Mario Kart World Players Need to Think Twice Before Using a Blue Shell

Summary

Mario Kart World players in first place should avoid using the Blue Shell.
Also known as the Spiny Shell, the Blue Shell can turn the tide of a race, but can backfire if misused.
Mario Kart World was released alongside the Switch 2 on June 5.

The Blue Shell is one of the most powerful items in Mario Kart, but those wishing to use it in Mario Kart World when they are already in first place might want to reconsider. Mario Kart World finally launched alongside the Nintendo Switch 2 console last week, and many gamers have been enjoying the next installment of the beloved mascot kart racing franchise. While Mario Kart World adds plenty of new features, there are still a lot of elements fans loved about the previous games as well.

This includes the use of power-ups to help take out the competition or get ahead in Mario Kart World, and few items exemplify that quite like the Blue Shell. Also known as the Spiny Shell, this spike-covered turtle shell has been a part of the Mario Kart series since Mario Kart 64 and is one of the most powerful offensive items in the game. Once thrown, the Spiny Shell seeks out the racer in first place, eventually sending them flying into the air with a massive explosion that can also take out nearby karts if they are too close.

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A well-timed Spiny Shell can quickly turn the tide of a race in Mario Kart World, but it could also lead to disaster if the player uses it while they are already ahead. Just like in past Mario Kart games, the shell quickly spins around the user before striking them if they are already first. Twitter user Retrora learned this the hard way in a small clip they later shared online. This mistake cost them their first-place position as they looked on in disbelief, and another Twitter user asked them if they expected something else to happen.

The Spiny Shell Can Attack Its User in Mario Kart World

Players could attack themselves with the Spiny Shell in previous Mario Kart games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and there have even been special speedrunning challenges in which fans would try to do it voluntarily as fast as they can. On the other hand, Mario Kart World has plenty of ways for players to avoid the wrath of the Spiny Shell with a well-timed boost or by destroying it with the Super Horn.

Of course, these tactics won’t save a player who unwittingly uses the Blue Shell on themselves in Mario Kart World, so the smart thing would be to simply not activate it if they are already in the lead. Outside of Mario Kart World, the Spiny Shell was recently made into a LEGO set as a special bonus for LEGO Insiders in May, about a month before it made its dreaded video game return.