Game Modes

Mario Kart 7 offers a variety of single-player and multiplayer game modes. Select one of the available modes to test your karting skills on your own, with your friends, or against challengers from around the world!

Grand Prix

Select a Grand Prix cup to compete in a series of four races. Points are rewarded based on your position at the end of each race. At the end of the cup, the points are tallied to determine the winner. If you finish a cup in one of the top three slots, you receive a trophy to commemorate the event! You also receive a rating of zero to three stars, based on your overall performance. To improve your chances of a maximum rating, protect yourself from incoming attacks, avoid falling off of the track, and, of course, win every race in the cup!

Grand Prix events are available in three different classes and—eventually—Mirror Mode. Classes determine the power of the karts. 50cc is the slowest class, increasing with 100cc and 150cc. The class you choose also determines potential rewards, so consider participating in all of them.

At the start of a new game, most Grand Prix cups are locked. Place third or higher in an available cup to unlock the next one.

Collect coins in Grand Prix mode to unlock new kart parts. You can finish each race with a maximum of 10 coins—any coins you carry across the finish line are added to your current total. Each time you collect a predetermined number of coins, a random part becomes available.

Coins

Coins also increase your kart’s maximum speed. To get the most out of coins, try to collect them early in a race. You’ll lose coins each time your kart spins out or falls over; replace lost coins as quickly as possible!

Time Trials

The Time Trials mode is all about speed. Pick the best kart, plan the best route, and find the best spot to use the three Mushrooms given to you at the start of each event. Your best performance is automatically saved as ghost data. If you wish, you can use available ghost data to re-create the recorded performance in your next Time Trial.

Balloon Battle

In Balloon Battle mode, your goal is to pop your opponents’ balloons with the items scattered around the map. The player or team that pops the most balloons before the time expires wins the match. Each player starts the match with three balloons; if you lose all of your balloons, your current popped-balloon count is lowered.

Coin Runners

In the Coin Runners mode, you’re tasked with collecting the coins scattered around the map. Victory is awarded to the player or team holding the most coins at the match. Each time you’re knocked over or suffer a spinout, you lose some of your coins.

Multiplayer

The VS mode, Balloon Battle, and Coin Runners modes are also available for online multiplayer competition. If you play using local wireless you will have access to Grand Prix, Balloon Battle, and Coin Runners. Consult the game manual for details on joining or hosting a multiplayer game.

Worldwide

Select the Worldwide mode to challenge players from all over the world to race and battle in online matches. Your performance in the Worldwide game mode determines your VS Rating.

VS Rating

Your VS Rating (VR) is determined by your performance in Worldwide matches. You start out with a VR of 1,000 points. As you win or lose matches, you’ll gain and lose VR points accordingly. Each time you start a new ranked match, you’ll be grouped with opponents with comparable VS Ratings.

Additional Features

Street Pass

This feature allows you to exchange Mii characters and ghost data with other players.

Spot Pass

The Spot Pass feature automatically downloads ghost data and community recommendations from players around the world.