The Banana

Learn how to effectively use and dodge Banana Peels in Mario Kart 7. Discover trapping, throwing, and protection tactics to gain an edge and avoid spinning out.

Alright, let's talk about the humble Banana Peel in Mario Kart 7. It might seem basic, but this little yellow menace can be a real game-changer if you know how to use it. It’s basically a trap that’ll spin you out and make you lose three coins if you hit it. Most of the time, they’re not a huge deal, but they can definitely mess with your race if you’re not careful.

Strategies:

• Trapping: This is your bread and butter. You want to place bananas where racers are basically forced to hit them. Think narrow parts of the track, right before a cannon, after blind turns, on turbo pads, or near course obstacles and shortcuts. Just a heads-up, trapping isn't as effective on one-lap courses since there are fewer chances for someone to hit your trap.
• Throwing: Honestly, trying to snipe someone with a banana is super tough. The aim is tricky, and the opportunities are rare. If you do want to try, wait for a straightaway with a racer just ahead of you. Line yourself up to aim *in front* of them, then toss. Don't be shocked if you miss – it’s that hard!
• Walls: Here's a neat trick: you can throw bananas at walls in front of you. They'll bounce off and come back at racers behind you. It’s a great way to surprise them and force them to either hit the banana or swerve hard. Just be careful not to aim at walls with weird angles that could send the banana back at you!
• Protection: This is where bananas really shine. Holding a banana behind your kart acts as a shield against projectiles coming from behind, like Green or Red Shells. I highly recommend keeping one behind you at all times. It’s also smart to hold onto your banana until you get your next item, especially if you’re worried about getting hit by multiple Red Shells.

Dodging:

Your best friend for dodging bananas is the mini-map. Keep an eye on it, especially in tight spots where bananas are likely to be placed. A common spot that catches players off guard is right before the cannon on DS Airship Fortress – it's around a blind turn *and* before a cannon, making it a prime banana trap location.