Mario Kart 7
Template:Infobox Mario Kart 7 is a racing game for the Nintendo 3DS. It is the ninth installment of the Mario Kart series overall, the seventh in the main series (hence the game's title), and the third on a handheld console. The game was released on December 1, 2011 in Japan, December 2 in Europe, December 3 in Australia, and December 4 in North America. In the game, players will be able to exchange Ghost Data and play online in multiplayer mode.[1] Nintendo stated that the game brings "a bunch of new elements" to the Mario Kart series.[2]
Gameplay
Features
In this new installment of the Mario Kart series, Coins will make a prominent return. Coins have not been featured in this way in the last Mario Kart games since Mario Kart: Super Circuit. Coins are to be found along a race track, and can be underwater, on the road, or in the air. Collecting coins on different tracks will allow the player to unlock vehicle parts used for customization. The option to select classic Mario Kart tracks is also available again in this game. Mario Kart 7 also has some new features. Players can now use air gliders, which can be useful for navigating through the air and also use propellers to drive underwater. In addition, players may now assemble their own karts, rather than select pre-set karts as in older Mario Kart games. It is possible to select the body of the kart, the wheels, and other additional accessories such as the glider, although some parts need to be unlocked before they can be used. When the player is selecting a character and changing things to their kart the selection theme is played.[3] Mario Kart 7 marks the return of the traditional 8 characters per race, as opposed to the total of 12 as seen in the previous installment. It is also be compatible with both SpotPass and StreetPass.[4]
Among other gameplay's innovations is the vehicle's behavior in the courses. Each element to assemble the vehicle will have a function that will grant advantage on certain courses: for example, the type of wheel selected may work well in concrete road, soil or rough terrain that a course may have. Gliders also provide speed and duration for the vehicle when airborne and can be controlled using only the 
. Additionally, driving underwater, the kart's handling, speed and drifting can considerably change compared to when driving on land. Mario Kart 7 also introduces the option to race in first-person view, where the player will watch the race from the character's seat, instead of the usual overview of the track from his/her back in the other six installments. In this view, the player can also see the vehicle's steering wheel in front of the character.
Motorbikes, which made their first appearance in Mario Kart Wii, do not return in the game. However, Tricks, which were also introduced in Mario Kart Wii, come back to be part of Mario Kart 7's gameplay and can be used with Gliders for more speed. Mission Mode is also absent from this game.[5]
Controls
- : Steer
/
: Accelerate
/
: Use Item
: Hop/Drift/Perform tricks in midair.
: Toggle first person view
: Brake/Reverse
Modes
Grand Prix
As usual in the Mario Kart series, Mario Kart 7 has the Grand Prix, where a single player has to compete against computer-controlled opponents in order to obtain the trophies of the eight cups in the game. The Grand Prix has three engine classes, 50cc, 100cc, and 150cc. The higher the engine class, the harder the races will be against the opponents. In this mode, by beating the first cups available, the user unlocks the other cups as well as new elements such as the kart's part (by collecting coins in each race) or a new playable character. By completing all the engine classes available at the start, the player unlocks the Mirror class.
Time Trial
The mode Time Trial allows the player to complete all the laps of a racecourse in the fastest time possible. Mario Kart 7 saves the player's records and the ghost that is the character and vehicle used in the race. Through the Nintendo's Wi-fi Connection, the player can exchange his/her ghost to other players, compare their records and even compete with their ghosts. Up to 7 ghosts can be raced against at the same time, making it an 8-player race.
VS
In Versus, players can customize the races selecting personally the order of the racecourses and change other settings, such as setting the computer difficulty, the requirements to win the races, and the engine class of the player's car and the computer's cars. This mode is not available in Single Player mode. In Download Play, the players that don't have the game Mario Kart 7 in their handhelds play as Shy Guy, like in Mario Kart DS, and are unable to customize their kart.[6]
Battle
In Battle Mode, the player can select one of the two types of battles available in Mario Kart 7 and one of the six battle courses that appear in this mode. 3 of the six battle courses are new, and the remaining 3 battle courses are from previous installments in the series.
Balloon Battle
Racers compete each other by popping the opponent’s balloons to gain points in a time limit. All the racers start with three balloons and must use the items from the Item Boxes to take away a balloon from their opponents. Hitting a rival is worth a score. If the racer has a balloon remaining and is hit, a point will be taken out and will be momentarily out of the battle to respawn with three balloons again and continue to play.
Coin Battle
In Coin Battle (Coin Runners in North America), racers collect the Coins spread in the battle course within the time limit. The racer that has the most Coins at the end wins. Racers can use the items to hit the opponents and let drop the Coins they've taken.
