The Banana (also known as the Banana Peel) is one of the most common items in the Mario Kart series. A Banana Peel causes a vehicle to spin-out if the vehicle touches the slippery item. These items are probably the least effective item in Mario Kart, but tripping on a bunch can effect you greatly. Even one banana can decide whether your in 1st place or 2nd place. Banana Peels can either be placed behind a vehicle (this wasn't avaliable in Mario Kart 64 and Super Mario Kart), or be thrown forward down the track. They can also be trailed behind a vehicle by holding the item button (it does not need to be held for triple/bunched bananas); this protects the driver from incoming projectiles, such as the Red Shell.
Variations
A Giant Banana from Mario Kart: Double Dash!!.
Giant Banana
There is also a larger variant exclusive to Mario Kart: Double Dash!! called the Giant Banana. When a driver hits a Giant Banana, the fruit will split into three normal Bananas. This gigantic special item can only be used by Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong (as well as King Boo and Petey Piranha, who can use any special item).
Banana Bunch
MK64's Banana Bunch.
The Banana Bunch is an item exclusive to Mario Kart 64. It is a row of five Bananas that trail the user's kart. Hitting another racer with the trail causes all the Bananas to drop and a crazy sound effect to play. This is one of the few normal items that have only appeared in one incarnation; although a Triple Banana variant took its place in Mario Kart DS and Mario Kart Wii, neither version appeared in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!. Also, in Mario Kart 64, it is possible to prevent spinning out from hitting a Banana. It is accomplished by holding the B button (brake) until a musical note appears over the character's head. This can only be done if the racer is driving straight; hitting a Banana going into a turn will always yield a spin-out. Though done a little differently, this is also possible in Mario Kart: Super Circuit (tapping B).
Gallery
