Thunder Cloud

The Thunder Cloud (also known as the Lightning Cloud) is an item most commonly found in the Mario Kart series. It causes a cloud to grow over the player, after which a ten second clock starts ticking (signified by the sparks the cloud produces). The cloud sparks faster as it gets closer to striking the player. The player can bump in to another racer to pass it on, but if he or she is unable to do so, he or she will get shrunk to a tiny size. The item is infamous for punishing the middle of the pack and being nearly impossible to pass to another racer (especially online), which is why the item makes its only console Mario Kart appearance in the Wii installment and is very unlikely to return.
In the Mario Kart Arcade GP games, the Thunder Cloud's use is very different. Instead of its hot potato-esque use in Mario Kart Wii, the Thunder Cloud can be used by player input only. When used, the Thunder Cloud locks itself onto a nearby opponent and slows them down tremendously with a thunderstorm, which doesn't shrink them at all. It is seen as a heavier version of the Rain Cloud from the same games.
==Appearances==
===Mario Kart series===
==== Mario Kart Wii ====
The Thunder Cloud makes its Mario Kart debut in Mario Kart Wii, where it can be obtained from 3rd to 7th place. Unlike every other item in the game, the Thunder Cloud automatically activates upon being obtained. It also makes a buzzer sound upon being obtained, which is not heard from any other item in the game. It is one of three items that is introduced in this game but is immediately dropped from Mario Kart 7, the other two being the Mega Mushroom and POW Block.
==== Mario Kart ULTIMATE ====
The Thunder Cloud appears as a normal item in Mario Kart ULTIMATE and is obtainable by everyone. It does the same effect as it did previously in Mario Kart Wii.
====Mario Kart DS Redux and Mario Kart Wiidux====
The Thunder Cloud appears in Mario Kart DS Redux and Mario Kart Wiidux, acting similar to how it did in Mario Kart Wii while receiving the following changes.
# The timer has been increased from 10 seconds to 20 seconds.
# The item doubles the player's speed.
# The item is obtainable from 1st to 4th place in DS Redux and 1st to 8th place in Mario Kart Wiidux (the former has 12 racers on each track, while the latter has 24 racers on each track).
# The shrinkage only lasts for two seconds, rather than the shrinkage being identical to that of a Lightning.
# Instead of having to bump into another racer to pass the cloud, getting near them is enough to pass the cloud off to another racer.
These changes are most likely done to make the Thunder Cloud a less frustrating item for those in the middle of the pack and a more punishing item for those in the front.
===Koopa Kart series===
====Koopa Kart Wii====
The Thunder Cloud (called the Lightning Cloud in this game) is a new item to the Koopa Kart series in Koopa Kart Wii, where it can be obtained from 4th to 9th place. As in Mario Kart Wii, the Thunder Cloud will activate automatically upon being obtained. The item will give the player a speed boost and an off-road advantage, but it will shrink the player after having it for exactly ten seconds, affecting the player in the same way as Lightning. The cloud, however, can be passed to another racer by bumping into them. It can also be destroyed if the player gets shot out of a cannon or uses an invincibility item (a Star, Mega Mushroom, or Bullet Bill).
==== Koopa Kart Tour ====
After skipping out on Koopa Kart 7 and Koopa Kart 8, the Lightning Cloud returns in Koopa Kart Tour with its original function, though it can be activated manually and lasts for twenty seconds as opposed to ten. It can be obtained from 3rd to 7th place.
==Trophy Information==
Thunder Cloud
 The double-edged Thunder Cloud was recently introduced in Mario Kart Wii. This cloud gives you a speed boost, but it will shrink you after ten seconds unless you pass it off to another racer.
Wii Mario Kart Wii (04/2008)
==Gallery==
Off-Color Thunder Cloud.png
Thunder Cloud - Dry Bones Kart 7.png
ThunderCloudMK8.png
Thunder Cloud (Mario Kart DS).png
Thunder Cloud.png
Off Color Thunder Cloud (Mario Kart DS).png
Off Color Thunder Cloud - Dry Bones Kart 7.png
OffColorThunderCloudMK8.png
ThunderCloudMKT.png
Fm item pikakumo.png
ThunderCloudCard MPX.png
File:Thundercloud SS.png|Mario Kart: Speed Saga
Category:Mario Items
Category:Items
Category:Mario (series)
Category:Mario Kart (series)
Category:2008
Category:Koopa Kart Wii Items
Category:Koopa Kart Tour Items
Category:Clouds