Online Mode
With the Nintendo 3DS's online capabilities, players can look for other users for online play, local or global range. Players can choose a worldwide competition to race against other users that are connected, race with friends that were met via StreetPass or play in communities formed by users with customized rules for the races. Just like in Mario Kart Wii, Mario Kart 7 has the Mario Kart Channel, that shows updates of online activity automatically through the Spotpass and Streetpass. With the StreetPass, the user can exchange their Miis, ghost data from Time Trials, players' names and information of communities, while the SpotPass, the user only will receive ghost datas from other users and information of the communities.
Characters
Mario Kart 7 includes 17 total drivers (8 starting drivers and 9 unlockable drivers).[7] The following is the order of what weight classes go by in order from lightest to heaviest: Featherweight, Lightweight, Mediumweight, Cruiserweight, and Heavyweight.
Starting Drivers
- Simg mario.png
Mario
Medium - Simg luigi.png
Luigi
Medium - Simg peach.png
Peach
Light - Simg yosshi.png
Yoshi
Light - Simg donkey.png
Donkey Kong
Cruiser - Simg kuppa.png
Bowser
Heavy 
Toad
Feather
Koopa Troopa
Feather
Unlockable Drivers
- Daisy Mk7 idk.png
Daisy
Light - Wairo MK7.png
Wario
Heavy - Rosalina Mk7.png
Rosalina
Cruiser - Metalmarionkart mk79w8h9.png
Metal Mario
Heavy
New Driver 
Shy Guy
Feather- MK7 queenbee.png
Honey Queen
Heavy
New Driver - MK7 wiggler.png
Wiggler
Cruiser
New Driver - Lakitunkart mk7hfczs.png
Lakitu
Feather
New Driver - Mii mk7.png
Mii
Medium
Unlocking Criteria
| Criterion[8] | |
|---|---|
| Daisy | Win 150cc Mushroom Cup |
| Wario | Win 150cc Flower Cup |
| Rosalina | Win 150cc Star Cup |
| Metal Mario | Win 150cc Special Cup |
| Shy Guy | Win 150cc Shell Cup |
| Honey Queen | Win 150cc Banana Cup |
| Wiggler | Win 150cc Leaf Cup |
| Lakitu | Win 150cc Lightning Cup |
| Mii | Win all cups on any cc. |
Character Bonuses
Just as in Mario Kart Wii, each character gets their own specific stat boost that accounts for kart customization, based on their weight class. The units are out of 6.[9]
| Character Bonuses | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Character | Speed | Acceleration | Weight | Handling | Off-Road |
| Toad, Koopa Troopa, Lakitu, Shy Guy | 3 | 4 | 2.25 | 3 | 4 |
| Peach, Daisy, Yoshi | 3.25 | 3.5 | 2.75 | 3 | 3.75 |
| Mario, Luigi, Mii | 3.5 | 3 | 3.25 | 2.75 | 3.75 |
| Donkey Kong, Rosalina, Wiggler | 3.75 | 2.5 | 3.75 | 2.5 | 3.75 |
| Bowser, Wario, Metal Mario, Honey Queen | 4 | 2 | 4.25 | 2.5 | 3.5 |
Other
|
|
Items
Mario Kart 7 features three new items – the Fire Flower, the Super Leaf, and the Lucky 7.[13] Many classic items also make a return in Mario Kart 7. The Thunder Cloud, POW Block, and Mega Mushroom, introduced in Mario Kart Wii are absent from the game. The Fake Item Box, from previous installments is also absent along with Boo. Similar to its predecessors, players receive items by driving trough an Item Box found on courses. When players drive through an Item Box, the Item Roulette will select an item. In Mario Kart 7, Coins can be found on the track. Players can collect the coins by driving through them. Picking up a coin increases a player's top speed. If players collect ten coins, their kart is at maximum speed. Players lose coins if they get hit by an item. Collecting a certain amount of coins on various tracks unlocks vehicle parts to select them in the vehicle's customization menu.
