Item Box
During competitive events, you’ll find item boxes located throughout the course. To collect an item, simply drive through an item box! The reward you receive is somewhat random, but your current position in the race has a large effect on the outcome. When you’re doing well, you’re much more likely to receive common items like Bananas and Shells. When you’re doing poorly, you can expect more powerful items such as Lightning and Super Stars.
Items can have a dramatic effect on a race, so it’s important to grab as many as possible. Determining the right time to use an item isn’t easy, but you’ll almost always want to do so before you reach the next item box!
Equipping Items
If an item can be equipped, press 
or 
. Depending on the item, you may need to hold 
or 
to keep it equipped. Equipping items can have various effects, but it generally results in some form of protection. Items like Bananas and Shells can be used to block most projectiles. This tactic brings versatility to seemingly straightforward items. Should you cling to the protection an equipped item affords, or use it as an offensive weapon and make a push for the lead? The answer, of course, is different for every racer and every situation.
If nearby opponents are well armed, you may want to hang on to that item a bit longer than you otherwise would have. On the other hand, if you find an opportunity to lay a Banana around a blind corner, ricochet a Green Shell through a narrow passage, or pick off a leading racer with a Red Shell, the risk could be outweighed by the potential rewards.
Throwing Items
After you equip an item, press 
or 
to throw it. If you must hold 
or 
to keep the item equipped, simply release 
or 
to throw it. Before a throw, press and hold up or down on the Circle Pad, then press 
or 
to toss the item in the corresponding direction.