Mario Kart World: All New Items Explained and How to Use Them

Golden Shell

Among the standout new items, the Golden Shell immediately grabs attention. It looks like a blue shell but behaves differently: it charges straight ahead, leaving a trail of coins behind before exploding in a golden shower. It's the perfect tool to cause chaos mid-pack while also offering potential boosts to players who grab the coins.
Pro tip: Throw it when you're in the middle of the pack to maximize both damage and bonuses.

Crystal Orb

Still wrapped in mystery, this magical orb seems to have a range of effects: transforming the user, altering the track, or causing unpredictable disruptions for other players.
Pro tip: Save it for clutch moments when things get tense or when you want to surprise several opponents at once.

Kamek’s Spell

This chaotic spell alters rivals by changing their size, handling, or even form. Great for throwing groups of players off balance.
Pro tip: Use it on tight turns or technical sections of the track for maximum disruption.

Ice Flower

A fresh addition to the arsenal, the Ice Flower temporarily freezes any racer it hits. It’s a great way to slow down pursuers or block a key rival at just the right time.
Pro tip: Use it defensively or drop it behind you to set a sneaky trap.

Mega Mushroom

Back from Mario Kart Wii, the Mega Mushroom makes you grow huge and grants temporary invincibility. Anything in your path gets flattened.
Pro tip: Perfect for plowing through crowds or bypassing tricky track hazards.

The series’ iconic items are still here, with a few tweaks: the Blue Shell keeps its “pack revenge” role, bananas can now be thrown more accurately, the Lightning Bolt has different effects depending on your race position, and the standard Mushroom boost remains a trusty ally on long straightaways.