14.2.2008

Since its announcement, Mario and Sonic at the Olympics has been the subject of much hype and intense scrutiny from Sega and Nintendo fans alike. As the first cross-venture in the history of the two characters, this game has a lot of expectations to live up to.First things first, there is no real rivalry in the game between Sonic and Mario in the game, as there is no pointless story to contend with. All of the intensity is generated by player-versus-player competition, and this will doubtless be quite heated at times. The games are not deep, but the furious motions required and the sheer strength of will you need to win will be more than enough.The individual games are largely executed well,requiring a combination of skill and muscle-pounding stamina to complete successfully. Sega really has no issues with forcing players to test the limits of their own strength in almost every event, there is no rest, no relaxing at any time or your competitors will easily outdistance you. These competitors are never so good that you feel they cheat, but are always challenging enough to keep you interested. Praise indeed, when so many games resort to cheap tricks to ensure CPU players win, in these Olympics the only one standing in the way of your success is you.Except in games like fencing, of course. There are a few absolute howlers in here that have no enjoyment value whatsoever, fencing being the most notable. Time and again it is said that developers need to look no further than Wii Sports to see how easy it is to blend good gameplay with simple controls, and it is true here as well. However, gamers should not find themselves put off by a few bad eggs in an extremely enticing basket.Controls in the game are a good mixture of spinning, pounding and pointing, with little leeway for interpretation. If you don’t spin when you are supposed to spin, then you will not win. Similarly, if you don’t pound the pound, you’ll never get off the ground. There has never been an occasion when the controls felt unresponsive, and the instructions are reasonably clear. It’s a guarantee though that your arms will not have felt worse since the first time you played the Wii. Mario and Sonic gives a darned good workout, and is perhaps the most exercise you’ll do with the console until Wii Fit arrives next year.Having been a Nintendo fan for most of my life, I neither know nor car who most of the Sonic characters are, but there are a lot of them. All the characters are mixed into Strength, All-Round, Speed and Skill Types. Naturally Sonic is at the top of his game when running, so he’s a Speed-Type. Mario and Luigi fit into the All-Round category as they do in games such as Tennis, Mario Kart and others. Every character, no matter where they are from, is rendered nicely with clean textures, bright colours and smooth edges.With luck, I have visited a few of the Olympic venues here in China, it can be said that the stadia and other locations are rendered very faithfully. Also present are the crazy Chinese mascots on banners, billboards and wacky waving inflatable arm flailing tube men. The tracks and sandpits are not particularly detailed when scrutinized closely, but if you’re playing this game for a dose of realism, then you’ve got some serious issues. Otherwise everything looks very good and is appropriate to the fun style of play.The game sounds good, with some nice remixes of familiar tunes and some fairly respectable new ones. Voices are well done for all the characters, they utter funny little phrases every now and then that gives the game a nice relaxed feel. The announcers sound suitably authoritative and give the game a small amount of realism that makes it a little more authentic.At the beginning of the game, only a few events are open to you, and more are unlocked as you progress through challenges and win more medals. Initially though, these events will be enough to satisfy your needs. Every gamer will have a favourite event and one that they are best at, multiplayer is just fantastic, though it never reaches the same level of accessibility of Wii Sports –the controls require too many button presses for it to be too easy for Grandma and Grandad. Online scoreboards add a zest of competition, and you can view your records compared with those all around the world. This is a good addition, and anyone in the top 500 worldwide earns good bragging rights.The game never tries to be anything more than it is: which is an extremely capable party game themed around the Olympics. As a sports simulation it mostly fails, but judging it as such will mean you have completely missed the point of this incredibly fun and worthwhile game.N-Europe.com (c) 2008

