Lightning (Mario Kart Series)

The Lightning is an item in the Mario Kart franchise and is one of six items that has consistently been in every Mario Kart game. This item is liked for being used to shrink opponents.

Summary
The Lightning is an item that can be obtained near the back of the pack (9th to 12th place in Mario Kart Wii, for instance). When used, it will shrink all opponents except the user (even those behind the user).

Why This Item Rocks

 * 1) It shrinks all opponents, making it useful as a recovery item.
 * 2) Just like the POW Block (its less effective counterpart), this item can make your opponents fall off the track just as their about to make a sharp turn.
 * 3) It has a timer in recent Mario Kart games as of Mario Kart DS, which varies depending on where the player is. For example, a racer in last place will grow back almost immediately, while a racer in first place will remain small for a while.
 * 4) There generally is no way for your opponents to avoid this item without the use of a certain item, a cannon (prior to Mario Kart 7), or falling off the track. However, in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, you can avoid it if you hit an item just as Lightning strikes.
 * 5) It is very satisfying when you dodge Lightning. Or in TWD98's words: BAM! Shock Dodge!

Bad Qualities

 * 1) It can sometimes appear quite frequently.
 * 2) It is overpowered in older games, especially in Mario Kart 64, where you can get it in 2nd place.
 * 3) Unfortunately, you drop your items when you get struck, so if you lose your power item when the Blue Shell arrives, well it's bad luck.