Lightning: Difference between revisions

{{about|the yellow lightning bolt|the dog character from the [[Saturday Supercade]] episode [[Junior Meets Kid Dynamo]]|[[Lightning (character)]]|the [[Captain Command]] in the Minion Quest: The Search for Bowser mode of [[Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions]]|[[Lightning (move)]]|the obstacle found in platform games|[[Lightning (obstacle)]]}}

'''Lightning''' (also called '''Lightning Bolt''',<ref>''Super Mario Kart'' English instruction booklet. [http://gamesdbase.com/Media/SYSTEM/Nintendo_SNES/Manual/formated/Super_Mario_Kart_-_1992_-_Nintendo.pdf Page 14].</ref> '''Thunder Bolt''',<ref>''Mario Kart 64'' English instruction booklet. [http://www.mariomayhem.com/downloads/mario_instruction_booklets/Mario_Kart_64_-_Manual_-_N64.pdf Page 13].</ref> '''Lightning Blast''',<ref>''Nintendo Magazine System'' (AU) issue 49. {{media link|NMS Australia 49 MK64 drivers and items.jpg|Page 39}}.</ref> or '''Thunder''' in ''[[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020]]'') is an attack item that can summon a powerful lightning bolt from the sky, usually shrinking opponents as a result. Lightning appears mainly in the [[Mario Kart (series)|''Mario Kart'' series]], but it also appears in other games of the [[Super Mario (franchise)|''Super Mario'' franchise]].

In the [[Mario Kart (series)|''Mario Kart'' series]], Lightning is a very powerful item that racers usually receive when they are in (or near) last place in a race. When used, Lightning will temporarily shrink all the other racers, making them slower and weaker, in addition to making them spin out and drop their items. It also temporarily makes the racers' voices high-pitched and sped up until being back to normal or getting squashed. It is also the emblem for the [[Lightning Cup]].

In [[Virtual Console]] releases, the flash from the Thunder Bolt has been toned down due to the possibilities of players getting seizures from it in the original version.

Lightning returns again in ''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]'', behaving like in ''Super Mario Kart'', though shrunken racers now spin in place if they come in contact with a normal-sized racer. The duration of the item is the shortest in the series, lasting six seconds. [[Princess Peach]], [[Wario]], and [[Bowser]] are the only three CPUs that are able to obtain the item.{{ref needed}} The item is obtainable in 3rd place or lower, with the best chance of obtaining it being in 6th place or lower.

In ''[[Mario Kart DS]]'', the effect of being hit by Lightning wears off much faster depending on the rank that the racer is in. For example, someone hit by one while in seventh place will return to normal size almost immediately, while the one in first place will remain shrunk for up to seven seconds. Also, racers who get hit by other items can still be affected by this item. Unlike in prior games, the background music becomes distorted rather than not playing at all.  This item can be obtained if the racer is in 6th place or lower, with CPUs only being able to obtain it in 8th place.

[[File:MKW Lightning Strike.png|thumb|150px|Several racers shrunk by Lightning]]

In ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'', as in ''Mario Kart DS'', the effect of Lightning lasts more briefly the lower the rank the racer is in, and even if hit by other items, they will still be affected by it. If the racers are under the effects of a [[Mega Mushroom]], they will shrink back to normal size immediately and will not spin out or lose their items. In [[Battle Mode]], unlike other items, Lightning does not take away a balloon or coins. This item can be obtained if the racer is in 9th place or lower, with CPUs only being able to obtain it in 12th place. The best chance of getting this item is in 12th place, with a 22.5 percent (9 out of 40) chance of getting it in said position. There is also the [[Thunder Cloud]], which gives the recipient a speed boost prior to striking them with lightning. It is one of six items wherein only one can be in play at a time (the other five being the [[Thunder Cloud]], [[Spiny Shell (blue)|Spiny Shell]], [[Bullet Bill]], [[POW Block]], and [[Blooper]]), is one of four items with a cooldown timer for the first few seconds of a race (the other three being the Spiny Shell, POW Block, and Blooper), and is one of three items with a cooldown timer between uses (the other two being the POW Block and Blooper). Lightning is unobtainable for the first thirty seconds of a race, and once a Lightning is used, thirty seconds must elapse before another Lightning is obtainable.

