Fake Item Box: Difference between revisions

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{{split|Fake Item Box|Jack-in-the-box (item)}}
{{item infobox
{{item-infobox
|image=[[File:MKW Fake Item Box Artwork.png|250px]]<br>Artwork from ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]''
|image=[[File:MKW Fake Item Box Artwork.png|250px]]<br>Artwork of the Fake Item Box in ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]''.
|first_appearance=''[[Mario Kart 64]]'' ([[List of games by date#1996|1996]])
|first_appearance=''[[Mario Kart 64]]'' ([[List of games by date#1996|1996]])
|latest_appearance=''[[Mario Kart Arcade GP DX]]'' ([[List of games by date#2013|2013]])
|latest_appearance=''[[Minecraft|Minecraft: Bedrock Edition]]'' ([[List of games by date#2018|2018]])
}}
}}
The '''Fake Item Box''', originally known as '''Fake Item'''<ref>''Mario Kart 64'' English instruction booklet, page 13.</ref><ref>''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'' English instruction booklet, page 17.</ref>, is an [[item]] found in the ''[[Mario Kart (series)|Mario Kart]]'' series. They resemble regular [[Item Box]]es in their design, but unlike their regular counterparts, they do not bestow items to karts that pass through them - instead, the item acts as a hazard that flips vehicles over in a way similar to that caused by a [[Green Shell]] or a [[Red Shell]]. Fake Item Boxes are generally obtained by racers near the front of the race, being used as traps similarly to [[Banana]]s; however, as of ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]'', Fake Item Boxes cannot block incoming shells. This item hasn't appeared in recent installments, with its last appearance in a main series ''Mario Kart'' game being in ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]''.
The '''Fake Item Box''' is an item introduced in ''[[Mario Kart 64]]'', where it is known as simply the '''Fake Item'''.<ref>{{cite|title=''Mario Kart 64'' instruction booklet|page=13|date=1997|language=en|publisher=Nintendo of America}}</ref><ref>{{cite|language=en|date=2003|title=''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'' instruction booklet|page=17|publisher=Nintendo of America}}</ref> Fake Item Boxes are hazards that flip vehicles over when driven into, though they imitate the appearance of an [[Item Box]], potentially tricking racers into driving into them. Fake Item Boxes are generally obtained by racers near the front of the race, and can be held behind a [[kart]], though they cannot block incoming [[Green Shell]]s or [[Red Shell]]s.


==History==
==History==
Line 11: Line 10:
====''Mario Kart 64''====
====''Mario Kart 64''====
[[File:FakeItemBoxMK64 icon.png|frame|left]]
[[File:FakeItemBoxMK64 icon.png|frame|left]]
The Fake Item's first appearance is in ''[[Mario Kart 64]]''. It can only be obtained if the player is in 1st or 2nd place, but CPUs can also obtain it in 3rd to 6th place. They appear identical to regular Item Boxes with a key difference: the question mark inside is upside-down (a ¿ instead of a ?). Karts that collide with one are blasted into the air. Like Bananas, they can be used to block incoming shells, though unlike Bananas, they cannot be tossed forward. If placed in midair, the Fake Item floats; this is the only game where Fake Items are unaffected by gravity.
Fake Items are items in ''Mario Kart 64''. They can be obtained only by a player in first or second place, though CPUs can also obtain them in 3rd to 6th place. They appear identical to regular Item Boxes with a key difference: the question mark inside is upside-down (a ¿ instead of a ?). Karts that collide with one are blasted into the air. Like Bananas, they can be used to block incoming shells, though unlike Bananas, they cannot be tossed forward. If placed in midair, a Fake Item floats; this is the only game where Fake Items are unaffected by gravity.


Pre-release screenshots of ''Mario Kart 64'' depict the Fake Item Box with a bomb inside of it instead of an upside-down "?".<ref>https://tcrf.net/Prerelease:Mario_Kart_64#Early_Fake_Item_Box</ref>
Pre-release screenshots of ''Mario Kart 64'' depict the Fake Item with a bomb inside of it instead of an upside-down "?". They were also originally named the "Bogus Box".<ref>{{cite|url=tcrf.net/Prerelease:Mario_Kart_64#Early_Fake_Item_Box|title=''Mario Kart 64''|publisher=The Cutting Room Floor|language=en|accessdate=August 13, 2024}}</ref>
 
====''Mario Kart: Super Circuit''====
While not in the final game, the Fake Item Box was [[List of Mario Kart: Super Circuit pre-release and unused content|going to appear]] in ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'', but was taken out for unknown reasons. It shares the same function as the [[Banana]].


