Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games

"Just what the Wii needs, more mini games"

Mario & Sonic at the Olympics is the first time the two rivals have been in the same game but it won't be the last time. But does the game do justice to their names or is it yet another shallow title for the Wii?

There seems to be no plot here except that Mario and Sonic and all their friends are competing in the Olympics. That's fine I guess but the only odd thing is that this game is coming out a good 6 months before the Olympics which doesn't usually happen.

Graphically this is one of the weakest looking Wii titles yet. Not a whole lot is happening on screen and the character models are very bland and lack any detail. It's a shame too because with they gave some thought to the graphics it would at least make the game look impressive but now it doesn't even have that going for it.

The sound in the game is so-so. The music did nothing for me and the randomly well known tunes aren't enough to keep me interested. The characters sound just like they have for the past 7 years so nothing has changed. Be it a good or bad thing. However it does seem you can only use the English voice work.

The Wii strikes again with its motion sensor controls. Most games play the same but the problems comes in the fact that running is done in a very awkward way. You must strut your controls up and down alternating between the two to create a running motion. It just doesn't seem to work at all and there seems to be a mild delay in other button presses.

I really don't know how to cover the game play. You have three events per routine. There are about 15 or so routines and each set is different for those routines.

The problem is that it just isn't fun. Each character has their own stats but in the end they feel like the play exactly the same.

Mix that with the poor control recognition and whatever else and you get a half assed game like no other. The game doesn't take long to finish as it's just a bunch of 5 second mini games.

Maybe some day the Wii will get past the mini game craze but this game isn't helping matters. A rental if your desperate for a Sonic vs. Mario match but I'd recommend waiting for Brawl to come out since that should be better than this turkey.

Story - N/A
Graphics - 5/10
Sound - 6/10
Control - 5/10
Game Play - 5/10
Replay Value - 6/10

Final Score - 5/10

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 11/16/07

Game Release: Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (US, 11/06/07)