Post by: NWR_Neal on November 29, 2011, 03:00:00 AM
This 3DS Mario Kart title doesn't reinvent the wheel, but does it have to?
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/28552
Mario Kart 7’s name tells you way more about the game than you might think. While previous iterations in the series had subtitles that told you more about what was special about the game (even if it was just on a new system), the racing series’ 3DS debut has a generic-sounding name that accurately fits a by-the-book sequel. Mario Kart 7 is still great, especially with the stellar use of online and StreetPass and tiny gameplay refinements, but it ultimately just feels like its hitting bullet points.
16 new courses? Check. The new races are, as usual, cleverly designed with neat shortcuts and lots of nostalgia-inducing visuals. The big change-up in this game’s tracks is that three of them (the two Wuhu Island tracks and the new Rainbow Road) don’t feature laps; instead, each race is broken up into three unique sections. It’s a nice change of pace from the usual mayhem, and those tracks are some of my favorites in the game.
16 retro courses? Check. The tracks, ironically developed by Retro Studios, pull from each game in the series, though the Wii and DS games are the only ones that are represented in each cup. If you’ve had experience with these courses before, it’s novel to see how the game’s latest gimmick (using a glider to fly and a propeller to drive underwater) is used in each level. It’s a weird feeling knowing it is now okay to dive underwater in Koopa Troopa Beach.
Speaking of the new gimmick, that’s really all it is. Gliding is occasionally used to open up the courses, but it’s only implemented interestingly in a limited set of tracks. When you’re given the chance to float around for a while, it is awesome, but when you just leap off a ramp to glide for three seconds, it adds very little to the experience. Driving underwater is similarly underutilized, though it just feels like Mario Kart with lower gravity. There is actually a section in the new Rainbow Road where you drive on a moon that realizes the low gravity feeling perfectly.
The Battle Mode features six courses, three of which are pulled from past games. With the exception of a dud (Honeybee Hive), the courses are all excellent when eight players are involved. In a change from the normal Mario Kart tropes, the main Balloon Battle is timed, as players try to rack up the most captured balloons. Coin Runners, a version where you try to collect the most coins, is also present. The customization options are limited, allowing you to limit to groups of items, and not specific items. My hopes of a Blue Shells-only match are dashed.
Where Mario Kart 7 is bolstered above its predecessors is with its online and connectivity options. While I wasn’t able to test the full force of online, the matches I played were flawless and lag-free, and it was easy to hop in and start searching for games. The community option looks like it’ll be a fantastic way to find like-minded players. StreetPass and SpotPass give you the ability to build-up a roster of time-trial ghosts and future online opponents that is all easily managed in a menu off of the main menu. In addition to the online options, you can also play locally using download or multi-card play.
Mario Kart 7 also features a more focused array of items, removing a lot of the farcical ones introduced in past games. The three new items, Fire Flower, Super Leaf, and Lucky 7, all fit in nicely, with the Lucky 7 being the most ridiculous item ever, as it gives you a roulette of seven items ranging from stars to green shells. The same narrow focus extends to the characters, but that’s more of a regression. With items, it affects gameplay, but with characters, it doesn’t make sense to me to remove Dry Bones, the babies, and Waluigi when they’ve already appeared in several iterations. It’s not like this is Super Smash Bros. and Roy is being replaced by Ike; these characters are just straight-up gone and are replaced by the likes of Honey Queen and Wiggler. You also unlock kart parts along the way, but they don't add too much. It's just a new hat on what they had in Mario Kart Wii, except you have a little bit of granular control with the stats.
The 3D effect is snazzy, but it adds nothing more than shine to the game. Graphically, this might be the prettiest Mario Kart game ever. To Kart veterans, the controls should be instantly familiar, especially if you played a lot of Mario Kart Wii, as the boosting mechanic is lifted almost directly from that game. The optional first-person mode, which uses the gyroscope and Circle Pad in conjunction, is surprisingly good, almost like how the motion controls worked in Mario Kart Wii. Basically, you lose precision, but if you can beat people using it, you deserve a gold star (or wheel).
Mario Kart 7 isn’t a huge leap forward for the series. Instead, it’s another damn fine iteration in a proven series. You’ll still be upset when you’re “Mario Karted” by a blue shell followed up by a red shell and a bomb, but the winning online play and gameplay polish make Mario Kart 7 a must-have for all 3DS owners.
Post by: Enner on November 29, 2011, 04:12:52 AM
I'm sad to read that the kart customization isn't as fleshed out as I hoped it would be. I know it would've been a long stretch, but I hoped for some mech-lab-lite with karts.
Post by: famicomplicated on November 29, 2011, 07:31:02 AM
I'll never forgive Double Dash for introducing both those horrible elements...
