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{{about|the item from the Mario Kart series|the red variant of this item that is worn by [[Spiny|Spinies]]|[[Spiny Shell (red)]]|the blue Koopa Troopa shell without spikes or wings|[[Blue Shell]]}}
{{articleabout|an item from the Mario Kart series|the unrelated but similar looking item|[[Spiny Shell]]}}
{{item infobox
[[Image:MKii Blueshell.jpg|thumb|200px|right|A Spiny Shell, as it appears in ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]''.]]
|image=[[File:SpinyShellMK8.png|200px]]<br>Artwork of the Spiny Shell in ''[[Mario Kart 8]]''
The '''Spiny Shell''' is an [[Mario_Kart_series#Items_and_Effects|item]] from the [[Mario Kart series|''Mario Kart'' series]]. It first appeared in ''[[Mario Kart 64]]'', where it was known as the '''Blue Spiny Shell'''.  While Spiny Shells are blue with spikes and wings, ordinary [[Blue Shell|Blue shells]] do not have spikes or wings.  The Spiny Shell also shares similarities to the [[Black Shell]] seen in ''[[Mario Kart GP]]''.  The general purpose of the Spiny Shell is to attack the first place racer when the item is used, regardless of the position of the player that used the item.
|first_appearance=''[[Mario Kart 64]]'' ([[List of games by date#1996|1996]])
|latest_appearance=''[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]'' (2023)
}}
The '''Spiny Shell''' (also known as the '''Spiny's Shell''',<ref>{{cite|language=en-us|date=1997|title=''Mario Kart 64'' instruction booklet|page=13|publisher=Nintendo of America}}</ref> '''Koopa Shell''',<ref>{{cite|date=April 1997|title=''Nintendo Magazine System'' (AU) Issue #49|page=39}}</ref> or '''Blue Shell'''<ref>{{cite|language=en-us|date=October 18th, 2017|url=en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43255#v130|title=''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'' Update History|publisher=Nintendo Customer Support|accessdate=June 28, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|quote=You... can't escape ME! BLUE SHELL!!!|author=[[Koopa General]]|title=''[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]}}</ref>) is an [[List of items|item]] in the ''[[Mario Kart (series)|Mario Kart]]'' series. Its first appearance is in ''[[Mario Kart 64]]''. Aside from the ''Mario Kart'' games, the Spiny Shell is a power-up in some sports games of the [[Super Mario (franchise)|''Super Mario'' franchise]] and an item in the [[Super Smash Bros. (series)|''Super Smash Bros.'' series]].
   
The Spiny Shell appears in many ''Mario Kart'' games as an item from an [[Item Box]]. Its general purpose is reminiscent of a [[Red Shell]], except that it targets the player in first place (or the leader of the race) and inflicts more damage to the targeted racer. Its function varies slightly from game to game. It is one of the most powerful items in the ''Mario Kart'' series due to its general rarity, its main function of going after the leading racer, its difficulty to avoid without the use of certain items, and the effectiveness of its attack and blast radius. In early games, it is smooth other than its spikes much like a [[Spiny]]'s actual shell and, as such, was likely intended to be one with a color distinct from Red Shells. Starting with ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]'', it gains hexagonal plates like those of [[Koopa Troopa]]s' shells, which it keeps in all later appearances. While the red Spiny Shells are shown with similar plates in games such as ''[[Super Mario Strikers]]'', they have since gone back to a smooth appearance, unlike the blue version.
==History==
===''Mario Kart'' series===
====''Mario Kart 64''====
[[File:MK64Item-SpinyShell.png|thumb|upright=0.8|left|Artwork from ''Mario Kart 64'']]
In ''Mario Kart 64'', the Spiny Shell (also called the '''Spiny's Shell''' in the instruction booklet) travels along the ground. Any player in fourth place or lower can receive this item. However, the Spiny Shell is the rarest item in the game. Additionally, CPUs cannot receive this item.


Once fired, the Spiny Shell travels straight forwards for a second. If it hits an obstacle during this time, it is destroyed. Afterwards, the shell begins to travel along the ground, following the track ahead of the shooter. Any [[kart]]s that the Spiny Shell hits are thrown into the air. This can be avoided by moving out of the way, as it does not target anyone except the leader of the race. Once it reaches the leader, it crashes into them and disappears, sending them flying high into the air. This height is enough to fling them over some barriers that normally cannot be [[hop (move)|hop]]ped over. The shell makes a highly distinctive siren sound while traveling.
This blue item should not be confused with the ordinary Blue Shells from a variety of other Mario games. The spiked appearance of the Spiny Shell in the ''Mario Kart'' series is based off the [[Spiny Shell]] seen in numerous Mario games, although the functions and later appearance of the Spiny Shell in the ''Mario Kart'' series are very different.


