Mario Kart 7

 3DS
User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 947 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 745 out of 947
  2. Mixed: 162 out of 947
  3. Negative: 40 out of 947
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  1. MWD2490
    Dec 5, 2011
    10
    I liked Mario Kart DS and Wii a lot. This game has the playing style of the DS Version but the graphics of the Wii version. It also takes some of the game mechanics of the Wii but has more of the elements that were in the DS version. It takes a lot from the previous versions of Mario Kart which is a good thing and it does not change much of the formula. I like the additions and theI liked Mario Kart DS and Wii a lot. This game has the playing style of the DS Version but the graphics of the Wii version. It also takes some of the game mechanics of the Wii but has more of the elements that were in the DS version. It takes a lot from the previous versions of Mario Kart which is a good thing and it does not change much of the formula. I like the additions and the characters that are in the game. The online multiplayer is really good and I hope to use it a lot in the future. One of the best Mario Karts to date.… Expand
  2. Teliiii
    Dec 5, 2011
    8
    An amazing game, a must have for any Mario kart fan/3DS owner!! The graphics are absolutely marvelous, the tracks are unique, and the amount of multiplayer options there are! Despite this though, I thought the game was a little disappointing. The character rooster was weak, there were barely any characters, and not to mention some of the characters they added were useless. Other than thatAn amazing game, a must have for any Mario kart fan/3DS owner!! The graphics are absolutely marvelous, the tracks are unique, and the amount of multiplayer options there are! Despite this though, I thought the game was a little disappointing. The character rooster was weak, there were barely any characters, and not to mention some of the characters they added were useless. Other than that I would say this is a great game overall!… Expand
  3. TheGale
    Mar 23, 2012
    9
    While i was fairly disappointed by the exclusion of the bikes (MKW) and the Missions (MKDS).. Mario Kart 7 new mechanics makes the game somewhat funnier than the others!... Is Still the same fun game that i always enjoy. I've spend 100+ hours on it, and i'm not bored of it!... The Online is so great and functional!
  4. mdwilsonbsc
    Dec 11, 2011
    9
    Above all else, Mario Kart 7 is about fun. You can pick it up for 5 minutes or play it for hours and, all the way through, you'll be enthralled.
    Most noticeable about the graphics is the animation which is really quick to give a smooth, solid feel, finished off with plenty of detail and good use of colour.
    The use of gyro-controls feels reminiscent of steering wheel controls on the Wii    Above all else, Mario Kart 7 is about fun. You can pick it up for 5 minutes or play it for hours and, all the way through, you'll be enthralled.
    Most noticeable about the graphics is the animation which is really quick to give a smooth, solid feel, finished off with plenty of detail and good use of colour.
    The use of gyro-controls feels reminiscent of steering wheel controls on the Wii which is a great addition to get you more "into" the game.
    It's fine to work through the single player modes, but the game is harder to put down when you play over the internet. Racing can be frustrating at times but it is so addictive that you are sure to come back to it once you've calmed down!
    The best driving game on 3DS so far. Highly recommended.    … Expand
  5. HershelLayton
    Feb 5, 2012
    10
    Addictive Online play combined with refined and perfectly tuned gameplay make this a must have. It is easy to play but impossible to master meaning anyone can love it.
  6. maddymarie
    Jan 1, 2013
    6
    In comparison to it's predecessors, Mario Kart 7 does a fantastic job of knocking them off course via blue shell. The many different courses that could be selected, the kart customization, the new characters; it all was a thrilling ride.. While it lasted, which wasn't very long. I had high expectations when it came to this specific Mario Kart, and to be honest, it didn't live up to what IIn comparison to it's predecessors, Mario Kart 7 does a fantastic job of knocking them off course via blue shell. The many different courses that could be selected, the kart customization, the new characters; it all was a thrilling ride.. While it lasted, which wasn't very long. I had high expectations when it came to this specific Mario Kart, and to be honest, it didn't live up to what I thought it would. Nintendo had so many opportunities to change things up with Mario Kart 7. A good portion of the game, felt recycled to me. Although it was nice to have many different courses to choose from, many of them were from previous titles in the series. The character roster also felt very small - and I've unlocked every playable character. It would have been great to see new play modes as well. The coin collection and balloon battle modes are quite fun, however it would've been really nice if Nintendo had of added at the very least one extra mode. To end my review, I say that this game is worth purchasing, if you don't mind playing through some of the old courses, or are new to the series.… Expand
  7. muzziklover
    Jan 23, 2012
    8
    This is probably going to be a tradition of mine. Whenever there is a new Nintendo handheld console, I would probably always get a Mario Kart game and Mario Kart 7 is the first 3DS game I've ever got my hands on. Being the successor to Mario Kart DS, the best if not, one of the best Mario Kart games ever, consider me a bit disappointed. Mario Kart 7 is a good game by all means but it's a aThis is probably going to be a tradition of mine. Whenever there is a new Nintendo handheld console, I would probably always get a Mario Kart game and Mario Kart 7 is the first 3DS game I've ever got my hands on. Being the successor to Mario Kart DS, the best if not, one of the best Mario Kart games ever, consider me a bit disappointed. Mario Kart 7 is a good game by all means but it's a a step down from Mario Kart DS. Let's talk about the good things first. The gameplay is still as solid as any Mario Kart game, you can now customize your own kart, the track selection is excellent, they fixed the rubberband AI from Mario Kart Wii (thank god) and the multiplayer is as good or maybe even better than Mario Kart Wii's multiplayer. The big problem with this game is the content. Mario Kart DS' biggest high point was the high amounts of content it offered and being a generation ahead of MKDS, Mario Kart 7 should've done more and it's the same story all over again with the content issues of New Super Mario Bros. Wii where Nintendo are just being damn lazy. To be fair, I guess I'm judging this game by the standards of what made Mario Kart DS so perfect but MKDS was a generation behind and Mario Kart 7 is in a brand new generation. It needs to be bigger, it needs something new and it needs to have more than its predecessors offered. Gliding and going under water is not going big, Nintendo. Overall, it's still a solid Mario Kart game but for the love of god, try harder Nintendo.… Expand
  8. IrishChai
    Jul 19, 2012
    8
    It's hard not to like this game. The levels are well done (and taken from all the other mario karts to date) and all of the races are fun to play hundreds of times with different shortcuts and tricks to each map. It's very entertaining gameplay long after you know the course like the back of your hand. That's a hard feat to keep something interesting after you've raced it to death over andIt's hard not to like this game. The levels are well done (and taken from all the other mario karts to date) and all of the races are fun to play hundreds of times with different shortcuts and tricks to each map. It's very entertaining gameplay long after you know the course like the back of your hand. That's a hard feat to keep something interesting after you've raced it to death over and over, but Nintendo definitely achieved that goal. There is a ton of unlockables, and an excellent multiplayer design on top of the time it will take you to win all the races in single player with a 3-star gold cup achievement. Even then, you'll get a whole new challenge unlocked in the mirror mode. The few side games included in the package are somewhat entertaining too, although I didn't really enjoy them personally and don't plan to spend any more time in them. I think I will enjoy hopping online for a race or try and beat the fastest times in the player ghost races for a long time to come.… Expand
  9. JSxGaming
    Dec 12, 2011
    8
    I love this game and in my opinion it is one of the best mario kart games ever but it feels like a refresh of mario kart ds with the exception of its graphics, tracks and awesome online multiplayer; with this in mind it is still a great game and i would definately reccomend this to anyone.
  10. Umaro67
    Dec 27, 2011
    10
    The very best Mario Kart ever made, if not the most original or exciting. A ten out of ten means a perfect execution of concepts with no visible flaws, and that's exactly what MK7 is. This entry has the best physics, the best track design, the best balance and the best controls. Instead of breaking down the pros and cons, I will simply dissect the pros due my lack of conviction in theThe very best Mario Kart ever made, if not the most original or exciting. A ten out of ten means a perfect execution of concepts with no visible flaws, and that's exactly what MK7 is. This entry has the best physics, the best track design, the best balance and the best controls. Instead of breaking down the pros and cons, I will simply dissect the pros due my lack of conviction in the existence of any flaws. The overall presentation: it's essentially Mario Kart Wii, very similar menus and layout. This is idea, as Mario Kart Wii had the best layout and menus of any Mario Kart game. The online menus and functionality is also largely identical to MKWii, except with a few new features like communities or groups or whatever they're called, I wasn't terribly interested in that kind of stuff. The real meat and potatoes are the raw elements, and this where the game is unstoppable. The tracks in this entry were designed in collaboration with Retro Studios, who if you are not familiar are among the most consistently fantastic level designers in the world. MK7 does not disappoint. Tracks are sharp, engaging, surprising, and layered. The new layers often come in the form of aquatic and aerial sections in which you race in floaty underwater physics or very different hang gliding segments. I cannot stress how much these new sections actually add to the game. On the surface they may strike you as simply being minor distractions, until you discover that you can pull off absurd drifting techniques underwater and that your technique in the air allows you to create your own little shortcuts, soaring past foes on the ground with the right movements through the air and evasion of obstacles. When the tires hit the road again, it's Mario Kart at it's