Can't wait to play this, communities sounds awesome, can't wait to see how easy to setup/flexible it is.
I just hope you can drag items behind you in online multiplayer!
Post by: KITT 10K on November 29, 2011, 03:44:23 PM
Post by: NWR_Neal on November 29, 2011, 03:56:36 PM
Post by: MegaByte on November 29, 2011, 03:58:23 PM
Post by: Stogi on November 29, 2011, 04:06:54 PM
Post by: Ras on November 29, 2011, 04:58:41 PM
Post by: NWR_Neal on November 29, 2011, 05:27:03 PM
Post by: Ian Sane on November 29, 2011, 05:27:42 PM
I'm not going to bother with any further Mario Karts until the handicapping is gone. I love the gameplay of racing around in go-karts and firing shells at each other. It is frustrating that the specific execution is what turns me off as the broad design is very enjoyable. But with the series selling so well, what incentive does Nintendo have to change things?
Post by: Ras on November 29, 2011, 05:51:56 PM
Ian, one feature you might like is that parameters can be set for multiplayer games, such as all banana peels, all red shells, etc. I would assume you could say, "Everything but blue shells, bullet bills, etc." Maybe that will allow you to enjoy it to some degree.
Post by: pureval on November 29, 2011, 06:29:42 PM
Post by: Ian Sane on November 29, 2011, 06:40:55 PM
Ian, one feature you might like is that parameters can be set for multiplayer games, such as all banana peels, all red shells, etc. I would assume you could say, "Everything but blue shells, bullet bills, etc." Maybe that will allow you to enjoy it to some degree.
It goes beyond blue shells. It's stuff like how when you're ahead you get nothing but banana peels while the guy in last gets tons of great items. I don't even have a problem with blue shells in theory. If they were incredibly rare items and anyone in any position could get them, I wouldn't care.
It's really just a design approach that Nintendo goes with. Nintendo wants Mario Kart to be incredibly accessible to the point that each race is artificially balanced. They want a party game where beginners can play with experts and not feel like they have no chance. I get the idea, but it isn't the type of game I want to play. I have no problem with that type of handicapping being an option, but it never is. At least there are parameters for a change which is an incredibly progressive idea for Nintendo.
Post by: Stogi on November 29, 2011, 07:06:54 PM
I like the idea.
Post by: Shaymin on November 29, 2011, 07:49:16 PM
Either way, Mario Kart (63 / 9) looks like a definite pickup, maybe after a price drHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Post by: Chocobo_Rider on November 29, 2011, 08:18:51 PM
My heart goes out to Neal who looked at this awesomeness and saw nothing new, only "gimmicks." But, it's cool - his review, his call, his perspective.
Post by: Caterkiller on November 29, 2011, 08:50:04 PM
Post by: oohhboy on November 29, 2011, 08:55:23 PM
The blue shell issue could be fixed by making it so only one ever gets spawned in a given race or X laps. It's still there and it gives a chance for the beginner to influence the race. It still doesn't completely resolve the issue where it tends to only punish the person in first place. A better modification might be that is hits the top 4, since it would more likely allow the pack as a whole run a closer race than just punishing the hell out of the leader. It's still stupid in MK:DS when you get blue shelled once a fucking lap.
Post by: Totodilee on November 29, 2011, 09:43:01 PM
Post by: NWR_Neal on November 29, 2011, 09:59:26 PM
Uhh, does Mario Kart 7 have driver licenses or save files like Mario Kart Wii? If so, how many are there? :)
Only one save file as far as I can tell.
I feel like this is Uncharted 3 getting an 8/10 from Eurogamer. I really enjoy(ed) this game. I just wasn't bowled over by it. Like, it's Mario Kart. It's still very good, but, to me, it doesn't ascend past the high points of the series.
But then again, I loved Mario Kart Wii, and apparently most other people had issues with it. Everybody's favorite Mario Kart is different.
Post by: KnowsNothing on November 30, 2011, 12:03:54 AM
But then again, I loved Mario Kart Wii, and apparently most other people had issues with it. Everybody's favorite Mario Kart is different.For a series that, according to most, hasn't progressed much in the past few iterations it's funny how differently people feel about the games (and how vehemently they defend their personal favorites). These small changes create vast rifts in the gaming community.
Personally? Super Circuit is my favorite, followed by Double Dash (I loved the cooperative game play and clunkier vehicles). Mario Kart DS was fun but snaking ruined the online play, and the best part of Mario Kart Wii was the motion control. Mario Kart 64 has aged very well and is still more fun than the DS or Wii versions. The original is the worst.
Post by: TJ Spyke on November 30, 2011, 12:25:04 AM
Mario Kart 64 has aged very well and is still more fun than the DS or Wii versions.
