10 Best Weapons To Use In Mario Kart 8

The premiere title in kart racing video games, Mario Kart 8 continues to be one of the most popular Nintendo titles of the past decade. One of the most refreshing aspects of the 2017 Deluxe Edition of the game is the overhauled battle mode, which offers three distinct variations for endless offline and online gameplay.

As part of the upgraded battle mode, four new weapons were introduced to Mario Kart 8 to go with several of the most iconic items the game has to offer. From bombs to bullets to shells and stars, to ferocious flowers, and many more, the most effective weapons in Mario Kart 8 have their own unique benefits.

10 Triple Red Shells

An iconic staple since the game’s inception, single green and red shells can be used in Mario Kart 8 to deliver moderate damage to a rival racer. Remember, green shells fire in any direction and ricochet off walls where they do the most damage. Red shells, by contrast, act as homing missiles that target the lead racer with pinpoint accuracy.

Obtaining three red shells at once is the best way to use the weapon. They not only increase the chances of derailing an enemy but can also be used as protection when rotating around the kart.

9 Star

While the almighty star mainly provides increased speed and invincibility, it can also be used to ramrod racers right off the road in an extremely rude fashion. Between this and being able to cut corners through grass and every other slowing obstacle, the star is still one of the most strategic weapons to use in Mario Kart 8.

While stars are rarer to obtain in the 12 Grand Prix events, they are far more accessible in online play, where they are often given to players multiple times in the same race. In a combo of offensive and defensive prowess, the star is hard to beat.

8 Fire Flower

Another returning, albeit rare, weapon to use in the game includes the Fire Flower. First introduced in the original Super Mario Kart, the flower shoots unlimited fireballs for a timed period. If quick-triggered, a player can blast 12 t0 15 fireballs per clip.

While the Fire Flower has less accuracy than the heat-seeking red shells, they deliver just as much damage upon impact. Moreover, like the green shells, Fire Flowers can bounce off of walls and hit players when they least expect it. With a huge clip that offers rapid-fire assault, Fire Flowers are the machine guns of Mario Kart 8.

7 Bob-omb

One of the most explosive and destructive weapons to use in the game is the Bob-omb, a timebomb that can be thrown ahead or behind a racer to blow up their opponents. The risk must be weighed against the reward, as the Bob-omb often detonates in the face of a player who throws it.

Moreover, failing to release the bomb in time will result in it exploding in a player’s hand, defeating the purpose entirely. Still, the massive amount of direct and collateral damage is unparalleled. The Bob-omb will take out multiple racers upon detonation if dropped at the right place and time, making even the most difficult Mario Kart tracks more manageable.

6 Bullet Bill

Aking to an automatically-driven Star weapon, Bullet Bill is often awarded to racers sagging behind the pack. Once attained, drivers are immediately transformed into a giant bullet that speeds past most of its competition.

More importantly, the giant Bazooka-like bullet will completely destroy a rival racer on impact, knocking them off course and clearing a path toward victory. The size and scale of Bullet Bill make it impossible to avoid. Best of all, a player can sit back and rest for a moment, while the weapon is automatically guided toward the front of the pack.

5 Spiny Shell

Mario Kart experts know full well how annoying it is to be derailed in Mario Kart by the powerful and deadly accurate blue spiny shell. However, fewer know that it’s actually offered as a weapon as well. A rare one, but it can be obtained in the right situation.

That is, Spiny Shells are reserved for the weakest drivers on any given course. Much like a supercharged Red Shell, Spiny Shells speed across the road in search of the racer in first place, taking out every single racer in its path. Until Mario Kart 8, the Spiny Shells were impossible to defend against, making them as formidable as can be. Finally, the game takes one of the most hated Mario Kart items and turns into a major plus.

4 Boomerang Flower

The first of four cool new weapons added to Mario Kart 8 is the Boomerang Flower, a destructive device that can be thrown thrice. The first two times it’s thrown, it will return to the thrower, a la any boomerang. The final throw will release the boomerang for good and travel a much further distance.

As such, the Boomerang Flower is a versatile weapon that can be used up close or at far range. It does not headhunt or follow a homing path, so accuracy is an issue when throwing it, but if wielded properly, the Boomerang Flower is a lot of fun to use.

3 Potted Piranha Plant

The Potted Piranha Plant is one of the grisliest new weapons introduced to Mario Kart 8. Somewhat akin to the Super Leaf that is conspicuously absent from the game, the weapon places a gigantic man-eating piranha plant in front of a player’s kart where it chomps every passerby with ferocity.

In addition to attacking rival racers and leaving them in the dust, the Piranha Plant is so heavy that’s momentum snapping at racers actually pulls the driver ahead at a faster clip, increasing the overall speed. The weapon is so cool it’s even inspired some great Mario Kart fan art.

2 Crazy 8

Marking a slight improvement to the previous Lucky 7 weapon featured in the Mario Kart series, the newfangled Crazy 8 weapon offers a round-robin of deadly instruments. Equipped with a rotating arsenal of a green shell, red shell, banana, bob-omb, blooper, star, mushroom, and coin, the harmful octet isn’t to be trifled with.

As the various weapons spin around the kart, players can hit the trigger and the belt will release one weapon at a time based on what happens to be in front of them. It’s a fun and highly versatile weapon to use, even if the coin adds little value.

1 Super Horn

By far, the Super Horn is the best new weapon to use in Mario Kart 8. With both offensive and defensive qualities, the Super Horn radiates a blast of sonic energy that will stop a rival racer with a large 360-degree circumference dead in their tracks.

Moreover, the Super Horn can be used to directly block incoming projectiles, including the previously impervious Spiny Shell. That’s right, Super Horns will shatter Spiny Shells before they hit a player sitting in first place, allowing the best racers to stay ahead of the pack at all times.