Some gamers recently discovered a bizarre new glitch in Mario Kart World—one that could shake up the race for first place. The notorious Blue Shell, feared by frontrunners in every Mario Kart title, is now mysteriously missing its intended targets in certain matches.
For Mario Kart World players, this glitch could be a blessing or a curse. In critical moments, it may save a lead, or render a well-timed Blue Shell completely useless.
🔄 What’s Happening?
Videos circulating on social media show Blue Shells traveling through the track without hitting any racers, even when they’re in first place. The shells act as though they’re racers themselves—racing ahead rather than locking onto their target. The strange occurrence was first reported by several players and picked up by gaming outlet The Gamer, who highlighted footage of the bug in action.
In the comments section of these clips, players noted that the glitch seems recent, with multiple reports surfacing within the last few days. While it’s unclear what triggers it, some speculate it could be related to lag or recent game updates.
🎮 About Mario Kart World
Released as the latest installment in Nintendo’s long-running racing franchise, Mario Kart World continues the legacy that began in 1992. Following the massive success of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, this new entry was highly anticipated—and so far, it has delivered. The game currently holds an average critic score of 86 on OpenCritic, with praise for its updated mechanics, track design, and multiplayer polish.
Still, no game is perfect. And while Mario Kart World has had only a few bugs, this Blue Shell glitch stands out due to how it affects competitive gameplay.
📉 Gameplay Impact
This glitch raises serious questions about in-game balance. For players trying to disrupt the lead with a well-timed item, this bug could nullify their efforts, while lucky leaders can dodge what would have been a guaranteed hit. It’s unclear whether Nintendo will address the issue, or if it’s a deeper system-level bug.
Until an official patch or comment surfaces, players may want to think twice before relying on the Blue Shell to secure a comeback.