So as promised here is the Mario and Sonic review. Sorry its early, but im not sure about my availability this weekend so I wanted to get this up here nice and early
Actually if I get a chance I will maybe get some other reviews up on here.
Many of you will be reading this with baited breath. You have been waiting since you got your Wii at Christmas, or for those of you who have been here for longer, and are still undecided on this game, I hope to answer some of your questions, and give you an honest and impartial review on this game.
Enjoy
Title: Mario and Sonic at the Olympics
Format: Wii / DS (Coming Soon) Review for Wii Version
Price: RRP £39.99
Wi-Fi: Yes (Online Leaderboards Only)
Players: 4
For many years it has been common knowledge that the two main characters in this game have been age old enemies, so to see them stood by each other selling the same game, its almost beyond belief.
Well here finally they have done it. Ask anyone in the early 90’s and they would have laughed you away, but no its happened. Its finally here. So here we go:
Graphically:
I don’t really know where to begin with this game. It really is a great visually, all the characters come across smooth, and clean. Obviously much time has been spent on perfecting the way they look. More details about the fun of the characters to come.
Really there is not much that can be said about the graphics, the water hasn’t got the smoothness of Endless Ocean, (but then its not supposed to be), the track and field looks great, better than that of Fifa 08 or Madden 08 for example. In terms of the sports genre, the graphics are definitely the most polished to date.
All In all you should find comfort playing this game, your eyes wont hurt, and you will feel like your involved based on the graphics here.
Graphics: 9 /10 They are great, you wont feel out of place playing this game
Audio:
As I write this I am really unsure on what to say, and to be honest I am having these difficulties with all aspects of this game. You see it really is a great game and you will enjoy it, but this may be just because its Mario and Sonic. I just cant really weigh it up, for example the audio isn’t anything special in this game.
The Soundtrack in my opinion is a basic game soundtrack. Though you shouldn’t really notice this part of the game, if you are playing properly.
Audio: 6/10 (Its not a great soundtrack, but it wont hurt you, it wont hinder you, I guess it just goes with the game)
Gameplay:
Well if you are reading this and you are either waiting for the game, or you are in two minds, then I would imagine that you have a good idea about what this game is about, and what it involved, but here I will go into some detail.
This is a party game, so you can have great fun playing with mates, but you can also have plenty of fun playing on your own. But below I am going to talk about the different sports you can part-take in and there pros and cons:
Aquatics – 100M Freestyle. Well it says freestyle, but you get told what stroke you character wants to do. Well using the Wii-mote and the nun chuck, together in a variety of different ways, you swim (run or what ever). Once you have worked it out this becomes pretty easy once you’ve worked it out.
However if you are like me, you will quickly realise that your not fit, your not healthy and that you are nearly dead now.
4x100M Freestyle. As with the first swimming one, you are required to choose your character (and 3 others will join you). Here you do as before, and well simply complete 4 lengths of the pool. Easy huh.
Athletics – 100M. This is what you’ve seen in the TV, again in the same way as before, you use the Wii Mote and Nun Chuck. Hammering up and down in your hands, you find your character ploughing down the track. And after at least 3 seconds of running, you find your self lying dead on the floor. Don’t worry, once you come around, then you will find this to be a great event.
Other Running Events, run in the same way and they include – 400M, 4x100M Relay, 110M Hurdles, 400M Hurdles.
Further Athletics Events include, Long Jump and Triple Jump, which all require running until your speed locks, and then by flicking the Wii-Mote and Nun Chuck at special times and then you jump. (Can be quite challenging, especially in the missions and as a result can cause mental problems).
Furthermore you have High Jump, Pole Vault, Hammer Throw and Javelin, and all of these sports play well in their own ways. I personally find the High Jump to be out of the ordinary difficult, which can be upsetting, but other than that all of the events listed so far provided great fun, and enjoyment
Gymnastics –
There are two types of event here, Vault, and Trampoline:
Both of these events are similar in their use of the control system. You will have to take some time to master the controls, but once you have got it mastered you will also get the full potential from these events. Using the buttons on the Wii Mote you will imput different combinations in quickly to ensure you land safely and complete your technique
Other Events –
Archery, one of the events that was shown many times over the festive period, made to look so easy. How the adverts were deceptive. Using the WiiMote and Nun Chuck, you align the two sights to meet, and then take into account the wind etc, all on a target 50M away. All this aside, it still plays great and you can have so much fun, once you have mastered this simple technique.
Fencing, this event can take its time, but by reading the simple control aid, you can get this down to just 30 seconds. The key here is to make sure you learn how to block, and then it will all be sorted. Again this makes good use of the controls available.
Table Tennis, If you have played Rockstars Table Tennis, then this will be a let down for you really. Even Wii Play Table Tennis is equal or better. Basically it’s a bit unresponsive, and slow between plays, but don’t let this put you off the whole game.
Shooting, I have yet to try this with the Zapper, though I think it may make this particular event easier. As with the Olympics you are given a gun, you stand at each of the 8 stations and take aim. You take your aim and fire, as with Chicken Shoot really. The more targets you hit the greater your score.
Rowing, Well as you would imagine from an Olympic Rowing event, you sit back in you chair, hold the WiiMote and Nunchuck in place and begin to row, back and forth. However to make rowing a little more difficult, it adds the occasional press A and B or press B and Z to confuse you. Though this makes for great fun, and a really competitive event, between you and your friends.
Finally Dream Events, this could be your decider, for those of you who haven’t been sold to yet, Dream Events are just like Mario Kart, you are put into MK style stages and you run, and pick up the boxes, fire weapons etc. Its almost the same as MK just without the Karts.
Gameplay: 9/10 (Its not amazing, but the pitfalls are made up for, by all the other great events)
Innovation:
YOU HAVE MARIO AND SONIC IN THE SAME GAME NEED I SAY MORE?
Innovation: 10/10
Characters:
Below is a table of all the Characters Available in the game, not to mention you can use your Mii’s in the Game, so the possibilities are endless
Nothing more can be said. So Many Great Characters, all polished so well.
Characters: 10/10
Overall Thoughts:
Finally, I think this game is great fun. I have played it mainly on my own, and I have had plenty of fun. However if you have more than one person to play then the fun builds. I would recommend this game to all, but if you are unsure then please find a friend who has it, or rent it out give it a go. A great instalment to both Mario and Sonic series.
I hope this was helpful.
Graphics: 9/10
Audio: 6/10
Gameplay: 9/10
Innovation 10/10
Character: 10/10
Total: 88% A well rounded highly recommended game. Well Done all involved in the production.
How did you find this review?
Alex
Mario and Sonic at the Olympics
MK Friendlies: 2148 8276 9222 (RYE)
Linear Mode
