Lightning

**Lightning** (also called **Lightning Bolt**, **Thunder Bolt**, or **Lightning Blast**) is an attack item found in various *Mario* games. On its use, it summons a powerful lightning bolt from the sky, usually shrinking opponents.

## History

### *Mario Kart* series

In the *Mario Kart* series, Lightning is an extremely powerful item that racers usually receive when they are in (or near) last place in a race. When used, Lightning will temporarily shrink all the other racers, making them slower and weaker, in addition to making them spin out and drop their items. It also temporarily makes the racers' voices high-pitched and sped up until being back to normal or getting squashed. It is also the emblem for the Lightning Cup.

In *Mario Kart 64*, *Mario Kart: Super Circuit*, and *Mario Kart: Double Dash!!*, when Lightning is used, a sound like that of a tiny alarm is heard during its effect. In *Super Mario Kart* that sound is only heard when the Lightning is launched, and in *Mario Kart DS* onwards, the music in the race is affected when the player is hit by it. In *Mario Kart 7*, the extra beat that plays in 1st place goes out of sync with the music for a few seconds after the attack. Lightning's effect can be avoided if a racer has a Mega Mushroom, Star, Boo, or Bullet Bill item activated when the bolt strikes, or if they are flying through the air after being shot out of a cannon in all games prior to *Mario Kart 7* or are frozen by an Ice Flower in *Mario Kart Tour*.

#### *Super Mario Kart*

In *Super Mario Kart*, if any shrunken racers are driven over, they will be squashed and unable to move for a few seconds. While shrunk, the character's weight is equal to other shrunken players.

#### *Mario Kart 64*

Lightning returns in *Mario Kart 64*, behaving the same as in *Super Mario Kart*. However, if two shrunken racers run into each other, they will both crush each other. The racer can obtain a Lightning if they are anywhere from 2nd to 8th place.

#### *Mario Kart: Super Circuit*

Lightning returns again in *Mario Kart: Super Circuit*, behaving like in *Super Mario Kart*, though shrunken racers now spin in place if they come in contact with a normal-sized racer. Princess Peach, Wario, and Bowser are the only three CPUs that are able to obtain the item.

#### *Mario Kart: Double Dash!!*

In *Mario Kart: Double Dash!!*, Lightning can also scatter racers' items across the road when used. However, the item does not affect racers that are currently indisposed (such as having just been hit by another item, or having fallen over a cliff). Also, unlike in *Super Mario Kart*, *Mario Kart 64*, and *Mario Kart: Super Circuit*, shrunken racers will not get squished if they ram into normal sized racers. However, tiny karts will be easy to push around, even by the Bullet Blaster, which is the lightest kart in the game. Lightning can be dropped on the road after getting hit by something that causes racers to lose their items (e.g. Freezies). However, the Lightning will only stay on the road for a few seconds.

#### *Mario Kart DS*

In *Mario Kart DS*, the effect of being hit by Lightning wears off much faster depending on the rank that the racer is in. For example, someone hit by one while in seventh place will return to normal almost immediately, while the one in first place will remain shrunk for up to seven seconds. Also, racers who get hit by other items can still be affected by this item. This item can be obtained if the racer is anywhere from 6th to 8th place, with CPUs only being able to obtain it in 8th place.

#### *Mario Kart Wii*

In *Mario Kart Wii*, as in *Mario Kart DS*, the effect of Lightning lasts more briefly the lower the rank the racer is in, and even if hit by other items, they will still be affected by it. If the racers are under the effects of a Mega Mushroom, they will shrink back to normal size immediately and will not spin out or lose their items. In Battle Mode, unlike other items, Lightning does not take away a balloon or coins. This item can be obtained if the racer is anywhere from 9th to 12th place, with CPUs only being able to obtain it in 12th place. There is also the Thunder Cloud, which gives the recipient a speed boost prior to striking them with lightning.

#### *Mario Kart 7*

In *Mario Kart 7*, as in *Mario Kart DS* and *Mario Kart Wii*, the effect of being shocked by Lightning will be determined on the level rank the racer is in, from last place having decreased time and first place being shrunk for longer. As before, the music of track will be altered, and even if hit by another item, the racer will still be shrunk. Any racers that are shrunk will also be squished if run over by normal sized racers, an effect returning from *Super Mario Kart*, *Mario Kart 64*, and *Mario Kart: Super Circuit*. Unlike in *Mario Kart Wii*, when a driver is shot out of a cannon, the shrinking effect will still happen and the driver will fall while gliding in midair. Additionally, up to three racers can hold a Lightning Bolt at a time, potentially unleashing two or three lightning attacks at once. This item can be obtained if the racer is in 7th or 8th place, with CPUs only being able to obtain it in 8th place.

#### *Mario Kart 8* / *Mario Kart 8 Deluxe*

In *Mario Kart 8* and *Mario Kart 8 Deluxe*, the effect of this item is very similar to its effect in *Mario Kart 7*. In these games however, when a character is shrunken, the loss of speed makes it more difficult for the racer to perform tricks and to drift. Unlike in previous *Mario Kart* games, when a racer is hit with Lightning, they will lose the item they are holding even if they are under the effects of a Star (in the original version only). Like the first three games and *Mario Kart 7*, when a racer is shrunken by Lightning, and another one with the normal size drives on them, they will be squished. Up to three racers can hold a Lightning Bolt at the same time.

#### *Mario Kart Tour*

Lightning returns in *Mario Kart Tour*. During a Lightning Frenzy, one racer will get struck each time the item is used.

The following gliders increase the chance of getting Lightning and points for hitting racers with one.