Items found on the track
- Mk7 coin.jpg
Items received from Item Boxes
- Mk7 bananas.jpg
- Green Shell MK7.jpg
- Mk7 triplegreenshell.jpg
- Mk7 tripleredshells.jpg
- Spiny Shell.jpg
- Mk7 triplemushrooms.jpg
- Mk7 goldenmushroom.jpg
- Mk7 star.jpg
- FireFlower-MK7.jpg
Fire Flower (New Item) - SuperLeaf-MK7.jpg
Super Leaf (New Item) 
Lucky 7 (New Item)
![Blooper[16]](/File:Blooper_MK7.png)
![Bullet Bill[14]](/File:BulletBillWii.png)
Courses
Mario Kart 7 introduces 32 courses that include sixteen new courses and sixteen Retro courses. It also features three new battle stages, and three Retro ones.[18] Only the Mushroom Cup and Shell Cup, as well as the battle courses are available from the start, but upon unlocking them they are available for all game modes, and not just for that specific Engine Class, unlike past installments. Mario Kart 7 makes a feature of some race courses where players complete the track in sections. These courses are Wuhu Island Loop, Wuhu Mountain Loop and Rainbow Road. Instead of a single finish line, these courses have three lines that divide the tracks in three sections and the banners over them indicate the player that a lap has been completed showing stars rather than the Mario Kart logo. The following charts show the European English names of the tracks with their North American variants in italics.
New Courses
| Mushroom Cup | Flower Cup | Star Cup[19] | Special Cup[20] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toad Circuit | Wuhu Island Loop Wuhu Loop |
Piranha Plant Pipeway[19] Piranha Plant Slide |
DK Jungle |
| Daisy Hills | Mario Circuit | Wario's Galleon[19] Wario Shipyard |
Rosalina's Ice World |
| Cheep Cheep Cape Cheep Cheep Lagoon |
Melody Motorway Music Park |
Koopa City[19] Neo Bowser City |
Bowser's Castle |
| Shy Guy Carnival Shy Guy Bazaar |
Alpine Pass Rock Rock Mountain |
Wuhu Mountain Loop[19] Maka Wuhu |
Rainbow Road |
Retro Courses
Battle Courses
| New Courses | Retro Courses |
|---|---|
Kart Customization
Mario Kart 7 introduces the option to personalize the player's vehicle before getting to the race. The player can select the body, the wheels, and the glider to build the desired kart. By collecting many Coins from the races in Grand Prix mode, the player can unlock a new body, wheel, or glider to use. It is possible to acquire ten coins in a race. As the user chooses the parts, the stats may vary, regarding to the parts' combination and that the vehicle works better in particular situations. The resulting type of vehicle can be described in this way in general:
- A speedy Kart = great speed, moderate weight, humble acceleration, and poor off-road and handling.
- A robust Kart = low speed, off-road, great acceleration and handling, in contrast with a very low weight.
- A heavyweight Kart + great speed = off-road and weight, but very poor acceleration and handling.
- A lightweight Kart + mild speed = low weight, good off-road and handling, and great acceleration.
| Karts | Wheels | Gliders |
|---|---|---|
|
Standard Kart* |
Standard |
|
| Unlockable Karts | Unlockable Wheels | Unlockable Gliders |
|
B Dasher |
Flower Glider | |
| *Changes color, depending on the character. **Changes color, only when used by female characters. | ||
Unlocking Criteria
To unlock a part requires certain total of coins collected from every race in Grand Prix. Once the player has reached that amount, a random kart part will be unlocked. The only exception to this rule are the gold parts, which each must be unlocked with this criteria:
- The Gold Wheels are unlocked by obtaining a minimum of one star ranking in all cups of every engine class.
- The Gold Glider can be unlocked by making 100 StreetPass connections, or by collecting 10000 coins.
- The Gold Kart can be unlocked by obtaining 10000VR.
