want to use them for offensive reasons.
Shrinking Mushroom
Game: SMK
Special: Peach/Toad
Desription: It just sits on the track (like many SMK items) but when hit it will shrink the person who hit it. The shrinkage will last for quite a while but it will end sooner if you are ran over.
Star
Game: All
Description: A famous item and one that all love. Not only will it give you a speed boost but it will make you invincible and go multi-coloured.
Yoshi Egg
Game: SMK, MKDD
Special: Yoshi/Birdo
Description: In SMK it will just sit on the track and spin you out when you hit it, but in MKDD it will home in like a red shell and release 3 random items on contact. Most of the time you will get a Green Shell, Banana and Mushroom, but every now and then you could get a Bob-omb or star.