The Mega Mushroom (メガキノコ) (known as the Giant Mushroom in Mario Kart Arcade GP) is a super-sized mushroom that Mario or Luigi can eat to grow super-sized themselves. First appearing in Mario Party 4, it grants the user destructive strength over anything in their path for a limited amount of time.
In the Mario Kart (series), the Mega Mushroom Item has been in a limited number of games, including Mario Kart Wii, Mario Kart Tour, and two Mario Kart Arcade games, Mario Kart Arcade GP and Mario Kart Arcade GP DX (called the Giant Mushroom [巨大キノコ] in the latter two). In all games, the super-huge shroom grows the player to an immense size to gain speed and squash opponents.
History[]
Mario Kart Arcade GP/Mario Kart Arcade GP 2[]
The Mega Mushroom made its first appearance in Mario Kart Arcade GP and its sequel under the name Giant Mushroom. Here, it enlarges the player's kart for a limited time. However, this makes them an easier target to hit.
Mario Kart Wii[]
The Mega Mushroom makes its first, and currently only console appearance in Mario Kart Wii. Players can get this item when they are in 4th to 8th place, as well as 9th place in the VS mode. When the player uses this item, their character grows bigger and their voice is deepened. In addition to enlarging the character, the Mega Mushroom allows the user to run over the other racers and flattening them for a limited time.
The Mega Mushroom also increases the user's speed and they don't lose any when on off-road terrain, as well making the user invincible to everything except the Super Stars, Bullet Bills, and the Blooper. When struck by lightning, Mega Mushroom users return to regular size instead of being shrunk completely.
Mario Kart Arcade GP DX[]
The Giant Mushroom reappears in Mario Kart Arcade GP DX, with the same role as its appearances in Mario Kart Arcade GP and Mario Kart Arcade GP 2.
Mario Kart Tour[]
The Mega Mushroom reappears in Mario Kart Tour with the same function as it appeared in said game. This time around, Mega Mushroom users do not get any speed or off-road benefits, and they will revert back to their normal size should they get hit by another racer's item. The music also does not change while the item is used.
Usage[]
Defense[]
After eating a Mega Mushroom, your character will be enlarged by two or three times (and the catchy Super Mushroom music will play from New Super Mario Bros.). At this size, most small arms Items (such as Red Shells or Bob-ombs) or course obstacles (like the vehicles on Moonview Highway or Moo Moos on Moo Moo Meadows) will have no effect on you. In fact, even if Lightning or a Thunder Cloud strikes, your racer will only shrink down to normal size! Bullet Bills, Starmans, and falling off the edge are the only weaknesses of the Mega Mushroom.
Offense[]
Probably the best attribute of the Mega Mushroom is the ability to flatten any racers that you catch up to. Instead of just knocking them over with a Star, the Giant Shroom will drive right over enemy racers, crushing them down like a Thwomp or a dinosaur from Dino Dino Jungle. Although the effect isn't as long as Thwomps or the dinosaur, it still tremendously stops their acceleration and caps their top Speed for a while.
Recovery[]
If no enemy Items or opponents are in sight, the Giant Mushroom still comes in handy because it grants a massive amount of speed (about equal to a Star), and off-road sections of the course can be traversed without slowing down. Just be careful when taking shortcuts, as it can be difficult to know when the huge-effect will wear off... you could find yourself stuck in the middle of nowhere.
Protection[]
Mega Mushroom Music
There's a few options to defend against being smashed by a Mega Mushroom. One is to be either armed with a Star or a Bullet Bill, and since those are usually not available in the upper places (the ones most likely to be victims), your best bet is to either steer well clear of them or hope your vehicle is able to dodge out of the way.
Probabilities of Obtaining the Item[]
Mario Kart Wii[]
| Rank | |
|---|---|
| 1st | 0% |
| 2nd | 0% |
| 3rd | 0% |
| 4th | 2.5% |
| 5th | 5% |
| 6th | 10% |
| 7th | 7.5% |
| 8th | 5% |
| 9th | 0% |
| 10th | 0% |
| 11th | 0% |
| 12th | 0% |
Trivia![]
The "Giant Mushroom."
- It's recommended to use a kart when trying to smash other racers, as a bike just doesn't have as much surface area.
- If two racers have used a Mega Mushroom, but one also uses a Star, then the racer without a Star will also get squished.
- The Mega Mushroom was originally going to reappear in Mario Kart 7, but it was scrapped due to incomplete and hardware functions. Some minor references are still in the game's data.
- Mario Kart Arcade GP DX's version of the Giant Mushroom has a slightly tanner head.
- In Mario Party 4, the Mega Mushroom originally had a green cap (similar to the 1-Up Mushroom), but in New Super Mario Bros., it gained its common yellow and red appearance (likely modeled after the original Super Mushroom from Super Mario Bros.)
Gallery[]
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| Banana • Triple Bananas • Green Shell • Triple Green Shell • Red Shell • Triple Red Shell • Spiny Shell • Bob-omb • Fake Item Box • Mushroom • Triple Mushroom • Golden Mushroom • Bullet Bill • Blooper • Lightning • Starman • Mega Mushroom* • Thunder Cloud* • POW Block* | ||||
| * - New to the series. | ||||
| Regular Items | Banana • Green Shell • Red Shell • Spiny Shell • Bob-omb • Mushroom • Bullet Bill • Blooper • Lightning • Starman** • Mega Mushroom • Super Horn • Coin • Feather*** |
|---|---|
| Special Items | Boomerang Flower • Bubble* • Triple Green Shells • Double Bob-ombs* • Dash Ring* • Giant Banana • Heart • Fire Flower • Yoshi's Egg • Triple Mushrooms • Ice Flower* • Giga Bob-omb* • Bowser Shell • Banana Barrel* • Lucky Seven • Bob-omb Cannon* • Birdo's Egg • Hammer* • Mushroom Cannon* • Triple Bananas • Coin Box* • Super Bell* • Super Leaf • Capsule* |
| * - New to the series. • ** - Exclusive as an Item in some Challenges and in Multiplayer. • *** - Only available in Battle Mode. | |