Spiny Shell
| Spiny Shell | |
|---|---|
 Lucario throwing the Spiny Shell in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. | |
| Universe | Mario |
| Appears in | SSB4 |
| Item class | Throwing |
| Article on Super Mario Wiki | Spiny Shell (Mario Kart) |
The Spiny Shell (トゲゾーこうら, Togezo Shell), popularly known as the Blue Shell, is an item in Super Smash Bros. 4. First seen in the April 2014 Nintendo Direct, the Spiny Shell hovers above the leading player (most points/stock/coins, least damage, closest to thrower) for five seconds, and then falls down on said player. The time it takes from falling on its target to exploding is randomized, making it difficult to dodge if fast and easy to dodge if slow. Upon contact with any player or hitbox, the Spiny Shell vanishes in a violent explosion that deals 28% damage and knocks enemies back quite a far way.
When the Spiny Shell is falling, it can be interrupted by hitting another player or hitbox. Hence, it is possible to avoid a Spiny Shell by hiding under other players, so another player takes in the effect of the Spiny Shell. If the player being targeted is KO'd, the shell will explode on the spot without trying to hit anyone else.
Origin
This item appears to be the most common variation of a Spiny Shell in Mario spin-off games including the Mario Kart series. It originates from Mario Kart 64, where it appeared as an incredibly rare item that would tear through the course in pursuit of the racer in first place, to whom it would deliver a massive blow; it would also bash through any other racers and items that happened to be in the way. It is one of the most notorious items in the series, stalling the target for an extremely long time and being nearly impossible to avoid once thrown, even when predicted. Later games in the series gave the shell wings and a large explosion upon touching down on the leading racer. In modern games, it still explodes upon hitting the lead racer, but it lost its wings, and is thus able to hit racers that happen to be in its path like before. Its design in Super Smash Bros. 4 is taken from its appearance in the latest Mario Kart games: Mario Kart 7, Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
Trophy information
- Spiny Shell
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.
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!
: Mario Kart 64 (02/1997)
: Mario Kart 8 (05/2014)
Gallery
The explosion of the Spiny Shell in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS
The Spiny Shell as it appears in Mario Kart 8
The winged Spiny Shell from Mario Kart Wii.
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