Mario Kart 7 is a 2011 kart racing game developed by Nintendo EAD in cooperation with Retro Studios and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 3DS. In Mario Kart 7, the player takes control of one of seventeen Mario series characters, who participate in races on various Mario-themed race tracks using specialized items to hinder opponents or gain advantages. In single player mode, players can race against computer-controlled characters in 8 multi-race cups consisting of 32 tracks over three difficulty levels. Alternatively, players can race against the clock in a Time Trial mode.