Mario Kart 7

Ever since the Super Nintendo, every Nintendo console has featured a Mario Kart game (let's not pretend like Virtual Boy was a real console). Considering they still sell like crazy, it's as sure a bet as any that the racers of the Mushroom Kingdom would arrive sooner rather than later on 3DS. Mario Kart is playable here on the show floor, and I got a chance to participate in a three-race grand prix.

If you're on this site, odds are you're at least familiar with how Mario Kart works. For the most part, what you'll find in the 3DS' Mario Kart falls in line with what you've played before. Shells are thrown, boosts are plentiful, and the tracks are colorful and filled with obstacles. However, a few minor tweaks and changes make me more excited for the game than I expected to be.

The first thing I immediately noticed is that this is the best 3D I've seen on the portable yet. On most games on the system, the 3D effect can be slightly jarring at times. This wasn't the case with Mario Kart, as I had the slider set to max for the entire time I played it. It looks gorgeous, and the bright colors and environments of the game are well-suited for the effect.

Changes aren't purely cosmetic, however, Previous games in the series featured a selection of cars, but you couldn't alter individual parts. With Mario Kart on 3DS, you select your kart's frame, wheels, and glider style before you ever hit the pavement. These will alter both the cosmetics and handling of your vehicle, and there were slots to indicate plenty of unlockables.

Gliders are new to the series, and come into play more than I expected. After going off a huge jump, your glider automatically deploys and gives you full airborne control of your vehicle. Sometimes you'll be avoiding obstacles, sometimes you'll be steering towards pickups, but you'll always have control. Another new feature is underwater driving, complete with a boat propeller that appears on your vehicle when you're submerged.

I played on three tracks. One was high in the sky and featured flowers that I could bounce off of, a second featured plenty of underwater sections and oyster traps, and the third was set in the world of Donkey Kong Country Returns. All were full of personality and unique traps, and feel like great fits for the series. We'd expect a bunch of classic courses to return as well if previous games are any indication.

Coins also make a return, but it was unclear in my demo what their function is. They made your kart move faster on SNES, but that didn't seem like the case here. My guess would be that they're used to purchase unlockables from an in-game store.

I've enjoyed every single Mario Kart game, but this one feels like the freshest entry since Double Dash. The series is a staple on Nintendo systems for a reason, and it looks like that trend will certainly continue on 3DS.