finest. The silky-smooth controls, performance and surprisingly slick circle pad leave every element of manipulation behind. I found myself completely immersed and engaged with the experience, as I frantically evaded green shells, made breath-stopping drifts along the edges of demise in Neo Bowser City and exploited nifty and treacherous shortcuts on Wuhu Island (but no glitching, shame on you!). The drifting is, I guess for a lack of better term, deep and satisfying. The items are all over the place and constantly bring the random chaos to the table while still allowing skill to be the defining pillar in your success....almost all the time. The 3D effect is both profound and subtle. It's essentially perfect, because it doesn't distract or define the experience but adds something foundational to the experience. It's kind of a paradox. I really like the 3D and use it 100% of the time with very little strain or discomfort, and I often have both of those problems with 3D. So in short: use it. The Characters and karts are all largely the same as before except now you can swap out tires with your kart, it's not terribly exciting but does allow for greater customization over your ride than any other Mario Kart which lends itself to more strategies than before, like taking advantage of the "off-road" portions of the track design which is more pronounced in this iteration than any other. Another aspect of the track design that I found fun were the single-lap super tracks, adding some variety and a new spin on rainbow road, the rainbow road in MK7 is also the best version yet with more layers to its design. Overall, I can only attempt to recommend this game enough to any fan of racing games or Mario Kart. There's certainly a sensation of deja-vu coming off of Mario Kart Wii, but the execution is in top form. The worst thing I can say about Mario Kart 7 is that it makes all the other ones irrelevant.… Expand
  11. animegamingnerd
    Dec 8, 2011
    7
    mario kart 7 is the seventh mario kart as the title suggest but how is the game does it live to the series standards or gets hit by a blue turtle shell read to find out STORY if you ever played a mario kart game then you will know that there is no story or career mode i can see hard core racing fans being turned off by is GAMEPLAY mario kart the gameplay remains the basically the same withmario kart 7 is the seventh mario kart as the title suggest but how is the game does it live to the series standards or gets hit by a blue turtle shell read to find out STORY if you ever played a mario kart game then you will know that there is no story or career mode i can see hard core racing fans being turned off by is GAMEPLAY mario kart the gameplay remains the basically the same with trying to get first place as in anything racing game and use items to get up in the race and keep your potion but with a few new editions first is racing in the air and water these aren't that long and sadly there is no tracks that have these only have gliding or under water also coins that give you a boost which have which haven't them since original one on the super nintendo version of mario now for the bad the AI always seam to have good luck while you always have bad luck isn't bad 50cc notice in 100 but 150cc makes it insanely hard and of course the blue turtle shell always appearing at the worst time now my final complaint is that there is no free race all there is for single player is grand prix time trial and battle that is it now for the good the online play is the best in any 3DS game with awesome use of street pass and spot pass also being able to race as your mii VERDICT is this the best mario kart no if never like the series before is won't change your mind but if you are huge fan you are going to enjoy is game i give mario kart 7 a 7/10… Expand
  12. D-Lew
    Dec 30, 2011
    9
    Outstanding Mario Kart title, and a much needed big name title for the 3DS that lives up to its reputation. Mario Kart 64 still takes the title of my favorite Mario Kart, but this is a very close second. The visuals are spot-on perfect, sounds and music are nice, and the controls are very precise and easy. The online racing feature is really fun and great, with the exception of theOutstanding Mario Kart title, and a much needed big name title for the 3DS that lives up to its reputation. Mario Kart 64 still takes the title of my favorite Mario Kart, but this is a very close second. The visuals are spot-on perfect, sounds and music are nice, and the controls are very precise and easy. The online racing feature is really fun and great, with the exception of the interface. I wish it had a "party system" for joining races with friends, and I'm sad there isn't a voice chat feature between even registered friends. Instead, it's oversimplified to make everything easy, while making joining your friends a little difficult. You can create your own groups and invite your friends only to make it easier to race with them, but unless you have lots of friends playing all at once you cannot participate in the 8-player races this way. The new items are pretty fun, but I miss the fake item boxes and Boo. I feel some of the character selection could have been better as well. Kart customization adds a nice personal and strategic touch to the game, and I love several of the designs. Single player will still enrage you if you are trying for 3 star ratings in each cup, as you will always get hit with a blue shell seconds before you cross the finish line. I have had lots of fun racing against time trial ghosts with Spotpass and trying to beat the bell curve of record times and set "perfect" laps - unfortunately the area I live isn't very 3DS active, so I haven't been able to try the StreetPass features. If you like racing games, or are just looking for a new game for your 3DS library, this is a great choice.… Expand
  13. piford
    Feb 13, 2012
    9
    This game is great, although not a good as the DS version. The loss of Missions make this game not as good, plus the underwater sections make the game not as fun though. The character roster was not as good, but still pretty good. What was better were most of the courses, the Flying sections, and the online play. Street pass and Spot pass add to this giving you ghost to play against.
  14. lSCYTH3l
    Feb 14, 2012
    9
    Yet another must get for the 3DS. Levels are fun and immersible environments. The races, especially the upper classes, are challenging. This game is too much fun too look past. You can play Vs, Battle, and even GRAND-PRIX mode via download play which is always addicting. The overall competitiveness has died-down now that snaking is harder(for you competitive players). Also online play viaYet another must get for the 3DS. Levels are fun and immersible environments. The races, especially the upper classes, are challenging. This game is too much fun too look past. You can play Vs, Battle, and even GRAND-PRIX mode via download play which is always addicting. The overall competitiveness has died-down now that snaking is harder(for you competitive players). Also online play via Nintendo wi-fi has been a bit of a problem for me, i can never get a match, but that's probably because my internet provider is to blame. Great game, fun, ;pretty, smooth, enjoyable, any other words synonymous with these.… Expand
  15. Frinker
    Mar 8, 2012
    8
    An overall worthy entry to the long running kart franchise however like Super Mario 3D land, it is far too easy and everything can be locked in a short amount of time. Nevertheless the track are amazing both old and new, a slightly disappointing roster this time round but amazing online play knocks up the fun and replay ability!
  16. Dom1nAtAr
    Mar 17, 2012
    8
    Mario Kart 7 is one of the best games in series. Everything in the Mario Kart formula has been improved and there are also some new additions. There are many ways to enjoy Mario Kart 7, you can race alone, race with a friend in local multiplayer or head online and vs up to 8 players from around the world. There are great new additions. You an now customize your kart. There are gliders,Mario Kart 7 is one of the best games in series. Everything in the Mario Kart formula has been improved and there are also some new additions. There are many ways to enjoy Mario Kart 7, you can race alone, race with a friend in local multiplayer or head online and vs up to 8 players from around the world. There are great new additions. You an now customize your kart. There are gliders, different types of wheel and a big selection or karts. The customization could of been a bit deeper but still works well. The 3D graphics are great but playing in 2D is best. The new gyroscope controls are innovative but the classic controls are best. Mario Kart 7 is a great game and is another must have title for the 3DS… Expand
  17. TwistedFantasy
    Aug 4, 2012
    8
    I appreciate that they tried to change it up with the seventh Mario Kart instalment. The addition of flying and driving underwater is great; it adds something new to the series, but allows the game to still feel like the same Mario Kart that people love. I think the underwater driving could have been implemented a bit better into the game, and some of the levels were a bit disappointing toI appreciate that they tried to change it up with the seventh Mario Kart instalment. The addition of flying and driving underwater is great; it adds something new to the series, but allows the game to still feel like the same Mario Kart that people love. I think the underwater driving could have been implemented a bit better into the game, and some of the levels were a bit disappointing to me, but I still enjoyed the game. Online is also good. 8/10… Expand
  18. RainbowYoshi
    Dec 26, 2011
    10
    I've played and enjoyed Mario Kart 64, Mario Kart Double Dash, Mario Kart DS, and Mario Kart Wii but this certainly my favourite of all of them. The items from Mario Kart Wii are ditched (because they would mess up gliding and Lightning is just enough) and three new items take their place. One is the Lucky 7 which allows for the usage of the 7 items in the game (this really isn'tI've played and enjoyed Mario Kart 64, Mario Kart Double Dash, Mario Kart DS, and Mario Kart Wii but this certainly my favourite of all of them. The items from Mario Kart Wii are ditched (because they would mess up gliding and Lightning is just enough) and three new items take their place. One is the Lucky 7 which allows for the usage of the 7 items in the game (this really isn't overpowered though), the Fire Flower (which is really a refined version of the fireballs in Double Dash), and the Tanooki Tail (which is useful for collecting coins that you cannot just reach, stopping the weaker items from affecting you and close range attacks). This is certainly my 2nd favourite game of the year, behind Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception but in front of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.… Expand
  19. Aouzy
    Feb 12, 2012
    7
    Well, i actually thought all the rumors about this game being best in the series was true. MKW was bad and i thought this was going to redeem it. But no, this is just as bad. Here are some pros and cons

