Mario Kart 7

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Picked up Mario Kart 7 today and despite some middling reviews from pro critics, I'm really impressed.

The 3D is just right even with the slider all the way up ... it's not as intense as some of the other games, and after prolonged sessions I don't feel any eye strain.

I can't fault any of the reviews that state that it's a lot more of the same, as it is very similar to Mario Kart Wii, but since that's my favorite iteration in the series this is exactly what I would want on my 3DS.

There are the requisite new tracks, returning favorite tracks, some nice kart customization options (off road tires, glider styles, etc.) and some new game modes, and like Mario Kart DS, you can game share between *correction* - EIGHT 3DS units.

It's really really nice to be able to hop online and enjoy some real competition again - since after the Wii got hacked wide open Mario Kart Wii FREQUENTLY has users with all sorts of ridiculous hacked versions of the game allowing for infinite power ups like star and bullet bill, it was tough to get into a match that wasn't corrupted by such scum and villainy at the time that I gave up on online competition.

Blue shells still suck, but, being a guy who did want a lot of "more of the same please" I'm happy with the total package so far and I really can't find much to complain about.

Anybody else give it a go?

[kupomogli]

Don't own a 3DS, but I'll be getting this when I get one, the only thing I don't like about these types of games is that you're penalized for being good. When you're in first, all you get is banana peels and the rare green shell. Sort of being cheap at the game you can stay in second place with a good power up and then come out first at the very end.

It's no where near as bad as Split Second though. By doing good at Split Second you're pretty much giving the win to anyone behind you that happens to do "good enough." When playing real players you need to purposefully stay with them when there's the ability to hit a shortcut twice just incase that after you hit the shortcut they don't hit it a second time. Although some stages only have a single shortcut or no shortcut at all so those are fair.

[joshnickerson]

I plan on picking it up eventually. For some odd reason, I never played much of the Wii version, despite the fact I loved playing the demo at Best Buy; too many other games I wanted to play, I guess.

I played the hell out of the DS version though, but I only played a few matches online before I started to notice that my online opponents somehow phased in and out of the walls on the track and always had Super Stars... yeah, sums up my whole feeling about online play right there.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I played the hell out of the DS version though, but I only played a few matches online before I started to notice that my online opponents somehow phased in and out of the walls on the track and always had Super Stars... yeah, sums up my whole feeling about online play right there.

Well, where the online is concerned, as a frequent online Mario Kart'er on both DS and Wii - all I can say is enjoy Mario Kart 7 BEFORE the 3DS software is hacked (I'm sure there's a rapid clock counting down to that).


Don't own a 3DS, but I'll be getting this when I get one, the only thing I don't like about these types of games is that you're penalized for being good. When you're in first, all you get is banana peels and the rare green shell. Sort of being cheap at the game you can stay in second place with a good power up and then come out first at the very end.

It's no where near as bad as Split Second though. By doing good at Split Second you're pretty much giving the win to anyone behind you that happens to do "good enough." When playing real players you need to purposefully stay with them when there's the ability to hit a shortcut twice just incase that after you hit the shortcut they don't hit it a second time. Although some stages only have a single shortcut or no shortcut at all so those are fair.

Yeah, that's all true, but after 7 games, people who love the series all have a healthy love/hate affair with its power up system and how it punishes players good enough to stay at the front of the pack.

Blue shells suck, but it's a part of the landscape, and Nintendo loves making competitive games accessible to those who would typically linger in last place.

[Rickstilwell1]

I was glad to see that you do get Wario in spite of rumors that you didn't. All you have to do is unlock him.

[rlemmon]

I just finished the 50cc curicuit and i had a really good time with it. Most of the courses are very nicely designed except desert the winter ones. The 3d was beautifull and this is the first mario kart game were i actually had fun on rainbow road.

I hated the wii version of rainbow road with a passion but found myself loving this version. It's pretty cool that you can drop down onto the moon and drive around it. The donkey kong levle was awsome to. I woud give it a 9 out of 10.

[geneshifter]

I'll be getting this as well. But, like someone else said earlier, this game is just so crazy and random lol. It makes for heart palpitations and anal bleeding.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

HAH, I just discovered the in-car/dashboard view (which also allows you to control turning with the 3DSes tilt sensor) when my thumb accidentally hit up on the d-pad.

