Lava

Lava is a hazard in all Bowser's Castle courses and other fire-themed courses. If you fall in it, time will be lost if you sink, and Lakitu will have to take you out of the lava. Even the effects of a Starman can't save you from the lava. In most games, falling into lava will cause you to lose any Items you were currently holding, however using a Bullet Bill at the right time may save you from falling into the lava and losing heaps of time. Lava can be a major hinderance in Time Trial because falling into it can cause you to lose a lot of time. It can be the primary cause for missing those Time Trial records.

Lava appears as a common hazard around the Bowser's Castle courses as well as other lava-themed courses such as Grumble Volcano. It is a very dangerous hazard as you can lose heaps of time and it can cause racers ahead of you to catch up. Lava is found in almost every Mario Kart game to date. Lava is also home to Podoboos which hop in and out of the lava in several lava-themed courses. Some courses also have Lava Plumes which erupt from the Lava knocking over any racers that hit the boiling hot eruptions.

Courses which feature Lava[]

Trivia![]

So far, Big Donut, Airship Fortress (Tour), and Grumble Volcano is the only non-Bowser's Castle maps that have lava in them.
- While Lakeside Park has a volcano, most of the track are on grass and water