Mario Kart: Super Circuit (2001)
Intelligent Systems / July 21, 2001 / Rated Everyone
Data last updated July 24, 2026
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Mario Kart: Super Circuit, known in Japan as Mario Kart Advance (マリオカートアドバンス, Mario Kāto Adobansu), is a kart racing game developed by Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Advance in 2001. The game is the third installment in the Mario Kart series and the first for handheld consoles, following Mario Kart 64 (1996). It was succeeded by the console game Mario Kart: Double Dash, which was released for the GameCube in 2003. The game retains traditional game elements of Mario Kart set by its predecessors, and upon release, was well received by reviewers.
The blue shell, officially referred to by Nintendo as the Spiny Shell, is a power-up item in the Mario Kart video game series. Originating in Mario Kart 64 (1996) and featured in every main entry of the series since then, the blue shell, when used, aims directly at the racer in first place, stopping them on impact. The blue shell acts as a "catch-up" mechanic, with racers ranked towards the bottom having a better chance of it spawning when driving into item boxes, giving them a better chance at diminishing the lead of the racer in top position. In addition to the Mario Kart series, the blue shell appeared in the Super Smash Bros. series from 2001's Melee onwards, and in Mario Hoops 3-on-3. A character based on the item appears in the 2023 film The Super Mario Bros. Movie, voiced by Scott Menville.
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