I have to disagree on this. I like MK64, but I love MKDS more (and I am not the only one, it appears many people think this one is the best, despite the snaking problem that caused me to stop with online).
Post by: NWR_pap64 on November 30, 2011, 12:53:56 AM
But then again, I loved Mario Kart Wii, and apparently most other people had issues with it. Everybody's favorite Mario Kart is different.For a series that, according to most, hasn't progressed much in the past few iterations it's funny how differently people feel about the games (and how vehemently they defend their personal favorites). These small changes create vast rifts in the gaming community.
Personally? Super Circuit is my favorite, followed by Double Dash (I loved the cooperative game play and clunkier vehicles). Mario Kart DS was fun but snaking ruined the online play, and the best part of Mario Kart Wii was the motion control. Mario Kart 64 has aged very well and is still more fun than the DS or Wii versions. The original is the worst.
Agreed on all accounts. It's true that people accuse the series for not evolving throughout the years, but if you look at the preferences people have there is always one change or addition that either impresses or annoy gamers.
Post by: Killer_Man_Jaro on November 30, 2011, 04:26:37 AM
Watching that video review, it also looked like there was a lot more happening in the new tracks, and split paths were abundant. Ultimately, the macro structure of Mario 3D Kart is almost identical to its predecessors, and I get why that's an issue for some. That said, three years on from the last Mario Kart, I'm in the mood for it again, and this seems to do the right things to get me back on board.
Post by: Plugabugz on November 30, 2011, 09:11:27 AM
Post by: oohhboy on November 30, 2011, 11:22:43 AM
Post by: Plugabugz on November 30, 2011, 12:16:08 PM
Have you tried firing the blue shell while in first place? It's the comedy option. I would rather remove the blue shell over complete randomization. An even better option would be to have it only appear in last place and have it so it will sequentially hit everybody but the launcher in the reverse order from first to second to last. It would compress the race while not radically changing the placings while given the rear a chance to catch up.
I have fired the blue shell in first deliberately to stop second from coming first. Realistically your idea is the most sensible though..
Post by: NWR_Neal on November 30, 2011, 12:28:09 PM
Post by: Mop it up on November 30, 2011, 05:36:54 PM
As for myself, I agree that despite how similar they may seem, every Mario Kart game is different. I'm no fan of the series, and the only one of them I like is Mario Kart Wii. So for me to get a new game in the series, it'd take a lot to entice me. When I saw the transforming karts in the E3 trailer, I thought it was really cool. However, everything I've seen since then, from going back to only 8 racers to the lack of characters, vehicles, and modes, makes me feel more and more disappointed. And now, hearing that the transformations don't add as much as they should solidifies my decision that the game isn't worth full price. I'll be picking it up once I find it on sale for half that.
Post by: 5kytar on November 30, 2011, 08:05:41 PM
Post by: Traveller on December 03, 2011, 04:36:44 PM
Post by: GrabMyBoomstick on December 07, 2011, 06:07:28 PM
Post by: Wah on July 30, 2013, 09:44:44 PM
- NO WALUIGI
- HONEY QUEEN?!
- and why put time limit in battle mode!
- plus lots of cheats like wuhu mountain!
Other than that (namely Waluigi! :@ ) good MK! ;D
Post by: Wah on July 30, 2013, 09:45:32 PM
Waluigi... why you no show up?I think i have fallen in love with a blue blob...
Post by: TJ Spyke on July 30, 2013, 10:11:02 PM
Post by: Wah on July 30, 2013, 11:21:41 PM
Post by: TJ Spyke on July 30, 2013, 11:28:00 PM
Post by: Wah on July 30, 2013, 11:31:07 PM
Post by: TJ Spyke on July 30, 2013, 11:51:16 PM
Post by: pokepal148 on July 30, 2013, 11:55:40 PM
Post by: MegaByte on July 31, 2013, 01:32:57 AM
Only if you don't download the patch (which fixes the glitches in local play too).They specifically did not fix it in offline mode so that pre-fix time trial times would still be obtainable.
Post by: Wah on July 31, 2013, 06:26:24 PM
But what is the point? You are cheating yourself.u USE IT IN LOCAL BECAUSE EVERYONE USES IT AND U WOULD LOSE OTHERWISE!!!
Post by: TJ Spyke on August 01, 2013, 02:13:40 PM
But what is the point? You are cheating yourself.u USE IT IN LOCAL BECAUSE EVERYONE USES IT AND U WOULD LOSE OTHERWISE!!!
Still cheating. It's why people also stopped playing Mario Kart DS online because snakers ruined the game.
Post by: pokepal148 on August 01, 2013, 04:35:46 PM
Post by: Phil on August 01, 2013, 05:26:55 PM
