‘Mario Kart 7’ injects new life into Nintendo’s 3DS gaming system

Lets be honest; the Nintendo 3DS doesn't  have a lot going for it.

Until this past November, the best parts of its game library were re-relases like "Star Fox 64 3D" and "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D."

Thankfully, the release of "Super Mario 3DLand," a brand new game, injected some life into the system, and that trend continues with "Mario Kart 7."

Letting gamers take control of a number of players from the Super Mario franchise, people can race computer controlled characters, friends on their own 3DSes or players from around the world with a wireless connection.

The cast includes plenty of familiar faces like Luigi and Bowser, but the game also adds new faces like Lakitu and Wiggler.

In exchange, the game cuts a number of fan favorites like Waluigi and Diddy Kong, which is a shame. It can be fun to race as Shy Guy, but who cares about Metal Mario?

Like "Mario Kart Wii," players can also race as their personally designed Mii on their 3DS.

Besides choosing a racer, players also have a say in what cart they're driving, or able to choose things like body type and wheels, with more options becoming unlocked as coins are collected in races.

The game also adds a new element of being able to glide as well as drive underwater, two changes that, while strange at first, quickly become easy to control and a fun aspect of the game.

There are four different game modes for players: Grand Prix, Time Trial, Balloon Battle and Coin Runners, each offering something different.

Grand Prix gives the players 32 tracks broken up into eight cups, 16 brand new races and 16 tracks from previous games with slightly altered designs for the new gameplay elements and updated music.

These nostalgic elements are both good and bad, with classics like the original Rainbow Road from the Super Nintendo days as well as frustrating levels that should burn in a fire like "Waluigi Pinball" from the Nintendo DS "Mario Kart."

Some of the new tracks are exceptionally long – so long that the race is only one lap with checkpoints spread throughout. It is a nice touch that lets players see how massive these levels are as well as present something fresh.

Time Trial hasn't changed from the previous entries in the series, letting players focus on beating developer times and focus on the race instead of worrying about shells.

The other two modes focus more on item battling and collecting. Fun, but definitely something that is more enjoyable with real people instead of AI racers.

The offensive items haven't changed too much, with the notable additions including a fire flower so you can spam fireballs at every opposing racer .as well as a Super Leaf which gives the player a Tanooki tail to both defend and attack.

The most frustrating part about items is that they cause you to lose coins and make unlocking things more difficult.

Still, it captures the proper spirit of "Mario Kart," and for those with a 3DS, this is a must buy. Those looking for a reason to take the plunge need not look further.