Mario Kart 7

***Mario Kart 7*** (styled as ***MARIOKART7*** and commonly abbreviated as ***MK7***) is a *Mario* based racing game exclusively made for the Nintendo 3DS (can be played on the *2DS* and New 2DS XL though). It is the seventh *Mario Kart*game in the series, (ninth including the arcade games) and the third for a handheld console. Returning from *Mario Kart Wii*, players are able to exchange Ghost Data and play online or wirelessly on multiplayer mode. *Mario Kart 7* introduces a few new features to the tracks, including Blue Boosters (which trigger Gliding sections) and underwater turbines specifically made for underwater racing. This game introduces kart customization as well, allowing players to toggle parts on their karts to fit their preferences.

* There are three new items: The Fire Flower, the Lucky 7, and the Super Leaf.
* You can now unlock wheels, gliders, and frames to build your own kart.
* After going over a Blue Booster (or a Blue Mushroom in Wii Mushroom Gorge), you will activate a Glider. The glider makes you glide through the air for a certain amount of time.

* You can drive underwater in most tracks (for example, you will drown in Daisy Hills, but not in Cheep Cheep Lagoon).
* Anyone who is in 4th place or lower receives an extra point.
* You can race in a first-person perspective. \*
* The race timer is now exclusive to Time Trials.
* Metal Mario, Wiggler, Shy Guy, Honey Queen, and Lakitu are now playable. (Shy Guy was actually playable in *Mario Kart DS*, only in Download Play.)

\* Exclusive to this game.

* Coins return in Racing mode after an absence since *Mario Kart: Super Circuit*. However, players can only collect a maximum of 10 at a time.
* The Super Mini-Turbo returns from *Mario Kart Wii*, which is done by drifting until the sparks turn orange and gets a more powerful boost.
* The Spiny Shell returns to its wingless form, just like its first two appearances.
* Tricks return from Mario Kart Wii, as well as the character icons and results music.
	+ Bikes are not usable in this game due to system limitations and complaints that they were overpowered compared to Karts due to wheelies.
	+ The race is back to eight racers due to space limitations.
	+ The single-player VS. Race is removed for unknown reasons, an omission that many fans feel reduce the game's replayability.
	+ Waluigi was not included as a playable character, but his course from *Mario Kart DS* is featured as a Retro Track. However, he was planned to appear beforehand.
		- Speaking of not being included, Toadette was another character who was originally planned to appear wasn't included as a playable character too.
		- In fact, only 11 out of 24 characters (not counting Miis) from the previous installment, *Mario Kart Wii*, returned in this game.
	+ The Fake Item Box from previous installments is absent, but was initially planned.
		- Speaking of another item that didn't appear in this game, the Mega Mushroom from *Mario Kart Wii* was also going to appear in this game.
	+ The POW Block, Thunder Cloud, and Mega Mushroom from *Mario Kart Wii* are all absent.

 **D-Pad** | Switch to first-person view (up when in normal view); switch back to normal view (left, right and down when in first-person view)

 Koopa Troopa | Feather

* Absent Items from Mario Kart WiiRace | edit source Fake Item Box (*Mario Kart 64* to *Mario Kart Wii*) POW Block (*Mario Kart Wii*) Thunder Cloud (*Mario Kart Wii*) Mega Mushroom (*Mario Kart Wii*)