Of all the shells on the Mario Kart spectrum, the green one gets the least love. Probably because it’s the hardest to use, compared to the homing missile of the red shell and “The Great Equaliser” that is the blue one. But that just makes a proper snipe with the green bullet all the more impressive.
I came across two Mario Kart TV videos recently that both serve as a masterclass in using the green shell to its full potential. The first, from YouTuber Colin George, shows Donkey Kong throwing two green shells at both of his opponents as they all edge precipitously close to the finish line. It’s like a Hail Mary pass, except there’s two of them so it’s arguably even cooler:
Let’s all just sit back and appreciate how helplessly adorable Bowser and Peach both look, floating aimlessly in the air amidst a cloud of gold coins while Donkey Kong races towards the finish line. Classic.
The second one, from PixelPerfect Plays, claims to be the best Mario Kart 8 green shell trickshot ever. I’m not sure I buy that, especially since I just saw Donkey Kong land two direct hits. But whether it’s luck or skill, it’s an epic finishing move to toss a green shell backwards just as you’re crossing the finish line and actually have it land successfully:
In my experience racing in Mario Kart 8, I usually end up tossing green shells behind me whenever I’m in the lead as a defence mechanism of sorts. It always feels great to see my Bowser or Shy Guy do a little flex motion to indicate that I actually hit something. But the real sigh of relief comes whenever I throw a green shell behind me and inadvertently intercept whatever projectile is barreling towards me courtesy of one of my opponents.
In other words: these Mario Kart players showed me that I need to keep practicing to step my green shell game up. It’s either that or praying for another bullet. And we all know how I feel about that….
via Reddit
To contact the author of this post, write to yannick.lejacq@kotaku.com or find him on Twitter at @YannickLeJacq.
Comments
5 responses to “Using Mario Kart 8’s Green Shell Like A Champ”
My favourite green shell shots are ricochets. I’ll always miss the sound effect from a shell hitting a wall in MK64. KWO
No one loves the blue shell, no one. Scratch that, maybe TOTAL LOSERS love the blue shell. They also enjoy taking candy from babies.
*Takes candy from a baby* pfft… No we don’t.
Maybe you should. Babies shouldn’t be eating candy!
Also, loving the use of Queen’s “Millionaire Waltz”; a classic track. So gutted I couldn’t make it to Queen + Lambert. I don’t like Lambert own songs, but damned if he doesn’t do an amazing replacement for Freddie.