Taking the Lead

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Taking the Lead was a Spirit Board event focused on spirits from racing games. It ran from 6 a.m. on March 8, 2019 to 6 a.m. on March 11, 2019 (UTC), and was repeated on the following dates:

• 6 a.m. on April 8, 2022 to 6 a.m. on April 11, 2022 (UTC)
• 6 a.m. on April 7, 2023 to 6 a.m. on April 10, 2023 (UTC)
• 6 a.m. on April 5, 2024 to 6 a.m. on April 8, 2024 (UTC)

During the event, defeating spirits on the Spirit Board which were part of the event awarded more SP than usual.

Description

North America

Spirits from various racing games are going full throttle on the Spirit Board! Defeat them in battle to earn more Spirit Points than usual.

Legend-class spirit Black Shadow and Ace-class spirits Blood Falcon and Jody Summer will also appear at set times. Keep your eyes peeled!

PAL regions

Spirits from various racing games are going full throttle on the Spirit Board! Defeat them in battle to earn more Spirit Points than usual.

The Legend-class Black Shadow, plus the Ace-class Blood Falcon and Jody Summer will also appear at set times. Keep your eyes peeled!

Periodically appearing spirits

No.	Image	Name	Type	Class	Appearance times (UTC)
604		Black Shadow		★★★★	06:00, 18:00
601		Blood Falcon		★★★	10:00, 22:00
595		Jody Summer		★★★	02:00, 14:00