While it normally remains sliding along the track, the Spiny Shell takes to the air if required to continue its chase, soaring over gaps and jumps. A particularly strange case occurs on [[N64 Banshee Boardwalk|Banshee Boardwalk]]: The shell falls off the edge of the track just before the house, resulting in it making a corkscrew flight to get back on. In other cases, before entering the haunted house, it can circle around the sign that says "WELCOME."
==''Mario Kart 64'' and ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit''==
When the item was first introduced in ''[[Mario Kart 64]]'' for the [[Nintendo 64]], the shell had no wings and traveled along the ground.  It was essentially a blue version of the common [[Spiny Shell]] and named Blue Spiny Shell.  In the game, any player outside of first place could receive this item, although there were certain [[Item Box|Item Boxes]] along the way that automatically gave a player a Blue Spiny Shell regardless of their position.  One such question block is the one located on top of a big rock in the [[Koopa Troopa Beach]] course, which can only be reached by ascending up a narrow and difficult ramp.  If that box is collected, even the first place player could receive a Blue Spiny Shell.  When a player used a Blue Spiny Shell in ''Mario Kart 64'', it traveled along the ground and struck any player ahead of the player that used the item.  The only way to avoid an oncoming blue shell was to veer out of its way at the last second, where it could miss and keep on going. The first place person cannot avoid the Blue Spiny Shell unless they happened to have a [[Star#Mario_Kart_Series|Star]] (which is extremely rare for a first place person to have) or if they simply plummeted off the course to avoid the shell.  When the Blue Spiny Shell hit the first place person, it would disappear.  If the first place person did manage to avoid the attack by plummeting off the course, the Blue Spiny Shell could actually circle all the way around the course again to attack the first place person.  The best way to avoid the Blue Spiny Shell in first place is to have a [[Boo#Mario_Kart_series|Boo]] item, where the racer would disappear and allow the shell to travel right through them.  However, in this case, the shell could circle back around if there is still time left in the race.  Using the Boo item could also allow a player to steal a Blue Spiny Shell from another player, even if they are in first place. 
[[Image:MKSC BlueShell.jpg|thumb|right|The Spiny Blue Shell, as it appeared in ''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit|Super Circuit]]'']]
When receiving a Blue Spiny Shell, a player could hold the item button down and carry the shell on the back of their cart. The shell would absorb any attacks from behind, and any other player that ran into the back of the person’s cart would get blown up by the shell, while the player could continue to hold onto the shell.  However, if that player was attacked by a Star or fell off the course, they would lose their shell.  The shell was not entirely reliable either.  If the player tried to shoot the shell while going over a jump or around a tight corner, the shell could simply run into a wall or disappear off the course.  If a player in first place happened to have a Blue Spiny Shell and shot the item, the shell could circle all the way back around the course and attack that very same person if the race is not over.  Or, sometimes, the shell would simply turn right back around and attack the first place player.  Therefore, having a Blue Spiny Shell in first place is not a desirable item in this game.


If the Spiny Shell strikes an invincible racer, it gets destroyed without damaging the racer. If the leader is invisible, it simply passes through them, though it may then simply make another lap of the course and hit them afterwards.
The item served the same function in ''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]'' for the [[Game Boy Advance]], although the shell had a darker blue color. When the item was shot in both games, it made a distinct siren sound to alert those ahead that a shell was coming.  The Spiny Blue Shell was the rarest of items found in both of those games.  The siren sound was changed after these games to an ominous “whoosh” sound to alert unfortunate victims of its presence.


The shell can be dragged behind a kart like other single shells. In this position, it destroys any opposing items it touches as well as causes opponents to crash. It cannot be fired backwards.
==''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'' and ''Mario Kart DS''==
[[Image:MKDD_SpinyShell.png|thumb|right|The Spiny Shell's new appearance in ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!|Double Dash!!]]'']]
In ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]'' for the [[Nintendo GameCube]] and in ''[[Mario Kart DS]]'' for the [[Nintendo DS]], the item’s use was changed significantly.  It became a more common item, often seen several times in the same race.  The Blue Spiny Shell was given a pair of wings (identical to those seen on [[Koopa Paratroopas|Koopa Paratroopa]]), and the name of the item was shortened to just Spiny Shell.  The item is typically only given to racers in the lower positions, similar to the newly introduced [[Mario_Kart:_Double_Dash!!#Special_Items|Special Items]].  When the shell was shot, it traveled very fast through the air instead of on the ground.  Therefore, it was impossible for the shell to bounce off a wall or fall off the course.  It went directly to the first place person, while bypassing any of the other positions.  Other positions could see the Spiny Shell “whooshing” through the air above them.  Once it locked in on the first place person, it would appear right behind them on their rear-view radar and then on the player’s screen for about a second before attacking the back of their cart.  The first place person is powerless to avoid the attack unless they have a [[Star#Mario_Kart_Series|Star]], which is an extremely rare item for a first place person to have.  The shell would cause a massive blue explosion and throw the first place person up into the air.  If other players are close enough to the first place person, the shell could throw them into the air as well.  Those that were blasted into the air would also lose any item they had in their possession from an [[Item Box]].  If other players were not close enough to the first place person but still close enough to the blast, they could spin out on the ground but still hold their items.  The explosion would also cause other items on the ground, such as Banana Peels, to disappear.
[[Image:SpecialPeachKart.jpg|thumb|right|[[Princess Peach|Peach]] about to use a Spiny Shell in ''[[Mario Kart DS]]'']]
There are other practical ways to avoid the Spiny Shell though. In the course [[DK Mountain]] in ''Double Dash!!'', a player can avoid a Spiny Shell if they happen to be traveling through the air after being shot out of the [[Barrel Cannon]].  If this happened, the shell would attack the first place person in mid-flight, but nothing would happen.  In another method, as the Spiny Shell was hovering over the back of the first place person, that racer could avoid the attack if they chanced upon a sudden burst of speed, such as from a [[Super_Mushroom#Mario_Kart_series|Super Mushroom]] or [[Boost Pad]].  There is a very small chance of avoiding the Spiny Shell in this manner, but if the racer was successful, the shell would hit the ground, miss them, and explode behind them.  A player could not avoid a Spiny Shell by a burst of speed from [[Drift|power sliding]].  Unlike in ''[[Mario Kart 64]]'', a player could not hold the Spiny Shell behind them.  Once the button is pressed, it would fly through the air.  A player would also lose the item if they were struck by [[Thunderbolt (item)#Mario Kart|Lightning]] or fell off the course.  It is possible, with the dual-player carts for both characters to get Spiny Shells (though not at the same time), giving the same player two shells to use at different times. As in ''Mario Kart 64'', Spiny Shells were not available for use in the [[Mario Kart (series)#Battle Mode|Battle Mode]] in either ''Double Dash!!'' or ''Mario Kart DS''.            