    Pros: Kart customization, Better online and communities, some great tracks like Neo Bowser City, better retro courses, blue shell problem is fixed (It used to be 3-5 a race in MKW, now    Well, i actually thought all the rumors about this game being best in the series was true. MKW was bad and i thought this was going to redeem it. But no, this is just as bad. Here are some pros and cons

    Pros: Kart customization, Better online and communities, some great tracks like Neo Bowser City, better retro courses, blue shell problem is fixed (It used to be 3-5 a race in MKW, now it's 1-3)

    Cons: The Fireflower item which is very unfair and you get it around 2nd place. Very small and tight courses. The Maka Wuhu glitch that noobs do online. Very short Rainbow Road. 100cc isn't needed unless you want gold wheels. Bad characters, don't even try doing the first 3 retro courses on 150cc. And a lot more item abuse than MKW.

    Overall it's good if you don't mind getting unfairly beaten on your last lap.    … Expand
  20. BubblegumImp
    Mar 27, 2012
    8
    The king of kart racers returns for another victory lap... warts and all. While retaining everything which made it such a beloved series, Kart 7 has also failed to address a number of gripes which fans of the franchise have been making for years. Lack of customisation? Check. Not enough tracks? Check. Dreaded blue shell? Check. It's all back for another fun, but flawed outing.
  21. Tommy758
    Feb 2, 2012
    8
    Mario Kart 7 isn't as good as I thought it would be but it is still a great Mario Kart game. It's a blast playing with friends, the graphics are pretty, the 3D is great and the tracks are nice. But the big let down of the game for me is there's barely any content. There's less content in this game than in Mario Kart DS. The removed the ability to add an emblem to your kart, they leftMario Kart 7 isn't as good as I thought it would be but it is still a great Mario Kart game. It's a blast playing with friends, the graphics are pretty, the 3D is great and the tracks are nice. But the big let down of the game for me is there's barely any content. There's less content in this game than in Mario Kart DS. The removed the ability to add an emblem to your kart, they left out the single player missions and mot of the tracks are old ones. If I wanted to play old tracks I'd play the old Mario Kart games. It just feels lazy. I do however like how they added the ability to customize your kart. That's a really neat feature but they don't quite explain how you unlock different parts well. It's also pretty nice to just go into the water to drive or glide across the skies. It feels different which is neat, but there should've been more of these segments in my opinion. Overall, despite my disappointment with somethings I think anybody with a 3DS should but this game. It's really fun to play with friends, the online has improved from the DS counterpart and the 3D is well done.… Expand
  22. MANU3L69
    Feb 3, 2012
    9
    Although a seasoned player can easily get through all the cups in a day, Mario Kart 7 is a great game, and among the best in the 3DS lineup. I have to say, I've played several Mario karts and they just don't seem to change much in almost anyway. It's honestly like Call of Duty. You can't wait to see the new graphics, or the new roster or the new amazing courses they have set up for you.Although a seasoned player can easily get through all the cups in a day, Mario Kart 7 is a great game, and among the best in the 3DS lineup. I have to say, I've played several Mario karts and they just don't seem to change much in almost anyway. It's honestly like Call of Duty. You can't wait to see the new graphics, or the new roster or the new amazing courses they have set up for you. Honestly, it's a love it or hate it type of thing. If you like the formula and you just want new maps and racers, then this game will more than satisfy you. On the other hand, if you think each Mario Kart is too similar and you think it's become a bore, then you should probably pass. That being said, I would like to just say what I like and dislike about the game. First off, I love the graphics and controls. At first, the driving feels a bit weird, but once you get used to it, you'll be zipping through the maps with ease. I also love the gliding and the underwater parts on each map. They make it more dynamic and more atmospheric. The game is colorful and bright but also dark in some areas as well. I also found that the 16 old maps are actually revamped and some even seem like totally different maps. The 16 new maps are amazing, my favorite being Rock Rock Mountain or Wario Shipyard. There are 32 maps, and all of them are fun to play on. The multiplayer is rock solid as well. It's fleshed out pretty well and there's almost no lag to worry about. The things I dislike are the AI and that goddamn blue shell. The AI in 150cc are pretty difficult to overcome and the blue shell almost always hits me on the last lap. These are old problems that Mario Kart fans should come to terms with however. Overall, it's a great racing game, with a decent roster, really fun courses, solid online multiplayer and good graphics. I recommend this to any 3DS owner who likes Mario Kart remotely.… Expand
  23. BlogDog123
    Jan 27, 2012
    9
    This is the second best Mario Kart game to date (Mario Kart 64 is still the best). The wide selection of new and retro tracks are teeming with details, and the 3D really brings the game to life. Also innovating for the franchise is customizable karts; something I hope Nintendo will do for future Mario Kart titles. The only reason this doesn't get a 10 is because it's not completelyThis is the second best Mario Kart game to date (Mario Kart 64 is still the best). The wide selection of new and retro tracks are teeming with details, and the 3D really brings the game to life. Also innovating for the franchise is customizable karts; something I hope Nintendo will do for future Mario Kart titles. The only reason this doesn't get a 10 is because it's not completely flawless: CPU attacks can feel frustratingly cheap and collecting coins to unlock more parts for karts takes a tad too long.… Expand
  24. buellerbueller
    Dec 27, 2011
    10
    Though this game has its flaws, which I'll explain in a minute, this is probably the most thought-out Mario Kart ever (even the title has a reason for being "Mario Kart 7"). My first criticism is that the action is slow. I'm driving my kart around, and it seems like I'm going under the speed limit. Also, the characters are quite aggressive, and the result is one too many hits with a RedThough this game has its flaws, which I'll explain in a minute, this is probably the most thought-out Mario Kart ever (even the title has a reason for being "Mario Kart 7"). My first criticism is that the action is slow. I'm driving my kart around, and it seems like I'm going under the speed limit. Also, the characters are quite aggressive, and the result is one too many hits with a Red Shell. Speaking of power-ups, that's one of the best parts. With the new 7 power-up, you can use 7 objects at once! I also love the beautiful and well-built tracks, specifically the Pirahna Plant track in the Star Cup. I love the glory of unlocking a new customization to your kart when you get a certain number of coins (the coins are actually new to the series.) I love these features, but the heavily-promoted abilities of flying and underwater driving are the sole power of the game. If only they could use more of this feature. I hope that the flying and underwater driving aren't shelved, like the two-person kart in Double Dash!! Overlooking the flows and frustration, this might be the best Mario Kart game. Period.… Expand
  25. cub317
    Dec 26, 2011
    8
    Mario Kart 7 is another very good entry into the Mario Kart series. The graphics of this game are among the best on the 3DS, and the game is very fun too. In this game, you can create your own kart to suit your needs, and go out to win a Grand Prix. There are a few new gimmicks to note as well. There are hang gliders now, which allow you to glide in the air, and you can now goMario Kart 7 is another very good entry into the Mario Kart series. The graphics of this game are among the best on the 3DS, and the game is very fun too. In this game, you can create your own kart to suit your needs, and go out to win a Grand Prix. There are a few new gimmicks to note as well. There are hang gliders now, which allow you to glide in the air, and you can now go underwater. Both of these gimmicks make the game far more interesting. The new courses have been created specifically so you can get a feeling for both gimmicks. The controls of this game are no different from any other Mario Kart game, and that's another thing that makes this game great. The graphics of this game are very bright and colorful. By 3DS standards, they're amazing. However, there are also a few criticisms to this game. The first thing is that there is no versus mode. This made me very disappointed because that was my favorite mode of the regular DS version. In versus mode, you were able to start your own Grand Prix, and choose the settings to fit your needs. You could choose the A.I. level, the rules, the engine size, the number of races needed to win, and whether or not you want a team. The 3DS version doesn't have this. It probably has it in multiplayer only now, but I don't play the game on multiplayer so this is a let down for me. Also, the game may have a customizable car, but the rest of the options are limited to what you can change within the game. The rest of the game more than makes up for this short-coming. However, if I had to pick a favorite, I'm afraid I'll have to say that Mario Kart DS is better than Mario Kart 7. Mario Kart DS has more customizable options, has a versus mode, and still stays true to the Mario Kart formula. Mario Kart 7 is a very good game overall, but if you want something better, buy Mario Kart DS instead.… Expand
  26. Happymonk
    Feb 29, 2012
    9
    Mario Kart 7 is quite possibly the best Mario Kart game yet! All of the tracks are great fun, with some I can see being all time classic tracks in the future. There is a lot to do in the game but it's lacking the mission mode from Mario Kart DS. All in all I'd say the gameplay is brilliant and is the best I've seen in a Mario Kart game to date, the items are reasonably well balancedMario Kart 7 is quite possibly the best Mario Kart game yet! All of the tracks are great fun, with some I can see being all time classic tracks in the future. There is a lot to do in the game but it's lacking the mission mode from Mario Kart DS. All in all I'd say the gameplay is brilliant and is the best I've seen in a Mario Kart game to date, the items are reasonably well balanced (they've improved the Blue Shell this time!) although the two new items seem a little pointless, I'm sure nobody actually hates them. Now, the inclusion of gliding is very good and I really hope it stays, it feels as though it has been pulled straight from Pilotwings 3D! the underwater sections don't really add a lot to the overall experience, but I wouldn't complain if they ever returned. The ONLY problem with this game is its character roster, it doesn't feel like it has enough, 17 in all, and its missing a couple of Mario Kart essential characters (WALUIGI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and Baby Mario), don't get me wrong, the characters that are there are all good (yes, I don't mind the Honey Queen or Metal Mario) but it's just oddly missing the two characters I've already mentioned. And for that reason Mario Kart 7 is on about the same level of awesomeness as Wii, but 7 probably just edges it in fairness. If you own a 3DS, buy Mario Kart, it's one of those games that you'll still be playing a few years down the line, it won't disappoint!… Expand
  27. dharma
    Jun 16, 2012
    8
    Mario Kart 7 is another must have title for the 3DS. They all feel the same, I know, but it's a game that really benefits a lot and fun to play during your traveling time. For once though, the rubber band AI is slightly 'toned down'; a more hardcore experience for the fans (and still accessible for casual gamers as well)
  28. Darkicicle
    Apr 7, 2013
    8
    Although I am a bit late to review this and I got it first thing it was released, I am still going to.
    It is a lot better looking than any other Mario Kart game although it is still the same base game there are many new tracks and lots of new features. I am glad there aren't bikes in this game and I like how they used the gyro/motion control of the 3DS and you can use it if you want to.    Although I am a bit late to review this and I got it first thing it was released, I am still going to.
    It is a lot better looking than any other Mario Kart game although it is still the same base game there are many new tracks and lots of new features. I am glad there aren't bikes in this game and I like how they used the gyro/motion control of the 3DS and you can use it if you want to.
    It is also nice that you can now use gliders in the game if you go on blue boosters, it is quite enjoyable and can sometimes show off a bit of the track. The coin system is allso interesting, you can get coins to speed you up more but it is only a small increase in the speed and coins contribute to some unlocks.
    Although I don't think that half the game should be retro courses, I reckon it'd be better is there is only 4-6 of them.
    The multiplayer either online or locally worked amazingly and had to be the best multiplayer out of all of the Mario Kart games. Although the friend code system can be a bit tedious and would be better if only one person needed to add you then you get a notification saying if you want to add them or not would be a lot better. Other than that it works quite well.
    It is quite sad that they removed the VS mode where you can just race against CPU's as practice for Grand Prix's you can still use VS mode in multiplayer with a friend, but even without the VS mode for singleplayer I still enjoyed it a lot, even though there can be a bit of coin grinding here and there.
    One final thing; the Streetpass/Spotpass features are quite good, you can race against people you saw online with their ghosts and people you pass by in Streetpass if they have the game and you can do other things too.
    Overall great game and I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who'd like to try out a racing game for the 3DS or is a fan of Mario.    … Expand
  29. hit925
    Jan 1, 2012
    8
    It's Mario Kart, of course it's going to be good. The online is improved from MKWii and the communities are a good idea but could have been expanded. I think the new courses are mostly good, particularly the 1 lap Rainbow Road but some aren't the best. I saw no point in having two Wuhu island courses. The old courses also have some odd choices but are mostly good. The new changes are goodIt's Mario Kart, of course it's going to be good. The online is improved from MKWii and the communities are a good idea but could have been expanded. I think the new courses are mostly good, particularly the 1 lap Rainbow Road but some aren't the best. I saw no point in having two Wuhu island courses. The old courses also have some odd choices but are mostly good. The new changes are good but ultimately it is still good old Mario Kart.… Expand
  30. Kirisoul
    Jan 9, 2012
    10
    This game has all the depth of a console mario kart on a handheld. The tracks are beautiful and detailed, the models are well rendered and simple but good refinements to the traditional formula make this a must own for 3DS. The fact that none of the new elements like kart customization and gliders feel fun instead of being gimmicks is more than you can say for most wii games already, andThis game has all the depth of a console mario kart on a handheld. The tracks are beautiful and detailed, the models are well rendered and simple but good refinements to the traditional formula make this a must own for 3DS. The fact that none of the new elements like kart customization and gliders feel fun instead of being gimmicks is more than you can say for most wii games already, and the multiplayer is simply astounding. Wifi is excellent, local multiplayer is great, you can even set up your own grand prix! Honestly, I don't see any other 3DS game matching this in quality except OoT 3D and maybe the upcoming Metal Gear Solid.… Expand
  31. Leigh28
    Dec 30, 2011
    8
    Am making this short and sweet review!

    Game is a complete joy to play and with a wealth of options on display there always something to do! Online is great as ever and there's a lot to unlock even in single player and new customize karts are plus ! Only bad thing is blue spikey shell is back and consistently ruins your races and sends you to last place which is frustrating!!! and    Am making this short and sweet review!

    Game is a complete joy to play and with a wealth of options on display there always something to do!

    Online is great as ever and there's a lot to unlock even in single player and new customize karts are plus !

    Only bad thing is blue spikey shell is back and consistently ruins your races and sends you to last place which is frustrating!!! and possible worst item in whole game!!