[[File:MK7 Lightning Shock.png|thumb|left|200px|Wario shrunk by Lightning]]

In ''[[Mario Kart 7]]'', as in ''Mario Kart DS'' and ''Mario Kart Wii'', the effect of being shocked by Lightning will be determined on the level rank the racer is in, from last place having decreased time and first place being shrunk for longer. As before, the music of track will be altered, and even if hit by another item, the racer will still be shrunk. Any racers that are shrunk will also be squished if run over by normal sized racers, an effect returning from ''Super Mario Kart'', ''Mario Kart 64'', and ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit''. Unlike in prior games, when a driver is shot out of a cannon, the shrinking effect will still happen and the driver will fall while gliding in midair. Additionally, up to three racers can hold a Lightning Bolt at a time, potentially unleashing two or three lightning attacks at once. This item can be obtained if the racer is in 7th place or lower, with CPUs only being able to obtain it in 8th place.

In ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'' and ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]'', the effect of this item is very similar to its effect in ''Mario Kart 7''. In these games however, when a character is shrunken, the loss of speed makes it more difficult for the racer to perform tricks and to drift. Unlike in previous ''Mario Kart'' games, when a racer is hit with Lightning, they will lose the item they are holding even if they are under the effects of a [[Super Star|Star]] (in the original version only). Like the first three games and ''Mario Kart 7'', when a racer is shrunken by Lightning, and another one with the normal size drives on them, they will be squished. Up to three racers can hold Lightning at the same time. Lightning will also strike all course elements that react to thrown items, such as Piranha Plants or the crystal switches on [[Hyrule Circuit]]. As of version 2.2.0 of ''Deluxe'', Lightning no longer causes drivers' [[glider]]s to close.

Lightning returns in ''[[Mario Kart Tour]]'', with its effect being similar in previous games. Unlike in ''Mario Kart 7'' and ''Mario Kart 8'', when a racer is hit with a Lightning while gliding, the glider does not retract. During a Lightning Frenzy, one racer will get struck each time the item is used. When non-Frenzy Lightning is used, interactable objects around the course react to it as they do when hit with an offensive item, but do not give points.

Lightning appears in both ''[[Mario Baseball (series)|Mario Baseball]]'' games. In ''[[Mario Superstar Baseball]]'', Lightning is one of the items resulting from landing the ball in the ? space in [[Toy Field]]. If the player receives it, they can switch the leading player's coins with their coins. In ''[[Mario Super Sluggers]]'', Lightning reappears in Toy Field, as an error item, where the losing player may receive it.

In ''[[Mario Hoops 3-on-3]]'', Lightning is a usable item that can stun all players and make the ball drop out of one's grasp.

[[File:MP9 King Boo's Puzzle Attack 2.png|thumb|King Boo struck by Lightning in ''Mario Party 9'']]

[[File:MPIT Lightning Striker.png|thumb|left|[[Wario]] struck by the Lightning Score Striker in ''Mario Party: Island Tour'']]

Lightning makes a few appearances in the [[Mario Party (series)|''Mario Party'' series]]. It first appears in ''[[Mario Party 8]]'', although only from being depicted on the wrapper of the [[Cashzap Candy]]. In ''[[Mario Party 9]]'', Lightning appears in [[King Boo's Puzzle Attack]], where lining three of them will give ten points to whoever lined up three of this item, while taking away three points from their opponents. It also unleashes lightning that will damage [[King Boo]] more than the other items do.

[[File:M&S Dream Race Lightning.png|left|thumb|Yoshi is struck by lightning in [[Dream Race (Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games for Wii)|Dream Race]] in ''Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games'' for the Wii.]]

Lightning appears as an item in a few installments of the [[Mario & Sonic (series)|''Mario & Sonic'' series]]. Its first appearance in the series is the [[Wii]] version of ''[[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Wii)|Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games]]'', where it is an item in [[Dream Race (Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games for Wii)|Dream Race]] that can temporarily stun all other characters and cause them to lose speed, though one can defend against Lightning by using either a Starman or invincibility from a [[Chaos Emerald]]. Lightning made its second appearance in the Wii version of ''[[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (Wii)|Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games]]'', where it appears as an item in several Dream Events: in [[Dream Alpine (Individual)|Dream Alpine]], [[Dream Ski Cross (Individual)|Dream Ski Cross]] and [[Dream Snowboard Cross (Individual)|Dream Snowboard Cross]], [[Dream Short Track]], and [[Dream Bobsleigh]], Lightning can strike every opponent, knocking them over and causing them to lose speed; in the Individual version of [[Dream Ski Jumping (Individual)|Dream Ski Jumping]], Lightning can strike every opponent and cause them to lose height, speed, 10 points and a [[Bonus panel]], though one can defend against it using a [[Shield (Sonic the Hedgehog)|Barrier]]; in the [[Dream Gliding (Individual)|Individual]] and [[Dream Gliding (Team)|Team]] versions of Dream Gliding, Lightning can strike all opponents and knock them out of the sky. In ''[[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020]]'', Thunder is in the [[Dream Racing]] event, where using it affects all opponents, causing them to spin out of control and lose some of their [[Ring (Sonic the Hedgehog)|Rings]].

