Mario Kart 7 - Nintendo 3DS

First off - I have been a kart fan since the SNES version many years back . . . with my most recent versions being Double Dash and Mario Kart Wii. This version brought to the 3DS far exceeded my expectations.This was my first attempt with a new handheld nintendo since the days of the GBA first came out. I was pleasently suprised by the fluid nature and natural controls the system and games offered. Mario Kart 7 was one of the first games I picked up with the new system (the new mario and zelda OoT being the others. The tradition has stayed true for the most part of the game, but brought back some old flare and new flare.You now get speed boost from coins, and loose coins as you get "hit" by other players power ups. They stack to a certain point, but then you don't receive anymore added benefit from them. They added in some new attacks which was nice, 7 is a fun one where you get 7 items to use, the spit fire works great as well for taking down multiple racers. The other new feature was the parachute. You have some control of them in the air and can get a series edge over the competition if you use them properly. So practice practice practice.Graphics: The graphics are amazing! If you blew them up on a larger screen they wouldnt be the most advanced, but on such a small platform screen with a 3D interface, it honestly looks better than my wii with HD hookups (480p ...) on a 32" LED tv.Sound: Excellent. Traditional voices, music, and sfx brings this game to life and keeps giving it an edge.Gameplay: Same as before in terms of control, the added benefit of a parachute makes it interesting and can give more players a leading edge who are new to the genre. It's fast, fluid, and the UI is friendly on and off racing.Replay Value: With ample tracks, cups, and game play options. Players old and new will continue to find a way to revisit this game. Time trials keep your competition driven. Online multiplayer keeps you in the loop with your friends. The replay value will always be there. For a quick 3 minute race to beat a time. Or a 15 minute circuit.Over all, I give this game 9 out of 10. There are some hicups - slow online connections, frequently lost games when users loose signals, hard to remember "Friend numbers" (Come on Nintendo, User names!)and still having moments where you want to throw the game because of the infinite numbers of blue shells that go into play ONLY when you're in first place causing you the match. If you're on the edge on buying this game, and you have a 3DS it's a no brainer. This should be on the top of your list. Whether you've played it on the original SNES, or just started with the Wii, you'll enjoy the competitions, fluid graphics, fantastic mario sounds, and immersive game play that is Mario Kart 7.

I've been a huge fan of the MarioKart series since it was first released, I've played them all, and let me just say, never have any of them made me want to rip the game out of the system and smash it with a hammer...until now.I can't really complain about the graphics/music/3D etc, they are all really well done. Where this game gets hair-ripping out frustrating is actually playing it.Even on Easy mode, the computer will not let you win easily. The computers will rapid fire off the starting line almost every single time, while it's hit or miss for you. The power ups (weapons) in this game...OMG don't even get me started!TWO WORDS - BLUE SHELLS!Those mother$#@*#!% blue shells! The computer opponents seem to get these blue shells INCESSANTLY while me, well I've raced through all of the 50cc, 100cc, and working on 150cc and I have yet to get ONE SINGLE BLUE SHELL. NOT A SINGLE ONE! I run over every power up I can see...you know what I get? Banana....the FREAKING BANANA ALMOST EVERY SINGLE TIME! I now hate bananas in real life. Every time I go to the grocery store now I have to avoid the produce section, because I can feel them staring at me, and laughing...Oh, and lets not forget to mention the ink...THE INK...Oh yes, the wonderful ink...almost every race, just as you are about to make a tough jump, or just about to take an S turn, HERE COMES THE INK TO BLOCK YOUR VIEW...SUPER!! YEAH I LOVE INK! Oh, I was in 1st place the whole race, and got inked and blue shelled right at the last turn, and now come in 4th...yep, this happens frequently...This game infuriates me beyond belief but yet I keep playing because my blood pressure isn't quite high enough yet. As soon as finally beat this game, I'll be taking it out back and throwing it in my fire pit to cleanse my life of the evil that is Mario Kart 7.TLDR: Great game, you should definitely buy it, tons of hours of fun for the whole family.