Editing Spiny Shell

{{ArticleIcons|ssbb=y|ssb4=y|ssbu=y}}
{{Infobox Item
| title        = Spiny Shell
| image        = {{tabber|title1=Wingless|content1=[[File:Spiny Shell (Mario Kart 8).png|250px]]|title2=Winged|content2=[[File:Spiny Shell.PNG|250px]]}}
| caption      = {{symbol|mario}}<br>The Spiny Shell
| series       = {{uv|Mario}}
| firstgame    = ''{{iw|mariowiki|Mario Kart 64}}'' (1996)
| item class   = Throwing
| game1 = SSB4 | game2 = Ultimate
| lastappearance = ''{{iw|mariowiki|Mario Kart World}}'' (2025)
|interwiki     = mariowiki
|interwikiname = Super Mario Wiki
|interwikipage = Spiny Shell (blue)
}}
The '''Spiny Shell''' ({{ja|トゲゾーこうら|Togezō Kōra}}, ''Spiny Shell''), commonly known as the '''Blue Shell''', is an [[item]] from the ''{{iw|mariowiki|Mario Kart|series}}'' series.

==Origin==
[[File:SpinyShellMK8Deluxe1stPlaceRacer.jpg|left|thumb|The Spiny Shell in ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'', ready to hit Bowser Jr., the leading racer.]]
The Spiny Shell made its debut in ''{{iw|mariowiki|Mario Kart 64}}'' and has become an important recurring item in the ''Mario Kart'' series. It is a blue variant of a {{iw|mariowiki|Spiny Shell|red}}, which, when thrown, will plow through everything in its path while chasing the racer in first place. If the thrower is in first place, it will quickly circle around and hit them. Despite its name, it resembles a [[Koopa Troopa]]'s shell moreso than a [[Spiny]]'s.

''{{iw|mariowiki|Mario Kart: Double Dash!!}}'' granted the Spiny Shell wings, which increased its speed but removed its ability to strike anything in its path, while also changing its behaviour to circle its target upon reaching them and detonate in a large explosion (similar to that of a [[Bob-omb]], but blue), more punishing than a normal shell. It also became much more common an item, leading to a notorious reputation, though its damage could be avoidable with a well-timed {{iw|mariowiki|Dash Mushroom}} or [[Super Star|Star]].

In ''{{iw|mariowiki|Mario Kart DS}}'' only (which added the ability to have team races), the Spiny Shell will seek out any racers on the same team as the thrower if they are in first place. In ''{{iw|mariowiki|Mario Kart Wii}}'', the Spiny Shell will target the opponent that is furthest in front, meaning that teammates in first place are ignored. This is the only time in the series where the player can throw a blue shell while in first place and not get hit by it.

''{{iw|mariowiki|Mario Kart 7}}'' reverted the Spiny Shell to being a very rare wingless threat to everyone in its path, but keeping the explosion at the end. Later, ''{{iw|mariowiki|Mario Kart 8}}'' introduced the {{iw|mariowiki|Super Horn}} item specifically to counter the Spiny Shell.

Other Mario spinoff games have used the Spiny Shell for their own purposes. Its primary trait is generally that it targets whoever is in first place, often with a harsher penalty than a normal setback.

A minor villain based on the Spiny Shell appears in ''{{iw|mariowiki|The Super Mario Bros. Movie}}'' under the name {{iw|mariowiki|Koopa General}}, who refers to himself as the "blue shell", after a common fanon nickname for the item.
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==Overview==
The Spiny Shell debuted as a throwing item in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''.

When thrown, the Spiny Shell targets the current highest-ranking opponent: the fighter with the most points in [[time|time matches]], the most [[stocks]] in stock matches, or the most [[coins]] in coin matches. If multiple opponents have equal standing, the one with the least [[damage]] is picked, and if multiple opponents also have equal damage, the one closest to the thrower is picked. It will target teammates even with [[Team Attack]] on in ''Smash 4'' but not ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''.

The Spiny Shell flies to and hovers above its target, continuing to follow above them for five seconds, and then slams down onto said player. The Spiny Shell explodes upon hitting an opponent or other hurtbox during its attack, which deals 28% damage with sizeable knockback. The time it takes from falling on its target to exploding is randomized, which can potentially make the attack difficult to dodge.

