Mario Kart 7 - 3DS

OMG this is one of the best games I have ever played and soooo additive, and if I'm totally honest I hate racing games, the 3d is stunning and the graphics are great, and the game is just total fun very addictive and the on line challenges are great.

Excellent game - another very enjoyable asset to the Mario Kart series. This one even has all the old tracks from previous Mario Kart games available. I am unsure if it is a recent addition, but the ability to glide during parts of the race tracks definitely adds another enjoyable aspect to this game. I also tested this game on Local Co-Op which proved to be a lot of fun, particularly with the different game modes such as Team Play (4v4). During the game you collect coins which unlocks future content in the game, this feature adds an addictive re-playing attribute to the game.

Wow - just wow. After the lacklustre Wii entry I really thought the series was flagging, with the decision to add bikes to the mix really showing how desperate Nintendo were getting to inject somelife into the series.

Thankfully, Nintendo (and retro studios) have pulled a blinder by creating a new entry that feels both fresjh and familiar at the same time.

First - the differences. Coins are back, adding a brilliant risk-reward element to veering off the beaten track. Kart customisation has been expanded and is actually really fun, wiht tangible differences between the Kart pieces you unlock. The number of racers has been dropped to eight - a brilliant idea, as being hammered constantly with powerups in the 12 man races on Wii turned the game into a complete joke. The boost mechanic has been slightly tweaked to reward a good racing line while preventing the 'snaking that ruined mario kart DS, plus the new trakcs are awesome and the old ones picked from previous games are brilliant (yes even the gamecube ones). Aaaaand yes, Bikes are gone gone gone (thank god.)

Probably the best thing though? The online - its BRILLIANT. It just works - getting into a race takes seconds and theres no lag to speak of. Truly fantastic stuff, and the return of defense items (gone from DS) into the mix brings the strategy back.

A triumph and probably the best Mario Kart yet!

(the 3D looks astounding by the way)

This is another quality Mario Kart from Nintendo. You won't find much new here other than the 3D graphics and the gliding/underwater sections, but it still holds its own as a racing game.

The single player Grand Prix offers 8 cups; consisting of 16 new courses and 16 classic courses. This gives 32 courses in total, and is the same number offered by Mario Kart DS. Unfortunately, the Grand Prix mode can still be very frustrating, with CPU opponents relentlessly attacking your character, or hitting you on the final corner taking you from 1st to 5th (or worse). Most Mario Kart players will be familiar with this formula, so it won't come as a surprise to them, and it wouldn't be fun if all the races were uneventful.

Other modes include Time Trials (with download ghost data), Balloon Battles, Coin Battles, and online Multiplayer for each of the game modes.

Ultimately, the quality of the title is excellent throughout, but whether you like it or not will depend on how much you liked previous Mario Karts. If you haven't played Mario Kart before, or if you were hooked on Mario Kart DS and you want more of the same, then this is well worth a purchase. However, if you have grown tired of Mario Kart, this is still worth a rental to see the new content which can be completed within a couple of days.

OK, the reason I gave MK7 4. 5/5 because...

Pros

Having a nice, bright, lush drive through Mushroom Kingdom is fun.

17 unique characters. Including the chance to play as yourself!(Mii)

Intricately designed courses(32 of them) , just like old times:)

Cons

Some bad glitches

Nothing all that new(Except items, 16 courses, improved online multiplayer(With download play!!!:)) and 4 new characters.

Not much new(Apart from