《瑪利歐賽車7》（日文名稱：マリオカート7 / 英文名稱：Mario Kart 7）是由Nintendo EAD與Retro Studios合作開發，任天堂發行的競速遊戲，於2011年在3DS平台上推出。作為《瑪利歐賽車》系列的第七部本傳作品，延續系列一貫的歡樂賽車競速風格，並首次在掌機平台上引入多項創新要素，使其在技術與玩法上達到新高峰，成為3DS平台上最受歡迎的多人遊戲之一。

不像傳統RPG或冒險遊戲有明確劇情主線，依然維持《瑪利歐賽車》系列的賽道導向玩法。背景設定在瑪利歐宇宙中的各大場景，可選擇多位熟悉的角色，例如瑪利歐、路易吉、碧姬公主、耀西、庫巴、奇諾比奧等，參加一場場刺激而富娛樂性的賽車比賽。雖然故事性不強，但透過角色、場景與道具的設計，依然讓人能感受到瑪利歐世界獨有的節奏與活力。

在操作與玩法方面，保留系列標誌性的「道具競速」風格，透過賽道上蒐集問號箱獲得各種道具來干擾對手或保護自己，例如紅龜殼、香蕉皮、閃電、子彈比爾等。不過最大亮點在於導入三項全新要素——滑翔、潛水與自訂車輛。

滑翔機構讓玩家在飛躍坡道後可展開滑翔翼，利用氣流改變落地點；水下模式則改變傳統落水判定為潛水行駛，並根據水中阻力調整車速與操控；而車輛自訂功能能選擇不同的車體、輪胎與滑翔翼組合，影響加速力、最高速、轉向能力與越野性能，使比賽策略更具個人化與深度。這些創新不但增加賽道變化的豐富度，也讓老玩家感受到耳目一新的競速體驗。

操作方式除傳統的搖桿與按鍵操控外，也支援3DS主機的體感陀螺儀功能，可切換至第一人稱視角，通過轉動主機來控制方向，模擬駕駛的臨場感。雖然體感模式對某些進階技巧（如甩尾與飄移）較難施展，但對於初學者與喜歡沉浸式體驗的玩家來說是一大樂趣。

賽道方面，共提供32條賽道，其中16條為全新設計，另16條則是從過去作品中精選重製的「經典賽道」。全新賽道涵蓋多種風格主題，包括原野、沙漠、冰雪、海底、城市、火山與天空等，並充分展現滑翔與潛水系統的設計潛力，例如「Wuhu島」、「音樂公路」與「3DS彩虹之路」都是極具創意與技術感的賽道。而經典賽道如「SNES鬼屋」、「N64庫巴城堡」、「DS皮丘花園」等也經過圖像與地形的大幅翻新，讓老玩家能重新感受熟悉的競速回憶。

在多人遊玩方面，提供本地連線與網路對戰功能。透過Nintendo Network，可以與世界各地的對手進行最多8人的即時競賽，不僅有自由競速，也能參加排名戰，或創建自訂規則的「社團」（Communities），如限特定角色、道具或賽道的比賽模式，進一步提升遊戲耐玩度。此外，透過StreetPass功能，與擦身而過的3DS玩家互換遊玩資料與幽靈紀錄，激發更多社交與競爭樂趣。

在市場評價方面，在推出後獲得廣泛好評。多數評論肯定其畫面表現細緻，尤其在3DS立體視效下展現出良好的空間感與速度感。玩法創新受到高度評價，特別是滑翔與潛水功能讓賽道結構更立體多變，自訂車輛系統也提升策略深度與重玩價值。IGN給予本作9分，盛讚其為系列中的重大進化；GameSpot也給予8分，認為它是3DS上最佳的競速遊戲之一。

不過也有部分批評集中在單人內容方面，認為相對於多人模式的豐富性，單人Grand Prix模式略顯單調，缺乏進一步的劇情或角色互動深度。此外，有些玩家對於道具平衡性的抱怨仍未止息，特別是在競賽末段遭連續攻擊而失利的情況仍然常見，這是《瑪利歐賽車》系列自始以來的雙面刃—同時帶來歡樂與混亂。

總體來說，這是兼具創新與傳統的賽車遊戲，它巧妙結合經典的道具競速與全新玩法，帶給3DS玩家極具魅力的競賽體驗。無論是想體驗刺激道具攻防、享受技術甩尾快感，或單純和朋友開心同樂，都能滿足不同層次的需求，是掌機上不可或缺的賽車經典之作。

Mario Kart 7 (Japanese Title: マリオカート7 / English Title: Mario Kart 7) is a racing game co-developed by Nintendo EAD and Retro Studios, published by Nintendo, and released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2011. As the seventh main entry in the Mario Kart series, it carries forward the franchise’s signature fun and chaotic kart-racing style, while introducing several new features to the handheld platform — reaching new heights in both technical execution and gameplay innovation. It quickly became one of the most popular multiplayer games on the 3DS.

