
A 3D Model of a Crate from Mario Kart DS.
Crates (also called Wooden Boxes, Wooden Crates, or Small Crates) are small obstacles found in various courses in the Mario Kart series. Running into a crate with enough speed can break it. Breaking open a Crate also has a chance of revealing an item like a Banana, a Shell, a Mushroom or once in a blue moon (okay maybe not that long), even a Starman.
Crates are first seen in Mario Kart DS in Delfino Square and Airship Fortress. They appear on the sides of the course. Crashing into one has a chance of revealing an Item. In Mission Mode, Mission 2-1 involves Wario having to break 10 Crates in Delfino Square.
Crates also appear in Mario Kart Wii. They are mainly seen in Toad's Factory being carried along the conveyor belts outside the factory. Hitting one once again reveals an item. In Time Trial, the Crates are sealed with metal and as a result, are unbreakable (most likely to prevent players from receiving items in Time Trial). They also appear in the game's remake of Delfino Square.
Crates are also seen in Mario Kart 7 in the game's remake of Airship Fortress. A similar obstacle called an Urn also appears in Shy Guy Bazaar. Barrels from DK Jungle also function similarly to Crates.
Crates also appear in Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in Toad Harbor and Sunshine Airport. They once again have the same purpose as in previous games but Stars are far more rare in these games Mushrooms are more common however being the most common item of the bunch.
Trivia![]
- Although the Crates are sealed with metal in Mario Kart Wii and unbreakable in Time Trial, in all other games, Crates are still their usual breakable selves. They just don't release any items.