Mario Kart DS/Items

Mario Kart DS contains 17 different items all hidden in different item boxes scattered around a racing track. When driven through an item box a player will get an item selected by the game. The selection process is not completely random. The item a racer will get depends on the position the racer is in. If the racer is in first place it will get defensive items. If a racer is in a lower position it might get offensive items which help the racer take a higher position in the race. A number of items can be thrown behind or in front of a racer's kart, by holding Down on the control pad while using the item. Some items, like mushrooms, can be used by the racer itself to gain an advantage in the race. Other items can be dragged, by pressing and holding an item button, behind a players kart as a measure of shielding the kart from enemy items. When dragging an item, the racer's item slot becomes empty and can therefor be filled with another item. Dragging items is not possible in Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection mode.

Banana
The most common item in Mario Kart DS, the banana is thrown either forwards or backwards and lays on the ground wherever it lands. When a character runs into it, the banana makes them spin out and momentarily stop. This item is draggable.

Blooper
When thrown, the blooper throws black ink onto the screen of the opponents ahead of you in the current race, effectively blinding them. While good in theory, the blooper's ink patterns are always randomized. As such, it is relatively unreliable in practice because it may or may not cover the majority of your opponents' screens. The ink may be wiped off if using a mushroom, or hitting a zipper. This weapon seems to affect AI more than human oppnents; when the AI is hit, they sway erraticly, whilst humans can just steer via the lower screen.

Blue Shell
The most powerful shell in the game. When a player uses the blue shell weapon, they send a powerful flying bomb shell that seeks out whoever is in first place and then drops it on them. It also creates a small blast which will stop any other players within the radius. The original target and anyone else caught in the after blast will lose any items they currently have. If you are in first place, the only ways to avoid getting hurt by the blue shell are to drop a Bob-Omb right before getting hit, activating a Boo weapon, activating a star, or using the Blue Shell dodge technique. Obtaining Bob-Ombs, Boos, or stars are very rare when in first place.

Bob-Omb
Similar to the banana, the Bob-Omb can be thrown either forwards or backwards and will stop wherever it lands. However, unlike the banana, the Bob-Omb explodes within a few seconds of being thrown, making it a much more dangerous weapon. Anyone within the blast radius is stopped and loses whatever item they have.

Boo
Boo is one of the only weapons in Mario Kart DS that does not hurt other players directly. When used, Boo may randomly steal a weapon from another opponent and give the stolen weapon to the player who summoned Boo. In addition, Boo makes you invisible and invinsible when used, allowing you to pass through other players, their items, and any course obstacles like Goombas and terrain.

Bullet Bill
A new addition to the Mario Kart series, Bullet Bill will hook onto the player's kart and then both boost and auto-drive the kart for a few seconds. It will also hit and stop any other players who bump into it. Use caution with Bullet Bill on tracks such as Rainbow Road where you can fall off. When he finally drops you you will be going straight and may shoot off the track if you are not prepared.You can steer him slightly with D-pad left and D-pad right.

Fake Item Box
One of the most basic weapons in Mario Kart, the fake item box impersonates an item box when it is thrown. When hit, the fake item box makes the racer tumble and then stop. Can be distinguished from real item boxes due to the fact that fake ones don't spin. This item is draggable.

Golden Mushroom
A rare version of the mushroom in which you are given an infinite number of boosts within a small length of time instead of just getting one boost. Being off-road does not affect mushrooms much, so mushrooms are very useful to use, find, or create shortcuts over grass.

Green Shell
When thrown, the green shell will travel in a straight path until it either disappears or hits a player, which will make them tumble and then briefly stop. The green shell can bounce off walls, to a maximum of three times. This item is draggable.

Lightning Bolt
A rare item during Mario Kart DS races, the lightning bolt hits all players (except whoever threw it) with a bolt of lightning, which shrinks the players, slows them down, and makes them drop whatever item they were carrying. Can be avoided by hitting another item at the exact same time the lightning strikes, or having a Boo/Starman in effect. The effect of the lighting bolt depends on your position in the race. The effect is shorter for those who are closer to 8th place and longer for those closer to 1st.

Mushroom
Provides a small boost for the player who uses it. Being off-road does not affect mushrooms much, so mushrooms are very useful to use, find, or create shortcuts over grass.

Red Shell
Similar to the green shell. The only major difference is that the red shell will lock on to a player and then follow it. Instead of using its classic, straight approach to its target, it now uses a kind of curved approach which makes it more difficult to avoid by dropping an item to intersect it. Red shells will fade upon hitting a wall. This item is draggable.

Starman
The rarest item in the game, the star provides the player with temporary invincibility and also a speed boost. Also, if a player using the star comes into contact with any other racer, that racer will crash. Use caution when on tracks with edges you can fall off of as the extra speed from the star makes turning more difficult.

Triple Banana
Same as the banana, but instead you are given three. This item is draggable. Unlike other draggable items you only have to press the item button instead of holding it down for it to stay dragging. Note that this item is not obtainable during a NWFC match.

Triple Green Shell
Same as the green shell, but you are given three green shells instead of one. Can also be used as a shield because the shells rotate your kart until they are fired. This item is also not obtainable through NWFC

Triple Mushroom
Same as the mushroom, but you are given three. Being off-road does not affect mushrooms much, so mushrooms are very useful to use, find, or create shortcuts over grass.

Triple Red Shell
Same as the red shell, but you are given three. Can also be used as a shield because the shells rotate your kart until they are fired. Once again, this item is not obtainable through NWFC.