Blue Shell
From Mario Kart Racing Wiki
| Blue Shell | |
|---|---|
 | |
| First Appearance: | Mario Kart 64 |
| Other names: | Winged Spiny Shells, Blue Spiky Shell, Blue Spiny Shell, Spiky Shell, Spiny Shell, Winged Spiky Shell, |
The Blue Shell (also known as Blue Spiky Shell, Blue Spiny Shell, Spiky Shell, Spiny Shell, Winged Spiky Shell, Winged Spiny Shell and Winged Blue Shell) is an item that appeared in Mario Kart 64, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, Mario Kart DS and Mario Kart Wii .
[edit] In preceding Mario Kart games
In Mario Kart 64 and Mario Kart: Super Circuit, it follows the middle of the track hitting other players and items until it hits the racer in first place. It cannot survive a hit against a wall, like Red Shells, and is unable to make certain jumps. Because of its indestructible nature, it is possible to hold this behind one's kart indefinitely, blocking all shells and hitting any racers. Once it hits the character in first place it disappears. Any character it touches will be sent flying (64) or spin out (Super Circuit). Besides walls, the only items that can get rid of Spiny Shells are Stars and Boos. The latter will only work if the leader has used it right before they would be hit.
[edit] In latter Mario Kart games
In Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, Mario Kart DS and Mario Kart Wii, it flies over the course, homing on the leader of the race at the time of launch. After the shell reaches its destination, it will hover for a brief moment over its target, then smash into the ground, giving off a massive shock wave causing the target and anyone near him to bounce around out of control. Winged Spiny Shells nearly always hit, however, they do not actually aid the user unless it is a close race because one won't gain any places because of it.
[edit] Dodging the Blue Shell
The Blue Shell is rarely avoidable, as it lacks any possible strategy. However, they can be dodged by going into a cannon as it is hovering above you for example. Another way of dodging the blue shell is to activate a Star, a Bullet Bill or a Mega Mushroom before being hit. If you are unable to dodge it for any reason, quickly brake so that you have a chance of catching the next person behind you.
Also, in Mario Kart Wii it is possible to avoid the Blue Shell. There is an approximately half-second-long period in which the blue shell hovers above your head before it hits you. Use a Mushroom in that hovering period to speed up ahead of it; it will hit the ground behind you instead.
However, do not break hoping the blue shell will automatically go to hit whoever is in first place. Once it "locks on" to you, it will aim for you. Also, in Mario Kart Wii, if the first place person has already past the finished line on their 3rd lap, it will target for 2nd place, or 3rd place if both have passed and so on.
