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Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games Review for the Nintendo Wii

Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games Review for the Nintendo Wii

Just a Bronze

What many have always believed to be the impossible has now transpired. After more than a decade of intense competition, Mario and Sonic appear to have become the best of friends. Putting their past differences aside, Nintendo and Sega’s biggest characters can now compete side-by-side in this video game based on the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games screenshot

If a Mario and Sonic game had been announced ten years, many would have feared it was a sign of the apocalypse. Now that Sega is out of the hardware business and has spent a few years making multiplatform titles, this previously unthinkable alliance has lost quite a bit of its possible impact. The spotlight on this title is dimmed even more by the announced inclusion of Sonic in the heavily anticipated Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Still, this is the mascot crossover that fans on both sides have been waiting a long time to witness, even if it is about the Olympics.

I know this may sound a little harsh but honestly, why is the game that has Mario and Sonic together for the first time about the Olympics? A 3D-adventure title would seem like a no-brainer, with some sort of 2D-platforming or RPG title following closely behind. Instead, we are limited to the ridiculous concept of well-known Nintendo and Sega characters battling it out in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. I mean come on, with Mario’s over-dependence on mushrooms and the fact that Sonic isn’t human, I really don’t think that they would pass the screening necessary to compete. With these slight issues aside, Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games is a fairly interesting and fun title.

Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games screenshot

While it is initially difficult to see this game’s characters side by side, the awkwardness quickly fades as you begin to realize just how well they mesh. The Sonic and Mario characters feel as natural together as peanut butter and jelly. They all share the same cartoony look that we have all come to expect from both of these franchises. Both Sonic and Mario camps are well represented with eight well-animated characters each. While most will instantly recognize all of the present Nintendo characters, some of the Sonic team is comprised of slightly more obscure characters. Still, if you are a big Sonic fan you will probably know most of them.

These sixteen characters are split into four categories consisting of all-around, technical, speed, and power. Each type of character will have basic strengths and weaknesses depending on which category they fall into. Unfortunately, most of your choices feel rather similar in the end. The only category that seems to create a real advantage for the player is speed. A character with a high speed will allow you to win many of the game’s racing challenges, while not handicapping you when other skills are required. Since most of the events in the game reward you for speed, you will most likely depend heavily on these four characters. But if you can’t decide which side of the rivalry to pick from or eventually grow tired of your choices, you can always compete with any of your Miis. This is a nice addition to see since most games seem to ignore these fun little avatars.

Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games screenshot

Most of this game takes place on the Olympic field, with a few events involving slightly more exotic backdrops. Although many of the locations seem somewhat drab, with all of the different sporting events and methods of control available throughout the game, the gameplay remains mostly fresh and enjoyable. In one event, you will be swinging your Wii-mote like a table tennis racquet as you return incoming shots, and in the next, you will be steadying the Wii-mote and Nunchuk together to line up an archery shot.

Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games screenshot

While there are many interesting uses of the Wii’s motion sensing controls throughout, far too many of the included events require the same method of control. In any event that is based on running or swimming speed, which trust me is a lot of them, you will need to pump your arms alternately up and down to accelerate. This is not only overused in this game, but in Wii games in general. When will developers realize that flailing your arms up and down repeatedly instead of endlessly mashing a button isn’t really an improvement? This particular use of the Wii-mote isn’t fun in the least and just serves to hurt your arms more.

Speaking of arm pains, the way the game scales in difficulty helps cause more than its fair share. When competing in the game’s circuit mode, you can choose from tournaments in beginner’s, advanced, or master’s class. In the beginner’s class, you will breeze to victory in most of the events, many by sizeable leads. There is very little challenge present in this class, but it serves as a good place to learn how to play the game. When you eventually move up to the advanced class, you will begin to feel like you actually have to try to win each event. With practice and good execution, these events will feel challenging and fun at the same time. Once you have finished with this class however, you are basically done with the game’s circuits. Not because there are none left, but because it is just not worth it. The master class is so ridiculously difficult to place in, it will eventually crush your spirit and force you to play through the game’s mission mode. This is a fairly obvious addition to this game but a welcome one. Every character in the game has a set of specific missions to complete. These missions are roughly tailored to each character’s abilities, making them an enjoyable experience overall.

As the first Mario and Sonic crossover game, I can’t help but feel a little disappointed by this title. With the endless choices of game possibilities, I still can’t believe that this game is what was made. Factoring that out of the equation however, Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games is a fairly decent Wii title. With competent graphics, a real feeling of character, and mostly good uses of the Wii’s motion sensing controls, this game is an enjoyable experience overall. Just don’t let the allure of the crossover cloud your judgement when deciding whether or not to play this title. If you aren’t interested in playing a cartoony version of the Olympics, Mario and Sonic’s crews most likely won’t change your mind.

Features:

  • Compete in stylized Olympic venues with authentic events to choose from including track and field, archery, skeet shooting, table tennis, gymnastics, and more.
  • Select your favorite playing style from the all-star cast of Mario and Sonic characters with four player types to choose from: all-around, technical, speed, and power. Examples: Mario (All-around), Peach (Technical), Yoshi (Speed), Bowser (Power), Sonic (Speed), Knuckles (Power), Tails (Technical), and Amy (All-around).
  • Game Modes: Try out each event individually with Single Match mode, compete for the highest overall score in a series of events in Circuit Mode, or take on challenges created specifically for each character in Mission Mode. Up to four players can play together on the Wii.
  • Unlockable stages where familiar items from the worlds of Mario and Sonic enhance the challenge of each unique event.

    RATING OUT OF 5 RATING DESCRIPTION 3.6 Graphics
    While there is nothing truly amazing about this game’s graphics, Mario and Sonic characters all look good even when side by side. 3.1 Control
    With inventive and interesting motion control uses throughout, it is a shame that many of the games require the same annoying use of repeated arm pumping. 3.7 Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
    Good music and sound effects are included, as are classic Mario and Sonic songs that can be unlocked and listened to, just not during events. 3.0

    Play Value
    Even with the large number of events, characters, and modes, this game is over fairly quickly, leaving besting your previous records as your only objective.

    3.2 Overall Rating – Fair
    Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

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