Mario Kart 3DS
Encyclopedia
is a racing video game in the Mario Kart
series. The game is developed by Nintendo EAD and published by Nintendo
for the Nintendo 3DS
.
Similar to other games in the Mario Kart series, it incorporates various characters from the Mario games racing with one another on Mario game-themed tracks. New additions to the game include hang-gliding attachments for karts and the ability to drive underwater. The game was released on December 1st in Japan and will be released on December 2nd in Europe, December 3rd in Australia, and December 4th in North America.
gameplay, Mario Kart 7 introduces multiple new gameplay features. The game features several new playable characters, which are Wiggler, Queen Bee, Lakitu and Metal Mario, as well as the option to play as a Mii
, but it has lost some characters, such as the baby characters, Toadette, Funky Kong, Bowser Jr, Dry Bones, Dry Bowser and Waluigi. Players are able to customize their vehicles, choosing from various frames which range in weight, a selection of tires which affect a kart's handling on certain surfaces and a choice of hanggliders and parachute
s, which allow players to glide through the air after hitting certain ramps, collecting coins in midair or finding new routes that can only be reached in midair. Players can also drive underwater for the first time, offering various routes through each course. The game will also feature new weapons, such as the Fire Flower, the Super Leaf and Lucky 7, a roulette item. The game can also be played in an optional first-person mode which utilises gyroscopic controls. Returning features include coins from Super Mario Kart
and Mario Kart: Super Circuit which, instead of increasing a player's speed and defence, it is the key to winning new parts for your kart's customisation, and the trick system from Mario Kart Wii
returns, which lets players earn boost by performing tricks in the air. The game will feature online multiplayer for up to eight players, and will also make use of StreetPass and Spotpass functionality, allowing players to download ghost data from other players.
stated that the new sense of depth makes it clear where all the objects are. GameSpot
, IGN
, and Computer and Video Games
have commented on the game's good use of 3D in the game, stating that it helps with judging distance, "heightening that sense of falling," and giving more depth to viewing items and their effects, such as the "ink blot." The four sites also praised the game's graphics in general, especially the frame rate of 60 frames per second while in 3D mode.
A new feature is how characters interact with each other while driving. Characters not only turn their heads when another racer is nearby, but make faces as well, such as "glaring".
The game was the number one most wanted 3DS game by IGN and in a poll conducted by Official Nintendo Magazine.
At E3 2011, it was announced that the game would feature more customization of karts than previous games, such as adjustment of tires, and will feature segments that would include hang-gliding and underwater races. The game is planned to be released December 4, 2011 in the Americas. It was revealed during Nintendo's Developer Roundtable that Retro Studios
contributed assets to developing one of the Donkey Kong themed levels.
It has been confirmed that players will be able to play online, and exchange "Ghost Data" (a player's personal replays of their best race time).
At Nintendo's 3DS Conference on September 13, 2011, two new characters were announced; Lakitu
(red shell) in a cloud kart and Metal Mario. A first-person view is also shown. Also, online multiplayer mode was confirmed with racer awaiting selection of eight opponents (Mii characters) shown on map, similar to Mario Kart Wii online racing selection.
At another Nintendo Conference on October 21, 2011, 1 more character was revealed, that being Shy Guy (Who was playable in Mario Kart DS, but for DS download play only). Motion control was also shown for the first time, tilting the 3DS to control the kart. Several more tracks and characters were shown. Internet racing was further more revealed as well.
In the October 2011 issue of Nintendo Power, two new playable characters were revealed; Wiggler and Honey Queen.
, gave the game a 37/40. They praised the Community feature, making the game more accessible and finding the opponents using StreetPass was also a positive feature. The reviewer states that it's accessible enough that even new players can enjoy it, and when you get into it, you really get into it. Computer and Video Games
gave the game a 9.4/10 and Eurogamer
gave it an 8/10. Nintendo World Report gave the game a 8.5, stating that it is more of the same and the gliding mechanics feel underutilized.