Stat Boosts
Each part affects each kart's stats differently. The following is a list of the stat boosts that are applied, and the units are out of 6.[9]
| Kart Part Bonuses | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kart Bodies | |||||
| Body | Speed | Acceleration | Weight | Handling | Off-Road |
| Standard Kart | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| B Dasher | +0.5 | -0.5 | 0 | +0.25 | -0.25 |
| Barrel Train | +0.25 | 0 | +0.25 | -0.5 | 0 |
| Blue Seven | +0.5 | -0.5 | +0.25 | -0.25 | 0 |
| Bolt Buggy | +0.25 | -0.5 | +0.25 | -0.25 | +0.25 |
| Bumble V | 0 | +0.5 | -0.25 | -0.5 | +0.25 |
| Cact-X | -0.25 | -0.25 | 0 | +0.25 | +0.25 |
| Cloud 9 | -0.5 | +0.25 | -0.25 | +0.5 | 0 |
| Egg 1 | -0.25 | +0.5 | -0.25 | 0 | 0 |
| Gherkin | +0.5 | -0.25 | 0 | -0.25 | 0 |
| Gold Kart | +0.5 | -0.25 | +0.25 | 0 | -0.5 |
| Growlster | +0.5 | -0.25 | +0.25 | -0.5 | 0 |
| Koopa Clown | 0 | -0.25 | 0 | +0.5 | -0.25 |
| Pipe Frame | -0.25 | +0.25 | -0.25 | 0 | +0.25 |
| Royal Ribbon | -0.5 | +0.5 | -0.25 | +0.5 | -0.25 |
| Soda Jet | +0.25 | +0.25 | -0.25 | 0 | -0.25 |
| Tiny Tug | -0.5 | 0 | +0.25 | 0 | +0.25 |
| Kart Wheels | |||||
| Wheel | Speed | Acceleration | Weight | Handling | Off-Road |
| Standard | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gold | +1 | -0.5 | +0.5 | -1.25 | -2.5 |
| Monster | +0.75 | -0.75 | +1 | -1.25 | +1.25 |
| Mushroom | +0.25 | -0.25 | -0.5 | +1.25 | -1.25 |
| Red Monster | +0.75 | -0.5 | +0.75 | -1.25 | +1.25 |
| Roller | -0.75 | +0.75 | -1 | +2 | -1.25 |
| Slick | +1 | -0.25 | +0.25 | -1.25 | -2.5 |
| Slim | -0.25 | +0.25 | -0.25 | +1.25 | -1.25 |
| Sponge | -0.25 | +0.5 | -0.75 | 0 | 0 |
| Wooden | -0.5 | +0.5 | -0.5 | +1.25 | 0 |
| Kart Gliders | |||||
| Glider | Speed | Acceleration | Weight | Handling | Off-Road |
| Super Glider | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Flower Glider | 0 | +0.25 | -0.25 | 0 | 0 |
| Ghastly Glider | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gold Glider | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Parafoil | 0 | +0.25 | -0.25 | 0 | 0 |
| Peach Parasol | 0 | +0.25 | -0.25 | 0 | 0 |
| Swoop | 0 | +0.25 | -0.25 | 0 | 0 |
Nintendo eShop Descriptions
The newest installment of the fan-favorite Mario Kart™ franchise brings Mushroom Kingdom racing fun into glorious 3D. For the first time, drivers explore new competitive kart possibilities such as soaring through the skies or plunging into the depths of the sea. New courses, strategic new abilities and customizable karts bring the racing excitement to new heights!
Gallery
Beta Elements
- Main article: Mario Kart 7/Beta elements
Glitches
- Main article: Mario Kart 7/Glitches
Staff
- Main article: Mario Kart 7/Staff
References to Other Games
- Super Mario Bros.: The Fire Flower appears for the first time as a usable item that throws fireballs. The layout from the course, Piranha Plant Pipeway, greatly resemble the tile sprites from this game but with a more modern look.
- Super Mario Bros. 2: The Shy Guy Bazaar course makes references to the elements from this game such as the addition of Magic Carpets (being ridden by Shy Guys) and vases in their original color schemes.
- Super Mario Bros. 3: The Super Leaf appears as an item.
- Mario Kart 64: Some musical pieces are remixes from this game such as the main title screen, the results screen and Rainbow Road.[28]
- Mario Kart: Double Dash!!: Part of its Rainbow Road theme can be heard on this game's Rainbow Road. Also, part of its Bowser's Castle theme can be heard in the new Bowser's Castle.
- Mario Kart series: The game again has retro courses from past Mario Kart games. Also some kart bodies reappear in this game.
- Super Mario Galaxy: The Comet Observatory appears in the Background in the course, Rosalina's Ice World.
- Donkey Kong Country Returns: Tiki Goons and Screaming Pillars return in this game. DK Jungle is also based on this game.
- Super Mario 3D Land: The new look for the Super Leaf, introduced in this game, is reused; it is also used for the logo for the Leaf Cup. Also, the cardboard cut-out Goombas reappear in Piranha Plant Pipeway.
Reception
GameXplain has given the game's Multiplayer 4.5 stars out of 5, and Single-Player a 3.5 out of 5.[29][30]. IGN gave this game a 9.0/10[31][32]. Gametrailers gave this game a 8.8/10[33].Joystiq gave this 4.5 stars out of 5[34].Gameinformer gave this an 8.50/10[35]. 1up gave this a B- grade[36]. Gamesradar gave this a perfect 10/10[37]. However, Destructoid gave this a 5.0/10[38]. Gamespot gave this game a 8/10. [39].
