One of the traits that makes the renowned Mario Kart series so much fun is its slew of chaotic and unpredictable items. These coveted tools mark the biggest goal for racers (aside from of outracing opponents and notching a first-place victory).
And it’s no surprise, considering how much of a game-changer some of these powerups can be, especially in the midst of close, hotly contested matches. Along with some crazy tracks rife with sharp turns, boosts, and ramps, impactful items like Lightning Bolts or Stars can turn things on their head in the blink of an eye.
Given the several iterations of Mario Kart that have rolled out, this list of diverse items has grown more massive than ever. With that said, let’s take a look at the 10 best and most effective items you can land amongst this vast series.
10 Mega Mushroom
It’s a shame that this unique powerup only saw the light of day in Mario Kart Wii and the lesser-known MK Arcade games, as it’s certainly a blast to bust out.
The Mega Mushroom will balloon your avatar to 2 or 3 times their size, which will enable you to plow your way through helpless victims in your path. In this sense, this powerup is akin to a variant on the Lightning in terms of its effects. Yet, you’ll also be able to cover more ground with your massive size. This iconic Mushroom Kingdom veggie can definitely prove to be a “huge” game-changer.
9 Super Horn
Though it’s a fairly new item, making its debut on MK 8 and appearing in MK Tour, the Super Horn has made a name for itself as one of the more potent, effective weapons. This is particularly the case when surrounded by a cluster of traffic, since the item will send a rippling shock wave that’ll wipe out fellow drivers in your vicinity.
Not only will you gain ground on nearby foes, but you’ll knock the coins out of them, making them slower in the long haul. You can even utilize this as a more defensive item, neutralizing hazardous items coming your way. This makes it an optimal choice for players looking to make a dent in Battle Mode. You could definitely say this is a “blast” to use.
8 Chain Chomp
These barking baddies have served both as obstacles as well as the occasional great item in Mario Kart: Double Dash. Specifically, this fun powerup is a special item for Baby Mario and Baby Luigi, in addition to Petey Piranha and King Boo, making them popular choices as racers in this GameCube romp.
It can be quite the satisfying experience flying down the track while this thing chomps and muscles its way through drivers in its path. While the Bullet Bill has somewhat taken its place in terms of its mechanics and ability, there’s a certain novelty and amusement to the Chain Chomp that’s rarely matched in Mario Kart.
7 Triple Red Shells
Unlike the others previously mentioned on our list, the Tripple Red Shells have been a staple of the Mario Kart series since the N64 game. While they’ve varied a touch in terms of their impact, overall this trio of rotating heat-seeking shells has proven consistently solid. Given that these can act as both an offensive threat and a defensive barrier, these definitely make for a worthy inclusion on our list.
You’ll be able to knock out as many as 3 foes with these babies, ward off up to 3 hazards - or any combination thereof.
6 Golden Mushroom
This item has appeared in the majority of Mario Kart titles - and it’s a good thing, because this is a fun one. There’s something quite thrilling and satisfying about mashing the action button as quickly as possible while your driver busts out countless boosts. This is what makes the Golden Mushroom so appealing. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that you’ll likely be gaining tons of ground on your opponents during the several seconds this thing kicks in.
It’s difficult to marginalize the impact of the Tripple Mushroom, though this sleek golden version of Mario’s favorite snack manages to pull it off.
5 Crazy 8
This is the rarest item in Mario Kart 8, and there’s a good reason for that.
Obviously this one is going to produce quite random results, as its mechanics involve dishing out a random palette of items. Still, given the fact that you’re granted a whopping 8 items to bombard foes with all at once, it’s certainly at least a contender for the top spot. While you don’t know which items to expect when landing a Crazy 8, chances are you’ll get at least a couple solid weapons at your disposal, including a Starman, Bob-omb, and/or Red Shell.
Basically, you can do a ton of damage with this array of items, and will likely have quite a bit of versatility in your attack.
4 Starman
Who doesn’t love a good old fashioned star? This enjoyable powerup has become an iconic item in Mario games, and it’s just as effective in his kart racers as his platformers - perhaps even moreso. It’s hard to argue against an item that renders you a speedy, invincible weapon as you drive. It’s satisfying to listen to that charming music and see your driver radiate psychedelic golden hues as you plow through clusters of drivers at full speed.
This is one that can propel you to the front of the pack rather quickly, assuming you’re a decent driver.
3 Blue/Spiny Shell
Once again, results may vary depending on where you reside in a particular course, as well as which MK game you’re playing. You’ve got older renditions that act more like Red Shells, and newer ones that go airborne and produce a blast radius. There are also varying levels of speed, intelligence, and power of these things from game to game. Still, generally speaking, it’s tough to beat the ever-intimidating Spiny/Blue Shell.
These things are absolute heat-seeking missiles, which target the typically unprepared driver in first place and gives them a dose of humble pie. These pesky items have led to plenty of skilled MK players cursing out both their TV and their friends.
2 Bullet Bill
Speaking of launching you closer to racing prominence - the Bullet Bill, which has appeared in most Mario Kart games, takes its rightful spot as both a potent and simple item to use. It’s basically an offensive speed boost that drives on autopilot.
It’s so effective, that you can essentially view it as a form of “rubber-banding” for players straggling behind. You’ll usually be granted this beast when occupying one of the last few spots, at which point you’ll be sent blasting through opponents at breakneck speed. Provided this thing doesn’t end its run at a rough obstacle or sharp turn, the Bullet Bill is basically a freebie that requires no effort.
Not only this - it’s one of only 4 items that can ward off a Spiny Shell.
1 Lightning
Similar to many on our list, the potent Lightning weapon has oscillated a bit in terms of its traits and overall effectiveness. The time it takes varies, and some versions allow you to “squash” foes while some will have them spin out. Yet, as a whole, this item has consistently proven to be one of the deadliest weapons in the Mario Kart series.
You’re usually granted this as a sort of pity item when hanging near the back of the pack - and there’s a good reason for this. The ability to zap every player into shrunken oblivion for awhile, making them vulnerable and slower, is impactful to the point where you can zip from last to first place.
NEXT: The 5 Best Mario Party Games (& The 5 Worst)