It currently holds an 85/100 rating on Metacritic
based on 27 critic reviews.
Mario Kart
is a series of go-kart-style racing video games developed by Nintendo as a series of spin-offs from its trademark Mario series of platformer adventure-style video games...
series. The game is developed by Nintendo EAD and published by Nintendo
Nintendo
is a multinational corporation located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded on September 23, 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, it produced handmade hanafuda cards. By 1963, the company had tried several small niche businesses, such as a cab company and a love hotel....
for the Nintendo 3DS
Nintendo 3DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo. The autostereoscopic device is able to project stereoscopic 3D effects without the use of 3D glasses or any additional accessories. The Nintendo 3DS features backward compatibility with Nintendo DS series software, including Nintendo DSi software...
.
Similar to other games in the Mario Kart series, it incorporates various characters from the Mario games racing with one another on Mario game-themed tracks. New additions to the game include hang-gliding attachments for karts and the ability to drive underwater. The game was released on December 1st in Japan and will be released on December 2nd in Europe, December 3rd in Australia, and December 4th in North America.
Gameplay
While carrying on from the traditional Mario KartMario Kart
is a series of go-kart-style racing video games developed by Nintendo as a series of spin-offs from its trademark Mario series of platformer adventure-style video games...
gameplay, Mario Kart 7 introduces multiple new gameplay features. The game features several new playable characters, which are Wiggler, Queen Bee, Lakitu and Metal Mario, as well as the option to play as a Mii
Mii
A is a digital avatar used in Nintendo's Wii and Nintendo 3DS gaming consoles. They allow users to capture a likeness of themselves and others. After creating one using the Wii's Mii Channel or the Nintendo 3DS's Mii Maker, they can be used as playable characters in various titles for the...
, but it has lost some characters, such as the baby characters, Toadette, Funky Kong, Bowser Jr, Dry Bones, Dry Bowser and Waluigi. Players are able to customize their vehicles, choosing from various frames which range in weight, a selection of tires which affect a kart's handling on certain surfaces and a choice of hanggliders and parachute
Parachute
A parachute is a device used to slow the motion of an object through an atmosphere by creating drag, or in the case of ram-air parachutes, aerodynamic lift. Parachutes are usually made out of light, strong cloth, originally silk, now most commonly nylon...
s, which allow players to glide through the air after hitting certain ramps, collecting coins in midair or finding new routes that can only be reached in midair. Players can also drive underwater for the first time, offering various routes through each course. The game will also feature new weapons, such as the Fire Flower, the Super Leaf and Lucky 7, a roulette item. The game can also be played in an optional first-person mode which utilises gyroscopic controls. Returning features include coins from Super Mario Kart
Super Mario Kart
is a go-kart racing video game developed by Nintendo EAD for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System . The first game of the Mario Kart series, it was launched in Japan on August 27, 1992, in North America on September 1, 1992, and in Europe on January 21, 1993. Selling eight million copies...
and Mario Kart: Super Circuit which, instead of increasing a player's speed and defence, it is the key to winning new parts for your kart's customisation, and the trick system from Mario Kart Wii
Mario Kart Wii
is a racing video game developed by Nintendo Entertainment Analysis and Development and published by Nintendo for the Wii video game console. It is the sixth installment in the Mario Kart series and the second Mario Kart title to use the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. The game was released worldwide...
returns, which lets players earn boost by performing tricks in the air. The game will feature online multiplayer for up to eight players, and will also make use of StreetPass and Spotpass functionality, allowing players to download ghost data from other players.
