It sounds like a surefire hit: two of the most recognizable video game icons in the world, Mario and Sonic, team up for the first time in a single video game.
While the game isn't a complete mess, fans of Nintendo or Sega might be disappointed after playing "Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games," as it seems the developer, Sega Studios Japan, focused more on quantity than quality.
As the name of the game suggests, this Nintendo Wii exclusive is a collection of sports events to be played at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, including track and field, gymnastics, archery, skeet shooting, table tennis and more, along with a few fantasy games such as performing aerial maneuvers through hoops in the sky and a combative running race. Your goal is to take home as many gold medals for your country as possible.
Up to four players can compete in the majority of these matches, some of which need to be unlocked by performing well, and you can choose from a number of familiar video game characters to control, each with his or her own attributes. For example, Bowser is powerful, Princess Peach is more technical and Sonic enjoys fast speed. You can also import your own custom-made Mii character from your Wii and join Team Mario or Team Sonic.
From the main menu you can choose from a number of game types: Single Match (aim for the record in a single event); Circuit (play in a series of events and compete for first place overall); Mission (complete specific events to earn prizes); and Gallery (play minigames to unlock Olympic Games trivia and bonus music tracks). Some of the more enjoyable events include table tennis, 110m hurdles, high jump and javelin throw.
In other words, there is plenty of selection when it comes to the characters you can play and event types. But the games lack depth and can be difficult to control. The events are basically minigames that are over in a few seconds; they give you little reason to return to them a second or third time. While all of the games use the Wii's motion-sensing wireless controller, and in some cases the tethered "Nunchuk" controller, some of these Olympic games, such as skeet shooting and swimming, weren't as easy to control as other events.
While there is some fun to be had while competing through the more than 20 events, "Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games" might be best played as a weekend rental - and by younger kids rather than adult gamers. The vast selection of games, characters and modes (including multiplayer) help give this disc some merit, but its shallow approach and sometimes unresponsive control might frustrate players. "Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games" nets a bronze medal.
Portable players might opt for the Nintendo DS version of the game, available for $34.99.
Source: IndyStar