Using the shell while in first place results in it turning around to hit the thrower after its straight shot.
==''Mario Kart Wii''==
[[Image:MKii Blueshell.jpg|thumb|200px|right|The Spiny Shell's latest appearance in ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]''.]]
The Spiny Shell made its latest appearance in ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'' for the [[Wii]].  Its function is identical to ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]''.  The item is far more common in this game, especially if the options are changed prior to playing the [[Mario_Kart_Wii#Modes_of_Play|Versus Mode]].  If the option is changed to “Aggressive,” then Spiny Shells are far more common and given to a variety of different race positions.  In that setting, racers can get the items if they are as close as fifth place.  The item is less common if the settings are changed to “Strategic” or “Balanced” but are still commonly given to players in the bottom positions.  In the Grand Prix mode, items are usually given strategically based on positions.  If a player is targeted for attack by a Spiny Shell or is in the vicinity to be hit by the blast, the player can avoid the attack by use of a [[Star#Mario_Kart_Series|Star]], [[Mega_Mushroom#Mario_Kart_Wii|Mega Mushroom]], or [[Bullet_Bill#Mario_Kart_series|Bullet Bill]] — although those items are extremely rare for someone in a higher position to have.  


If a player gets a sideways Item Box, they get a Spiny Shell each time. However, there are only two sideways Item Boxes. One is on [[N64 Luigi Raceway|Luigi Raceway]], where there is a [[hot-air balloon]] that dips down with an Item Box hanging on the bottom. Another is on [[N64 Koopa Troopa Beach|Koopa Troopa Beach]], where there is a large rock with a single Item Box on its top with a narrow [[ramp]] before it. In the ''[[Mario Kart 7]]'' remake of both courses, this special Item Box is no longer present, being replaced by a regular one on Luigi Raceway and a single [[coin]] on Koopa Troopa Beach.
Like in previous editions, it is possible (but very rare) to have a Spiny Shell in first place, while having received the item in a distant place and then jumped up to first.  The Spiny Shell is never given to a racer in first place.  If a player manages to jump to first place while still holding a Spiny Shell in their item box, they are forced to not use it, because if they did, it would hover directly above them and come back to attack them in an instant.  Having a Spiny Shell is first place is the worst item to have, because it prevents the first place racer from collecting a different item. The only options are to not use the item at all, wait to get attacked in a manner in which they would lose their item in the box, or drop out of first place to be able to shoot the item.   As in ''Double Dash!!'', the best strategy for avoiding a Spiny Shell is to simply drop out of first place as soon as one hears the shell coming.  In that case, the shell would attack the racer that passed you for first place.  However, this could prove disastrous if the player didn’t drop out of first in time (or if you were the one who jumped into first place in time to get attacked). If unsuccessful in dropping out of first in time, the Spiny Shell could already be locked in on you and attack you even if you are clearly in second place.  If you are going to get hit by a Spiny Shell, the best way to make use of the attack is to slow down or swerve near other players behind you to get them caught up in the blast to avoid them from jumping out into the lead. As in ''Double Dash!!'', the Spiny Shell always attacks the leading person in the race.  Therefore, if the first place person already crossed the finish line, any Spiny Shells shot after that point will go to the active leader of the race — in this case the second place racer.  So, after the first place person finishes, the second place person and so on can be victims of Spiny Shell attacks if they are the unfinished leader in the race.


====''Mario Kart: Super Circuit''====
In the “team mode” of the Versus Mode, Spiny Shells (as with other items) cannot attack members of your same team.  The Spiny Shell would go to the leader of the opposing team, even if that team leader is not in first place.  Therefore, it is possible to get attacked by a Spiny Shell in as far back as fourth place if opposing team members are in front of you.  The Spiny Shell also makes its debut in the [[Mario Kart (series)#Battle Mode|Battle Mode]] in ''Mario Kart Wii''.  Because of the controversially restructured nature of the Battle Mode, players who lose all their balloons simply re-spawn and may continue in the battle until the time expires. For that reason, Spiny Shells are available for use in the Battle Mode.  Its function is similar to the regular races.  When a player gets the item in the Battle Mode, they can shoot it into the air, where it will directly go to attack a random racer on the other team — sometimes attacking several of the other team players in one blast to garnish several points.  Players on the same team cannot be attacked by an item from a teammate, and those also shooting the shell cannot be damaged from the blast of their own shell.  So, teammates caught in the explosion simply drive right through it unaffected. Spiny Shells are the rarest of items received in the Battle Mode, and they are unavoidable unless the person targeted for the attack has a Star or Mega Mushroom.
[[File:MKSC BlueShell.jpg|thumb|upright=0.5|Artwork from ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'']]
The item serves the same function in ''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]'', although the shell has a darker blue color. Like before, it makes a distinct siren sound when traveling. Like the Red Shells in the game, it can be dropped behind the player and activates only if the kart in the first position passes directly by it. The Spiny Shell is also easier to avoid; if the player jumps over an abyss or over a previous section in the track, like the jump in [[SNES Mario Circuit 2|Mario Circuit 2]], the shell falls in the abyss or crashes into the wall. It is also possible to outrun it if the player maintains top speed a certain amount of time. The item is obtainable in 3rd place or lower, with the best chance of obtaining it being in 7th or 8th place.


