Item Boxes and Items
In just about every race in the game, unless you're playing the Time Trial mode, you will find coloured item boxes places in bunches on the course. When you drive through one of these item boxes, an item will be randomly generated into your inventory. The item you get depends primarily on one variable, and that's the position you are in. The idea is that the further behind you are, the better the item you will get to help you catch up. Each of the items are discussed individually further down in the guide for reference. Once you have an item in your inventory you have three options depending on what the item is. Firstly you can use the item by pressing either the X button or the L button (the L button is a lot more convenient.) When the L button is pressed whatever item you have in your inventory will be used immediately.The other two options are throwing and dragging the item. Throwing comes into play with Bananas, Shells and Fake Item Boxes. Bananas and Fake Item Boxes are automatically dropped behind you, however if you use them while holding up on the D-Pad you will throw them ahead of you. Shells are automatically thrown forward, but if you hold down on the D-Pad and use either a Green or Red Shell you can throw them behind you. Items can also be dragged behind you. These include the same items which can be thrown either forward or backward. While dragging an item behind you it will act as a shield to some of the weaker weapons like Green Shells and Red Shells, but not to Blue Shells, Stars, etc. After a shell hits the item you are dragging the item is gone so be careful in that respect. Always keep in mind that different items can be used in different ways in different situations. Pick the right one.