    Also were is donkey kong junior and dry bowser or dry bones? there are lots of characters missing from game which makes no sense! and is shame not seeing them included in MK7:(    … Expand
  32. Djangolulu
    Dec 26, 2011
    8
    What a fun game. Better visuals and a few new game mechanics continually push the Mario Kart series forward. Mario Kart 7 includes good 3D presentation, although its not really a necessary addition. The multiplayer is improved, but very often I found myself joining a lobby right as the race was starting, and having to sit through the entire duration of the race until I could actually play.What a fun game. Better visuals and a few new game mechanics continually push the Mario Kart series forward. Mario Kart 7 includes good 3D presentation, although its not really a necessary addition. The multiplayer is improved, but very often I found myself joining a lobby right as the race was starting, and having to sit through the entire duration of the race until I could actually play. All the chance and luck of Mario Kart is the same; you can be in first place for the whole race, and be bumped to last with an unfortunately timed blue shell and an enemy with star power bashing you off the track. Skill, while important, means next to nothing, and anyway, everyone is either a Japanese of European pro at Mario Kart, so the only variety is in the items. The Tanooki Suit and Fireball power-ups are the only new additions, and the sliding is different, but you'll get used to it. Mario Kart 7 is one of the must-have games for the 3DS, and you'll spend many hours racing on the new tracks. It proves that Mario Kart is always fun.… Expand
  33. DarkFlame16
    Feb 11, 2012
    7
    A decent Mario Kart. It's not the best in the series, but, people will enjoy customizing their karts, driving underwater, and gliding through the air just to get that trophy waiting for them at the finish line. But, the thing that really pisses me off the fact that you can get hit with ANY shells in the air. Come on, really, it's bad enough that they do this on ground level, but, now theyA decent Mario Kart. It's not the best in the series, but, people will enjoy customizing their karts, driving underwater, and gliding through the air just to get that trophy waiting for them at the finish line. But, the thing that really pisses me off the fact that you can get hit with ANY shells in the air. Come on, really, it's bad enough that they do this on ground level, but, now they can do it in the air too?… Expand
  34. MM64z
    Jan 23, 2012
    9
    This is probably the best game in the series thus far. Mario Kart 7 makes full use of the 3DS's new abilities, such as complete 3D depth, stereo sound, gyro controls, and the wi-fi racing, not to mention this game's overall great track design and other stuff like that. I like the new characters introduced, especially. The picking of the retro tracks was well-done as well, although thereThis is probably the best game in the series thus far. Mario Kart 7 makes full use of the 3DS's new abilities, such as complete 3D depth, stereo sound, gyro controls, and the wi-fi racing, not to mention this game's overall great track design and other stuff like that. I like the new characters introduced, especially. The picking of the retro tracks was well-done as well, although there are always still a few I wish they didn't choose. Its online multiplayer is great except for the fact that everyone keeps spamming this certain glitch on one of the courses. The ability to customize car parts is a big innovation, and so are the gliders, underwater driving, and first-person view. Like Mario Kart Wii, you can also tilt the 3DS using gyro controls to move the kart when you have first-person view enabled. Overall, Mario Kart 7 is a near-perfect game and I would recommend it to anyone who owns a 3DS.… Expand
  35. TomWutton
    Feb 14, 2012
    8
    Still same old fun. Nice graphics, the personalization of karts is cool, and the 3 or 4 new track design (sectors instead of laps) is a really cool thing ! Online multiplayer is really well done (althought I wished we could race more than 8...). I have 2 complaints that refrein me from giving MK7 a 10 : the solo cups are way too easy at 50 and 100 CC; and the lack of a Challenge mode likeStill same old fun. Nice graphics, the personalization of karts is cool, and the 3 or 4 new track design (sectors instead of laps) is a really cool thing ! Online multiplayer is really well done (althought I wished we could race more than 8...). I have 2 complaints that refrein me from giving MK7 a 10 : the solo cups are way too easy at 50 and 100 CC; and the lack of a Challenge mode like in the DS version is unforgivable. All in all, its a must own for any 3DS gamer. Oh and by the way, the 1rst person **** view is a nice attemps, but hummm...No....Sorry it doesn't fit in the Mario Kart series.… Expand
  36. yoshikartguy
    Feb 21, 2012
    8
    First off I just wanna say the game's graphics are amazing and are equally comparable to the Wii's (not like any system isn't though, right?) The Gameplay is enhanced from Mario Kart DS with the Circle Pad. The only negatives I find with this game are how useless/hard to use the online communities are, the lack of numerous battle stages (-looks at the sky- NINTENDO!!), stupendously boringFirst off I just wanna say the game's graphics are amazing and are equally comparable to the Wii's (not like any system isn't though, right?) The Gameplay is enhanced from Mario Kart DS with the Circle Pad. The only negatives I find with this game are how useless/hard to use the online communities are, the lack of numerous battle stages (-looks at the sky- NINTENDO!!), stupendously boring battle, and lack of missions, single player vs. mode, etc. from Mario Kart DS and other Mario Kart Games. Overall, this game is amazing and is probably one of the best yet. However, Nintendo lacked in making this more of single player experience and overdid it on the multiplayer. Next time Nintendo... MAKE BALANCE XD

    8/10 :)    … Expand
  37. Mr_Critic
    Feb 24, 2012
    10
    So i picked up a game called Mario Kart 7. First of all, i'm one of those guys who - of all Mario Kart games - liked Mario Kart 64 the most. I'm not a big fan of Mario Kart Wii, nor Mario Kart Double Dash (worst MK-Game in my eyes). Mario Kart DS was ok, but not at the same level Mario Kart 64 was back in the days. I'm sayin all that stuff to show that i was very sceptical at the beginningSo i picked up a game called Mario Kart 7. First of all, i'm one of those guys who - of all Mario Kart games - liked Mario Kart 64 the most. I'm not a big fan of Mario Kart Wii, nor Mario Kart Double Dash (worst MK-Game in my eyes). Mario Kart DS was ok, but not at the same level Mario Kart 64 was back in the days. I'm sayin all that stuff to show that i was very sceptical at the beginning about this game. I seen the Trailers and the new stuff and thought that it could only go two ways: (A) Be very dissapointing OR (B) A welcomed upgrade to a legendary Kart racing game that made my childhood very entertaining when wheather wasn't the greatest and i had to stay at home. After several hours of playing this game i decided it was (B). The game has what made Mario Kart 64 so popular and didn't take stuff into the game that made other Mario Kart games terrible. It's the best Mario Kart in my opinion. So... jeah, i know i said Mario Kart 64 was the legend of all Mario Karts but this game is even better. My initial scepsis about the new stuff like cruisin' under water or flying in the air dissapeared really fast and transformed into the point that this is the stuff that makes this game so special and adorable. Another thing i noticed are some "balance" changes.

    In Mario Kart DS it was possible to drive past the courses like a snake to get infinite boosts and even though u didn't drive the shortest possible route, u was faster than your opponents because u was always on that boost-mode. Asians were the most common guys to play like this. Mario Kart 7 cut that corner. It's not possible any more. Drifting is still a big part about this game, but its not faster to drive on a straight route like an S looks and be faster than a guy who just takes the shortest possible way. Conclusion: The graphics look sharp, the animations are great, the new items make sense and last but not least the courses are beautiful and great to play on. Hell yeah, even the hated "Rainbow Boulevard" isn't such a dissapointing route like it was on Mario Kart Wii. This game is the best Mario Kart u can get for money and the online mode is working very well too. To be honest i can't even think about a single bad thing in this game.

    Thanks Ninetndo, you brought the game back to a guy who thought the series died after Mario Kart 64.    … Expand
  38. JakeWarburton
    Mar 9, 2012
    7
    Good points:
    -Fun gameplay
    -Fun online, provided you don't get disconnected often like I do... -Good replayability -Kart customisation -Different game modes. Grand Prix, Vs Race, Time trial, Coin battle, Balloon battle. -Land, sea, air. You can be driving one minute and the next underwater with a propellor or gliding through the air. Bad points: -Blue shells got EVEN MORE annoying. Now    Good points:
    -Fun gameplay
    -Fun online, provided you don't get disconnected often like I do...
    -Good replayability
    -Kart customisation
    -Different game modes. Grand Prix, Vs Race, Time trial, Coin battle, Balloon battle.
    -Land, sea, air. You can be driving one minute and the next underwater with a propellor or gliding through the air.

    Bad points:
    -Blue shells got EVEN MORE annoying. Now they run along the road taking out people who aren't even in first.
    -Rubber banding: Doesn't matter how skilled you are, they will always catch up. Some may call this fun, I call it a pain in the arse. When combined with homing shells, this can mean the difference between a clear win and coming in last. Seriously, I've been bombarded on the last race of a grand prix 10 meters before the finish line by 3 different CPU opponents and ended up coming next to last.
    -Glitches. There are a couple of known glitches in races at the moment meaning what could have been your favourite track is now your worst nightmare. Nintendo are NOT patching this in order to "keep things fair for early adopters vs. newcomers." The game won't be going down in price any time soon so you might as well grab it if you plan on buying it.    … Expand
  39. rubin
    Dec 26, 2012
    9
    Wonderful! What I like best about this game that it stays true to the "portable" spirit. It's simply perfect for killing time between classes, in a bus, waiting in line for the doctor and the like. While this might make your "casual radar" go wild, make no mistake, MK7 is a very well crafted game with a strong multiplayer feature. Simply seeing the amount of detail put into the tracksWonderful! What I like best about this game that it stays true to the "portable" spirit. It's simply perfect for killing time between classes, in a bus, waiting in line for the doctor and the like. While this might make your "casual radar" go wild, make no mistake, MK7 is a very well crafted game with a strong multiplayer feature. Simply seeing the amount of detail put into the tracks makes my heart jump with joy. The racing mechanics are very good; the new gliding feature is super fun and works particularly well with the 3D (Alpine Pass is simply breathtaking). Cart customisation (which affects the way cart behaves) + 16 different characters (17 when you add Mii) allow you to add personal touch to your racing. Overall it's a very solid game that makes for a perfect introduction to a great system that is 3DS.… Expand
  40. Brandonk917
    Mar 24, 2012
    8
    The newest entry of Mario Kart is definitely fun with some glaring faults. There is no mission mode this time around which is a real shame. Single player consists of grand prix, time trial, and battle. Grand prix has eight cups with four having new courses and the rest with old tracks. Time trial has yourself trying to beat your own times with an option to race ghosts. Battle mode is aThe newest entry of Mario Kart is definitely fun with some glaring faults. There is no mission mode this time around which is a real shame. Single player consists of grand prix, time trial, and battle. Grand prix has eight cups with four having new courses and the rest with old tracks. Time trial has yourself trying to beat your own times with an option to race ghosts. Battle mode is a disappointment. There are only six tracks with coin battle being broken since once you have ten coins, you can't grab any more. This makes you just run away for the rest of the race. The main reason you would want this game is for the multiplayer. The online is flawless with a constant sixty frames per second. There is also no snaking anymore which is a huge plus. If you are a Mario Kart fan, you owe yourself to to purchase this fun experience for the 3DS.… Expand
  41. Magejutsu
    Jan 25, 2013
    10
    Take the amazing online introduced in Mario Kart Wii, add some nice new stages, make it portable, and your ready to roll with this 3DS must purchase. Although the character roster seemed so lacking it was hardly enough to put me off from the rest of the game. It's what you expect from Mario Kart and a little more.
  42. TheSmartGuy
    May 5, 2012
    10
    A fantastic game, like all Mario Kart games! But there is a lack of content, no Waluigi, and the computer f--king cheats like there's no tomorrow. On the plus side there is a really fun on-line mode, cart customization, and mind-blowing graphics and 3D effect.
  43. VeryCrispy
    Jun 9, 2012
    9
    A very solid version of Mario Kart and currently one of my favorite 3DS games. I really enjoy the variety of characters and kart components. I also really like the online play. It is very easy to get into some good matches with some random people. The community mode is interesting but I haven't had much success with it. I can't really fault Mario Kart for that but more that 3DS playersA very solid version of Mario Kart and currently one of my favorite 3DS games. I really enjoy the variety of characters and kart components. I also really like the online play. It is very easy to get into some good matches with some random people. The community mode is interesting but I haven't had much success with it. I can't really fault Mario Kart for that but more that 3DS players aren't as abundant as Nintendo probably would have hoped. With Mario Kart and the other new releases like Heroes of Ruin and Kid Icarus hopefully it will become more popular and make the community mode more relevant.