The impact of the Spiny Shell no longer causes the leader to crash and be thrown off. Instead, they spin out and stop on the spot they were hit. This trait is later reused for the [[POW Block]] in ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'' and for the Spiny Shell in ''[[Mario Kart 8]]''.
==Criticism==
The Spiny Shell was one of the main criticisms in ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'' because of its commonplace usage and unavoidable nature.  If a player is in first place during the duration of a race, it is common for the player to be attacked upwards of four times or more with a Spiny Shell over the course of a race.  However, if a computer player is in first place, they will be attacked with Spiny Shells far less.  It is quite possible to be in first place for the entire race but lose your position at the last possible second due to a Spiny Shell attack from a last place racer.  The excessive use of the item give an unfair advantage to the computer racers and undesirably increases the difficulty of the game for more experienced human players.  Since the Spiny Shell is almost entirely unavoidable, it can be seen as a very frustrating method for the game to increase the difficulty of the race to make it harder to finish in first place.  Because of the fast-paced nature of the races, being hit by a Spiny Shell while in first place can cause a player to fall from first to last place within inches of the finish line.  This item is highly frustrating to racers who are always its victims in first place.  In the Wi-Fi online mode in ''Mario Kart Wii'', where all the players are humans, Spiny Shells will fly through the air many times and relentlessly attack the first place racer.


====''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!''====
In addition to that, players in lower positions, such as seventh place or lower, do not benefit at all by using a Spiny Shell, despite commonly receiving the item. The item only attacks the far off first place person, which does not help at all in advancing places against those directly around the racer. Despite that, the item is commonly given to players in lower positions. If you receive a Spiny Shell in a lower position, the best strategy is to wait until you have climbed to a higher position and then use the shell. However, if you wait too long to use the shell, you could easily lose it from a variety of attacks.  Because of the Spiny Shell's infamous nature, various forums and even Facebook groups have been set up for fans to discuss the possibility of changing the Spiny Shell in future games of the series, while others call for its complete removal from any future games.
[[File:MKDD SpinyShell.png|thumb|left|upright=0.8|Artwork used in ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'' and ''Mario Kart DS'']]
In ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]'', the Spiny Shell is changed significantly. It is a standard item that any player in fourth place or lower can obtain. In this game, the shell appears with a pair of wings that allows the item to fly instead of sliding over the ground, which lets it skip any obstacle found in the course. The shell now makes a hissing noise as it launches.


When thrown, the shell flies at incredibly fast speeds to the current lead racer, bypassing all of the other positions. After finding its target, the shell hovers behind the vehicle to home in on it, then charges straight into it. ''Double Dash!!'' is the first game where the Spiny Shell explodes on impact and throws the racer up into the air, also causing their kart to backflip. The blast is similar to a [[Bob-omb]], and it can leave racers itemless if they are thrown into the air, but it is colored blue and somewhat larger. This trait is kept for subsequent games.
==External links==
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4-dczS7wrE The Blue Spiny Shell's use in ''Mario Kart 64'']
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZtIhWEOFzk&feature=related Avoiding a Spiny Shell in ''Mario Kart Wii'']
*[http://www.gametrailers.com/video/review-mario-kart/33246 Gametrailer video] and [http://wii.ign.com/articles/868/868012p1.html IGN review] criticizing the Spiny Shell


Other racers that are caught in the explosion spin out and drop certain items onto the road, while destroying any items already on the ground.


The Spiny Shell always goes for the leading player in the race (even if it is the shooter). Therefore, if the player in first already crossed the finish line, any Spiny Shell shot after that point goes to the active leader of the race (in this case the second-place racer). Thus, once the player in second crosses the line, the shell targets the player in third, and so on. Additionally, once a player holds a Spiny Shell, other racers cannot receive another shell until the player has used it and hit the target. This rule is kept for later games as well.
{{MK}}
 
[[Category: Items]]
There are many methods for a player to avoid the Spiny Shell. They can use a perfectly-timed [[Dash Mushroom|Mushroom]], use a [[Super Star|Star]] to make the item completely harmless, or perform a [[Mini-Turbo]] by drifting, which sometimes causes the Spiny Shell to spin around the player and crash into a wall.
[[Category: Mario Kart Items]]
 
[[Category: Shells]]
====''Mario Kart DS''====
In ''[[Mario Kart DS]]'', the Spiny Shell works in the same manner as in ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'' with the only difference being a new animation for when they hit the targeted player. It is obtainable from 4th to 6th place, with it also being obtainable in 7th place for offline VS Races and 8th place for online VS Races. Once fired, a Spiny Shell flies following the road to reach the leader. Once it has located its target, the shell flies around briefly and falls over the vehicle before exploding on impact, throwing the vehicle upwards and destroying the items held by the racer. A player can avoid the explosion by using invincibility items like a [[Super Star|Star]], a [[Bullet Bill]], or [[Boo]]. Tumbling as a result of getting hit by a [[Banana|Banana Peel]] or [[Fake Item Box]] also prevents the damage received by the explosion. Finally, the shell can be avoided by skillful use of a [[Mini-Turbo]] when playing on 150cc.
 