====''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!''====
====''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!''====
Fake Items return in ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]''. Here, they retain their ¿ symbol and are now colored red, making them easier to distinguish from real Item Boxes. However, the color is slightly obscured when viewed from a distance; they will only appear solid red as the player approaches. Racers hit by a Fake Item will emit red electricity while tumbling. They can be destroyed by running into them with a [[Super Star]] or picked up with [[Heart (item)|Hearts]], while other obstacles pass through them, including all shells, eggs, [[Fireball]]s, and [[Chain Chomp]]s.
Fake Items are items in ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]''. They retain their ¿ symbol and are now colored red, making them easier to distinguish from real Item Boxes. However, the color is slightly obscured when viewed from a distance; they will only appear solid red as the player approaches. Racers hit by a Fake Item will emit red electricity while tumbling. They can be destroyed by running into them with a [[Super Star]] or picked up with [[Heart (item)|Hearts]], while other obstacles pass through them, including all shells, eggs, [[Fireball]]s, and [[Chain Chomp]]s. Fake Items can no longer block shells and are now affected by gravity, but can now be tossed forward.


====''Mario Kart DS''====
====''Mario Kart DS''====
[[File:MKDS Fake Item Box Screenshot.png|thumb|right]]
[[File:MKDS Fake Item Box Screenshot.png|thumb|Screenshot from ''Mario Kart DS'']]
The Fake Item Box's next appearance is in ''[[Mario Kart DS]]''. They have a new set of differences from a real Item Box: they lack a "¿" entirely, they do not spin around, and they show up as red on the bottom screen's map. Their overall behavior is much the same as the previous game, though they do not bounce when thrown. Additionally, they get knocked away if a racer collides with them instead of exploding as all other iterations do. They can be obtained if the player is anywhere from 1st to 3rd place, with CPUs also being able to obtain them in 4th and 5th place. In Balloon Battle, they can be obtained if the player has two or more balloons.
Fake Item Boxes, now known by their current name, are items in ''[[Mario Kart DS]]''. They have a new set of differences from a real Item Box: they lack a "¿" entirely, they do not spin around, and they show up as red on the bottom screen's map. Their overall behavior is much the same as the previous game, though they do not bounce when thrown. Additionally, they get knocked/faded away if a racer collides with them instead of exploding as all other iterations do. They can be obtained if the player is anywhere from 1st to 3rd place, with CPU drivers also being able to obtain them in 4th and 5th place. In Balloon Battle, they can be obtained if the player has two or more balloons. Fake Item Boxes are obstacles to avoid in Missions 4-6 and 7-8.
 
Missions [[N64 Choco Mountain|4-6]] and [[N64 Banshee Boardwalk|7-8]] involve collecting a number of Item Boxes while avoiding Fake Item Boxes.


====''Mario Kart Arcade GP 2''====
====''Mario Kart Arcade GP 2''====
Fake Item Boxes appear in ''[[Mario Kart Arcade GP 2]]'' under the name '''Jack-in-the-boxes'''.<ref>RobertoLPDX (June 28, 2015). [https://youtu.be/D14ZwD1uxgA?t=3283 Let's Play: Mario Kart Arcade GP 2 (Longplay)]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved July 25, 2019.</ref> They look similar to the Fake Item Boxes of other games, but have a different effect when touched: Instead of flipping the kart out, it unleashes a toy jack-in-the-box clown to temporarily cover the screen while the speed of the kart decreases.
Fake Item Boxes appear in ''[[Mario Kart Arcade GP 2]]'' under the name '''Jack-in-the-boxes'''.<ref>{{cite|language=en|author=RobertoLPDX|date=June 28, 2015|url=youtu.be/D14ZwD1uxgA?t=3283|timestamp=54:43|title=Let's Play: Mario Kart Arcade GP 2 (Longplay)|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=July 25, 2019}}</ref> They look similar to the Fake Item Boxes of other games, but have a different effect when touched: Instead of flipping the kart out, it unleashes a toy jack-in-the-box clown to temporarily cover the screen while the speed of the kart decreases.