Randomly appearing spirits

Spirit				Battle parameters
No.	Image	Name	Series	Enemy Fighter(s)	Type	Power	Stage	Rules	Conditions	Music
604		Black Shadow	F-Zero Series	•Ganondorf •Captain Falcon		13,500	Port Town Aero Dive (Battlefield form)	•Sudden Damage	•You'll occasionally take sudden damage after a little while	Devil's Call in Your Heart
595		Jody Summer	F-Zero Series	•Zero Suit Samus •Captain Falcon		9,400	Big Blue	N/A	•The enemy has increased move speed and reduced weight	White Land (Remix)
601		Blood Falcon	F-Zero Series	•Captain Falcon ×2		9,400	Port Town Aero Dive	N/A	•The enemy's special moves have increased power •The enemy favors special moves •The enemy has increased move speed	Car Select
602		Jack Levin	F-Zero Series	•Ken •Wii Fit Trainer ×3		8,800	Big Blue (Battlefield form)	•Sudden Final Smash	•The enemy will suddenly have a Final Smash •Reinforcements will appear during the battle	Dream Chaser
91		Badwagon	Mario Kart Series	•Metal Peach		9,700	Mario Circuit	N/A	•The enemy is metal	Mario Circuit - Mario Kart 8
85		B Dasher	Mario Kart Series	•Mario ×3		9,400	Figure-8 Circuit	•Uncontrollable Speed	•All fighters move faster and can't stop quickly •The enemy can deal damage by dashing into you	Circuit - Mario Kart 7
1,123		Excitebike	Excitebike Series	•Wario Team ×2		3,800	Mario Circuit	N/A	•The enemy favors side specials	Excitebike - Mario Kart 8
599		Mr. EAD	F-Zero Series	•Giant Wario •Giant R.O.B.		3,800	Big Blue	N/A	•Defeat the main fighter to win •The enemy's dash attacks have increased power •The enemy can deal damage by dashing into you	Brain Cleaner
603		Zoda	F-Zero Series	•Snake		3,600	Mute City SNES	•Item: Motion-Sensor Bomb	•The enemy starts the battle with a Lip's Stick	Sand Ocean (Original)
596		Mighty Gazelle	F-Zero Series	•Mega Man		4,100	Mute City SNES (Battlefield form)	•Hazard: Zap Floor	•The floor is electrified •The enemy starts with damage but is more powerful	Red Canyon
598		Octoman	F-Zero Series	•Mr. Game & Watch		3,700	Port Town Aero Dive (Battlefield form)	•Sudden Final Smash	•The enemy will suddenly have a Final Smash •The enemy's FS Meter charges quickly	Planet Colors
90		Biddybuggy Buggybud	Mario Kart Series	•Tiny Rosalina & Luma		3,700	Mario Circuit (Battlefield form)	•Move Speed ↑ •Item: Mario Kart	•All fighters have increased move speed •The enemy is easily distracted by items •The enemy falls slowly	Cloudtop Cruise - Mario Kart 8
89		Mach 8	Mario Kart Series	•Luigi		3,700	Mario Circuit	•Hazard: High Gravity •Item: Mario Kart	•All fighters have reduced jump ability •The enemy can deal damage by dashing into you	Mario Kart Stadium - Mario Kart 8
82		Barrel Train	Mario Kart Series	•Donkey Kong •Diddy Kong		3,500	Spirit Train	•Item: Bullet Bill	•The enemy can deal damage by dashing into you •The enemy has increased attack power •The enemy has increased move speed	Rainbow Road - Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
1,152		Tractor Trailer	Stunt Race FX	•Morton		1,900	Moray Towers	N/A	•The enemy's side special has increased power •The enemy favors side specials	Excite Truck
1,151		F-Type	Stunt Race FX	•Roy		2,200	Figure-8 Circuit	N/A	•Timed battle (1:00) •The enemy has increased move speed and reduced weight	Title Theme - 3D Hot Rally
1,133		MONSTER	Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally Series	•Giant Roy Team		1,900	Mushroomy Kingdom	N/A	•The enemy favors side specials •The enemy is giant	Title Theme - 3D Hot Rally
1,126		Mach Rider	Mach Rider Series	•Captain Falcon		1,700	Port Town Aero Dive	N/A	•The enemy has increased move speed •The enemy starts the battle with a Super Scope	Mach Rider
605		The Skull	F-Zero Series	•Robin		1,900	Big Blue	N/A	•The enemy's magic attacks have increased power •The enemy favors down specials	Brain Cleaner
597		Baba	F-Zero Series	•Captain Falcon (120 HP)		1,900	Big Blue	N/A	•Stamina battle •The enemy has increased move speed	Dream Chaser
600		Bio Rex	F-Zero Series	•Wolf		1,900	Port Town Aero Dive	•Item Tidal Wave	•The enemy becomes more powerful after eating •Certain items will appear in large numbers after a little while	Fire Field (Remix)
168		Kalypso	Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast Donkey Kong: Jet Race	•Wendy Team ×4		1,800	Kongo Falls	N/A	•The enemy starts the battle with a Rocket Belt •The enemy has increased move speed	Boss 2 - DK: Jungle Climber
167		Kip	Donkey Kong: Barrel Blast Donkey Kong: Jet Race	•Tiny Yoshi Team ×4		1,800	Yoshi's Story	N/A	•The enemy starts the battle with a Rocket Belt	Boss 2 - DK: Jungle Climber
159		Kritter	Donkey Kong Series	•King K. Rool		1,700	Kongo Jungle	•Defense ↑	•The enemy has increased defense •The enemy starts the battle with a Rocket Belt	Jungle Level (64)
87		Standard Bike	Mario Kart Series	•Wario ×4		2,100	Figure-8 Circuit	N/A	•The enemy's side special has increased power •The enemy has increased move speed	Mario Kart Stadium - Mario Kart 8
86		Standard Kart	Mario Kart Series	•Squirtle Team ×4		2,100	Figure-8 Circuit	•Item: Green Shell	•The enemy favors side specials	Mario Circuit - Super Mario Kart
88		Cheep Charger	Mario Kart Series	•Peach		1,900	Mario Circuit	N/A	•The enemy favors grabs and throws •The enemy has increased move speed	Mushroom Gorge - Mario Kart Wii

In other languages

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	そのチェッカーはゆずれない！	The checkered flag is waving!
French	Têtes de course	Racing heads
German	Die schnellsten Spitzenreiter!	The fastest leaders!
Spanish	A la carrera	To the race
Italian	Spiriti in pista	Spirits on the track
Chinese (Simplified)	休想抢走方格旗的荣耀！	The glory of the checkered flag!
Chinese (Traditional)	休想搶走方格旗的榮耀！	The glory of the checkered flag!
Korean	승리는 나의 것!	Victory is mine!
Dutch	Plankgas!	Pedal to the metal!
Russian	Педаль в пол!	Pedal to the metal!