====''Mario Kart Wii''====
[[File:MKW Spiny Shell Artwork.png|thumb|upright=0.8|Artwork from ''Mario Kart Wii'']]
The Spiny Shell makes its fifth ''Mario Kart'' appearance in ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]''. Its function is identical to ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]'' and ''[[Mario Kart DS]]'', and it can be obtained if the racer is anywhere from 4th to 8th place (9th place in VS races), with CPUs also being able to obtain it in 9th place. Its rarity is on a similar level to [[POW Block]]s, making it more common than in other games. The best chance of getting this item is in 6th place, with a 7.5 percent (3 out of 40) chance of getting it in said position. If the player drops out and sees the Spiny Shell flying to that area in courses like {{classic-link|N64|Sherbet Land}}, the shell makes a U-turn and still targets the racer in 1st place. It is one of six items wherein only one can be in play at a time (the other five being the [[Thunder Cloud]], [[Blooper]], [[Bullet Bill]], [[POW Block]], and [[Lightning]]), and is one of four items with a cooldown timer for the first few seconds of a race (the other three being the Blooper, POW Block, and Lightning). Spiny Shells are unobtainable for the first thirty seconds of a race, only then can back-to-back Spiny Shells be potentially obtained.
 
If a player is targeted for attack by a Spiny Shell or is in the vicinity of the blast, the player can avoid the attack by means of a [[Super Star|Star]], a [[Mega Mushroom]], a [[Bullet Bill]], or a well-timed [[Mushroom]]; they can also be hit by a [[POW Block]] ([[Battle Mode#Coin Runners|Coin Runners]] only), or pass through a [[Barrel Cannon]], a [[Launch Star]] found on [[Wii Rainbow Road|Rainbow Road]], or the wide ramp in [[N64 DK's Jungle Parkway|DK's Jungle Parkway]]. It is even possible to drop a [[Banana]] at a very precise time during the drop after a jump, which causes the Banana to collide with the shell and spare the target. Doing a trick off a ramp at the perfect time can also result in avoiding a Spiny Shell. Also, if the player is in first when the shell is fired and drops out of that position, the shell still attacks that player.
 
In team play, the Spiny Shell aims for whoever on the opposing team is farthest in front, ignoring and not damaging anyone on the user's team (so it targets the racer in fourth if the first three racers are on the user's team). This is the only time where a player can launch a Spiny Shell in first and not get targeted by it. For the first time, the item is also available in Battle Mode, flying straight to the opposing team's highest-scoring player after a short delay. The item is much rarer in Battle Mode than in VS and Grand Prix modes, and only appears if there is a very large score difference between the user and the leader.
 
====''Mario Kart 7''====
[[File:MK7-Spiny-Shell.png|thumb|left|upright=0.8|Artwork from ''Mario Kart 7'']]
The Spiny Shell makes its sixth ''Mario Kart'' appearance in ''[[Mario Kart 7]]''. The shell now lacks wings, like its first incarnation, and is larger than previous versions. Unlike the original incarnation, however, this and all later versions have separate hexagonal plates on the carapace akin the winged design. Like before, it explodes on impact with the leading racer, but this time it also hits other racers in its way, since it travels along the ground and spins like the original appearance. Its rarity is on par with [[Lightning]]. This item can be obtained in 5th place or lower, with CPUs not being able to obtain it in 8th place. The explosion is also weaker than in ''Mario Kart Wii'' and disappears faster; this time, it knocks racers sideways, although this can potentially cause them to fall off the course. Additionally, being in flight from a cannon or similar object no longer provides immunity against the Spiny Shell.
 
All of the racers hit by the shell drop [[coin]]s (like any other item), but unlike in the past ''Mario Kart'' installments, the Spiny Shell no longer destroys the items carried by the racer, except for items being dragged by the racer at the time of the explosion. Unlike in ''Mario Kart Wii'', the racers in the front hit by the explosion do not get thrown off the ground. Instead, they crash and roll over sideways, similar to being hit by a racer under effect of a [[Bullet Bill]] or a [[Super Star|Star]]. However, the impact is still powerful enough on courses where it is possible to fall off, such as [[3DS Bowser's Castle|Bowser's Castle]] and [[3DS Rainbow Road|Rainbow Road]]. If the player is hit when gliding, the glider retracts itself and the kart tumbles in the air before falling, usually losing some position.
 
Unlike in ''Mario Kart Wii'', the Spiny Shell is easier to avoid by simply dropping out of first place before the item is launched, or falls off the course, though it is much harder to dodge with a Mushroom, as the item now explodes ahead of the targeted racer. Being hit by a perfectly timed Shell, a Banana, invincible racers, or Lightning nullifies its effects due to added invincibility frames. Additionally, racers behind the first-place racer can avoid the shell by swerving out of its way.
 
The Spiny Shell cannot travel further than a set distance: If it exceeds the distance, then the shell disappears. This can be demonstrated on [[3DS Rock Rock Mountain|Rock Rock Mountain]], where the Spiny Shell can easily miss the player if the player flies over it at the last glider jump; the shell does not go another lap in an attempt to hit the player again.
 
It now also has a new sound effect akin to that used for [[Koopa Shell]]s when launched, rather than the hissing noise of its ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'' incarnation, although the aforementioned sound can still be heard slightly when it is about to explode. In addition, the "incoming item" warning sound from ''Mario Kart Wii'' now can only be heard when either a Spiny Shell or Bullet Bill is launched.
 
