Mario Kart 7 (マリオカート7) is a kart racing game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 3DS. The game is the seventh installment in the Mario Kart series and the third to be released on a handheld console. Players take control of a variety of characters from the Mario universe, such as Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Toad, and race on a variety of tracks based on locations from the Mario series. The game features a variety of game modes, including Grand Prix, Time Trials, and online play. Mario Kart 7 also features a new glider and underwater driving mechanic, as well as the ability to customize vehicles. It is the first Mario Kart game to feature online play, allowing players to race against each other from around the world. Mario Kart 7 is the most successful Mario Kart game to date, selling over 18 million copies worldwide. The game has received generally positive reviews, with critics praising its graphics, gameplay, and online features.