    Single player mode is great though and excellent for casual gaming. I strongly recommend picking up this game and it definitely makes having a 3DS worthwhile.    … Expand
  44. nbajunior
    Jul 4, 2012
    9
    Mario Kart 7 is a very good 3ds game with a lot of content. It is an absolout must have! The small character roster and same extra game modes(balloon battle & coin runners) keep this from being a 10. If they would of just added two more modes and a few more characters it would of been a perfect ten. Overall this is a must have.
  45. Piplup1144
    Nov 25, 2012
    10
    This game is like a advanced version of Mario Kart since it had to do with Streetpass, Spotpass, online 8 players, underwater race, air race, and more! There are so many new features in this game. This game may get boring, but it's one fun game to play. Players who played the older Mario Kart game might enjoy this game and also who is new to Mario Kart. Instead of choosing a selected car,This game is like a advanced version of Mario Kart since it had to do with Streetpass, Spotpass, online 8 players, underwater race, air race, and more! There are so many new features in this game. This game may get boring, but it's one fun game to play. Players who played the older Mario Kart game might enjoy this game and also who is new to Mario Kart. Instead of choosing a selected car, you can customize your own car in 3 different parts. These 3 parts are: Body(This is where you sit), and Wheels(This is needed for driving), and Wings(You don't want to fall 100 feet!). This game is worth it and if you're tired of hold the game card of Mario Kart 7, you can always download it for 40 dollars.… Expand
  46. WhiteTalpa
    Jan 12, 2013
    7
    Once again Nintendo show why Mario Kart is still one of the best game series on any console. The game looks great, the new features do really add to the gameplay and the only multiplayer is great. If you own a 3DS you have to but this game.
  47. StrangerMonco
    Dec 7, 2012
    8
    I love mariokart 7. i think its the best or at least joint best with with DoubleDash. It handles great and looks great. the lack of characters is a dissapointment though. and the new tracks are good, but the choice of classic tracks are a massive let downs. i expected to see more super mario kart/mariokart 64/mariokart super circuit/doubledash tracks, but we get a mixture of those with WIII love mariokart 7. i think its the best or at least joint best with with DoubleDash. It handles great and looks great. the lack of characters is a dissapointment though. and the new tracks are good, but the choice of classic tracks are a massive let downs. i expected to see more super mario kart/mariokart 64/mariokart super circuit/doubledash tracks, but we get a mixture of those with WII and DS tracks. WTF. they arent classics, they are recent. dont include them in. we want nostalgia. Mariokart WII is the WORST mariokart yet. and im soo glad nintendo redeemed themselves with 7. they also didnt even pick the best tracks from the DS and WII version. i think what could have been improved also is the lack of characters and lack of customisations. you should have a lot of customisations to begin with, and be able to unlock more and more more frequently. not do 8 races to unlock 1 set of tires youre not going to use. ive always been an acceleration man myself but when it comes to customisation im presented the same problem i had with mass effect 1. with mass effect 1 you would get some amazing armour, with the best stats, but it was green and pink and looked like turd; then you get some amazing, bolt metal, heavy machine armour, but its stats are awful. With mariokart 7, my best combination is to have a bumblebee car, small puny tires and a parachute. the car looks awful, but has the best stats for me. id prefer it if you picked the stats you want, and had the customisations you want. i know this kinda defeats the point of customisation. but do we really need it? its fun and good....if its done properly but i suppose for the first to include customisations, its done a pretty good job. i would recommend mk7 to anyone, and it will take many many hours of your time. oh and 1 more thing i dont like...they took out that options mode where you could create a little vinyl to have on the front of your car. that would have been perfect for street pass, so i dont know why theyve taken it out :/… Expand
  48. Victory
    Dec 11, 2012
    9
    I'd say this is one of the better Mario Kart games out there. I enjoyed it more than the Wii version and the old DS version. I'd recommend this over the others due to the greater variety of sections, where you can drive under water for a little bit or use a glider. This breaks up the action nicely so it is not as monotonous as previous games. One thing I will say on the negative side isI'd say this is one of the better Mario Kart games out there. I enjoyed it more than the Wii version and the old DS version. I'd recommend this over the others due to the greater variety of sections, where you can drive under water for a little bit or use a glider. This breaks up the action nicely so it is not as monotonous as previous games. One thing I will say on the negative side is the amount of levels is the same as always, 4 new cups and 4 revamped old school cups from previous game making up 16 tracks in total. If you have played all the Mario IKarts to death like me then the old cups are slightly.. well.. been there done that.. While not a bad number it's just a big boring sometimes to see the same set up with every release.… Expand
  49. FaloRoy
    Dec 14, 2012
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game is definitely one of the better Mario Kart games made so far, in spite of the feeling that it is somewhat rushed. Game play has gotten the addition of gliders and underwater driving, both of which do feel like a nice change from the usual driving experience in previous games. Both allowed me to find alternate routes and even some shortcuts, so they really do work. The kart handling in these areas do vary with different combinations, some will work better than others, but the experience is satisfying. My only problem with these two features is that on a few of the tracks they do feel pretty useless, like the underwater driving on N64 Koopa Beach. Otherwise, they are cool new additions that don't screw up the game play. The single player offering is solid with the usual circuit racing, battle mode, and time trials. The new tracks are colorful and creative, and do offer their own sort of challenge to the game, like Music Park and the new Rainbow Road. Retro tracks are also nice and utilize the new track add-ons effectively, for the most part. Battle mode is decent, but I wished the new courses actually had some gliding and underwater driving. In spite of that all the tracks are pretty cool, too. Plus, collecting data via Streetpass can get you another person's ghosts and their own created Grand Prix, which is an interesting versus mode-like way to play. While it doesn't have the options of Vs. mode, if you like the tracks in this game, then the custom Grand Prix will be an enjoyable experience. Multiplayer mode is amazing, especially the online, which is really the best so far. The ability to play in communities with set rules is a nice change from just entering random matches. You can also play against registered friends, past opponents, and people you've met by way of Streetpass as another way to join a game. I was even able to see my record against them and even what mode they where playing in (Battle or Race). That, along with very little lag, no hackers, and the patch to fix glitch abuse on some of the tracks makes this a big improvement in the online department. As for the local multiplayer it is just as good as what the DS version offered, and I found no problems with that either. The items have been toned down, and some were taken out (like the POW block) to scale back the luck element, and take my word for it: it's for the best. The new items also don't feel too over-powered. The Lucky 7 is very useful and not frequent, the Fire Flower can be annoying at times, but is a great projectile weapon, and the Tanooki Tail is good for close-combat and defense as long as you're patient with it. I was only annoyed by the Blue Shell's ability to roll me to a side, although it rarely threw me off the track and I do feel like that complaint is being over-blown by some people. The game itself does lean towards pure racing rather than luck so that better drivers will finish higher most of the time, which is great for the serious gamers. The sound is superb, with many catchy tunes for each course, and the character voices didn't annoy me a lot either. Graphics are great for the platform and the 3D effect is nice to look at as well. Section tracks were a cool new feature, kart customization is simple, but not too streamlined, and the first-person view with gyro controls works surprisingly well. The only problem with gyro controls is that you are using them on a handheld, so it will feel awkward at first. The character list is pretty good, even though they did take out some popular ones from past games, and the character list size of 17 is actually not that bad for a 3DS game. Sense of speed in this game is pretty nice for a Mario Kart game, and not too boring. They did bring back coins to increase speed and unlock new kart parts, which is also nice to aim for in a race. The tweaks to the game may be conservative, but Mario Kart is at the point where the core elements have been so tampered with, that they have found the right spot in this game.
    All-in-all, this game is excellent. I do wish the single-player offering was a little deeper, the characters choices a little better, and the new battle tracks a bit more inspired, but those are really just minor problems. Multiplayer is better than ever, tracks are great, game play is well-done, and the game is fun all-around. Must-own if you have a 3DS or are a fan of Mario Kart.    … Expand
  50. jimmer_winner
    Feb 21, 2013
    9
    This Mario Kart may not have had as big of an impact on its system as Mario Kart DS did, but it is unquestionably the best Mario Kart yet. The controls are very smooth and precise, and I have my own customized kart that I can maneuver almost perfectly. I was disappointed that there was no traditional versus mode with just one player and computers, but maybe that was something only IThis Mario Kart may not have had as big of an impact on its system as Mario Kart DS did, but it is unquestionably the best Mario Kart yet. The controls are very smooth and precise, and I have my own customized kart that I can maneuver almost perfectly. I was disappointed that there was no traditional versus mode with just one player and computers, but maybe that was something only I enjoyed. The lack of missions didn't bother me. The graphics for the most part were amazing, the best yet, although some character models like Bowser still seemed kind of clunky. The tracks weren't as memorable as past ones felt, but after going back to play Mario Kart DS, Mario Kart 7's tracks seemed a lot more complete and satisfying in comparison. The re-addition of coins is great as well. Mii characters are forgettable. Some character choices are questionable, especially the lack of Waluigi... but this is definitely the best Mario Kart I've ever played.… Expand
  51. Matt1251
    Mar 28, 2013
    10
    Wow. Just wow. Between this and all the other Mario Kart games, this franchise is, hands down, my favorite VG franchise ever. Firstly, the courses. The courses have a great deal of diversity to them. From the simplicity of Toad Circuit and Luigi Raceway to the epicness of Rainbow Road, all of the courses were very fun to play. Second, the karts. Where do I begin? Really,Wow. Just wow. Between this and all the other Mario Kart games, this franchise is, hands down, my favorite VG franchise ever. Firstly, the courses. The courses have a great deal of diversity to them. From the simplicity of Toad Circuit and Luigi Raceway to the epicness of Rainbow Road, all of the courses were very fun to play. Second, the karts. Where do I begin? Really, everywhere! The kart customization, never before seen in a Mario game, shines. My personal favorite is the Soda Jet with mushroom wheels and the paraglider. I'm telling you, the possibilities are endless. Finally, the online play. Let me just say this: About 90% of my time playing this game is for the online. The new addition of communities is nice. It's also very challenging in some of them to get to the top of the leaderboard. You start with 1000 VR, or BR if you like battles instead of racing. From my knowledge, the limit is 99,999 VR(BR). My goal is to get to 10,000 sometime. About 5,800 to go! Overall, this game is quite possibly the best Mario Kart game yet, and I look for more in the future!… Expand
  52. angryjoe1111
    May 5, 2013
    9
    This series has been a popular success, boosting Mario's popularity. Mario Kart 7 is no exception. Really good Streetpass content, one of the best online games, more wacky races and an enhanced battle mode. An almost perfect game excluded by the lack of a VS mode to play in a shorter period of time. Definitely recommended for all of you gamers who need a challenge.
  53. MrJagermeister
    Jun 16, 2013
    8
    Just like the console version! Very fun! Shame about no cross-play features though The main downside is the game can make you feel quite noxious when driving (especially in 3D).
  54. PurplesGameRoom
    Sep 13, 2013
    10
    THIS GAME IS AWESOME! Best racing game I've ever played! I love the battle mode too! The new items are,well,pretty much useful. But I think the best part is the Internet Multiplayer. 10/10.
  55. AmACheeseburger
    Sep 18, 2014
    8
    This is a good game, but why did they take versus out, except for in multiplayer? Also, I don't play online much anymore, because people cheat, for example, when, on Toad Circuit, I was winning by the distance of the long turn, when, in the middle of my last lap, the guy I was playing against teleported in front of the finish line and won. Or, in Battle Mode, when this guy kept slowingThis is a good game, but why did they take versus out, except for in multiplayer? Also, I don't play online much anymore, because people cheat, for example, when, on Toad Circuit, I was winning by the distance of the long turn, when, in the middle of my last lap, the guy I was playing against teleported in front of the finish line and won. Or, in Battle Mode, when this guy kept slowing down shells, and sending them around him. STOP CHEATING, PEOPLE!… Expand
  56. Blueghost136
    Jun 2, 2014
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game is amazing with all of the kart customizations and I do believe that driving under water is one of the best things that you can do in this game. And the fact that underwater looks beautiful. And that they put in some of the fan favorite tracks from Mario kart wii. I do even like that you can get gold kart parts… Expand
  57. dmelendez34
    Nov 10, 2014
    10
    I played MK8 before playing this one but I was not disappointed at all, especially when I saw the battle mode maps that MK8 is seriously lacking.