====''Mario Kart Wii''====
====''Mario Kart Wii''====
The Fake Item Boxes return to their ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'' look in ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'', with a style change to match the new style of the real ones, as well as being larger than in the previous games. They can be obtained from 1st to 5th place, with CPU-controlled players also being able to obtain it in 6th and 7th place. The highest chance of obtaining this item is in 1st place, with a 7 out of 40 (17.5%) chance of obtaining it in said position. While they still have a ¿ sign inside, like in ''Double Dash!!'', they can hide their red color at a distance - only on approaching do they turn red. Fake Item Boxes become blue instead if they belong to the blue team in team play. Much like in ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'', Fake Item Boxes can be destroyed only by colliding into them. In {{classic-link|N64|DK's Jungle Parkway}}, if a lightweight racer places a Fake Item Box close to the edge of the track near the ramp and a heavyweight rams them into it using a [[Mushroom]], they will get sent flying onto a small island. This is best demonstrated in VS Mode using two human players. This is so far the most recent non-arcade ''Mario Kart'' game the Fake Item Box appears as a usable item, making it, the [[Thunder Cloud]], and the [[POW Block]] the only three usable items in ''Mario Kart Wii'' to not reappear in any future non-arcade installments.
Fake Item Boxes are items in ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]''. They maintain their design from ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'', but with a style change to match the new style of the real ones, as well as being larger than in the previous games. They can be obtained from 1st to 5th place, with computer-controlled racers also being able to obtain it in 6th and 7th place. The highest chance of obtaining this item is in 1st place, with a 7 out of 40 (17.5%) chance of obtaining it in said position. While they still have a ¿ sign inside, like in ''Double Dash!!'', they can hide their red color at a distance - only on approaching do they turn red. They are also bigger than real Item Boxes. Fake Item Boxes become blue instead if they belong to the blue team in team play. Much like in ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'', Fake Item Boxes can be destroyed only by colliding into them. In {{classic-link|N64|DK's Jungle Parkway}}, if a lightweight racer places a Fake Item Box close to the edge of the track near the ramp and a heavyweight rams them into it using a [[Mushroom]], they will get sent flying onto a small island. This is best demonstrated in Vs. Mode using two human players.


=====Trading card information=====
====''Mario Kart Arcade GP DX''====
[[File:MKW Fake Item Box Trading Card.jpg|thumb|125px|left]]
Fake Item Boxes are items in ''[[Mario Kart Arcade GP DX]]''. They have the same purpose as the Jack-in-the-boxes in ''Mario Kart Arcade GP 2''.
'''Description:''' ''"Deception. That's what the Fake Item Box is all about. It looks remarkably like a real Item Box except that the question mark inside of it is upside down. Many a racer has found out the hard way about the treachery of the Fake Item Box and those who drop them. But like the saying goes, it's always better to give than to receive. Words to live by when playing Mario Kart Wii, for sure."''


'''Game Tip!:''' ''"Carefully drop a Fake Item Box within a cluster of other Item Boxes or directly behind a real Item Box so your rivals will run into it and crash."''
===''Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games''===
Fake Item Boxes are items in the [[Wii]] version of ''[[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (Wii)|Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games]]''. They appear in [[Dream Alpine (Individual)|Dream Alpine]], [[Dream Ski Cross (Individual)|Dream Ski Cross]], [[Dream Snowboard Cross (Individual)|Dream Snowboard Cross]], [[Dream Short Track]] and [[Dream Bobsleigh]], where Fake Item Boxes can be placed behind the player and make anyone who hits them fall over and lose speed.


====''Mario Kart Arcade GP DX''====
===''Minecraft''===
Fake Item Boxes make a reappearance in ''[[Mario Kart Arcade GP DX]]'', serving the same purpose as the Jack-in-the-boxes in ''Mario Kart Arcade GP 2''.
In the Super Mario Mash-up for ''[[Minecraft]]'', Fake Item Boxes replace End Crystals, with their texture being based on their design in ''Mario Kart Wii''.
 
===Unused appearances===
====''Mario Kart: Super Circuit''====
While not in the final game, the Fake Item was [[List of Mario Kart: Super Circuit pre-release and unused content|going to appear]] in ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'', but was taken out. It shares the same function as the [[Banana]].
 
==Profiles==
===''Mario Kart DS''===
*'''Instruction manual bio:''' ''"Looks just like an item box, but when you run into it, it knocks you over."''


