• Publisher: Nintendo
  • Release Date: Dec 4, 2011
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 73 Critics What's this?

User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 277 Ratings

  • Summary: The latest installment of the Mario Kart franchise brings Mushroom Kingdom racing fun into 3D. For the first time, drivers explore new competitive kart possibilities such as soaring through the skies or plunging to the depths of the sea. New courses, strategic new abilities and customizable karts bring the racing excitement to new levels. Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 64 out of 73
  2. Negative: 0 out of 73
  1. Dec 2, 2011
    100
    With almost ten years of thrilling races behind them, even the most fine-tuned racing fireballs can show signs of fatigue. But rather than risking a break-down, Nintendo was smart enough to dismantle its Mario Kart core formula in order to correctly refreshen each and every one of its clogs before putting them back together. As an added bonus, the mechanic repainted it nicely and added some of the latest technologies. The end result roars at soon as the engine starts, and promises to run nicely for quite some time thanks to solid online features.
  2. Nov 29, 2011
    100
    It's without question the greatest handheld Mario Kart yet, and a welcome addition to a phenomenal series.
  3. Dec 10, 2011
    86
    Mario Kart 7 is a strong follow-up in a series which has long straddled the line between mass-appeal shoo-in and nod to the nostalgia. It doesn't take many risks, but that rarely hurts it apart from a general lack of surprises and a disappointing presence of blue turtle shells. Regardless, it's an attractive, addictive, and accessible installment with some of the best online play we've seen to date coming from Nintendo. Don't expect to be surprised, but buy with confidence all the same.
  4. 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.

See all 73 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Negative: 2 out of 109
  1. 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. Expand
  2. It's such a great game. I've played it over download play with my friends for the last two days, and honestly, it made me remember why I love Nintendo's games. After the Strike that was Skyward Sword, and Super Mario 3D Land, this is the last part of the Nintendo Holiday trilogy.
    The gameplay is essentially fusing all the good parts of the DS and wii version, and the tracks are all powerful and memorable. My favourites from the Wii version and DS version have been carried over, like Koopa Kape, Mushroom Gorge, Waluigi Pinball etc. The cart customization options is cool, but i feel that while it adds so many cool possible combinations, it takes away some more memorable carts, too, so it's an even thing. Character choice could be better, but Im so happy about getting SHY GUY and LAKITU and WIGGLER tht I don't mind.
    Expand
  3. 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 that I would say this is a great game overall! Expand
  4. 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

See all 109 User Reviews

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