Mario Kart 7 Mario/Standard Kart

       
 
 
Made By:
Jakks Pacific
Scale:
N/A
MSRP:
US$8.99
52
Overview:
Packaging (Design):8/10
Packaging (Durability):8/10
Casting (Body):9/10
Casting (Interior):N/A
Casting (Chassis):8/10
Casting (Engine):8/10
Paint (Exterior):9/10
Paint (Interior):8/10
Paint (Trim/Graphics):6/10
Overall Panel Fit:N/A
Total Score:8.0/10

 
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Jakks Pacific Mario Kart Mario Standard Kart
Mario Kart Mario Standard Kart packaging Mario Kart Mario Standard Kart front detail Mario Kart Mario Standard Kart engine Mario Kart Mario Standard Kart Mario Mario Kart Mario Standard Kart wheel detail Mario Kart Mario Standard Kart rear

 
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Background

The Standard Kart was redesigned for Mario Kart 7, inspired by the Toad Kart/Toadette Kart from Mario Kart: Double Dash!!. The emblem was moved back to the nose of the car for this design, and for the first time the Karts were equipped with retractable hang gliders and propellers for underwater travel.

 

Packaging

Jakks' "World of Nintendo" Mario Kart vehicles are packaged on a blister card, 4½" (114mm) wide and 6" (153mm) high. A solid red background takes up most of the card, with a black border, yellow stripe under the blister, light checkerboard behind the vehicle, and black/yellow stripe above the blister with the character's name and game title. At the top left corner is an image of Mario on his Mario Kart 8 Standard Kart, and the edge of the cardback is die cut to follow his outline. The back side has a stat card and product photo, co-sells for the other vehicles in the line, and all the legal info. The blister holds a molded plastic tray that keeps the car in place, and the only way to remove it is to cut or remove the outer blister.

 

Casting/Paint

The Kart is an all-plastic construction, and everything except the soft vinly exhaust pipes is rigid ABS. The parts count is low, but smartly done to provide a clean casting with plenty of details and a sharp finish. The chassis is two plates: blue for the lower, which also forms the front, side, and rear bumpers; and gray for the upper, which includes the engine and floor. The nose is cast in the same light blue as the lower chassis, ensuring a perfect color match. Darker blue paint is used for the plates filling in the bumpers and red is used for the nose and side pods. The coverage is good but the edges are very hit and miss. The dark blue is especially rough around the front bumper, with lots of ghosting and uneven edges. These areas are thankfully fairly small, so at least they don't hot the overall look of the kart too bad. Black plastic is used for the tires, and the wheels are painted yellow. There's a decent amount of detail on the engine given its size and the source material, and the exhausts are dark gray vinyl with light gray stripes. This was the wrong material to use here, as the pipes are too easy to sag and knock out of alignment.

Mario is a complete figure, thanks to the open design of the kart. Detailing is excellent, from the seams on his overalls to the sharply cast brim of his hat. The steering wheel is cast as part of his hands, but unlike some other Mario Kart characters everything is painted appropriately. The edges still aren't quite perfec, but they're darn close and the work around his face is particularly well done.

 

Features/Accessories

Nothing beyond what you see.

 

Accuracy

As mentioned previously, the packaging references Mario Kart 8, but this design was actually used in Mario Kart 7. That acknowledged, it's a very good replica of the 7 kart. The style, colors, and mechanical details all look spot-on. There is no scale listed, but it fits well with the previous racers that have been reviewed here.

 

Overall

A simple but fun replica, plus he's the title character from the franchise - definitely worth adding to the collection!

 

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