9.1.2008

Some people apparently find it difficult to use the controls. I did not have this trouble, although a few of the events had a minor learning curve (3-5 tries to get decent at them), but nothing frustrating. Even my 3 year old was able to play many of the minigames (in fact, he was better than me at the triple jump haha).Several reviewers said their arms hurt from playing this (because running requires you to move the nunchuck and wiimote back and forth). This was true for me at first, but then after messing around a bit I realized that you don't have to forcefully move them to run fast. You can use small, quick, gentler motions to get to a good speed. My 3 year old doesn't get to full speed,but he consistently gets the blue signal that he's running fast...and he does not even hold them right. Don't get me wrong; you definitely get a very minor workout and will probably sweat a little :)Several of those lower rated reviews also compare this to Mario Party, which is a bad comparison in my opinion. This game certainly is not trying to be Mario Party. This game is more like Wii sports with different games.The only negative I have is the misleading Wi-Fi tag. You cannot actually play others online, which is what I assumed. You can upload your records and see how your records rank against the world which is nice, but online play would have been fun.I enjoy the "Circuit" mode which makes you compete in 4 events against the computer. Winning these adds trophies to your collection, opens more circuits, and opens more Olympic events.I also enjoy the Mission mode where you have to take finish meet certain goals for 6 different events. I have not completed one with all 6 yet as I still have to open up a couple of minigames. It'll be fun trying to complete the goals for every character.One of the low reviews also mentioned that there was no replay value. This is hard to comprehend since I have found a ton of replay value. Trying to master the events, set world records, rank higher than online records, completing circuits to open up new events/circuits, and mission mode are extremely fun and you are replaying events over and over. Not to mention getting family or friends to play with you so that you can compete against each other.My favorite events so far are: Trampoline, Skeet Shooting, Javaline, Hammer Throw, and rowing (scully or something). I like the running events, especially the 400 meters where you have to focus on the character's stamina to keep him from slowing down due to being tired. Archery is fun. I have the most difficulty with table tennis, long jump, and triple jump (the jumping events my 3 year old can beat me at heh).Overall, I really enjoy this game. Online play would have put this over the top for a 5 star rating, but there is a lot to do without online play. I too am a Mario Party fan (I give Mario Party 8 four stars also). Don't expect this to be Mario Party, but a sporting event at the Olympics and enjoy!

21.11.2007

I've waited sooo long for this!!Mario and Sonic finally face off in Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games, the only game that gives us players the chance to compete in events that take place in scenes based on the official venues of the Beijing 2008 Olympics.You can pick from a list of Mario and Sonic characters including Mario and Sonic (of course) plus Luigi, Knuckles, Yoshi, Tails et al, in a long-awaited blast of a game that has me playing for hours at a stretch. The interactive Wii controls include actions like swinging the Wii remote to simulate a hammer throw, notching the Nunchuk to shoot arrows,

7.1.2008

My husband and I were reluctant to try this after the bad experience we had with Mario Party 8 - that was supposed to be suitable for ages 3+ but which we could not find many unlocked minigames. The games you had to play to unlock minigames seemed very long and the telly kept shouting and playing annoying music at us and the instructions were like a novel. We felt stupid having to give up on a "ages 3+" game on account of not being able to play it!!BUT this one was fab! When you start playing, there are already around 10 games free by default. These are varied and creative in the use of the wiimote and nunchuck. I highly recommend getting a nunchuck for all Wiimotes you use for this game.As you play these games,

19.1.2008

Critics and game magazines have given Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games a hard time and for those they've put off - such a shame it is!!Judging from reviews here many peoples impressions of the game have been similar to mine - this game is FUN!If you like Wii sports you'll LOVE this but like Wii sports its a game best played with friends or family and where this game loses 1point from me is the extent to which single player can occupy you.As a single player game its novelty can wear off soon as you become good enough to win every event and then only have world records to compete with.But get some friends or family around and the dimension changes totally - WHOOSH comes the adrenaline and excitement as you loose all sense of dignity,

21.11.2007

Surely this is THEE best new game to hit us since Super Mario Allstars on SNES???Only had this game since tuesday, but already completely and utterly addicted. I just can't get enough. Amazing graphics, amazing variety of games to compete in, a very wide and varied choice of characters (and best of all, you can even take your own Mii character to the olympics!!!!), amazing sound effects, and most of all, immense amounts of fun.Think about all the chocolate you could give the worlds hugest chocolate lover, or all the shoes and handbags you could give to your mother, imagine all the sports memorbillia and alcohol beverages your dad could ever wish for, or just imagine all your birthdays and christmas's just came at once!

30.12.2008

i got this first as a christmas present, i had not asked for it but boy am i glad i got it!Some games are good to just get you some points, there are also multi player games and missions.Some of the harder games really make you want to pass them so you play over and over again until you win which gives you a great sense of acheivments, and once you have won something it definately does not mean that you will win every time.Some of the games are short so it is good if you want a quick game before doing something else, or you can play some of the longer games for a longer play period.The unlockable games are really fun and i must say that my favourites are fencing, trampolining and table tennis although the rowing,

12.12.2007

Wow, this game turned out to be WAY better than I expected. I mean, the Mario series was fantastic, and the Sonic series was brilliant too, it's good to see that fusion of the two transferred so well. The games themselves are really fun and they were way more challenging than I expected. Plus the world rank feature is really cool, it's great being able to see everyone you've beaten...and lost to too. And the dream races are amazing, I only unlocked one but even the one I did was enough to keep me entertained for hours, even on the single player not to mention all the games that are standard for the Olympics. I was wondering how they'd use motion controls for all the events and it turned out to work as smoothly as Wii Sports did.

