Mario Kart 7

 3DS
Mario Kart 7 Image
Metascore
85

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

User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 932 Ratings

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  • 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 customizableThe 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
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 64 out of 73
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 73
  3. Negative: 0 out of 73
  1. Gameblog.fr
    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. Games Master UK
    Dec 16, 2011
    94
    The greatest parts of the previous Mario Karts, crushed into a cartridge the size of DK's brain. [Jan 2012, p.78]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Eurogamer Portugal
    Jan 3, 2012
    90
    Mario Kart 7 is a great evolution in the context of the portable console. It stands out with its graphics, being at that level one of the best games for 3DS, maximizing the three dimensional effect so as to provide a remarkable game in visual terms.
  4. GameTrailers
    Nov 29, 2011
    88
    Nintendo hasn't recreated the wheel with Mario Kart 7, but the time spent in the garage has paid huge dividends. With a console-worthy list of modes and options, brand new gameplay paradigms, the best track roster in series history, and new customization depth to plumb, it certainly makes a case to be the best Mario Kart yet. It doesn't turn kart racing on its end, but it finds a near-perfect medium of similarity and discovery as it walks the fine line of risk and reward without spinning out.
  5. Pelit (Finland)
    Jan 10, 2012
    80
    Even with Retro Studios helping the 7th installment is pretty much the same game. At minimum unfair elements like the blue shells should be corrected. Still even with the ultra-conservative approach multiplayer is satisfying. [Jan 2012]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. games(TM)
    Dec 2, 2011
    80
    It's frustrating, rewarding, addictive and entertaining in almost equal measure, and as much as you'll rant and moan when your lead is snatched away on the last corner, you'll keep going back for more. To call it the best original game on 3DS might be overstretching the meaning of the word 'original' but, all the same, this is something that no 3DS owner should be without.
  7. Destructoid
    Nov 29, 2011
    50
    As derivative as a game can get, and while we pour scorn on so many other games for rehashing themselves, something tells me this will get a free pass from many critics and gamers. That strikes me as ironic since Mario Kart 7 is the one game I'd hold up as the least deserving of any kind of leniency. It being an unadventurous and predictable retread, however, is only half of Mario Kart 7's problem. The other half is the fact that it's a lethargic and mundane game, easily outpaced by games that could be considered knock-offs of the formula Nintendo itself perfected.

See all 73 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 189 out of 252
  2. Mixed: 55 out of 252
  3. Negative: 8 out of 252
  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 someI 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. SmartGamer
    Apr 28, 2014
    10
    This is probably the best Mario Kart game yet! We've been playing it like crazy in multiplayer. It has a lot of new features too likeThis is probably the best Mario Kart game yet! We've been playing it like crazy in multiplayer. It has a lot of new features too like especially flight during the races. Look forward to more great racing games like this on the 3DS.… Expand
  4. 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 recommendI'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
  5. 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 youA 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
  6. 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 MarioMario 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
  7. Digibutter64
    Jul 19, 2020
    8
    It's not the best Mario Kart, but Mario Kart 7 is still an entertaining entry in the series.

    The additions of gliding, underwater driving,    It's not the best Mario Kart, but Mario Kart 7 is still an entertaining entry in the series.

    The additions of gliding, underwater driving, and kart customisation are nice, adding new gameplay opportunities while retaining the fun formula. It's still as fun as Mario Kart has ever been; racing and/or battling your rivals remains a joyful experience. There's also a few new items; the Fire Flower lets you pelt opponents with fireballs, the Super Leaf has your kart sprout a tail which you can use to whack nearby opponents and items, and the Lucky Seven surrounds you with seven items (a bit crazy, but it still seems fair).

    The lack of a single-player VS mode is disappointing, but Mario Kart 7 is still recommended to any 3DS owner.    … Expand
  8. 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 ignoredI 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… Expand

See all 252 User Reviews

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