Development
Shigeru MiyamotoShigeru Miyamoto
is a Japanese video game designer and producer. Miyamoto was born and raised in Kyoto Prefecture; the natural surroundings of Kyoto inspired much of Miyamoto's later work....
stated that the new sense of depth makes it clear where all the objects are. GameSpot
GameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
, IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
, and Computer and Video Games
Computer and video games
A video game is an electronic game that involves human interaction with a user interface to generate visual feedback on a video device. The word video in video game traditionally referred to a raster display device, but following popularization of the term "video game", it now implies any type of...
have commented on the game's good use of 3D in the game, stating that it helps with judging distance, "heightening that sense of falling," and giving more depth to viewing items and their effects, such as the "ink blot." The four sites also praised the game's graphics in general, especially the frame rate of 60 frames per second while in 3D mode.
A new feature is how characters interact with each other while driving. Characters not only turn their heads when another racer is nearby, but make faces as well, such as "glaring".
The game was the number one most wanted 3DS game by IGN and in a poll conducted by Official Nintendo Magazine.
At E3 2011, it was announced that the game would feature more customization of karts than previous games, such as adjustment of tires, and will feature segments that would include hang-gliding and underwater races. The game is planned to be released December 4, 2011 in the Americas. It was revealed during Nintendo's Developer Roundtable that Retro Studios
Retro Studios
Retro Studios is an American video game developer based in Austin, Texas. The company was founded in October 1998 by the video game veteran Jeff Spangenberg after leaving Acclaim Entertainment, as an independent studio making games exclusively for Nintendo Company, Ltd.On May 2, 2002, Nintendo...
contributed assets to developing one of the Donkey Kong themed levels.
It has been confirmed that players will be able to play online, and exchange "Ghost Data" (a player's personal replays of their best race time).
At Nintendo's 3DS Conference on September 13, 2011, two new characters were announced; Lakitu
Lakitu
Lakitu, known in Japan as , is a video game creature in the Mario series. It was created by Shigeru Miyamoto. It first appeared in the Nintendo Entertainment System video game Super Mario Bros., where it dropped enemies called Spinies on the stage. It has a striped green shell, wears thick...
(red shell) in a cloud kart and Metal Mario. A first-person view is also shown. Also, online multiplayer mode was confirmed with racer awaiting selection of eight opponents (Mii characters) shown on map, similar to Mario Kart Wii online racing selection.
At another Nintendo Conference on October 21, 2011, 1 more character was revealed, that being Shy Guy (Who was playable in Mario Kart DS, but for DS download play only). Motion control was also shown for the first time, tilting the 3DS to control the kart. Several more tracks and characters were shown. Internet racing was further more revealed as well.
In the October 2011 issue of Nintendo Power, two new playable characters were revealed; Wiggler and Honey Queen.
Reception
Mario Kart 7 has received positive reviews. The first review, from FamitsuFamitsu
is a line of Japanese video game magazines published by Enterbrain, Inc. and Tokuma. Currently, there are five Famitsū magazines: Shūkan Famitsū, Famitsū PS3 + PSP, Famitsū Xbox 360, Famitsū Wii+DS, and Famitsū Wave DVD...
, gave the game a 37/40. They praised the Community feature, making the game more accessible and finding the opponents using StreetPass was also a positive feature. The reviewer states that it's accessible enough that even new players can enjoy it, and when you get into it, you really get into it. Computer and Video Games
Computer and video games
A video game is an electronic game that involves human interaction with a user interface to generate visual feedback on a video device. The word video in video game traditionally referred to a raster display device, but following popularization of the term "video game", it now implies any type of...
gave the game a 9.4/10 and Eurogamer
Eurogamer
Eurogamer is a Brighton-based website focused on video games news, reviews, previews and interviews. It is operated by Eurogamer Network Ltd., which was formed in 1999 by brothers Rupert and Nick Loman. Eurogamer has grown to become one of the most important European-based websites focused on...
gave it an 8/10. Nintendo World Report gave the game a 8.5, stating that it is more of the same and the gliding mechanics feel underutilized.
It currently holds an 85/100 rating on Metacritic
Metacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
based on 27 critic reviews.