Which Mario Kart item disguises itself as a normal item box?

The Fake Item Box disguises itself as a normal item box in Mario Kart.

Unlike a genuine Item Box, the Fake Item Box is a trap. A racer can place it on the course, where it resembles the boxes that normally grant random power-ups. An opponent who drives into it is knocked over rather than rewarded with an item.

The item debuted in Mario Kart 64, where its appearance closely mimicked the regular boxes but used an upside-down question mark as a tell. Its design and behaviour changed somewhat between games: Mario Kart DS, for example, made the distinction less visually obvious, while later versions often made the box easier to identify.

Players commonly confuse it with a defensive item because it can be held behind a kart in some games. Its primary purpose is offensive deception, much like leaving a Banana Peel on a racing line. The Fake Item Box last appeared as a usable item in the mainline series in Mario Kart Wii.