![\"\"](\"http:\/\/mygaming.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/01\/Mario-Kart-7-Screen-03.jpg\" "\\"Mario")
<\/a><\/p>\nKarting the course<\/strong><\/p>\n The essence of the game is the Grand Prix mode in which players compete in 8 different cups that consist of 4 tracks each. There are three simple goals to live by in every race: stay on the track, collect power-ups and maintain the lead.<\/p>\n The first goal seems fairly obvious but you\u2019ll soon realize that the creative (or crazy) track designs will often be one of your greatest obstacles. There\u2019s plenty of leaping over giant mushrooms, navigating narrow pathways and dodging the occasional piranha plant. Lose focus for a moment and you\u2019ll plummet into the abyss.<\/p>\n There are two brand new kart mechanics in Mario Kart 7: a hang-glider attachment and a propeller for underwater racing. These new accessories allow for more diverse racing that extends into the sky and the depths of the sea. They are deployed automatically when needed and the creators put a fair amount of thought into it.<\/p>\n Gliding is a particularly enjoyable experience and the optimal use of the glider can be the difference between first and last place. As for the underwater experience – well let\u2019s say that it\u2019s fairly uneventful for the most part.<\/p>\n There are 16 new tracks in Mario Kart 7 and 16 revamped classics from previous games. While most of the new tracks have clear Mario influences there are a few tracks with noticeable themes. These include a new Donkey Kong track, a trip around Wuhu Island and even a Wii Music inspired raceway. The returning tracks are tweaked slightly to accommodate the new-found glider and underwater mechanics and this gives these well-known tracks a new flair of excitement.<\/p>\n Powered up<\/strong><\/p>\n The second crucial part to Mario Kart is the power-ups. Racers collect power-ups by driving into rainbow-coloured boxes. The game then dishes out a random power-up – ranging from a simple nitro-mushroom or banana peel to one of the more flamboyant boosts like splashing ink blots all over your rival\u2019s screen.<\/p>\n All the power-ups we know and love reappear in Mario Kart 7, as well as a few new ones. The game draws some inspiration from Super Mario 3D Land and can grant you a Tanooki tail \u2013 a fluffy tail that grows out of your kart (what will the Japanese think of next?). The Tanooki tail is a defensive power that can be used to deflect incoming shells. It\u2019s a very welcome addition to the game in terms of balancing the items but it serves little use if there\u2019s no blitzkrieg of shells fired at your vehicle.<\/p>\n Coins are scattered across the racetracks and collecting them will unlock new content to use when customizing your vehicle \u2013 another new feature in Mario Kart 7. You can pimp your kart with a new set of wheels or turn your glider into a giant flower if it tickles your fancy.<\/p>\n Kart customization is non-trivial and unlocking new parts does a great deal toward improving your kart\u2019s performance.<\/p>\n Keeping it going<\/strong><\/p>\n Mario Kart 7 is a great single player experience with three AI difficulty settings. The easiest setting is the 50cc cup that\u2019s pretty easy to beat. Then there\u2019s the intermediate 100cc cup and finally the brutal 150cc. The final difficulty will have you screaming words of profanity at your console.<\/p>\n The game has a way of making you believe that you have the lead until the last stretch to the finish line. It\u2019s as if your rivals keep all their power-ups in anticipation for this moment and will assault you with a barrage of green, red and blue shells. By the time you recover from the onslaught you\u2019ll be lucky to get 5th place.<\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve completed a cup the game will give you a rating based on your overall driving performance and there\u2019s nothing more personally satisfying than a three star rating in all the cups!<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n