    The new tracks are great looking and fun to drive on. The classic tracks are well done as well. I have only unlocked a few things so far (almost done with 50cc) but just like MK8 it looks like there is tons to open up... slowly but surely.    I played MK8 before playing this one but I was not disappointed at all, especially when I saw the battle mode maps that MK8 is seriously lacking.

    The new tracks are great looking and fun to drive on. The classic tracks are well done as well.

    I have only unlocked a few things so far (almost done with 50cc) but just like MK8 it looks like there is tons to open up... slowly but surely.

    I went online once and enjoyed the experience as well. Easy matchmaking and it didn't take forever. No lag during the race as well.

    Looking forward to several hours of fun with this one just like all the Mario Kart games.    … Expand
  58. le-weirdo
    Jun 28, 2014
    10
    my favorite Mario kart so far, i didn't expect much from this game, but it BLEW me away. the game introduced gliding, underwater riding what add so mutch too the gameplay. this time you can make your own cart whit coins you will find on the courses. there are new character like shy guy (was also in the DS) and queen bee. the track are the best upgrade since the last games. some tracks aremy favorite Mario kart so far, i didn't expect much from this game, but it BLEW me away. the game introduced gliding, underwater riding what add so mutch too the gameplay. this time you can make your own cart whit coins you will find on the courses. there are new character like shy guy (was also in the DS) and queen bee. the track are the best upgrade since the last games. some tracks are made for your new power-ups. trust me when i say that the new rainbow road is THE BEST TRACK EVER. and the music.................................. BETTER THAN EVERY OTHER MARIO KART EVER. and the online multiplayer is what me got into the game, i have spend hours and hours into that. but whit all of this, a am soooooo proud i own this game.… Expand
  59. Mariofan
    Mar 1, 2015
    8
    Great Mario Kart game! My 4th favourite so far. The graphics are great for 3DS. The tracks are awesome! The character selection is okay but not great. The controls are perfect and not buggy at all. Mario Kart 7 is a must buy for all 3DS owners. Would have got a 9 if there was a VS mode.
  60. Beastprogamer
    Feb 26, 2015
    9
    Second best Mario Kart game with first being Mario Kart Wii. The characters are okay,the graphics are stunning,the stages and courses are the best. Maka Wuhu is my favourite stage and my time trial best is approximately 1 min. and 10sec. Online is decent. I like how the Mario Kart Channel came back and the please wait a moment sound effect was also reused from Mario Kart Wii. One of theSecond best Mario Kart game with first being Mario Kart Wii. The characters are okay,the graphics are stunning,the stages and courses are the best. Maka Wuhu is my favourite stage and my time trial best is approximately 1 min. and 10sec. Online is decent. I like how the Mario Kart Channel came back and the please wait a moment sound effect was also reused from Mario Kart Wii. One of the best handheld game of ALL-TIME and you should definitely go pick it up. Would have been an 10/10 if they had Solo VS mode where you against AI Opponents and choosing stage.… Expand
  61. Sandy34
    Aug 5, 2015
    10
    This was the first game I ever played on the 3DS, and I could not be more happy with how it turned out. With some beautiful graphics, great controls, and some very nice additions from the last game in the series, I feeled like I was actually riding in a go-kart through this entire game. The 3D in this game actually helps , and makes it feel much more crisp than previous installments. IThis was the first game I ever played on the 3DS, and I could not be more happy with how it turned out. With some beautiful graphics, great controls, and some very nice additions from the last game in the series, I feeled like I was actually riding in a go-kart through this entire game. The 3D in this game actually helps , and makes it feel much more crisp than previous installments. I think that this might be the best Mario Kart game.… Expand
  62. Figster512
    May 27, 2016
    10
    This is the best Mario Kart game. It has well-designed tracks as well as the usual 16 retro tracks, customizable karts, a large lineup of characters, and great graphics for a 3DS game. You unlock karts, characters, and parts through Grand Prix races. The online mode works really well with constant full lobbies and virtually no lag. Local multiplayer is great as well. Overall I have noThis is the best Mario Kart game. It has well-designed tracks as well as the usual 16 retro tracks, customizable karts, a large lineup of characters, and great graphics for a 3DS game. You unlock karts, characters, and parts through Grand Prix races. The online mode works really well with constant full lobbies and virtually no lag. Local multiplayer is great as well. Overall I have no complaints about this game and it is an essential for owners of a 3DS.… Expand
  63. GamecubeLover
    Aug 1, 2016
    7
    Mario Kart 7 is good but probably the worse in the series. I think the game has a BAD selection of characters and the courses are similar to other mario kart courses. This game is also another way to use Miis but the concept is overused.
  64. Sausage22
    Nov 7, 2017
    8
    Great Mario Kart game, adds many things and improves on Wii edition. Only luckluster is small cast of characters. Looks and sounds great. Stable and playable online mode, its not very common for 3ds games.
  65. TheOkCringe
    Apr 26, 2020
    7
    This game is all right, but certainly not a perfect title. The game definitely offers some innovative mechanics, and some pretty memorable courses, but the overall feel of this game if kind of awkward. The battle feels lackluster, especially with the 10 coin limit in Coin Runners, which makes no sense. Nothing totally wrong with the title, but it only got a 6.83 out of 10 from me, makingThis game is all right, but certainly not a perfect title. The game definitely offers some innovative mechanics, and some pretty memorable courses, but the overall feel of this game if kind of awkward. The battle feels lackluster, especially with the 10 coin limit in Coin Runners, which makes no sense. Nothing totally wrong with the title, but it only got a 6.83 out of 10 from me, making it my 6th favorite title.… Expand
  66. modeVII
    Dec 4, 2011
    9
    After playing all the cups at least one, and some of the early ones a few more times with out kart configurations, quick synopsis of this latest Mario Kart is that it is tentatively brilliant.

    The first obvious change when start racing is the feel. It's closer to the Wii version with the sliding. There's no left-right wiggle as with the DS version; you hold the slide as long as possible    After playing all the cups at least one, and some of the early ones a few more times with out kart configurations, quick synopsis of this latest Mario Kart is that it is tentatively brilliant.

    The first obvious change when start racing is the feel. It's closer to the Wii version with the sliding. There's no left-right wiggle as with the DS version; you hold the slide as long as possible to build the boost. Most obvious is that it feels so sluggish to the DS. There you can flick the kart all over the place. Also, driving on dirt kills you! It slows you down so much and can barely steer. This is where the "monster" tyres come in, if you choose to select. Obviously you lose general handling and acceleration.

    Equally with the Wii, tracks are quite elaborate, and seem generally brilliant. Need more time to decide - to see how they cope in full race mode once familiarity sets, push karts and tracks to their limits. Already it seems they have a good learning curve to really excel, especially with the karts with lesser handling and acceleration.

    Also new is when you hop at the crest of a jump, you get a small boost on landing. I believe something similar in Wii where you'd waggle for a trick. Works really well in 3DS.

    The glider addition works well. By hopping off jumps and angling the glide, allows some strategy in gliding, whether diving for coins, or creating lift to clear sections of track.

    The 3D is good. I use it all the time. Of course, it's not necessary to enjoy the game.

    Difficulty is much the same as other MKs - ie: easy! In my first go (150cc), I played all new cups for a 1st (two attempts), 1st, 3rd & 4th. On retro cups, did first two for 1st & 1st. A friend defeated both final cups on first attempt, the retro one winning all races. He owned Wii MK so was able to adapt easily to the handling. He raced with high acceleration and handling configuration. The big advice with the difficulty is to use heavier karts and fatter tyres - ie: reduce acceleration and handling. That, along with using a fatter character, will substantially increase the challenge. I've made this my personal challenge to defeat the game on standard kart and wheels. So far, in about 7 attempts, racing on the first 3 new cups, not even close to winning any.

    Best of all with MK7, standard MK cheapness is there. Meaning that while often it seems unfair, it never is. Racing to hold of the hoard and even winning against the odds, it's still so satisfying. Remember also that tables will turn. One race I was leading for most of the last lap, then got hammered with blue shell and fireballs, dropping to 7th. I was furious. Then picked up a lightning and glided over in first. If there's some criticisms, it's is that the fake item is no longer part of your arsenal. While 16 new and 16 old tracks sounds nice, why not 20 new and 60 old? Even easier, why not tracks to be raced in reverse (not mirror). Sure some will need jumps or zippers to make them work. So! Add it. That immediately doubles the tracks available. Also, how about a track creator like Mod Nations Racer? My only hope is that Nintendo will add this in time. At least DLC for new tracks. This fascist way that Nintendo works has bothered me for years. As the review says here, custom options should be any combination of items, not just a single item. I'd love to set triple-reds and tails in a custom race. Why can't I?

    Other changes are all positive. Gone is the horrible POW weapon introduced for Wii that knocked out everyone ahead of you. Add to the fact the grid is back to 8 racers from 12, it means for a far more fluid race. New weapons include the Tanooki Tail to whip nearby karts and block weapons, and a Fire Flower that allows shooting fireballs forwards or backwards. Both are great. The Lucky 7 (7 items all out your disposal) surprisingly doesn't over-power the game. In fact, often they are not all used for you lose them from someone else's attack.

