Once activated, these items last for only a short time. They may lack the versatility of equipable items, but they are invaluable in bad situations. To make the most of tactical items, you must choose the right moment to activate them.
Spiny Shell
Spiny Shells seek out the leading kart and knock it over on impact. Racers inside of the blast will suffer the same fate, as will any racers careless enough to drive in the Spiny Shell’s path. Press 
or 
to throw a Spiny Shell.
Spiny Shells are absolutely relentless. If an opponent throws one of these while you’re in the lead, you’d better brace yourself for its arrival; unless you get your hands on a Super Star, this item is virtually guaranteed to catch you.
Mushroom
Press 
or 
to use a Mushroom for a short speed boost. Mushrooms are best used to cut across rough terrain or to recover from collisions.
Triple Mushrooms
Press 
or 
each time you want to use one of these Mushrooms for a short speed boost. You can gain a lot of ground with Triple Mushrooms!
Golden Mushroom
The Golden Mushroom provides a speed boost each time you press 
or 
. However, this effect doesn’t last long; once you use a Golden Mushroom, boost repeatedly until it expires.
Bullet Bill
The Bullet Bill item temporarily transforms you into a Bullet Bill. Press 
or 
to use this item. While the transformation is active, you automatically follow the course at much higher speeds that you could normally drive. As an added bonus, the Bullet Bill knocks over any karts along its path!
Blooper
Soon after you press 
or 
to use a Blooper, it sprays ink on all of the karts ahead of you. The ink impairs the vision of all affected drivers. This item is best used when leading opponents are negotiating treacherous turns or roaming hazards. If you find yourself covered in ink, try to recall nearby dangers, and slow down as needed.
Lightning
Lightning zaps all of your opponents, causes them to spin out, scatters their items across the track, temporarily shrinks them, and reduces their speed for the duration of the effect! When you’re lucky enough to get one of these powerful items, press 
or 
to use it. Lightning is most effective when leading opponents are drifting near unfenced turns or gliding over unsafe terrain.
Super Star
The Super Star grants temporary invincibility. While the effect is active, you’re immune to all incoming attacks, your top speed is increased, and you’ll knock over any karts you hit!
After you collect a Super Star, press 
or 
to use it.
Fire Flower
While active, this item allows you to throw fireballs! The fireballs have a limited range, but you can use them to attack several opponents with a single item. Any kart struck by a fireball spins out of control.
Press 
or 
to use a Fire Flower, then repeatedly tap 
or 
to make additional attacks. To throw fireballs behind you, hold down on the Circle Pad while you press 
or 
.
Super Leaf
When you press 
or 
to activate a Super Leaf, a tail is placed on your kart. Press 
or 
to swing the tail at nearby racers or to swat away objects such as Shells and Bananas. The Super Leaf lasts only a short time, but you’ll lose it instantly if you fail to deflect an incoming item.