When the Spiny Shell is slamming, its explosion triggers as soon as it hits a player or [[hurtbox]]. Hence, it is possible for the Spiny Shell's target to avoid its attack by hiding under other players, so that another player takes the hit of the Spiny Shell. If the player being targeted is [[KO]]'d before the shell can attack, it will explode on the spot without trying to target anyone else.

While the Spiny Shell is flying and hovering, opponents making contact with it will be hit for light damage. This can potentially force an opponent other than the target to be hit by the shell's explosion attack if they are trapped by the hovering hits.

==Trophy==
{{Trophy
|name=Spiny Shell
|image-3ds=SpinyShellTrophy3DS.png
|image-wiiu=SpinyShellTrophyWiiU.png
|desc-ntsc=The devastating blue Spiny Shell that normally appears in the Mario Kart series. This shell seeks out the lead racer and ruins his or her day. In Smash Bros., it will hover above one of the fighters before crashing down and exploding. Avoiding the impact can be challenging.
|desc-pal=In the Mario Kart series, these blue shells play a big role, tearing down the track at a frightening speed before crashing down on whoever's in first place. When thrown, it'll hover around above a fighter's head, and after a short while drop down and blow up. If you find one targeting you, get ready to dodge that explosion!
|gamelist-ntsc={{Trophy games|console1=N64|game1=Mario Kart 64|release1=02/1997|console2=WiiU|game2=Mario Kart 8|release2=05/2014}}
|gamelist-pal={{Trophy games|console1=N64|game1=Mario Kart 64|release1=06/1997|console2=WiiU|game2=Mario Kart 8|release2=05/2014}}
}}
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==Sticker==
{| class="wikitable"
! Name
! Game
! Effect
! Fighter(s)
|-
| Spiny Shell
| {{iw|mariowiki|Mario Kart: DD!!}}
| {{SortKey|SpecialLaunchPower+012}}{{StickerIcon|Launch Power}} +11
| {{AllChars|SSBB|s=16}}
|}
{{StickerPicBox|Spiny Shell|Mario Kart: DD!!}}

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Blue Shell 3DS.JPG|The explosion of the Spiny Shell in {{for3ds}}
SpinyShell-SSB4.jpg|{{SSB4|Lucario}} throwing the Spiny Shell in {{forwiiu}}.
SSBUSpinyShell.png|Render of the Spiny Shell from ''Ultimate''.
SSBUWebsiteBowser6.jpg|Bowser and a Spiny Shell in ''Ultimate''.
</gallery>

==Names in other languages==
{{langtable
|ja={{ja|トゲゾーこうら|Togezō Kōra}}
|jaM=Spiny Shell
|en=Spiny Shell
|fr=Carapace à épines
|frM=Spiny Shell
|es_es=Caparazón de pinchos
|es_esM=Spiky Shell
|es_la=Caparazón de picos
|es_laM=Spiky Shell
|de=Stachi-Panzer
|deM=Spiny Shell
|it=Guscio spinoso
|itM=Spiny Shell
|nl=Spiny-schild
|nlM=Spiny Shell
|ru={{rollover|Панцирь колючкина|Pantsir kolyuchkina|?}}
|ruM=Kurochkina Shell
|ko={{rollover|가시돌이등껍질|Gasidorideungkkeopjil|?}}
|koM=Spiny Shell
|zh_cn={{rollover|刺刺龟壳|Cìcì Guī Ké|?}}
|zh_cnM=Spiny Turtle Shell
|zh_tw={{rollover|刺刺龜殼|Cìcì Guī Ké|?}}
|zh_twM=Spiny Turtle Shell
|pt=Carapaça de Espinhos
|ptM=Spiny Shell
}}

{{SSB4Items}}
{{SSBUItems}}
{{Mario universe}}
[[Category:Trophies (SSB4-3DS)]]
[[Category:Trophies (SSB4-Wii U)]]
[[Category:Stickers]]
[[es:Caparazón de pinchos]]
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