====''Mario Kart 8'' / ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''====
[[File:SpinyShellMK8.png|thumb|upright=0.8|Artwork from ''Mario Kart 8'']]
The Spiny Shell returns in ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'' and ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]''. It retains the ''Mario Kart 7'' design but has a brighter, royal blue color. Like in previous games, it can be avoided by using a [[Mushroom]], in the same way as ''Mario Kart 7''. It can also be avoided by getting hit with another item, outrunning it (which is most possible on 200cc in ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''<ref>{{cite|author=Czab|language=en|date=May 8, 2017|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOeyyGDpjEo|title=Outrunning Blue Shells in ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''!|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=June 7, 2021}}</ref>), or using the rarely-obtained [[Super Horn]], which is capable of destroying Spiny Shells in their path. Like in ''Mario Kart 7'', Spiny Shells also cannot travel further than a set distance and disappears if they exceed that distance. This can easily be demonstrated by playing on {{classic-link|N64|Yoshi Valley}}, where the Spiny Shell can easily miss the player if it takes a path different than the player's; it continues on its path and does not go another lap in attempt to hit the player again.
 
It is also much less powerful in this game, with the explosion now only stopping the target in the spot they were hit, instead of causing them to get launched in the air, and they flip once instead of twice. This is similar to the Spiny Shells in ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'', except they do not spin around.
 
Due to the new item system (where it depends on distance from the front runner), it is possible to get the shell from any place other than first. This item can be obtained if the player is anywhere between 5500 and 13000 units from the frontrunner. However, it is tied with the Super Horn, [[Blooper]], and [[Crazy Eight]] for the rarest item in the game.
 
Additionally, the Spiny Shell appears as the emblem of the [[Spiny Cup]], which was included in Wave 6 of the ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass|Booster Course Pass]]''.
 
A Spiny Shell Collector's item was also available with the ''Mario Kart 8'' Limited Edition bundle as well as the game disc.
 
To promote the release of ''Mario Kart 8'' in the {{wp|United Kingdom}} and {{wp|Republic of Ireland|Ireland}}, a song themed around the Spiny Shell titled "[[Blue Shell Blues]]", performed by British band {{wp|Brett Domino|The Brett Domino Trio}}, was released on May 29, 2014, one day before the game's European release date, on [[Nintendo]] UK's [[Wii U]] {{wp|YouTube}} channel.
 
====''Mario Kart Tour''====
The Spiny Shell returns in ''[[Mario Kart Tour]]'' and retains most of its characteristics from ''Mario Kart 8''. This item is obtainable from 5th to 7th place. It can still be destroyed with the Super Horn, which also returns to this game, or be dodged with a well-timed Mushroom boost; successfully performing either of these two maneuvers grants a large amount of action points. There is a new method to avoid the Spiny Shell from hitting the human player by simply letting any CPU-controlled driver overtake and take the lead at the last moment, resulting in the Spiny Shell immediately changing its target and hitting the new leader almost instantly. This works even if it appears the Spiny Shell has already locked on the player at the moment it is hovering above them ready to crash, unlike past titles. This cannot be done in Multiplayer mode, though, as the Spiny Shell hits the locked on leader regardless. If the player gets three Spiny Shells, they enter Frenzy mode, enabling the player to launch Spiny Shells for the rest of Frenzy mode. Its blast radius is also much weaker than any previous iterations, only knocking over the target without causing the kart to flip or tumble.
 
====''Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit''====
The Spiny Shell reappears in ''[[Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit]]'', returning to its winged design from ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'' to ''Mario Kart Wii'' and functioning the same as in that game. However, its wings only appear once it is launched by the player. The radius size for the explosion is also larger.
 
===''Mario & Sonic'' series===
Spiny Shells appear as items in a few events of the [[Mario & Sonic (series)|''Mario & Sonic'' series]]. They first appear in the [[Nintendo DS]] version of ''[[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Nintendo DS)|Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games]]'', in the [[Dream Canoe]] event, and their use is based on their appearance in [[Mario Kart (series)|''Mario Kart'' series]] because they aim for and explode on the character in first place, causing them to lose three coins. However, if the Spiny Shell was used by the character in first place, it targets whoever is in second place. Another similarity to the ''Mario Kart'' series is that a player can use a Starman to protect themselves from taking damage from a Spiny Shell. In the [[Nintendo DS]] version of ''[[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (Nintendo DS)|Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games]]'', Spiny Shells appear in [[Ski Cross Racing]], [[Rocket Ski Jumping]], and [[Extreme Snowboarding]]. In all three events, they aim in on whoever is in first place. In Ski Cross Racing, the character that is hit loses speed; in Rocket Ski Jumping, the character loses speed, height, and energy, but can defend against it using a [[Shield (Sonic the Hedgehog)|Barrier]] or Super Star; and in Extreme Snowboarding, they knock over whoever is hit, causing anyone else caught in the explosion to lose speed.
 
===''Super Smash Bros.'' series===
[[File:SpinyShellUltimate.png|thumb|150px|Spiny Shell artwork from ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'']]
The Spiny Shell appears as an item in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS]]'' / ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U|Wii U]]'', retaining its wingless appearance from ''Mario Kart 7'' and ''Mario Kart 8''. It hovers over the leading player (or the second-scoring player if the leading player has thrown it), and after a while, falls and explodes. Its fall speed varies, giving the target more or less reaction time to dodge. In team battles with friendly fire off, the Spiny Shell attacks the leading player in the opposing team, although with friendly fire on, it targets the leading player regardless of team affiliation. The explosion is smaller than those of the ''Mario Kart'' series. The spikes can also damage opponents if the shell is below them, and when it is hovering overhead. In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'', the Spiny Shell is functionally identical, except for the fact that, in team battles with team attack on, the Spiny Shell no longer attacks teammates if the teammate has the most points. Additionally, an arrow of the color of the player who threw the Spiny Shell now appears above it.
{{br|left}}
 
===''Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle''===
{{quote|[[The Phantom of the Bwahpera|You're first and doing so well<br>But here comes the Spiny Shell!]]|[[Phantom (boss)|Phantom]]|[[Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle]]}}
[[File:SpinyFossil.jpg|thumb|A big Spiny Shell in ''Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle'']]
Gigantic fossilized Spiny Shells can be seen throughout the [[Ancient Gardens]] in ''[[Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle]]'', where they only serve as background decorations. One such Spiny Shell appears in front of [[Peach's Castle]] after the player completes Ancient Gardens; [[Beep-0]] jokingly comments that the team has to restore this Spiny Shell, only to then have to avoid it. The [[Phantom (character)|Phantom]] also mentions the item in the first verse of [[The Phantom of the Bwahpera|his song]], in which he mocks [[Mario]] for commonly being hit by it when in first place.
 