    The next test is the online and just see how the game really excels and its overall balance - because the multi-player is the true measure of the game. While I rate MK DS as easily the best of the series, it was plagued with the "snakers" that could turbo-wiggle the entire course. The revised sliding method on MK7 means that MK7 has potential to be at least a close second if the balance no adverse exploitation is there. Right now, two friends that swore off buying a 3DS and MK7 already see the potential. One has bought the game and a 3DS with the other very much considering it.    … Expand
  67. Phalanx2006
    Dec 4, 2011
    9
    I have played every Mario Kart title to date and this one has the best online multiplayer yet. In fact it has the best multiplayer of any Nintendo published title to date, in my opinion. The communities feature is a really nice touch. I would have given it a 10/10 if not for the requirement of friend codes. The tracks are a great mix of old and new and the ghost data obtained throughI have played every Mario Kart title to date and this one has the best online multiplayer yet. In fact it has the best multiplayer of any Nintendo published title to date, in my opinion. The communities feature is a really nice touch. I would have given it a 10/10 if not for the requirement of friend codes. The tracks are a great mix of old and new and the ghost data obtained through StreetPass is a great use of the feature. Now if only they did something about those friend codes....… Expand
  68. Ironmonger
    Dec 17, 2011
    7
    The game was good, but not great. The glider and under water capabilities do add new dimensions, but they aren't in the races enough. The glider is only used is a little over half the races. Even when it is used, the average glide lasts no more than 6 sec. Being under water is cool, but the only difference between water and land is a slower discent and wider drifting. My three main NOsThe game was good, but not great. The glider and under water capabilities do add new dimensions, but they aren't in the races enough. The glider is only used is a little over half the races. Even when it is used, the average glide lasts no more than 6 sec. Being under water is cool, but the only difference between water and land is a slower discent and wider drifting. My three main NOs were: 1.) Only half the courses were new. Yes, it is cool to relive old courses, and I didn't see every game, so some were new. However, the Mario Kart DS (first for DS) game had every course new, which was awsome! 2.) The battle courses are kind of boring. Mario kart DS had battle courses with levels the fight above and below others. 3.) the biggest one, THEY REMOVED THE CHALLENGE MODE!!! Mario kart DS had a mode where you could do unusual talks in a kart leading up to mario kart boss battles. That part of the game was my favorite!!! *P.S. To Nintendo: would a storyline in the game hurt at all?… Expand
  69. realgamefan
    Dec 21, 2011
    10
    Mario Kart is back and better than ever. Beautiful graphics, fantastic courses, and awesome online. The online is the best Nintendo ever produced. Mario Kart 7 gets my highest recommendation to 3DS owners and newcomers to the system. Fun, Fun, fun!
  70. Luigibarqs
    Dec 10, 2011
    8
    Mario Kart 7 is the third Mario Kart game for portable Nintendo consoles and the seventh Mario Kart game overall (excluding the spinoffs Mario Kart GP 1 & 2 for arcades which featured a crossover between the Super Mario series and the Pac-Man series). The game consists of 13 characters with 5 of which being unlockable. The starting line up of 8 characters you get when you first start theMario Kart 7 is the third Mario Kart game for portable Nintendo consoles and the seventh Mario Kart game overall (excluding the spinoffs Mario Kart GP 1 & 2 for arcades which featured a crossover between the Super Mario series and the Pac-Man series). The game consists of 13 characters with 5 of which being unlockable. The starting line up of 8 characters you get when you first start the game consists of Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Princess Peach Toadstool, Kinopio Toad, Koopa Troopa, Donkey Kong (previously known as Donkey Kong Jr. in the SNES title, his father being Donkey Kong Sr./Cranky Kong from the Donkey Kong arcade game) and King Bowser Koopa which is the exact same cast as Super Mario Kart for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and Super Famicom. The main gameplay gimmicks consist of performing tricks off of ramps with the R button to gain speed boosts, gathering coins to gain small boosts and slightly increase top speed and acceleration but the benefit maxes out at 10 coins, utilizing a glider and propeller to guild yourself around both in the air and in the water respectively, using drift boosts to speed up, and finally for the first time ever in a Mario Kart game, the ability to switch between First Person and Third Person driving views. For the first time in the Mario Kart Series since Mario Kart 3: Super Circuit for Gameboy Advanced there is two Rainbow Road tracks available for selection. Two mechanics, Drafting which has been significantly empowered and Drift Boost which have been significantly nerfed return however the Snaking concept which was a popular use of the drift boost mechanic in Mario Kart 5: DS for significantly increasing speed seems to be next to impossible to pull off thanks to the new game mechanics. The Single Player offline experience has been significantly minimized since Mario Kart DS mostly due to the Mission Mode and VS Mode being dropped leaving only Gran Prix Mode, Time Trials Mode, Balloon Battle Mode and Coin Runners Mode as the only single player modes. On the other hand, the Multiplayer modes have had a major content upgrade, Wireless play and Download play give you access to all tracks and far more content than in its DS prequel. Wifi modes consists of 2-8 player racing and battling, you can also create personalized community server groups with your own personal rules and game modes that can be accessed by a password code and later saved to a favourites list for later easy access. Once a day get a download of various content to your Mario Kart 7 channel (if connected to Wifi) such as ghost data to race against in single player and various other challenges and activities leaving you with some replay value for offline single player play. In online you now have a Virtual Ranking score (VR) as well as a win and loss list.
    Your VR increases if you place in the higher ranks, it decreases if you disconnect during a race and it stays the same if you place low. People that you meet in wifi races will be recorded so you can track them if you want a rematch and their information also added to Mii Plaza and games with similar features like Super Mario Land 3D. If you are expecting an in depth multiplayer and online experience, you should probably get this game, if you want an in depth single player or offline experience, you should probably look elsewhere.    … Expand
  71. Wormoid
    Dec 5, 2011
    9
    It's not a joke, this is Mario Kart at it's best yet! Mario Kart 3DS is the 7th entry in the long running Mario Kart series, and it has made the biggest leap in the Mario Kart series to date. The courses themselves are obviously created by some of Nintendo's greatest minds, and unlike Mario Kart Wii, the courses are tight, well made, and allow for expert play. 16 characters and not farIt's not a joke, this is Mario Kart at it's best yet! Mario Kart 3DS is the 7th entry in the long running Mario Kart series, and it has made the biggest leap in the Mario Kart series to date. The courses themselves are obviously created by some of Nintendo's greatest minds, and unlike Mario Kart Wii, the courses are tight, well made, and allow for expert play. 16 characters and not far from hundreds of Kart combinations, the seasoned player can easily get a combination that suits them well. Time trialing has received extra emphasis, and the effort is clear to see in it's entirety. Daily entries from Nintendo and Retro Studios make you come back for more each day. Furthermore, Online is much improved, it follows Marion Kart Wii's set up but drops the previous lag which allows for racing online at a smooth 60 Frames Per Second, even in 3D. Communities allow groups of people to get together and play each other, and even have leaderboards to keep you coming back to try and get to the top. However, it's not without it's faults. The lack of Event mode and minor item inbalance (Although well improved from MK Wii) hinders 7 from achieving a perfect score, but it's the best Mario Kart yet. And quite possibly one of the best racers ever.… Expand
  72. OttawaExile
    Nov 29, 2012
    9
    I'm not that into racing games so for someone like me to give a racing game 9 out of 10 you know it's good. The driving mechanics are tight and responsive, drifting to boost is always rewarding. There is an impressive library of courses and you can tackle each one several ways. I enjoyed being able to customize my Kart and the fact that a glider will pop out when you are airborne was a funI'm not that into racing games so for someone like me to give a racing game 9 out of 10 you know it's good. The driving mechanics are tight and responsive, drifting to boost is always rewarding. There is an impressive library of courses and you can tackle each one several ways. I enjoyed being able to customize my Kart and the fact that a glider will pop out when you are airborne was a fun addition. The online is very well done and lots of fun. It is a game a hardcore gamer can enjoy or you can toss it to a first timer and they will get the hang of it very quickly. I do wish you could make your own courses like modnation racers but with a library so big your not going to get bored anytime soon. Great work nintendo MarioKart keeps its place at the top of the kart racing pyramid.… Expand
  73. JD_Chambers
    Feb 24, 2013
    7
    Mario Kart 7 was in my opinion a good game. Its what you would expect of a Mario Kart game. The gameplay is familiar, and quite good, and i sunk hours into it. The only things that bothered me were small things like the lack of characters from previous games. The character roster being rather small compared to what I thought it would be. Waluigi, Dry Bones, Dry Bowser, Birdo, Funky Kong,Mario Kart 7 was in my opinion a good game. Its what you would expect of a Mario Kart game. The gameplay is familiar, and quite good, and i sunk hours into it. The only things that bothered me were small things like the lack of characters from previous games. The character roster being rather small compared to what I thought it would be. Waluigi, Dry Bones, Dry Bowser, Birdo, Funky Kong, as well as a few others, have been ignored in favor of some less important characters (IMO) such as Lakitu, Metal Mario, Wiggler, and the Queen Bee from the Mario Galaxy series. I mean c'mon why would you take Waluigi from us? The 10 coin limit is also rather annoying when you are trying to unlock different car parts. All in all, its worthy to pick up, but it could have had a lot more unlockables, maybe a few new modes to shake up the mix, and easier online capabilities.… Expand
  74. razokev
    Dec 5, 2011
    9
    I am going to be fair with my review. 9 because I love it and everything it's awesome but I have not been able to play online. And my internet works fine with everything.
  75. greekaussie
    Dec 12, 2011
    9
    bloomin greatgame is all i can say. i didnt like the gamecube one nor the wii one but this one has restored my faith in the big N. truth be told i was a big knocker of the 3ds but this game coupled with mario land 3d has given me some great fun gaming. (and im normally not one for handheld systems)
  76. Serin
    Dec 13, 2011
    8
    Honesty time: I haven't played Mario Kart since the original on the SNES. That being said, I REALLY love this game! All the customization options are fun, the racing itself is easy to grasp (and takes some work to master), and it looks very pretty in 3D. I got it on an impulse buy, and it's turned into something both me AND my wife enjoy playing to relax in the evenings after work. TheHonesty time: I haven't played Mario Kart since the original on the SNES. That being said, I REALLY love this game! All the customization options are fun, the racing itself is easy to grasp (and takes some work to master), and it looks very pretty in 3D. I got it on an impulse buy, and it's turned into something both me AND my wife enjoy playing to relax in the evenings after work. The only thing that subtracts points is the addition of only 16 new tracks and limited options for the rest of the game (battle mode and coin runs). I'm betting they'd be fun to try via wi-fi, but I'm still enjoying the single player mode. Now if only I could 3-star all of those damn mirror tracks...… Expand
  77. dryyoshi7
    Dec 14, 2011
    7
    I have to say, This game wasn't half bad. The tracks were outstanding and the level of creativity was great. I also liked the fact that you can fly in the air or go underwater ( not like mario kart wii were you would just die instantly). Th only let down of this game were a few of the powerups. The tanooki suit was pretty useless and I STILL get annoyed by the blue shell. Overall I giveI have to say, This game wasn't half bad. The tracks were outstanding and the level of creativity was great. I also liked the fact that you can fly in the air or go underwater ( not like mario kart wii were you would just die instantly). Th only let down of this game were a few of the powerups. The tanooki suit was pretty useless and I STILL get annoyed by the blue shell. Overall I give this game 7… Expand
  78. Zero2k
    Dec 25, 2011
    9
    Easily the best Mario Kart experience to date. Re-incarnations of tracks are fantastic and the new ones take great advantage of the underwater and air racing additions. The online experience sets a new standard for the series.
  79. Hasan64
    Jan 17, 2012
    10
    This is simply the most fun and best mario kart game because it has the best graphics, its in 3D and now you can use an analog stick AND its portable.

    The online feature the best aswell!
  80. Farmerboy1992
    Apr 28, 2012
    7
    Excellent example of how a well known game title is not just milked, but also improved every port / new version again.