Unlike traditional RPGs or adventure games, Mario Kart 7 doesn't feature a story-driven campaign, instead sticking to the track-based, arcade-style racing formula the series is known for. The game takes place across famous locations within the Mario universe, offering a selection of well-known characters like Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Yoshi, Bowser, and Toad, all competing in lively, high-speed races. While narrative depth isn’t its focus, the unique world of Mario shines through in the character designs, environments, and item mechanics — giving the game a lively and unmistakably Mario vibe.

In terms of gameplay, it retains the series’ iconic item-based racing system, where players collect item boxes on the track to gain power-ups to hinder opponents or protect themselves — such as Red Shells, Banana Peels, Lightning, and Bullet Bill. What makes Mario Kart 7 stand out is the introduction of three major new features: gliding, underwater driving, and vehicle customization.

• Gliding lets players deploy a glider when launching off ramps, using air currents to control their descent and landing points.
• Underwater driving replaces the traditional fall-into-water penalty, letting karts drive underwater with adjusted speed and handling based on water resistance.
• Vehicle customization allows players to mix and match different bodies, tires, and gliders, affecting their kart’s acceleration, top speed, handling, and off-road ability — adding deeper strategy and personalization to the races.

These innovations greatly diversify the track design and refresh the classic racing experience for veteran players.

Control-wise, the game supports both traditional circle pad and button inputs as well as the 3DS’s built-in gyroscope, enabling a first-person driving mode where players can steer by physically tilting the system. While this control style makes advanced techniques like drifting and snaking more difficult, it’s a fun, immersive option for casual players and those seeking a new way to experience the races.

The game offers a total of 32 tracks — 16 brand-new courses and 16 retro tracks remastered from previous titles. New courses cover a variety of themes, including grasslands, deserts, icy landscapes, underwater routes, city streets, volcanoes, and skyways. Tracks like Wuhu Loop, Music Park, and Rainbow Road (3DS) creatively showcase the potential of the new gliding and underwater mechanics. Meanwhile, returning classics like SNES Ghost Valley, N64 Bowser’s Castle, and DS Peach Gardens are enhanced with updated visuals and terrain, allowing longtime fans to relive nostalgic memories in a fresh way.

In terms of multiplayer, the game supports local wireless play and online multiplayer through Nintendo Network, allowing up to eight players to race simultaneously. Players can engage in casual races, participate in ranking battles, or create Communities — custom lobbies with specific rules like limited characters, items, or tracks, greatly expanding the game’s replay value. The StreetPass feature lets players swap data and ghost records with others they pass in real life, adding a social and competitive element to everyday play.

Mario Kart 7 received widespread praise upon release. Critics and fans alike lauded its polished visuals, especially the sense of speed and spatial depth made possible by the 3DS’s stereoscopic 3D effect. The new gameplay mechanics — particularly gliding, underwater racing, and kart customization — were highly acclaimed for making track layouts more dynamic and the racing experience more strategic and replayable. IGN gave it an 9, calling it a major step forward for the series, while GameSpot scored it an 8, describing it as one of the best racing games available on the 3DS.

Some criticisms focused on the single-player content, with some players finding the Grand Prix mode a bit repetitive compared to the multiplayer’s richness, and noting a lack of narrative or deeper character interactions. Additionally, as with past Mario Kart entries, there were occasional complaints about item balance, particularly situations where players could be knocked out of the lead by a string of attacks near the finish line — a trademark of the series that brings both chaos and joy.

Overall, Mario Kart 7 is a well-balanced blend of innovation and tradition, skillfully combining classic item-based racing with new mechanics, delivering a deeply entertaining kart racing experience for 3DS players. Whether you’re looking for thrilling item battles, mastering sharp drifts, or simply having a good time with friends, Mario Kart 7 caters to all types of players — making it one of the essential racing titles on the handheld platform.