===''The Super Mario Bros. Movie''===
[[File:TSMBM Spiny Shell.jpg|thumb|left|The Koopa General's Blue Shell form]]
{{See also|Koopa General}}
{{quote|You... can't escape ME! BLUE SHELL!!|Koopa General|The Super Mario Bros. Movie}}
In ''[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]'', a [[Koopa Paratroopa]] known as the [[Koopa General]] wears a Spiny Shell, referred to in the movie as a Blue Shell. It is depicted with wings, similarly to its design from ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'' through ''Mario Kart Wii''. During the [[kart]] chase on [[Rainbow Road]], after [[Mario]] and [[Donkey Kong]] blow the Koopa General's vehicle up, he emerges from the explosion enraged, retracts into his shell, and flies at the two, successfully exploding on them and destroying part of the road, causing the two of them to fall into the ocean below.
{{br}}
 
==Profiles and statistics==
===''Mario Kart'' series===
====''Mario Kart: Super Circuit''====
*'''European instruction manual bio:''' ''Fire a homing shell that hunts down the leading kart. Watch as this shell crashes into and knocks away every kart in its path.''
*'''3DS Virtual Console digital manual bio:''' ''This will chase down the kart in first place, causing any karts in its path to crash as well.''
 
====''Mario Kart DS''====
*'''Instruction manual bio:''' ''This shell tracks and chases after the lead kart and blows up when it reaches its target. Any kart in the blast radius will be knocked over or spun around.''
 
====''Mario Kart Wii''====
*'''Instruction manual bio:''' ''Spiny Shells find the vehicle in first place and explode on impact. Any vehicle caught in the blast will flip or spin out.''
 
====''Mario Kart 7''====
*'''Instruction manual bio:''' ''Spiny Shells lock on to and chase after the kart in the lead, knocking it over on impact and also knocking over any karts it hits on the way.''
*'''North American website bio:''' ''Whoever's in the lead better watch out when one of these is launched. It's almost impossible to avoid.''
 
====''Mario Kart 8''====
*'''Instruction manual bio:''' ''Pursues the driver in 1st place, knocking over any vehicles it hits along the way. This one won't stop until it catches up with the leader!''
*'''Nintendo of America's social media accounts:''' ''The all-powerful blue Spiny Shell made its debut in Mario Kart 64. It has appeared in every game since.''<ref>NintendoAmerica (June 20, 2014). [https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/480083919396933633 ''Twitter'']. Retrieved July 19, 2023. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20200518234032/https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/480083919396933633 Archived] May 18, 2020, 23:40:32 UTC via Wayback Machine.)</ref><ref>{{cite|language=en-us|author=MarioKartEN|date=June 20, 2014|url=www.facebook.com/MarioKartEN/photos/537423816362216|title=Post|publisher=Facebook|accessdate=July 19, 2023|archive=web.archive.org/web/20230719220908/https://www.facebook.com/MarioKartEN/photos/537423816362216}}</ref>
 
====''Mario Kart Tour''====
*'''Tips & Tricks:''' ''Chases down the kart in 1st place, crashing through anyone it hits before reaching its target. This will make you regret being in 1st place! Or even near the kart in 1st place...''
*'''''Mario Kart Tour'' Twitter:''' ''Item introduction: Spiny Shell<br>Chases down the kart in 1st place, crashing through anyone it hits before reaching its target. With this item around, even racers at the front of the pack aren't safe!''<ref>{{cite|author=mariokarttourEN|date=August 31, 2019|language=en-us|url=x.com/mariokarttourEN/status/1167580446135218176|title=Post|publisher=Twitter|accessdate=March 10, 2020|archive=web.archive.org/web/20220430082822/https://twitter.com/mariokarttourEN/status/1167580446135218176}}</ref>
 
===''Super Smash Bros.'' series===
====''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''====
{{SSBB sticker
|name=Spiny Shell
|image=[[File:Spiny Shell Sticker.png]]
|game=''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!''
|effect=Launch Power +11
}}
 
====''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS'' / ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U''====
{{SSB4 trophy
|name=Spiny Shell
|image='''3DS:'''<br>[[File:BlueShellTrophy3DS.png|100px]]<br>'''Wii U:'''<br>[[File:SSB4TrophySpinyShell.png|100px]]
|category=Item
|appears_in='''N64''' ''Mario Kart 64'' (02/1997)<br>'''Wii U''' ''Mario Kart 8'' (05/2014)
|trophy_box=10: Super Mario Kart
|unlock=Random
|desc=The devastating blue Spiny Shell that normally appears in the Mario Kart series. This shell seeks out the lead racer and ruins his or her day. In Smash Bros., it will hover above one of the fighters before crashing down and exploding. Avoiding the impact can be challenging.
|desc2=In the Mario Kart series, these blue shells play a big role, tearing down the track at a frightening speed before crashing down on whoever's in first place. When thrown, it'll hover around above a fighter's head, and after a short while drop down and blow up. If you find one targeting you, get ready to dodge that explosion!
}}
 
