Mario Kart 7 – Review

Mario Kart 7 was our very first Mario game ever. We watched the show from the 80s and thought “hey! It’s Mario, let’s try it.” It happened to come with our 2DS (that we got to play our old DS games and get more Sonic games) so we tried it and liked it. Now we like a lot of Mario games. Here is my review for this game.

Why Mario Kart 7?

Mario Kart 7 brings the iconic racing franchise to the Nintendo 3DS with a mix of classic chaos, creative tracks, and new twists that keep it fresh and fast-paced. While it sticks close to the tried-and-true formula, it adds just enough innovation to make it stand out in the series.

The core racing gameplay is as solid and fun as ever—speed through wild tracks, launch items, and outmaneuver rivals in a race to the finish. The controls feel responsive, and the 3D effect adds depth to the races without being overwhelming.

Two big new features elevate the game:

• Gliding and underwater driving give tracks new verticality and variety.
• Kart customization lets players tweak performance with different bodies, wheels, and gliders, adding more strategy.

The AI can be tough at times, especially in 150cc, but that’s part of the challenge.

Each course is beautifully designed, and many make clever use of the new mechanics like gliders and underwater sections.

The roster includes fan favorites like Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Yoshi, as well as the introduction of Metal Mario and Lakitu as playable characters. You can also race as your Mii, which is a nice personalized touch.

Online multiplayer is smooth and surprisingly competitive, with global or friend matches and customizable community races.

For a handheld title, the visuals are crisp and colorful. The environments pop, and the frame rate holds steady. The soundtrack includes energetic new tunes and remixed classics that enhance the fast-paced feel of the game.

How We Test Games

For testing games we use a Nintendo Switch firmware version 2H. Hardware includes Joy-con and Pro controller on a large screen TV. Tests are done with up to 5 players. We take turns playing and evaluating games.

Whenever possible we play multiple players. We also use a Nintendo 2DS, DS XL, and for PC games we use a Ryzen 7 1700x CPU, AMD RX580, running on Win 10. This game is 1-player on one Nintendo 3DS/2DS.

Pros

Gliding and underwater driving add new gameplay depth.

Great track selection, both new and retro.

Fun and accessible for players of all skill levels.

Strong local and online multiplayer support.

Deep kart customization system.

Cons

Battle mode lacks traditional arenas (uses race tracks instead).

No true single-player “story” or progression.

Item balance can feel frustrating at times.

Summary

Overall, Mario Kart 7 is a fantastic portable entry in the series that keeps the formula fun and familiar while adding just enough new mechanics to feel fresh. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer, it’s a must-play for 3DS owners who love fast, frantic, and fun racing.