10 Best Mario Kart Items Ever

Over the years, there have been many Mario Kart games, all with a variety of different items. Some Mario Kart items only make an appearance once, and others are seen throughout the franchise. With items doing different things, it’s hard to know which one is best and how to use it in the best possible way. Items can help to attack other opponents, defend, or get players from 12th place to 1st quickly, but some items do a lot more than just that.

Some items are given depending on what position racers are in. Items such as the Bullet Bill, Super Star, or Golden Mushroom are usually given between 9th and 12th place. When using items, sometimes skill and precision are needed to effectively hit the enemy. Some of the items in Mario Kart can be tricky and annoying to use, so it is all about knowing when the exact right time or the right way, to use an item.

10
Triple Bananas – 3 Chances To Defend Or Make Opponents Slip

First introduced in Mario Kart Arcade GP

Triple bananas are a great way to defend from other racer’s attacks, as bananas can block oncoming shells. If dropped at the right time, bananas can be left right before an item box, so when another player tries to get that box, will instead drive straight into the banana and slip – causing opponents to slow down and recover. Having three bananas gives three chances to either block oncoming shells or three chances to slow other opponents down. Bananas are one of the most underrated items in Mario Kart and can do great damage when used correctly.

9
Crazy Eight- A Little Bit Of Everything

First introduced in Mario Kart 8

Similar to the Lucky Seven from Mario Kart 7, the Crazy Eight includes: Coin, Red Shell, Green Shell, Banana, Mushroom, Bob-omb, Blooper, and a Super Star. Once equipped, all items included will circle around the player and can be used by pressing ZL. Timing when to use the item can be a little tricky, but with some skill and patience, the right item can be used at the right time — giving racers a little bit of everything to help move up the race.

8
Piranha Plant – Chomp Racers Out Of The Way

First introduced in Mario Kart Arcade GP

Available in Mario Kart 8, the Piranha Plant is used to chomp karts out of the way. It can also eat any items in the way, as well as eat Blooper before it gets the chance to ink the screen. To make it chomp faster, continuously press the ZL button for a speed boost. This item is great for removing any items or other opponents in the way while adding a small speed boost too.

7
POW Block – Flatten And Shrink All Racers Ahead

First introduced in Mario Kart Arcade GP 2

Available in Mario Kart Wii, the POW Block will destroy all opponents ahead, causing all items equipped to be lost. Those hit with the POW Block will spin and stop racing, dropping any equipped items and taking a while to build speed back up. When using this, make sure to drive carefully after using it in case any opponents ahead drop any good items. If opponents had Mushrooms equipped, they could be found on the floor and ready to use. Make sure to avoid driving into any dropped Shells or Bananas.

6
Bob-omb – Block Shells Or Blow Opponents Up

First introduced in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!

The Bob-omb is great for blowing opponents up and causing them to stop while they recover. Not only can it affect players, but it can also block incoming Shells. Although commonly dropped behind, with some skill (and possible luck) it can be thrown to blow up opponents ahead. The issue with this, however, is Bob-ombs do move slowly after being thrown, so make sure to avoid driving into them when deploying them this way. Once hit with a Bob-omb, people who have an item equipped with lose that item, so it’s another great way to slow players down and lose items.

5
Bullet Bill – Zoom Past And Catch Up

First introduced in Mario Kart DS

One of the most classic items is the Bullet Bill, and for good reason too. Usually given to racers who are further behind, the Bullet Bill transforms racers into a bullet and speeds through the track without having to worry about steering it and knocking down any opponents in the way. If luck is on the side, it can be given to players around 5th/6th position, however the Bullet Bill won’t last as long then.

4
Fake Item Box – Trick Players By Leaving This Behind

First introduced in Mario Kart 64

Having a slightly different design in different games, the Fake Item Box can be used to trick opponents into thinking it is a real item box. In Mario Kart Wii, Fake Item Boxes are a red color, making it stand out a little more. However, in Mario Kart DS, it has the same color as a regular item box. Players can drop the fake box right in front or behind a regular box, so it blends in and will make opponents drive straight into it. Once driving into a Fake Item Box, vehicles will be flipped over, causing players to slow down. Fake Item Boxes do not block other items, so make sure to not use it to try and block shells.

3
Mega Mushroom – Power Up And Squash Opponents

First introduced in Mario Kart Wii

The Mega Mushroom, available in Mario Kart Wii and Mario Kart Tour, will enlarge racers for a short amount of time. Not only does it grant the ability to squash opponents, it also provides a small boost of speed too. This makes players invincible to any item other than the Bullet Bill, Blooper, or Super Stars, so any bananas or shells hit will not have an effect. With the Mega Mushrooms, no speed will be lost if driving on offroad terrain, so it is also great for using shortcuts in the game.

2
Golden Mushroom – Get A Boost Of Speed To Catch Up

First introduced in Mario Kart 64

If given the Golden Mushroom, repeatedly press ZL to get a huge speed boost. The power of the Golden Mushroom usually lasts around 10 seconds and can send players racing along the track. Although this item can be a little tricky to use on tracks with a lot of bends, it is a great item for gaining a big speed boost and catching up with other opponents quickly.

1
Triple Red Shells – 3 Attempts To Block, 3 Attempts To Attack

First introduced in Mario Kart 64

Compared to Green Shells, Red Shells home in on other racers in Mario Kart. Having three red shells is great, especially if there are only a few opponents ahead. The maximum amount of items a player can have is two (one in the inventory and one equipped), so even if the player has two items for defense, throwing three red shells will still make an impact and will be sure to hit the opponent. Throwing a Red Shell behind will not make it home in on the player, though, so these are best to throw in front.