"After only 2 or 3 hours of playing this game: WOW!"

I've been a fan of the first Mario and SOnic at the Olympic games. The events were fun, both version had their own cool exclusive dream events, and the cast of characters was wisely chosen (appart from the fact that Vector is randomly put there) Both games also offered MANY things to unlock. Sure, many of them were only Trophies and medals. But at least you could have done some major Bragging rights there.

BArely 2 days after the release of this game I decided to pick it up. I played for a few hours, and I must say I'm impressed. Not as impressed as when I tried the first one, but very impressed nonetheless.


Graphics: 10/10

This section underwent some major change, for the better. While the first game was better, the new M&S games got a major improvement in the graphics department. The charaters look like a lot less pixelated. The movements of the characters also seems more fluid. My only complain is the crowd. They looks aweful. But that's barely important so, I won't let that reduce the graphics score.


Sound: 9/10

While Characters sounds better in this than the first game, I could say the oposite for the music. The music is very good, don't get me wrong. But it just doesn't have the epic feeling the first game gave me. Props for the better Title screen theme though.

Controls: 10/10

Like the first game on the DS, controls are perfect. Even with my damaged touch screen, I have little problem with the game's control. I do hate the fact that you must go trhough a cinematic to learn about the control. Couldn't they do like they did with the first game?

Characters Selection: 10/10

They added 4 charcaters to the original cast: Donkey Kong and Bowser Jr. on Mario's side, and Silver and Metal Sonic on the Sonic side. I found is pretty weird to add Metal Sonic. My personnal opinion is that machines doesn't fit well in the Olympic games. But beside that, good aditions. I do have one complain though. There are several characters who you will fight during the Story mode that are not in the list of 20 charcters. I would have been nice to have them as Unlockable.

Gameplay: 9/10

I love the new Adventure mode. Reminds me of Bomberman's Land Touch! 2. All those mini games. I loved them. I also love how you can now compare score with your friends with the Friend Code system. That should have been added in the first game. There are now 27 events. 15 Normal events and 12 Dream events. I think they should have focused less on Dream events and more on the real ones, but the few Dream Events I unlocked are pretty fun. They even made a psudo-copy of my favourite Dream event of the first game (Dream Long jump) Still, I would really rather have something like 20 True events and 7 dream events. Still. That's more event than the first game, and a major plus in my opinion.

Overall: 10/10

This game is definitely for you if you like the first game. It may seems a tad expencive for 40$, since you can have cheaper games with more content, but it really is worth the money. Getting all prize is going to take a while.


Final Words

As a Canadian, I kind of feel honored that Sega created a game which takes place in my home country. hehehe!

Pros
-More event the the original game
-More characters
-Better Graphics
-Fun Story mode
-Got a copy of my favourite original M&S game Dream event

Cons
-Music doesn't feel as epic
-Boss characters not unlockable.
-Too many Dream events for the number of true events.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 10/16/09

Game Release: Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (US, 10/13/09)