Staff Ghosts

Race against your own saved best time or download up to seven ghost records via SpotPass to perfect your lap.

In Mario Kart 7 for the Nintendo 3DS, Time Trial mode allows players to race alone against the clock on any of the game's 32 tracks. A key feature of this mode is the ability to save your best time as a 'ghost' that other players can compete against in future attempts. If SpotPass is enabled on the Nintendo 3DS, players can download ghosts from others and race up to seven simultaneously.

Lore & Background

The Time Trial mode in Mario Kart 7 offers a solitary challenge where the goal is to finish a course as fast as possible. To assist players, the game grants access to a Triple Mushroom usable at any point during the run. The player's best time for each track is saved and recorded as a ghost. This system allows racers to see their own performance overlaid on the track in subsequent runs. Additionally, with SpotPass enabled, the 3DS can download ghosts from other players, expanding the challenge to include up to seven rivals at once.

Reader's Guide

To engage with Time Trial ghosts in Mario Kart 7, players must first race alone on their chosen track to set a best time. This time is automatically saved as a ghost record for that specific course. For a broader challenge, players should ensure SpotPass is enabled on their Nintendo 3DS system settings. Once active, the console can download ghost data from other players globally. Players can then race against up to seven of these downloaded ghosts simultaneously during a run. This feature transforms the single-player experience into a multi-ghost showdown, allowing drivers to test their skills against diverse driving styles without needing an internet connection for the actual race. Note that online multiplayer functionality via Nintendo Network was discontinued on April 8, 2024, but local ghost features remain accessible.

Did You Know?

Mario Kart 7 features a total of 32 tracks, with four cups consisting of eight tracks each in single-player mode.
The game introduced hang-gliding attachments and underwater driving segments for the first time in the series.
The game was developed as an 'act of emergency' by Nintendo EAD and Retro Studios due to low 3DS sales in early 2010.