As of December 10, 2011, Metacritic has an average score of 85%, including 41 positive reviews, and 6 mixed.[40]. Gamerankings has an average score of 84.03% based on 32 reviews.[41]. This game has sold over 420,000 units in its first 4 days in Japan.[42]
Media
Names in Other Languages
Trivia
- The banners at the start/finish lines of new courses use the new Mario Kart logo. Retro courses still use the old Mario Kart logo.[14]
- This is the second installment in the Mario series overall (excluding crossover installments) to be translated to Dutch, Portuguese, and Russian (the first was Super Mario 3D Land).
References
- ^ a b c d e Mario Kart 3DS: What we know so far
- ^ Mario Kart 3DS will bring a bunch of new elements into the game
- ^ Gamescom 2011 - Mario Kart 7 - Over 7 Minutes exclusive footage マリオカート - YouTube
- ^ Press release
- ^ http://www.gamexplain.com/article-633-1322553607-mario-kart-7-review.html
- ^ http://mariokart7.nintendo.com/multiplayer/
- ^ http://mariokart7.nintendo.com/characters/
- ^ http://www.gamexplain.com/article-629-1321996131-mario-kart-7-unlockables-characters-and-car-parts.html
- ^ a b http://www.mariokartwii.com/4224652-post1.html
- ^ Mario Kart 3D Nintendo 3DS gameplay video
- ^ http://www.nintendo.co.jp/3ds/amkj/course/starcup.html
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6CAq9TFDV8
- ^ マリオカート７ : アイテム (Japanese)
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Mario Kart 3DS on the Showfloor Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "Mario Kart 3DS on the Showfloor" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "Mario Kart 3DS on the Showfloor" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "Mario Kart 3DS on the Showfloor" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "Mario Kart 3DS on the Showfloor" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "Mario Kart 3DS on the Showfloor" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "Mario Kart 3DS on the Showfloor" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "Mario Kart 3DS on the Showfloor" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "Mario Kart 3DS on the Showfloor" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "Mario Kart 3DS on the Showfloor" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "Mario Kart 3DS on the Showfloor" defined multiple times with different content - ^ [NC2011] Mario Kart 7 Interview - YouTube
- ^ E3 2010: Mario Kart 3DS gameplay preview
- ^ Mario Kart 7 Track 3 (Donkey Kong Country Track) (E3 2011) 3DS - YouTube
- ^ a b c d e f マリオカート７ : コース (Japanese)
- ^ a b c d e http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKvOqhmzGWg
- ^ http://www.nintendo.co.jp/3ds/amkj/course/index.html
- ^ Mario Kart 7 - tracks, karts, items and more
- ^ http://www.nintendo.co.jp/3ds/amkj/course/index.html
- ^ http://gamesites.nintendo.com.au/mario-kart-7/course/index.php
- ^ http://bit.ly/vXD4H7
- ^ http://www.mariowiki.com/File:Mii_mk7.jpg
- ^ http://www.mariokartwii.com/f66/big-secret-getting-1-star-all-cups-85432.html#post4220927
- ^ http://www.kano-bi.com/3ds/mk7100.jpg
- ^ Mario Kart 7 Nintendo 3DS gameplay video (French)
- ^ http://www.gamexplain.com/article-633-1322553607-mario-kart-7-review.html
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWuxbTmdVQA
- ^ http://ds.ign.com/articles/121/1213485p1.html
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16D9OXFzRJc&feature=channel_video_title
- ^ http://www.gametrailers.com/video/review-mario-kart-7/724422
- ^ http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/mario-kart-7-review/
- ^ http://www.gameinformer.com/games/mario_kart_7/b/3ds/archive/2011/11/29/review.aspx
- ^ http://www.1up.com/reviews/mario-kart-7-3ds?pager.offset=0
- ^ http://www.gamesradar.com/mario-kart-7-review/?page=1
- ^ http://www.destructoid.com/review-mario-kart-7-216484.phtml
- ^ http://www.gamespot.com/mario-kart-7/reviews/mario-kart-7-review-6346887?tag=games%3Bgame_title%3B1
- ^ http://www.metacritic.com/game/3ds/mario-kart-7
- ^ http://www.gamerankings.com/3ds/997822-mario-kart-7/index.html
- ^ http://www.next-gen.biz/news/mario-kart-7-enjoys-biggest-3ds-launch-week-japan
- ^ Nintendo of the Netherlands - Geef Bowser een zwieper - de Tanooki power-up is terug
- ^ Nintendo of Portugal - SUPER MARIO 3D LAND e Mario Kart 7 chegam à Nintendo 3DS em português!
- ^ Nintendo of Russia - Узнайте больше о новых гонках, в которых смогут принять участие поклонники игры Mario Kart 7 для Nintendo 3DS.
External Links
- Official Japanese Website
- Official European Website
- Official Australian Website
- Official American Website