==Gallery==
{{main-gallery}}
<gallery>
MK64 Spiny Shell.gif|''[[Mario Kart 64]]''
Princess Peach Spiny Shell Artwork - Mario Kart DS.png|''[[Mario Kart DS]]''
Bowser Art - Mario Kart Wii.png|''[[Mario Kart Wii]]''
Spiny Shell SSB4 Wii U.jpg|''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]''
Facebook MarioKartDE 2017-05-11.jpg|Image macro of a Spiny Shell from the official German ''Mario Kart'' Facebook page
</gallery>
 
==Names in other languages==
===Spiny Shell===
{{foreign names
|Jap=トゲゾーこうら
|JapR=Togezō Kōra
|JapM=Spiny Shell
|ChiS=刺虫龟壳<ref>{{cite|language=zh-hans|title=马力欧卡丁车|url=www.ique.com/games/52011.htm|publisher=[[iQue]]|accessdate=June 28, 2024}}</ref>
|ChiSN=iQue, ''Mario Kart 64''
|ChiSR=Cìchóng Guīké
|ChiS2=刺虫甲壳<ref>{{cite|language=zh-hans|url=www.ique.com/3ds/amkj/item/index.html|title=马力欧卡丁车7：道具|publisher=iQue|accessdate=June 28, 2024}}</ref>
|ChiS2N=iQue, ''Mario Kart 7''
|ChiS2R=Cìchóng Jiǎqiào
|ChiS3=刺刺龟壳<ref>{{cite|language=zh-hans|url=www.nintendoswitch.com.cn/mario_kart_8_deluxe/item/index.html|title=马力欧卡丁车8 豪华版 {{!}} Nintendo Switch {{!}} 任天堂 {{!}} 腾讯|publisher=Nintendo|accessdate=June 28, 2024}}</ref>
|ChiS3N=Nintendo
|ChiS3R=Cìcìguī Ké
|ChiSM=Spiny Shell
|ChiS2M=Spiny Shell
|ChiS3M=Pun on 刺刺龟 (''Cìcìguī'', "Spiny") and 龟壳 (''guīké'', "shell")
|ChiT=刺刺龜殼
|ChiTR=Cìcìguī Ké
|ChiTM=Pun on "刺刺龜" (''Cìcìguī'', "Spiny") and "龜殼" (''guīké'', "shell")
|Dut=Blauw Stekelschild
|Dut2=Spiny-schild
|Dut2N=''Mario Kart 7''
|DutM=Blue Spiny Shell
|Dut2M=Spiny Shell
|Fre=Carapace à épines
|Fre2=Carapace pointue
|Fre2N=''Mario Kart 64 '' manual
|Fre3=Carapace épineuse
|FreM=Spiny Shell
|Fre2M=Sharp shell
|Fre3M=Spiny Shell
|Ger=Stachi-Panzer
|GerM=Spiny Shell
|Ita=Guscio spinoso
|Ita2=Conchiglia Spinosa<ref>{{cite|title=''Mario Kart 64'' Italian instruction booklet|page=32}}</ref>
|Ita2N=''Mario Kart 64''
|Ita3=Conchiglia irsuta<ref>{{cite|date=2001|language=it|publisher=Nintendo of Europe|title=''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'' European instruction booklet|page=32}}</ref>
|Ita3N=''Mario Kart: Super Circuit''
|Ita4=Guscio Spinoso
|Ita4N=''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!''
|Ita5=Guscio spinato
|Ita5N=''Mario Kart DS''
|ItaM=Spiny shell
|Ita2M=Spiny Shell
|Ita3M=Shaggy shell
|Ita4M=Spiny Shell
|Ita5M=Spiny shell
|Kor=가시돌이등껍질
|KorR=Gasidori Deungkkeopjil
|KorM=Spiny Shell
|PorA=Casco com espinhos
|PorAM=Spiny shell
|PorE=Carapaça de Espinhos
|PorEM=Spiny Shell
|Rus=Панцирь Колючкина
|RusR=Pantsir' Kolyuchkina
|RusM=Spiny's Shell
|RyanHaywood=Battle Shell
|SpaA=Caparazón de picos
|SpaA2=Caparazón Azul
|SpaA2N=''Mario Kart Wii'' instruction booklet
|SpaAM=Spiny shell
|SpaA2M=Blue Shell
|SpaE=Caparazón de pinchos
|SpaEM=Spiny shell
}}
 
===Blue Shell===
{{foreign names
|Jap=ブルー・シェル
|JapN=''The Super Mario Bros. Movie''
|JapR=Burū Sheru
|JapM=Blue Shell
|Cat=Closca Blava
|CatN=''The Super Mario Bros. Movie''
|CatM=Blue Shell
|Fre=Carapace Bleue
|FreM=Blue Shell
|Ita=Guscio blu
|ItaM=Blue shell
|Rom=Carcasă albastră
|RomN=''The Super Mario Bros. Movie''
|RomM=Blue shell
|Spa=Caparazón Azul
|SpaM=Blue Shell
}}
 
==References==
<references/>
 
{{navboxes|
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{{TSMBM}}}}
[[Category:Shells]]
[[Category:Projectiles]]
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[[Category:The Super Mario Bros. Movie objects]]
[[de:Stachi-Panzer]]
[[it:Guscio spinoso]]

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