Mario Kart 7 (マリオカート7) is a racing game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 3DS. It is the seventh installment of the Mario Kart series and the third for the 3DS. The game features new characters, tracks, karts and items, as well as the ability to customize karts and characters. Players can also race in 3D and compete in online tournaments. The game also features StreetPass functionality, allowing players to exchange data with other players in the vicinity. Mario Kart 7 was released in Japan on December 1, 2011 and has since become one of the most popular games for the 3DS. The game has been praised for its improved graphics, new features and content, and for its overall fun and addictive gameplay. Mario Kart 7 is sure to keep players entertained for hours on end.