Golden Mushroom

The Golden Mushroom (sometimes referred to as a Gold Mushroom ) is an item that appears in several Mario games. It is a rare Mushroom, sometimes depicted with a crown on its head, and it always gives the player a positive effect when used. Golden Mushrooms sometimes vary by color and luster between games, but they are always a strong item.

Super Mario World
Originally a flying Golden Mushroom would have appeared in that game but was removed for unknown reasons. They are worth extra lives, like 1-Up Mushrooms.

New Super Mario Bros. 2
Gold Mushrooms appear in New Super Mario Bros. 2 in the Coin Rush mode and replace 1-Up Mushrooms, and upon contact, Mario gets 50 coins (or 100 coins if he is Gold Mario). It lacks the crown from its contemporary Mario Kart appearances and the coloring is reversed from all other occurrences, with the spots being darker than the background.

Mario Kart series
The Golden Mushroom appears in Mario Kart 64 and all main games starting from Mario Kart: Double Dash!! Since Mario Kart 64, it gives the player an endless amount of speed boosts for a limited time. Additionally, in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, it is Toad and Toadette's special item. The Golden Mushroom's initial appearance is a glowing gold Mushroom, but since Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, it has been given a gold crown with red jewels as well. This item was originally going to be in Mario Kart: Super Circuit, but never made it to the final game.

The chance of obtaining a Golden Mushroom is more common in Mario Kart 64 than in later installments. In the game, players can obtain the item in second place, although this usually only happens when the first-place player is very far ahead of the second-place player. Triple Mushrooms are also more common to obtain in second place than Golden Mushrooms.

In the Mario Kart 64s Operation Card, it is called Super Mushroom'. In the European version of Mario Kart 7, it is called Golden Dash Mushroom.

Mario & Luigi series
In Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, it fully restores both Heart Points and Bros. Points for a single brother. There are only five Golden Mushrooms in-game, though it can also be stolen using Swing Bros. from Fawful, Popple, and Birdo.

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story's Star Candy replaces the Golden Mushroom and in Mario & Luigi: Dream Team and Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam Star Candy is replaced by Candy.

Mario Party series
In Mario Party 2 and 3, the Golden Mushroom is an item that allows players to roll three Dice Blocks on their turn. It is stated to be Mario's favorite item in the latter game. Rolling three of the same number earns the player 20 coins, and in Mario Party 3, rolling three sevens earns the player a 50 coin bonus. In these titles, the Golden Mushroom lacks its crown and has white spots and a tan body, appearing more like a yellow Super Mushroom.

It is replaced by the Super Mega Mushroom in Mario Party 4, the Super Mushroom Capsule or Super 'Shroom Orb in Mario Party 5 ,6, and 7, and the Thrice Candy in Mario Party 8.

In Mario Party: Island Tour, Star Rush and The Top 100, it is known as a Golden Dash Mushroom, and it lets the player add five spaces to their roll. In Mario Party: Star Rush, players have to sort between Mushrooms and Golden Mushrooms in the Coin Chaos minigame, Conveyor Meltdown. The Golden Mushroom takes on its more traditional appearance starting with Island Tour.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
Golden Mushrooms, referred to as Gold Mushrooms, appear as rare collectables in some courses in Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, looking and acting as they do in New Super Mario Bros. 2. These mushrooms are usually a secondary objective in the courses they appear in. Some Gold Mushrooms can only be found through invisible Pluck Patches, which can be seen once Captain Toad approaches it.

Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition
Golden Mushrooms are rare items in the puzzle and RPG hybrid called Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition. It is obtained from ? Blocks or dropped after defeating some enemies with a 10+ combo, such as 2-Goomba Towers and Paragoombas. There is an even rarer variation called Grand Gold Mushroom.

Mario Kart 7 Game Manual
Gives you a speed boost whenever you press L/X, but only for a short time.

Mario Kart Wii trading card description
''Golden Mushrooms generally show up in the Item Windows of racers near the back of the pack. It's an awesome tool for those unfortunate enough to be in that position as they can use it to catch up to those in front. Unlike other Mushrooms, however, you can tap the Item Button as many times as you'd like to maximize your boost. Be sure to cut corners where possible with this item.''