Spiny Shell
| Spiny Shell | |
|---|---|
.png)   The Spiny Shell | |
| Universe | Mario |
| Appears in | SSB4 Ultimate |
| Item class | Throwing |
| Article on Super Mario Wiki | Spiny Shell (blue) |
The Spiny Shell (トゲゾーこうら, Spiny Shell), popularly known as the Blue Shell, is an item from the Mario Kart series.
Origin[edit]
The Spiny Shell made its debut in Mario Kart 64 and has become an important recurring item in the Mario Kart series. It is a blue variant of a Spiny Shell, which, when thrown, will plow through everything in its path while chasing the racer in first place.
Mario Kart: Double Dash!! granted the Spiny Shell wings, which increased its speed but removed its ability to strike anything in its path, while also changing its behaviour to circle its target upon reaching them and detonate in a large explosion (similar to that of a Bob-omb, but blue), more punishing than a normal shell. It also became much more common an item, leading to a notorious reputation, though its damage could be avoidable with a well-timed Dash Mushroom or Star.
Mario Kart 7 reverted the Spiny Shell to being a very rare wingless threat to everyone in its path, but keeping the explosion at the end. Later, Mario Kart 8 introduced the Super Horn item specifically to counter the Spiny Shell.
Other Mario spinoff games have borrowed the Spiny Shell for their own purposes. Its primary trait is generally that it targets whoever is in first place, often with a harsher penalty than a normal setback.
Overview[edit]
The Spiny Shell debuted as a throwing item in Super Smash Bros. 4.
When thrown, the Spiny Shell targets the current highest-ranking opponent: the fighter with the most points in time matches, the most stocks in stock matches, or the most coins in coin matches. If multiple opponents have equal standing, the one with the least damage is picked, and if multiple opponents also have equal damage, the one closest to the thrower is picked.
The Spiny Shell flies to and hovers above its target, continuing to follow above them for five seconds, and then slams down onto said player. The Spiny Shell explodes upon hitting an opponent or other hurtbox during its attack, which deals 28% damage with sizeable knockback. The time it takes from falling on its target to exploding is randomized, which can potentially make the attack difficult to dodge.
When the Spiny Shell is slamming, its explosion triggers as soon as it hits a player or hurtbox. Hence, it is possible for the Spiny Shell's target to avoid its attack by hiding under other players, so that another player takes the hit of the Spiny Shell. If the player being targeted is KO'd before the shell can attack, it will explode on the spot without trying to target anyone else.
While the Spiny Shell is flying and hovering, opponents making contact with it will be hit for light damage. This can potentially force an opponent other than the target to be hit by the shell's explosion attack if they are trapped by the hovering hits.
Trophy[edit]
- Spiny Shell
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.
: Mario Kart 64 (02/1997)
: Mario Kart 8 (05/2014)
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!- : Mario Kart 64 (06/1997)
- : Mario Kart 8 (05/2014)
Sticker[edit]
| Name | Game | Effect | Fighter(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spiny Shell | Mario Kart: DD!! |  +11
|
|
.png) Spiny Shell (Mario Kart: DD!!) |
Gallery[edit]
The explosion of the Spiny Shell in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS
Lucario throwing the Spiny Shell in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
Render of the Spiny Shell from Ultimate.
Bowser and a Spiny Shell in Ultimate.
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 Japanese |
トゲゾーこうら | Spiny Shell |
 English |
Spiny Shell | — |
 French |
Carapace à épines | Spiny Shell |
 German |
Stachi-Panzer | Spiny Shell |
 Spanish (PAL) |
Caparazón de pinchos | Spiky Shell |
 Spanish (NTSC) |
Caparazón de picos | Spiky Shell |
 Italian |
Guscio spinoso | Spiny Shell |
 Chinese (Simplified) |
刺刺龟壳 | Spiny Turtle Shell |
 Chinese (Traditional) |
刺刺龜殼 | Spiny Turtle Shell |
 Korean |
가시돌이등껍질 | Spiny Shell |
 Dutch |
Spiny-schild | Spiny Shell |
 Russian |
Панцирь колючкина | Kurochkina Shell |
