Mario Kart 7: A must have for 3DS

Speed. Nimble moves. Sharp reflexes. The timely use of a turtle shell.

Yes, the glory that is Mario Kart is back, this time on the 3DS. The majesty of this racing franchise has entertained us for more than a decade. Featuring more than 30 tracks (some new and some returning favorites), Mario Kart 7 is a game all 3DS owners need to own.

It takes time to unlock all 17 playable characters, and here you can also make slight tweaks to your kart, from the type of wheels to the kind of glider you wish to use. This is mere setup, however, for the true fun of zooming around these wacky tracks at breakneck speed to nab the checkered flag.

Though the first two levels of racing (50cc and 100cc) are fairly easy to tame, the best action is to be found on the 150cc level. Here, the opposing racers are out for blood, hurling turtle shells, banana peels and anything else they can grab to disrupt your progress. The adventurous should take their skills online and face human competition, which is the best way to experience the game.

The visuals are fantastic and fit the 3DS perfectly, whether you are gliding above the competition or avoiding it during some of the new underwater sequences. Mario Kart 7 always brims with frantic racing excitement.

MARIO KART 7

RATING E for Everyone

PLOT A race like no other

DETAILS Nintendo 3DS, $40

BOTTOM LINE Buy it now.