    But guys, remember: If you give it a ten now, what should the next mario kart Wii-U get? There's no 11 or 12 to be given here...
  81. benjy24
    Mar 9, 2013
    5
    There is no vs and the game is like Diddy Kong racing (airplane=glider and boat=propellers in water). It doesn't help if you can't connect to StreetPass
  82. ThisMustBeHalo
    Jan 4, 2014
    10
    As a long time Mario Kart fan, I can easily say that this game did not disappoint. It somehow managed to take the graphical level of the Wii version, improve on it, and put it in a handheld console. The drifting mechanic has been changed to mimic the Wii's, requiring you to hold left/right continuously rather than wiggle the d-pad left and right. The gliding mechanic works quite well, andAs a long time Mario Kart fan, I can easily say that this game did not disappoint. It somehow managed to take the graphical level of the Wii version, improve on it, and put it in a handheld console. The drifting mechanic has been changed to mimic the Wii's, requiring you to hold left/right continuously rather than wiggle the d-pad left and right. The gliding mechanic works quite well, and is quite fun to play around with. The kart customization is fun to change around and mess with to find your dream kart. The Wi-Fi multiplayer is excellent, and is where I spend most of my time. Even if you don't have an Internet connection, the challenge of obtaining 3 stars on every cup is always there. Overall, I'd say this is one of the best games available for the 3DS, and I would absolutely recommend it for every 3DS owner.… Expand
  83. irixcolirio
    Dec 6, 2011
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. realmente el mejor mario kart el mejor juego de 3ds y un juego que le pelea el uso del online a cualquier otro una maravilla de juego .… Expand
  84. Nuteboy100
    Nov 7, 2016
    4
    Mario Kart 7 was one of Nintendo's big chance to be recognized, and they failed. Horribly. Mario Kart 7 has good game-play, and customization is fine, its that the character roster is very small, only compromises of 12 characters. Online mode is hacked at times, leaving a player vulnerable to being hacked, or meeting hacker on a race, and leaving servers down for maintenance

    Speaking    Mario Kart 7 was one of Nintendo's big chance to be recognized, and they failed. Horribly. Mario Kart 7 has good game-play, and customization is fine, its that the character roster is very small, only compromises of 12 characters. Online mode is hacked at times, leaving a player vulnerable to being hacked, or meeting hacker on a race, and leaving servers down for maintenance

    Speaking of "leaving", Nintendo left some things out. What happened to quick race?! Or what about the beloved missions from Mario Kart DS?!? They decided not to add those.

    That isn't all, the whole game is one big glitch. Maka Wuhu has a glitch that can skip three quarters of the whole track. What promises to be a revolutionary game would've been one if they fixed everything and added what the players wanted.

    I would give this game a skip.    … Expand
  85. wegie125
    Dec 3, 2017
    0
    I don't think they could really mess up Mario Karty, this was by far the most advanced on a handheld. It had potential that they just ignored though. They had a chance to bring back the mission mode from the original mario kart on the DS and it was missed out. Sad to see. So close to perfection
  86. marioisawsome
    Dec 28, 2011
    10
    This game is amazing and with 3d, flying, swimming, new tracks, new charecters, and tons of extras with great online this is the second best game on the 3ds behing super mario 3d land.
  87. Lustikurre
    May 13, 2014
    3
    + New amazing tracks (including 1-way tracks).
    + Aquatic racing and gliding.
    - A.I cheating, - Powerslide babyfied, - Skill = luck - Removed game modes (Single race and Mission mode) If you ever played the DS version of mario kart you know what a mario kart game should play like. Nintendo has removed all skill in this game as the powerslide is now automatic so you cannot catch up    + New amazing tracks (including 1-way tracks).
    + Aquatic racing and gliding.

    - A.I cheating,
    - Powerslide babyfied,
    - Skill = luck
    - Removed game modes (Single race and Mission mode)

    If you ever played the DS version of mario kart you know what a mario kart game should play like. Nintendo has removed all skill in this game as the powerslide is now automatic so you cannot catch up if you're behind or broaden your lead with pure powerslide skills.

    The whole game is mostly based upon luck now. Will you get bombarded with blue shells? The answer is moslty "Yes", especially when you're in the lead at the final lap. You cannot do ANYTHING to avoid them either. On the 1-way tracks the A.I is always faster than you for some odd reason, making it even harder to finish in first place.

    Another let down is the removal of the single race and the mission modes from the DS version.
    I loved being able to play race after race with the cource chosen at random for me, or playing the cool missions once in a while, but Nintendo oddly chose to remove features instead of adding new ones.

    All in all this is a stripped down version of the DS version and my conclusion would be that if you don't own the DS version I'd say give that version a go before this one. Trust me, the gliding and the aquatic racing isn't better than skillful powersliding and more game mode options.    … Expand
  88. cwepahguy225
    Jul 5, 2014
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Mario Kart 7 has a tiny character roster, with lots of crappy characters. Because there is no anti-gravity, hang gliding and underwater racing felt random and out of place. The big downside is the fact that races have only 8 people instead of 12. Customization was cool, but there weren't enough options.… Expand
  89. wafflewithsyrup
    Dec 10, 2011
    5
    I don't really know what to think of this game, it feels like the DS version with prettier graphics, and some other stuff like high-flying and underwater racing (WTF).
  90. TemplarGR
    Sep 9, 2016
    8
    Somewhat boring. I expected more. Don't get me wrong, this is a good Mario Kart game, and totally worthwhile to own if you have a 3DS. But they didn't give it their best, and it shows.

    As it stands, it is your typical franchise sequel: Better graphics, a few gameplay additions here and there, but overall, if you have played prior games in the franchise, this game gets stale fast.    Somewhat boring. I expected more. Don't get me wrong, this is a good Mario Kart game, and totally worthwhile to own if you have a 3DS. But they didn't give it their best, and it shows.

    As it stands, it is your typical franchise sequel: Better graphics, a few gameplay additions here and there, but overall, if you have played prior games in the franchise, this game gets stale fast.

    Worth it to own for some good Mario Kart multiplayer. But this is not among the best 3DS games, and i hope Nintendo makes a better effort for the next gen version.    … Expand
  91. Megoliat
    Dec 12, 2011
    9
    mario kart for 3ds its a great game, more than mario kart wii, but less than doble dash. its a must have for 3ds owners, and its very good in online mode and fun with friends. maybe this need more game modes, but its still a great game. 3ds look cool but graphics can be better. sorry for my english and enjoy this great game.
  92. Cyrose
    Aug 7, 2012
    5
    Frustrating and disappointing, Marion kart DS was much better.
    However, graphics and on-line are great.
    But: -the VS mode has been removed, -no missions -glider customization is totally useless -no speed...
  93. koolkris200
    Jan 8, 2012
    10
    After playing Mario kart 7 it is fun. Because you can fly threw the air and swim in water. and meet new people online or play with your friends but the most thing I like is when you play with someone online you can also get there mii character and create a newer version of that person so it is very cool
  94. OhTheDerp
    May 29, 2012
    9
    This is, without a doubt, the best Mario Kart so far. It would've been absolutely perfect on a console, so let's hope the next Mario Kart for the Wii U (Or whatever they'll name it) will be as good, or even better.
    Smooth, yet tight controlls, fun items and above average CP AI. Even the online gameplay works wonderfully!
  95. Redz0ne
    Apr 16, 2012
    9
    Kart racing at it's best! the 3d works flawlessly and the sheer amount of content is awesome!

    but the best part is the multiplayer... which makes this game constantly challenging (when you're not racing against someone on the buggy Wuhu track to be a dirty, shameless cheater.) can't give this game a perfect score because of the bugged track(s.) otherwise, if you are looking for a racing    Kart racing at it's best! the 3d works flawlessly and the sheer amount of content is awesome!

    but the best part is the multiplayer... which makes this game constantly challenging (when you're not racing against someone on the buggy Wuhu track to be a dirty, shameless cheater.) can't give this game a perfect score because of the bugged track(s.) otherwise, if you are looking for a racing game that's fun, frantic and will keep you coming back for more, this is the game you've been looking for.    … Expand
  96. Tritonio
    Jul 3, 2017
    4
    Meh... Single player is too random for me to enjoy. Feels like you constantly need to focus on item management and when to switch positions with someone else. If you immerse yourself to the actual race (like I want to do when playing a racing game) you'll end up losing at the finishing line because of some shell hitting you. And winning because of a finding a good item at the last momentMeh... Single player is too random for me to enjoy. Feels like you constantly need to focus on item management and when to switch positions with someone else. If you immerse yourself to the actual race (like I want to do when playing a racing game) you'll end up losing at the finishing line because of some shell hitting you. And winning because of a finding a good item at the last moment doesn't feel fulfilling either.

    Multiplayer with strangers is harder but feels more balanced and less random than when playing single player though. Unless you have someone hacking but even then they usually just stay at first place and you can quite often ignore them.    … Expand
  97. AdamPhilipps
    Jan 17, 2012
    8
    The words I
  98. nelzeab
    Jan 16, 2012
    10
    I can't believe the low user score. This game is perfect to pick up and play, whether online or against comp it's great fun. This incarnation feels very similar to the Wii version, and in fact it's visuals are on a par with if not better than the Wii version plus the 3D is solid and convincing. The online features have been improved over the Wii and DS. Most importantly so far I haven'tI can't believe the low user score. This game is perfect to pick up and play, whether online or against comp it's great fun. This incarnation feels very similar to the Wii version, and in fact it's visuals are on a par with if not better than the Wii version plus the 3D is solid and convincing. The online features have been improved over the Wii and DS. Most importantly so far I haven't encountered any "snakers" which eventually stopped me playing the DS version online. If you've got a 3DS, this is why you bought one: classic fun which is what ninty does best.… Expand
  99. Kenmei
    Dec 29, 2011
    8
    A decent game with some really good 3D, this is probably the best racing game on the system hands down. However it is still Mario Kart so you have all those crazy items and such that can really ruin your chances at the worst possible moments. But you wouldn't be playing it if you didn't expect that by this point. It's a good game and the online multiplayer is really solid as well. But it'sA decent game with some really good 3D, this is probably the best racing game on the system hands down. However it is still Mario Kart so you have all those crazy items and such that can really ruin your chances at the worst possible moments. But you wouldn't be playing it if you didn't expect that by this point. It's a good game and the online multiplayer is really solid as well. But it's definitely not the best game on the system and not the best Mario Kart. But it will hold your attention for awhile, especially if you enjoy the series.… Expand
  100. Dragon1008
    Dec 27, 2011
    9
    A very good game.The fly und drive under wather options are fantastic but 3d effekt is not perfekt
    It is the best Mario Kart game ever................
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Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Best 3DS Game of 2011
3
#3 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2011
4
#4 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2011

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 73 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 64 out of 73
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 73
  3. Negative: 0 out of 73
  1. Gameplanet
    Feb 14, 2012
    80
    It's not doing anything revolutionary on it's own, but serves the loyal audience with the best offering Nintendo can muster – and that's pretty good indeed.
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  2. Gamer.no
    Feb 6, 2012
    70
    Unless you are a big Mario Kart-fan, this game might not be worthbuying. By all means, it's fun the way only Mario Kart can be, itlooks more stunning than ever before and if you need new tracks it caneasily offer hours of entertainment. But Nintendo must have made this game on autopilot.
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  3. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Jan 19, 2012
    60
    Arcade racing game cooked by well-tried foolproof recipe entertains you most of the time but there are a few frustrating moments too. [Christmas 2011]
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