Recently, I decided it was time to get with it, so I went down and picked up a copy of Mario Kart 7. The main reason it took this long to pick the game up is that I’ve been busy busting through Mario Kart on the Wii. So, in a way you could say I was done with getting Blue Shelled to the face, and losing first place at the last possible second.
I currently don’t have a lot of friends who have 3ds, and those who do have yet to pick up the game as well. But I had some money for one game, and it was Mario Kart, Starfox 64, or Super Mario 3D Land. I narrowed it down easily! I’ve already waited so long for Starfox, and a price drop may be just around the corner, and while I hear wonderful things about Super Mario 3D Land it’s a short game. Plus, I found out the street team in my area is fairly active and I’d like a nice multiplayer title for when I actually go to a meetup.
On to my actual impression
Mario Kart 7 exceeds where other Mario Karts have failed, gaming with friends. This is a major selling point because, believe it or not, gamers can be pretty social creatures. If you don’t have a 3DS and are unaware of how it works, let me break it down for you. Like the Wii, the 3DS uses friend codes but you only have to punch in the code once and you’ll be able to connect with any of your friends in any game that you both own. Pretty sweet right?
The interesting thing about Mario Kart 7 is the added ‘Community’ function. Users can join your community based with a ‘community code’. I’ve seen websites and physical communities create communities to race with one another one. The idea is really the a neat addition, but it’s nowhere near perfected. After creating your little group you have to pick a game mode for them to play on. From my understanding after picking the mode and all the settings there’s no way to edit the game. Meaning if your group wants to battle instead of racing, you have to create a new community and had them add another code.
Other new noteworthy features include new ways to drive your kart. Your kart is now fully functional for flight gliding and propelling under structures of water. Gliding around is a lot of fun, the fact that they added some gliding into the older levels gives them a bit of fresh air. The Mushroom Gorge, I was completely sick of that silly little map. Little would you have it, the second I got online that’s the first and second map that popped up. Luckily, they did add a gliding jump that I saw someone master and take the lead with.
But gliding is absolutely horrid when you’re in first, because no matter what that blue shell is coming for you while you’re gliding over a cliff edge! Making you not only pause momentarily for the impact, but also fall to your death!
/rant
Overall, this is a must have game for your 3ds! First party gems like this are played throughout the consoles life, and it’s a perfect handheld game. It doesn’t demand too much attention just a race here and there, so if your on the go you don’t feel too antsy about putting it down for a bit! But the most surprising thing is the 3D looks visually pleasing enough to make me play in 3D on occasions.
Team OP has a community channel 45-5524-2564-9418, feel free to join in!