===''Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games''===
===''Mario Kart Wii''===
The Fake Item Box makes its first appearance outside of the ''Mario Kart'' series in the [[Wii]] version of ''[[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (Wii)|Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games]]'', where it appears in various [[Dream Event]]s. In [[Dream Alpine (Individual)|Dream Alpine]], [[Dream Ski Cross (Individual)|Dream Ski Cross]], [[Dream Snowboard Cross (Individual)|Dream Snowboard Cross]], [[Dream Short Track]] and [[Dream Bobsleigh]], Fake Item Boxes can be placed behind the player and will cause opponents that hit it to fall over and lose speed.
*'''Instruction manual bio:''' ''"Though they look like regular Item Boxes, if a vehicle hits one, the vehicle will flip over."''
[[File:MKW Fake Item Box Trading Card.jpg|thumb|80px]]
*'''Trading card bio:''' ''"Deception. That's what the Fake Item Box is all about. It looks remarkably like a real Item Box except that the question mark inside of it is upside down. Many a racer has found out the hard way about the treachery of the Fake Item Box and those who drop them. But like the saying goes, it's always better to give than to receive. Words to live by when playing Mario Kart Wii, for sure."''
**'''Game Tip!:''' ''"Carefully drop a Fake Item Box within a cluster of other Item Boxes or directly behind a real Item Box so your rivals will run into it and crash."''


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
{{more images|section=yes|''[[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games]]''}}
===Artwork===
===Artwork===
<gallery>
<gallery>
MK64Item-FakeItemBox.png|''[[Mario Kart 64]]''
MK64Item-FakeItemBox.png|''[[Mario Kart 64]]''
FakeItemBox_MK64.png|''Mario Kart 64''
MK64 Fake Item Box art.jpg|''Mario Kart 64''
MK64 Item group 1 art.jpg|''Mario Kart 64''
MKDD Fake Item Box.png|''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]''
MKDD Fake Item Box.png|''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]''
MKDS Fake Item Box Artwork.png|''[[Mario Kart DS]]''
MKDS Fake Item Box Artwork.png|''[[Mario Kart DS]]''
Line 59: Line 64:
===Sprites===
===Sprites===
<gallery>
<gallery>
FakeItemBoxMK64 icon.png|''[[Mario Kart 64]]''
FakeBoxMKSC.png|''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]'' (unused)
FakeBoxMKSC.png|''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]'' (unused)
FakeItemIcon-MKDD.png|''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]''
FakeItemIcon-MKDD.png|''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]''
MKDSFakeItemBox.png|''[[Mario Kart DS]]''
MKDSFakeItemBox.png|''[[Mario Kart DS]]''
MKW Fake Item Box Sprite.png|''[[Mario Kart Wii]]''
MKW Fake Item Box Sprite.png|''[[Mario Kart Wii]]''
M&S2010 Fake Item Box Sprite.png|''[[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (Wii)|Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games]]''
</gallery>
</gallery>


Line 74: Line 79:
<gallery>
<gallery>
MKDS Fake Item Box Sprite.png|''[[Mario Kart DS]]''
MKDS Fake Item Box Sprite.png|''[[Mario Kart DS]]''
Minecraft Mario Mash-Up End Crystal.jpg|''[[Minecraft]]''
</gallery>
</gallery>