A first for the series!

That'll teach me to not read the manual.

[Beefy Hits]

I'll be getting this as well. But, like someone else said earlier, this game is just so crazy and random lol. It makes for heart palpitations and anal bleeding.

I agree it is a very random game. But that's what makes it fun.

But dude, is the computer brutal in this game !!! Yikes I can't beat the third tier of retro cups in 100cc but I'll work on it. And this is coming from a guy who's played since the launch of the first SNES Mario Kart!


That'll teach me to not read the manual.

There isn't much of manual to read. It's more like a quickstart guide.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

There isn't much of manual to read. It's more like a quickstart guide.

Yeah, I noticed that after I posted. Gotta love a to-the-point poster-fold manual.

[Beefy Hits]

Yeah, I noticed that after I posted. Gotta love a to-the-point poster-fold manual.

I LoL'd

[MarioMania]

Does it have the Classic Tracks??

[Beefy Hits]

Does it have the Classic Tracks??

Yessir it does, spanning all systems.

[MarioMania]

I only want to know about the Tracks for the SNES, N64 & GBA versions

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I only want to know about the Tracks for the SNES, N64 & GBA versions

Here are all the classic/non-original tracks.

Shell Cup

Luigi Raceway (N64)
Bowser Castle 1 (GBA)
Mushroom Gorge (Wii)
Luigi's Mansion (DS)


Banana Cup

Koopa Beach (N64)
Mario Circuit 2 (SNES)
Coconut Mall (Wii)
Waluigi Pinball (DS)


Leaf Cup

Kalimari Desert (N64)
DK Pass (DS)
Daisy Cruiser (GCN)
Maple Treeway (Wii)


Lightning Cup

Koopa Cape (Wii)
Dino Dino Jungle (GCN)
Airship Fortress (DS)
Rainbow Road (SNES)

[kupomogli]

I'm assuming there are four original cups and four classic track cups? If so that's 32 tracks. Good variety.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I'm assuming there are four original cups and four classic track cups? If so that's 32 tracks. Good variety.

Yes, 16 new tracks. 32 total. I like all of the new ones. The final track in each cup is a straight rally/enduro, not a looping track.

Mushroom Cup

Toad Circuit
Daisy Hills
Cheep Cheep Lagoon
Shy Guy Bazaar


Flower Cup

Wuhu Loop
Mario Circuit
Music Park
Rock Rock Mountain


Star Cup

Piranha Plant Slide
Wario Shipyard
Neo Bowser City
Maka Wuhu


Special Cup

DK Jungle
Rosalina's Ice World
Bowser's Castle
Rainbow Road

[Leo_A]

The final track in each cup is a straight rally/enduro, not a looping track.

So it's a point to point track rather than a circuit based track that you run laps on? That's a new idea for the series.

How'd you like the original Rainbow Road? Struck me as much easier in videos I watched off YouTube than I was expecting, although it's apparantly not any wider when I compare screenshots between the 3DS version and SuperNes original (A comparison is easy using the colored block pattern of the track).

How would you judge the graphics of something like Coconut Mall compared to the Wii release?

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

So it's a point to point track rather than a circuit based track that you run laps on? That's a new idea for the series.

How'd you like the original Rainbow Road? Struck me as much easier in videos I watched off YouTube than I was expecting, although it's apparantly not any wider when I compare screenshots between the 3DS version and SuperNes original (A comparison is easy using the colored block pattern of the track).

How would you judge the graphics of something like Coconut Mall compared to the Wii release?

Yeah, they're point to point, another series first and they work really well in helping break the monotony of doing laps.

I think all of the Wii tracks look pretty close to the real deal, with only minor differences (the up and down escalators are color coded, making it easier not to make the mistake of taking the wrong one).

All of the retro tracks have at least one added glider jump opportunity.

[kupomogli]

Yes, 16 new tracks. 32 total. I like all of the new ones. The final track in each cup is a straight rally/enduro, not a looping track.

This is what would have pushed me to buy a 3DS if the analog attachment wasn't announced. Really a game I'd have fun investing time into even if I'm also cursing it at the same time for the power up system. I also like the group list thing they have for the game.