Whether it’s first place or last place, power-ups are an essential part ofMario Kart’s design, but there are some power-ups that are extremely frustrating and annoying to fight against, and so it might be a better time for all if Nintendo decides to vault and void these power-ups forMario Kart World.
WithMario Kart World’s imminent arrival, it’s not only a good time topick your favorite character, but also a good time to look at some of the scariest power-ups featured in the series that shouldn’t return inMario Kart Worldso that fans can have a better time racing rather than worrying about what they’re about to be hit by.
Mario Kart Wii
Jun 20, 2025
The Fake Item Box is a true trickster weapon, and one that players might enjoy getting just to place behind real Item Boxes. The Fake Item Box is distinct for its red glow and upside-down question mark, and placing it between a real Item Box can easily trick players who aren’t expecting a fake to spin them out and cause them to lose momentum. However, the Fake Item Box in first place is a true burden to hold, as it doesn’t have the same disguise as a hard-to-spot banana, nor can it be used to block green shells and red shells, thus making the Fake Item Box pretty useless.
The POW Block isa testament to the Nintendo Wii’s motion controls, as it’s a weapon that relies on players staying active. Players must watch the POW Block for its trio of warnings, and upon its fourth and final blow, will see everyone spin out and lose their items. However, the way to avoid it is pretty simple, as players just have to be off the ground or shake their Wii Remote during the attack. While it’s simple enough to counter, a reliance on Motion Controls for a racing game can often be a tad finicky and unreliable.
There is perhaps no weapon that players fear more than the Thunder Cloud, at least, not individually. The Thunder Cloud is a curse, a weapon that can be obtained from the Item Box by one unlucky player. The Thunder Cloud is a burden to have, and while it does give players a speed boost, it will charge up a lightning attack, which will strike the player and shrink them. to get rid of this item, players must hit another player to transfer it over, but thatother racermight just transfer it right back. It’s an intense weapon that can cause a lot of grief.
Mario Kart 8
Jun 17, 2025
Considering the Piranha Plant is featured as a playable character inMario Kart World, it’s unlikely that it’s going to return as an item, since it would be pretty weird and somewhat cannibalistic, in a way. Regardless of the moral standing of the Piranha Plant, the other reason it should stay gone is simply because it’s a burden. The Piranha Plant snaps forward, giving players a very minor speed boost, but it does chomp at Gold Coins and otherplayers on the path. However, players are defenseless, as the Piranha Plant won’t eat shells that are right on the player’s tail, thus leaving them vulnerable and unable to rid themselves of the Piranha Plant until it expires.
If players who are in first place manage to get the Triple Banana, then they’ve practically won, unless a Blue Shell or Lightning Strike comes crashing down. It’s hard enough to catch up to first place as it is, but the Triple Bananas are a triple threat that gives players 3opportunities to block Red Shells. One Banana is fine, but having three of them just seems like overkill, especially when it’s impossible to breach them, as players can just throw them down before the Red Shell hits.
Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
June 03, 2025
The Chain Chomp acts a lot like Bullet Bill inMario Kart: Double Dash!!, but somehow, it’s a lot more fearsome. The Chain Chomp’s dead eyes and desperate need to bite things make it dangerous, and players can use it topull themselves across the trackwith a rapid autopilot, or as a battering ram to leap and bite at opponents. The Bullet Bill is already annoying, considering its speed and unrelenting aggression, so maybe the Chain Chomp should be left chained and forgotten.
Mario Kart: Double Dash!!is an impressive titlethat allows players to match two different racers to receive unique power-ups. One such power-up is the Bowser Shell, exclusive to Bowser and Bowser Jr., but one that should be feared by all. The Bowser Shell tears through the track, refusing to disappear until someone’s been hit. It’s inevitable that someone will lose the race because of this giant-sized shell, and considering the expansive nature and roster ofMario Kart World, this is a shell that would best be left off the track.