==Names in other languages==
==Names in other languages==
{{foreign names
{{foreign names
|Jap=にせアイテムボックス<br>''Nise Aitemu Bokkusu''<br>びっくりばこ (''Mario Kart Arcade GP 2'')<br>''Bikkuri-bako''
|Jap=にせアイテムボックス
|JapM=Fake Item Box<br><br>Surprise Box
|JapR=Nise Aitemu Bokkusu
|Spa=Bloque Sorpresa
|JapM=Fake Item Box
|SpaM=Surprise Block
|Jap2=びっくりばこ
|Jap2N=''Mario Kart Arcade GP 2''
|Jap2R=Bikkuri-bako
|Jap2M=Surprise Box
|Chi=假道具<ref>{{cite|url=www.ique.com/games/52011.htm|title=马力欧卡丁车|language=zh-hans|publisher=iQue|accessdate=February 20, 2020}}</ref>
|ChiR=Jiǎ Dàojù
|ChiM=Fake Item
|Chi2=假道具箱
|Chi2R=Jiǎ Dàojù Xiāng
|Chi2M=Fake Item Box
|Dut=Nep-blok<ref>{{cite||language=nl|date=1997|publisher=Nintendo of Europe|title=''Mario Kart 64'' instruction booklet}}{{page needed}}</ref>
|DutM=Fake block
|Fre=Fausse boîte à objets<br>Fausse boîte à bonus<ref>{{cite|title=''Mario Kart 64'' instruction booklet|date=1997|publisher=Nintendo of Europe|language=fr}}{{page needed}}</ref>
|FreN=''Mario Kart 64''
|FreM=Fake item
|Ger=Schwindel-Box
|Ger=Schwindel-Box
|GerM=Cheat Box
|GerM=Cheat Box
|Ita=Oggetto Finto (''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'')<br>Falso oggetto (''Mario Kart DS'' and microsite of ''Mario Kart DS'')<br>Oggetto finto (''Mario Kart DS''{{'}}s instruction booklet and ''Mario Kart Wii'')
|Ita=Oggetto Finto
|ItaM=Fake Item<br>False item<br>Fake item
|ItaN=''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!''
|ItaM=Fake Item
|Ita2=Falso Oggetto<ref>{{cite|title=''Mario Kart 64'' instruction booklet|publisher=Nintendo of Europe|language=it|date=1997}}{{page needed}}</ref> <small>(''Mario Kart 64'')</small> / Falso oggetto
|Ita2N=''Mario Kart DS''
|Ita2M=False item
|Ita3=Oggetto finto
|Ita3N=''Mario Kart DS''{{'}}s instruction booklet{{page needed}} and ''Mario Kart Wii''
|Ita3M=Fake item
|Kor=가짜 아이템박스
|Kor=가짜 아이템박스
|KorR=Gajja Aitembakseu
|KorR=Gajja Aitembakseu
|KorM=Fake Item Box
|KorM=Fake Item Boxbox<br>Fake bonus box
|Fra=Fausse boîte à objets<br>Fausse boîte à bonus <small>(''Mario Kart 64'' manual)</small>
|Por=
|FraM=Fake item box<br>Fake bonus box
|PorM=
|Chi=假道具<ref>[https://www.ique.com/games/52011.htm Official Chinese website for ''Mario Kart 64'']. Retrieved Febuary 20, 2020.</ref>
|Rus=
|ChiR=Jiǎ Dàojù
|RusR=
|ChiM=Fake Item
|RusM=
|Spa=Bloque Sorpresa
|SpaM=Surprise Block
|SpaE=Objeto falso<ref>{{cite|title=''Mario Kart 64'' instruction booklet|language=es-es|publisher=Nintendo of Europe|date=1997}}{{page needed}}</ref>
|SpaEN=''Mario Kart 64''
|SpaEM=Fake object
|Swe=
|SweM=
}}
}}


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[[File:MKW Blue Fake Item Box Glitch.png|thumb|A glitch involving the appearance of blue Fake Item Boxes in a solo race in ''Mario Kart Wii''.]]
[[File:MKW Blue Fake Item Box Glitch.png|thumb|A glitch involving the appearance of blue Fake Item Boxes in a solo race in ''Mario Kart Wii''.]]
*In ''Mario Kart Wii'', if the player selects a team race or battle mode first and chooses the blue team, then exits and plays Grand Prix or solo Vs. mode, the Fake Item Boxes will be blue instead of red.
*In ''Mario Kart Wii'', if the player selects a team race or battle mode first and chooses the blue team, then exits and plays Grand Prix or solo Vs. mode, the Fake Item Boxes will be blue instead of red.
*The instruction booklets for ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'' and ''Mario Kart DS'' erroneously state that the Fake Item Box can be used to block incoming shells, when they cannot in games following ''Mario Kart 64''.
*The instruction booklets for ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'' and ''Mario Kart DS'' erroneously state that Fake Item Boxes can be used to block incoming shells, when they cannot in games following ''Mario Kart 64''.
*There exist some [[List of Mario Kart 7 pre-release and unused content|unused leftovers]] for the Fake Item Box and [[Mega Mushroom]] in the files of ''[[Mario Kart 7]]''.
*There exist some [[List of Mario Kart 7 pre-release and unused content|unused leftovers]] for the Fake Item Box and [[Mega Mushroom]] in the files of ''[[Mario Kart 7]]''.
**There also exist some [[List of Mario Kart 8 pre-release and unused content|unused leftovers]] for the Fake Item Box, [[Lucky Seven]], and [[Super Leaf]] in the files of ''[[Mario Kart 8]]''.
**There also exist some [[List of Mario Kart 8 pre-release and unused content|unused leftovers]] for the Fake Item Box, [[Lucky Seven]], and [[Super Leaf]] in the files of ''[[Mario Kart 8]]''.