Lightning appears in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS]]'', ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'', and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'' as an item. The item usually shrinks all of the player's opponents. However, at times it might backfire and shrink the player who grabbed the item. Lastly, there is a small chance that the item makes the opponents giant-sized, as if they all touched a [[Super Mushroom]]. As with the Super Mushroom and [[Poison Mushroom]], fighters only have to touch the item to activate its effects.

Additionally, the Lightning item is depicted as a [[Trophy (Super Smash Bros. series)|trophy]] in ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'', ''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS'', and ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U'', and as a [[Sticker (Super Smash Bros. Brawl)|sticker]] in ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl''. In [[smashwiki:Adventure Mode: The Subspace Emissary|The Subspace Emissary]], the sticker can be used on any fighter to boost their [[smashwiki:Electric|electric]] attacks by 4 points.

{{SSBB trophy

|name=Lightning

|image=[[File:BrawlTrophy500.png|100px]]

|appears_in='''SNES''' ''Super Mario Kart''<br>'''N64''' ''Mario Kart 64''

|unlock=Random

|desc=An item that goes off the moment you touch it. It may shrink every other character on the screen. Tiny players suffer a reduction in their attack power and become easier to send flying. After a set amount of time, all the characters will return to their normal sizes. In the Mario Kart series, all players but the item user shrunk, and got flattened when run over.  

|name=Lightning

|image=[[File:Lightning Sticker.png]]

|game=''[[Mario Kart DS]]''

|effect=[Electric] - Attack +4

}}

====''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS'' / ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U''====

{{SSB4 trophy

|name=Lightning

|image='''3DS:'''<br>[[File:LightningBoltTrophy3DS.png|100px]]<br>'''Wii U:'''<br>[[File:SSB4TrophyLightning.png|100px]]

|category=Item

|appears_in='''SNES''' ''Super Mario Kart'' (09/1992)<br>'''Wii U''' ''Mario Kart 8'' (05/2014)

|trophy_box=10: Super Mario Kart

|desc=If there is one thing I've learned from Mario Kart, it's that lightning can strike without a cloud in the sky. Picking this up will hit your foes with a character-shrinking blast of lightning, making them really easy to launch into the distance. If you get struck, you'd best run until the fight is fair again.

|desc2=Don't let sunny weather fool you! Lightning can strike at any time. This mighty force of nature can make you feel small...and actually make you small, too. In this state, you'll be quite weak and easily launched, so just try to stay out of everyone's way until you go back to normal. THEN you can get your own back!

}}

Royal Raceway MK64 artwork.jpg|''Mario Kart 64''

MKDS Lightning Strike.png|''Mario Kart DS''

MK8-Line-Bowser-Lightning.gif|LINE sticker

|Jap=イナズマ

|JapR=Inazuma <ref>''Super Mario Kart'' Japanese instruction booklet. [https://www.nintendo.co.jp/clvs/manuals/ja/pdf/CLV-P-VAAFJ.pdf Page 13]. ''nintendo.co.jp''. Retrieved June 10, 2022.</ref> <small>(''Super Mario Kart'')</small>

|ChiT=雷電

|ChiTR=Léidiàn<ref>[https://www.nintendo.com.hk/ssqj/minigame/index.html Chinese website for ''Mario Party 9'']. Retrieved February 12, 2020.</ref> <small>(''Mario Party 9'')</small>

|ChiT2=閃電

|ChiT2R=Shǎndiàn <small>(''Mario Kart'' series / ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'')</small>

|ChiTM=Thunder

|ChiT2M=Lightning

|Dut=Bliksemschicht <small>(''Mario Kart 8'')</small>

|Dut2=Bliksem <small>(''Mario Kart 7'')</small>

|DutM=Lightning bolt

|Dut2M=Lightning

|Fre=Éclair

|FreM=Lightning

|Ger=Donnerblitz

|Ger2=Blitz <small>(''Mario Kart 8'' / ''Mario Kart Tour'')</small>

|GerM=Thunderbolt

|Ger2M=Lightning

|Ita=Fulmine

|Ita2=Saetta <small>(''Mario Kart DS'')</small>

|ItaM=Lightning

|Ita2M=Thunderbolt