Very entertaining, but has no life of its own. Doesn't the title show how uncreative this game really is?
The standard Mario Kart gameplay returns – this time to the snazzy Nintendo 3DS. Being a 3DS game, you can choose to play with the 3D on or off and compare the two types of gameplay. When 3D is on, the race tracks, trees, winds, sunlight, etc., are very beautiful. I personally think that the 3D visuals are of higher quality than all previous Mario Kart games, including Mario Kart Wii, and I am very impressed and satisfied knowing that it is a handheld, portable game with such powerful graphics. However, the 3D mode can make you feel a little dizzy over the course of an hour, so I switch off the 3D most of the time. When 3D is off, the race tracks, trees, winds, sunlight, etc., are very clear. Again, I feel pride in Mario Kart 7's wonderful graphics; if 3D is on or off, you'll get beautiful or clear graphics, respectfully. Unfortunately, the graphics seem to be the only new highlight of this game.
As usual, you pick a character from the Mario series, pick a kart, and race on vibrant and animate race tracks ranging from the cheerful coconut mall to the threatening Bowser's Castle variations (the same race tracks from Mario Kart Wii). Races are fast-paced and unpredictable, since gamers (and AI racers) can use items, picked up along the racetrack, to hit other racers and speed past them. This is both rewarding and problematic. The hopeful or ominous presence of items, throughout all races, can either help you to gain the lead from a bad start, or tear you apart from a perfect race. You see, items are random and unpredictable, and your chances to get ahead or fall behind are basically equal. Yes, I am saying that the game is all about luck, with a small amount of personal skill involved. However, this has been the nature of the entire series, so I am not one to criticize the role of chance in this game. However, unlike Mario Kart Wii, which was extremely difficult and luck-based, Mario Kart 7 seems to be a much easier game. In Mario Kart Wii, it took me months to get "star ratings": some of the best ratings for the game. In Mario Kart 7, I only needed to try a few times and, in a few days, I received star ratings for all 100 cc (medium level) difficulties. Is this lack of difficulty disappointing? Somewhat. While I'm able to accomplish more on Mario Kart 7, giving me a sense of victory, I'll always remember that a star rating here will never be the same amount of effort as a star rating in Mario Kart Wii. It's a mixed feeling.
Despite being less difficult, Mario Kart 7's controls are, strangely, not as easy as Mario Kart Wii. The Nintendo 3DS system utilized a "Circle Pad", a multi-directional joystick, for the sake of "easier" controls in three-dimensional worlds. However, I personally found the Circle Pad to be more difficult to control than the standard "D-Pad": a four-directional pad used to move forward, backwards, and sideways. Using the Circle Pad, turning left isn't as simple as pressing in the left direction on the D-Pad. Therefore, using the Circle Pad, I am forced to exaggerate my turns and maneuvers because the pad isn't as sensitive and direct as the original D-Pad. The 3DS has a D-Pad built alongside the Circle Pad. Sadly, there is no option to use the D-Pad instead of the Circle Pad. In fact, the D-Pad has been rendered nearly useless: pressing it will only switch your view from third person to first person, which could cost you time, stability and the race. In first person view, controls shift to the "gyroscope": motion controls where you twist and turn your 3DS to turn left and right. However, I've realized that the gyroscope (motion) controls are even less precise than the Circle Pad, and so I've stuck with the Circle Pad even though I'd very much prefer the old style D-Pad.
Mario Kart 7 has one new feature that I like and approve of: the use of a glider (flying apparatus). In previous Mario Kart games, when you raced and flew into the air, you'd fall back down and nothing unusual could happen. In Mario Kart 7, all of the race tracks have been slightly redesigned to shoot you higher into the sky. So when you are thrown up high, a glider pops out and serves as your wings. Skillful racers can use the glider to stay airborne for a long time while performing tricks and stunts. However, as mentioned at the beginning of this review, I don't think these new gliders are significant additions to the series because they don't help you win. In fact, the gliders are very slow and stylish and, consequently, many other racers will pass by you when you're flying and having fun. Of course, you can nose dive to the ground and continue racing, in order to keep ahead of the other racers. However, the fact that a new and stylish feature, gliding, actually detracts from your victory is upsetting.
One last, much smaller feature has to do with underwater racing. When you race underwater, a propeller will pop out of your kart to make it look like a boat. However, it is only for appearance and does not help you race any faster or better than in the past Mario Kart games. Therefore, it is also insignificant.
Moving on, Mario Kart 7's online multiplayer is very robust and entertaining. However, it is basically the exact same multiplayer introduced in Mario Kart Wii – with a few new race tracks. In Mario Kart Wii, the revolutionary and brand new online multiplayer really impressed me and expanded and improved upon what people expected from Mario Kart games. However, Mario Kart 7 has only copied its predecessor. It is true that there are a few new race tracks to race on, and these new race tracks are very entertaining. However, whenever I use Mario Kart 7's online multiplayer, I have never felt as amazed as when I played it on the Nintendo Wii console. When I played it on my Wii, it felt new, exciting, creative, innovative, and expansive. When I play it on Mario Kart 7, it feels like I've done it all already.
Overall, Mario Kart 7 is a beautiful clone. It has excellent graphics and is available for Nintendo's most recent and impressive handheld system: the Nintendo 3DS. It also offers the same type of classic gameplay and stays true to the Mario Kart series; if you're new to Mario Kart, then this game will give you an authentic and very entertaining experience. However, for fans of the series, who've played all of the previous Mario Kart games, Mario Kart 7 might not be the game for you. It feels disappointingly similar to all of the past Mario Kart games, and you'd probably think, "I've been there, and I've already done that."