Latest revision as of 17:50, December 2, 2024

Fake Item Box
Artwork of a Fake Item Box, from Mario Kart Wii.
Artwork from Mario Kart Wii
First appearance Mario Kart 64 (1996)
Latest appearance Minecraft: Bedrock Edition (2018)

The Fake Item Box is an item introduced in Mario Kart 64, where it is known as simply the Fake Item.[1][2] Fake Item Boxes are hazards that flip vehicles over when driven into, though they imitate the appearance of an Item Box, potentially tricking racers into driving into them. Fake Item Boxes are generally obtained by racers near the front of the race, and can be held behind a kart, though they cannot block incoming Green Shells or Red Shells.

History[edit]

Mario Kart series[edit]

Mario Kart 64[edit]

FakeItemBoxMK64 icon.png

Fake Items are items in Mario Kart 64. They can be obtained only by a player in first or second place, though CPUs can also obtain them in 3rd to 6th place. They appear identical to regular Item Boxes with a key difference: the question mark inside is upside-down (a ¿ instead of a ?). Karts that collide with one are blasted into the air. Like Bananas, they can be used to block incoming shells, though unlike Bananas, they cannot be tossed forward. If placed in midair, a Fake Item floats; this is the only game where Fake Items are unaffected by gravity.

Pre-release screenshots of Mario Kart 64 depict the Fake Item with a bomb inside of it instead of an upside-down "?". They were also originally named the "Bogus Box".[3]

Mario Kart: Double Dash!![edit]

Fake Items are items in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!. They retain their ¿ symbol and are now colored red, making them easier to distinguish from real Item Boxes. However, the color is slightly obscured when viewed from a distance; they will only appear solid red as the player approaches. Racers hit by a Fake Item will emit red electricity while tumbling. They can be destroyed by running into them with a Super Star or picked up with Hearts, while other obstacles pass through them, including all shells, eggs, Fireballs, and Chain Chomps. Fake Items can no longer block shells and are now affected by gravity, but can now be tossed forward.

Mario Kart DS[edit]

Fake Item Box
Screenshot from Mario Kart DS

Fake Item Boxes, now known by their current name, are items in Mario Kart DS. They have a new set of differences from a real Item Box: they lack a "¿" entirely, they do not spin around, and they show up as red on the bottom screen's map. Their overall behavior is much the same as the previous game, though they do not bounce when thrown. Additionally, they get knocked/faded away if a racer collides with them instead of exploding as all other iterations do. They can be obtained if the player is anywhere from 1st to 3rd place, with CPU drivers also being able to obtain them in 4th and 5th place. In Balloon Battle, they can be obtained if the player has two or more balloons. Fake Item Boxes are obstacles to avoid in Missions 4-6 and 7-8.

Mario Kart Arcade GP 2[edit]

Fake Item Boxes appear in Mario Kart Arcade GP 2 under the name Jack-in-the-boxes.[4] They look similar to the Fake Item Boxes of other games, but have a different effect when touched: Instead of flipping the kart out, it unleashes a toy jack-in-the-box clown to temporarily cover the screen while the speed of the kart decreases.

Mario Kart Wii[edit]

Fake Item Boxes are items in Mario Kart Wii. They maintain their design from Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, but with a style change to match the new style of the real ones, as well as being larger than in the previous games. They can be obtained from 1st to 5th place, with computer-controlled racers also being able to obtain it in 6th and 7th place. The highest chance of obtaining this item is in 1st place, with a 7 out of 40 (17.5%) chance of obtaining it in said position. While they still have a ¿ sign inside, like in Double Dash!!, they can hide their red color at a distance - only on approaching do they turn red. They are also bigger than real Item Boxes. Fake Item Boxes become blue instead if they belong to the blue team in team play. Much like in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, Fake Item Boxes can be destroyed only by colliding into them. In N64 DK's Jungle Parkway, if a lightweight racer places a Fake Item Box close to the edge of the track near the ramp and a heavyweight rams them into it using a Mushroom, they will get sent flying onto a small island. This is best demonstrated in Vs. Mode using two human players.

