I’ll argue against blue not being top. Whenever someone launches one, all you do is let off the gas and let another opponent/cpu take the lead and you’re in the clear. Now if you’re going down a long narrow stretch that’s a different story. Lightning is definitely top. There is no hiding from it. Just HAVING it in your item box staring is mind games. It makes the opponent slow down in areas they think you’ll use it thus giving you a chance to gain ground. Also, on stages where there is a big jump, it’s almost a definite to fuck with someone’s mind with the bolt. They’ll practically stop midway up a giant ramp in fear of you using the bolt.
Blue shell isn’t that scary once you know how to deal with it.
I’m not very experienced in MK64, but I played the hell out of MKDS.
Usually if you’re in first, you only get bananas, fake item boxes, and green shells.
When I’m in first, I liked holding onto a green shell for defense purposes. You can hold them behind you to stop red shells.
Or if you’re playing online(you can’t drag it behind you online), you can shoot them behind you for the same effect.
You can even do an advance technique for dealing with blue shells.
Once you hear that sucker coming, you can either mini turbo out of it with the right timing, or what I like to do, run into a wall or obstacle and shoot a green shell at myself.
It’ll hit you and you’ll be in hit stun, so the blue shell won’t hit you.
It’s much better than taking the hit from the green shell then the full power of the blue.
You can also do it with other items, but it’s harder.
You can throw a banana ahead of you and run into it right when you get hit by the blue shell.
So if you can do stuff like that in MK64, I would keep blue shell where it’s at and bump up green shell.
I think it depends on what position you are, honestly. Having a blue shell when in first place is nearly useless, but having it in 2nd makes it top tier.
Lightning, though, is by far the best.
I actually think green shells are superior to red shells if you are ahead of the opponent.
Items need to be tiered on a track-by-track basis in my opinion. Lightning is ABSOLUTE GOD TIER on Wario Stadium but I’d much rather have Mushrooms or a Starman on Koopa Beach for example.
blue shell is fucking useless on Luigi Raceway unless first place is inside the tunnel , otherwise anyone in first place with a brain makes the thing do laps over and over just by going inside the grass
I remember having a mario kart 64 tournament when I was younger. In the final race, last lap, I was neck and neck with my friend on the last turn of a track for first place, we hit the item boxes at the same time, I purposely braked so I would be behind him. He ended up getting a banana, and I got lighting…I won.
Too many items in all the games to discuss them all unfortunately.
For those questioning Blue Shell not being top tier:
If you’re in last place, hell, 3rd place likelihood is that you’re not going to be passing the guy in 2nd place Even if your in second place, there are better items to help you win. Blue shell is great if you’re close to your opponents but it’s pretty trash if they have a good lead i.e, Rainbow Road broken shortcuts.
Lighting is situationaly God tier on few course: Wario Stadium: GOD OF GOD TIER, Royal Raceway, Yoshi Valley, Banshee Boardwalk and A+ tier on Sherbert Land
I love Mario Kart 64 so much and to this day it is one of if not my most favorite racers.
I personally think Banana Peel should be a little higher not god tier but maybe B or A-, if not that at least the Banana Peel Chain. Not only are they awesome for defense when you are in the lead but because the strategy behind them to make them a pain in the ass to deal with is so damn good if you know what you’re doing. Strategically placing the peels in places that either A) have a high chance of someone hitting it or B) to block off a shortcut will increase your chances of winning so much it scrazy. Stages with no walls are perfect for the peel especially on a tight turn. Take that turn, hit the peel, and BAM!!! WAAAAAAA, you go flying into the water or off the track to slow you down.
Blue shell is a 50/50 for me. Lots of factors come into play as to if this should be God Tier or not.
I agree with the blue shell being where it is. I would bump it up one but I think it’s fair where it is at.
