Video Game Review: Mario Kart 7 (3DS)

Following a tradition that Nintendo have, Mario Kart 7 was released the same time as the other Mario game I recently reviewed on the 3DS. Unlike the other games however, this one has been developed by both Nintendo and Retro Studios (Metroid and Donkey Kong Country Returns). Does it pack more new features than the last one. Let's find out:

Gameplay:

The game as always features old and new characters, tracks, power ups, vehicles and other features as well. This game has a total of 16 playable characters, 32 tracks, 3 new power ups with the usual amount, a new vehicle customisation feature and more. The 32 tracks have been split up into 8 cups (like before) with each cup having 4 tracks each. The more notable ones are the ones based on Wuhu Island (from the Wii series) and the new Rainbow Road which have one whole track and each lap split into sections to make the track to be big. The vehicle customisation feature allows you to customise the body and wheels of the kart and a new glider which allows the racer to glide in midair at certain points of the tracks (this works by using that special stunt ramp seen in Mario Kart Wii). The kart can also go underwater and 3 new power ups are available which include a super leaf and fire flower (both seen in the Super Mario Bros. series) and a 7 roulette power up which gives you a chance to use all the power ups in the form of a three shell power up. The game also uses Streetpass and Spotpass features for things like ghost data and more. And for the first time in a long while, coins return to the tracks and provide a boost for racers as well as some unlockables as well. All in all, some pretty good stuff and while the characters are a let down due to the amount of them, the gameplay is still great as it always has been. 9/10

Graphics:

After playing this game, I was very impressed with the graphics. The frame rate is great and the graphics have been the most detailed and well designed to date from Nintendo. Good job!! 9/10

For being a portable game, this is indeed one of the best looking games on the 3DS right now and I hope that we get to see more games like this in the future on the 3DS. 9/10