Mario Kart Arcade GP DX[edit]

Fake Item Boxes are items in Mario Kart Arcade GP DX. They have the same purpose as the Jack-in-the-boxes in Mario Kart Arcade GP 2.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games[edit]

Fake Item Boxes are items in the Wii version of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games. They appear in Dream Alpine, Dream Ski Cross, Dream Snowboard Cross, Dream Short Track and Dream Bobsleigh, where Fake Item Boxes can be placed behind the player and make anyone who hits them fall over and lose speed.

Minecraft[edit]

In the Super Mario Mash-up for Minecraft, Fake Item Boxes replace End Crystals, with their texture being based on their design in Mario Kart Wii.

Unused appearances[edit]

Mario Kart: Super Circuit[edit]

While not in the final game, the Fake Item was going to appear in Mario Kart: Super Circuit, but was taken out. It shares the same function as the Banana.

Profiles[edit]

Mario Kart DS[edit]

  • Instruction manual bio: "Looks just like an item box, but when you run into it, it knocks you over."

Mario Kart Wii[edit]

  • Instruction manual bio: "Though they look like regular Item Boxes, if a vehicle hits one, the vehicle will flip over."
The Fake Item Box card from the Mario Kart Wii trading cards
  • Trading card bio: "Deception. That's what the Fake Item Box is all about. It looks remarkably like a real Item Box except that the question mark inside of it is upside down. Many a racer has found out the hard way about the treachery of the Fake Item Box and those who drop them. But like the saying goes, it's always better to give than to receive. Words to live by when playing Mario Kart Wii, for sure."
    • Game Tip!: "Carefully drop a Fake Item Box within a cluster of other Item Boxes or directly behind a real Item Box so your rivals will run into it and crash."

Gallery[edit]

Artwork[edit]

Sprites[edit]

Models[edit]

Screenshots[edit]

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese にせアイテムボックス[?]
Nise Aitemu Bokkusu
Fake Item Box
びっくりばこ[?]
Bikkuri-bako
Surprise Box Mario Kart Arcade GP 2
Chinese 假道具[5]
Jiǎ Dàojù
Fake Item
假道具箱[?]
Jiǎ Dàojù Xiāng
Fake Item Box
Dutch Nep-blok[6] Fake block
French Fausse boîte à objets
Fausse boîte à bonus[7]
Fake item Mario Kart 64
German Schwindel-Box[?] Cheat Box
Italian Oggetto Finto[?] Fake Item Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
Falso Oggetto[8] (Mario Kart 64) / Falso oggetto False item Mario Kart DS
Oggetto finto[?] Fake item Mario Kart DS's instruction booklet[page number needed] and Mario Kart Wii
Korean 가짜 아이템박스[?]
Gajja Aitembakseu
Fake Item Boxbox
Fake bonus box
Spanish Bloque Sorpresa[?] Surprise Block
Spanish (NOE) Objeto falso[9] Fake object Mario Kart 64

Trivia[edit]

The blue Fake Item Box, normally restricted to team races, can appear in solo races due to a glitch.
A glitch involving the appearance of blue Fake Item Boxes in a solo race in Mario Kart Wii.
  • In Mario Kart Wii, if the player selects a team race or battle mode first and chooses the blue team, then exits and plays Grand Prix or solo Vs. mode, the Fake Item Boxes will be blue instead of red.
  • The instruction booklets for Mario Kart: Double Dash!! and Mario Kart DS erroneously state that Fake Item Boxes can be used to block incoming shells, when they cannot in games following Mario Kart 64.
  • There exist some unused leftovers for the Fake Item Box and Mega Mushroom in the files of Mario Kart 7.

References[edit]

  1. ^ 1997. Mario Kart 64 instruction booklet. Nintendo of America (English). Page 13.
  2. ^ 2003. Mario Kart: Double Dash!! instruction booklet. Nintendo of America (English). Page 17.
  3. ^ Mario Kart 64. The Cutting Room Floor (English). Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  4. ^ RobertoLPDX (June 28, 2015). Let's Play: Mario Kart Arcade GP 2 (Longplay) (54:43). YouTube (English). Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  5. ^ 马力欧卡丁车. iQue (Simplified Chinese). Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  6. ^ 1997. Mario Kart 64 instruction booklet. Nintendo of Europe (Dutch).[page number needed]
  7. ^ 1997. Mario Kart 64 instruction booklet. Nintendo of Europe (French).[page number needed]
  8. ^ 1997. Mario Kart 64 instruction booklet. Nintendo of Europe (Italian).[page number needed]
  9. ^ 1997. Mario Kart 64 instruction booklet. Nintendo of Europe (European Spanish).[page number needed]