12.7.2009

I bought a Wii a few months ago for something different to do and this game came with it.I am nineteen so as you can imagine this game didn;t really appeal to me much, and for the first couple of weeks it stayed tucked away in its box gathering dust.It wasn;t until I decided to try it with my firend for a jok and somethign to do that I actually realised its a great gameIts fun, especially on multiplayer and best of all it doesn;t get repetative. The childish appearence is an interesting take on the olimpics and means that it appeals to a younger audience but I really would recomend even older games pick up a copy of this.Another good point to meantion is when you get into it it can really be quite a workout so for some people that may well be a reason to buy it,

18.12.2007

Do you remember the old "button bashing" track and field game? Remember the punishment your fingers took? Be prepared, this game takes it to another level.There are 20 standard olympic events such as swimming, running, fencing, javelin and 4 "dream" events (same as the standard events but with an arcade feel).Pick your player from 16 recognised mario/sonic characters and choose from 3 different playing modes. Single match is 1 individual event, circuit involves multiple events you must do well in to unlock new content and mission sets a target such as "finish in x time".The controls are simple. Alternate the wii remote and nunchuk up and down to run, flick the control up to jump etc.

27.4.2008

This is a great game and got me into Olympics alot more. Now I want to see every event in the games!! Anyway, back to the game...Haven't played Circuits or Missions yet, but have played Single Match mode, which is the normal playing mode. Brilliant graphics - clear and bright. Instructions on how to use the wii remote or wii remote and nunchuk are very clear. A wide variety of games on there, but there's a twist - a good one! When you get an extra good score on a game, you unlock a new Circuit and a new game in Single Match mode. This basically gets you more things to do on the game. Discovered this game from a freind and we were on it all night!!! Lots of Mario and Sonic characters to choose from for each event.

27.5.2008

This was the game i had looked forward to playing ever since i heard of it's release. It sounded like the perfect blend of 2 of the greatest multiplayer games, track and field/athens 2004 and mariokart, combining realistic events with nintendo's personal brand of lunacy.On some levels the game delivers everything you could hope for, the events are varied enough that the game is not instantly mastered and beginners have a chance at beating experts on their weaker events.However there were some let downs, i don't think they made enough of the characters strengths and weaknesses, for example sonic might finish last in a sprint and then beat heavyweight characters like bowser in the shot-put.

2.1.2008

I bought my wife a Wii and the Olympics game for a bit of a giggle over the holidays, thinking it would amuze us for an hour or so when there was nothing on the TV.As it transpired we spent most of our time playing with it.Mario &Sonic at the Olympics is great for all the family, whether you are an existing game player or completely new to it. Unlike many games, you are able to pick your events you wish to participate in and practice as often as you like. The graphics are really good and the game play effect of using the control to build strength and speed is fun (although it is likely you will have tored arms the next day.)As you work thorugh the game more options and events come your way meaning that this game is great fun and value for money.

21.11.2007

Of course, on account of all the press and anticipation surrouding the game, we all know Mario and Sonic at The Olympic Games pits 16 characters from either series against oneanother at the Olympic Games 08, Beijing.But does it live up to the hype?The simple answer, is "Yes" (and the lnog one being, "even more so!")The different events, including trampolining, table tennis, swimming, long jump and clay pigeon shooting prove to be amazingly good fun party games, which can be played with up to four players (and 4 CPUs).Another great selling point of the game is the fact that even though most of the mini games are best played with both the nunchuk and the controller,

2.1.2008

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games is the best Olympic game that is out there pure fun all the way. The game features a whole load of events such as athletics, gymnastics, shooting, rowing, archery, aquatics, fencing, and table tennis also included the dream events. The dream events are nothing really to do with the Olympic and are fun.You can chose from all your favorite characters from the Mario and Sonic series also add your Mii into the action. My favorite on the game is the skeet shooting and the aquatics events which have you in the pool. The game wears you out easy but you will want to keep playing because it does get very addictive.The only problem is that the Wii has some trouble on

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