When it comes to names, I do know that Mario & Sonic belong to some kind of video game, but I have to admit I wouldn’t have a clue as to what game or games that is. When I said as much to my ten year old son, well, he was kind of disappointed in me. Thank goodness I had William to school me on the recent release of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 or I would have been completely lost. 🙂 He didn’t find my joke amusing. Kids!
Mario & Sonic? Now I know!
Before jumping right into the game, I should share some background information. I am not a gamer. As mentioned I am not really familiar with the characters, but I did have some knowledge because my kids and husband love to play. It was that little bit of knowledge that made me realize what a cool game this must be and not just because it has been released in earlier versions. I love the mash-up idea of bringing characters from different games together, like two worlds colliding. I love that this version, which is only available on the Nintendo Switch, has some retro game aspects to it. For all the tech available to us today, many gamers, true gamers, love playing with the old school consoles. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 is a nod to all of that good stuff. It’s like finding a comfy pair of bell bottoms you wore when you were eighteen and they still fit. ♥
Mario & Sonic, the Game
After uploading the code to his Nintendo Switch, William and I played. While it was just the two of us, this game can actually take up to 8 players (online and four locally) which is great if you have a bunch of kids over or your child wants to play when they can’t be with their friends. We went through the usual stuff like choosing characters and than decided on what games to try out first. I honestly can’t recall the character I picked and I have no evidence of the ones I chose. I do know that William went with Yoshi, a “Mario” character and I have the evidence of that. Why? Because I took photos of the winner on the medal podium and guess who was always on it? Yes, William’s Yoshi beat me and beat me bad every.single.time. No biggie.
What Does The Game Offer
With everything that Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 has to offer, you could play this game for days on end and never get bored. Seriously, there are over 20 3D events to play and 10 classic, retro-style 2D events. The story behind the 2D events is that the “Tokyo 1964” game console takes players to another dimension, showcasing 8-bit and 16-bit graphics and character sprites from the Mario and Sonic franchises. This pays homage to the last time the Olympic Games took place in Tokyo. Pretty neat, huh? Oh, there is also the Story Mode and Dream Events to keep the entertainment level high.
Here are a few more details you might be interested to know:
- Run, toss, throw and jump your way to victory with over 30 events in 3D and classic 2D
- Play as Mario, Sonic or choose from a star-studded cast of characters from your favourite games
- Some character options include Yoshi, Tails, Luigi, Amy Rose, Dr. Eggman, Peach and more
- Play in many ways with your Nintendo Switch, from motion and button controls, single and dual Joy-Con, single or multi players, local split screen and online
- Events include 100M Dash, Judo, Shooting -Trap, Gymnastics -Vault, Boxing, Canoe Doubles, Equestrian Jumping, Rugby, Swimming, Javelin Throw and more
Would I Recommend This Game?
All in all I am glad that I tried out this game with my son, William. He is always after me to either watch him play a game or play it with him, but we usually resort to card or board games. I actually enjoyed playing Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games. It has a level of sophistication that games did not have when I was younger and that makes it easier to get better. I think my favourite event to play was Archery, but we also tried the 110m Hurdles, the Long Jump, Badminton, Fencing and a few others.
If you are looking for a video game to play with your kiddos that won’t have you flying off the race track with every turn (I am seriously no good at the car games) and is PG friendly (no bad words to fear, no blood or guts) than I suggest you give Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 a try. I know I will be playing again soon. I have to get up on that podium somehow.
What event or events would you be most interested in trying out first in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020?
FT&PD
Suz
**Disclosure: We were gifted Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games to play with. All opinions are my own.
**For some really good and knowledgeable game reviews and giveaways, check out the Instagram pages of Tully’s Game Play and Answer the Tullyphone. They know their stuff!
**If you would like me to review your product, service, restaurant or travel destination, please send me an email at rudges2@gmail.com or tweet me at @MapleMouseMama.
kathy downey says
Great review. I haven’t played these games since my kids left the nest. I remember Mario & Sonic well!
Carole D says
I haven’t play these game in so long! Love Mario games!
MapleMouseMama says
It is pretty cool what they have come up with and the advances they have made in video games, Carole. This game is very cool in how they have combined the old stuff with the new!
Debbie s. says
This looks fun. My grandson would get right into it.
kristen visser says
oh my gosh my oldest daughter is mario obsessed! she would be all about this. I wish I had a nintendo switch to give her 🙁 so many cool games. been trying to win one but no luck yet
Lynda Cook says
I haven’t played games since I was like 14, I can not believe Mario Brothers are still going strong, they got to be just as old as me..lol
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
My grandkids would love this I’m sure. 🙂
Wanda B says
Our family has always loved Mario games.
Debbie P says
This looks like a lot of fun.
Heidi C. says
My boys would definitely enjoy this. Anything that involves competition is right up their alley.
Sarah Letendre says
I love mario and sonic , I guess because I remember them from when I was younger , I have a hard time getting my daughter to play games with these characters , maybe I can sneak a few hours with her switch so I can play
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
There weren’t any gaming consoles when I was a kid and I’ve never played any games on them either.
Micheline says
I haven’t play Super Mario in a long time and I dont think i every play Sonic. This looks like a lot fun.
Shirley says
This looks like a lot of fun to play
kathy downey says
When getting out the Christmas decorations we came across the Nintendo the kids have and have been playing Mario all week.Just as much fun as I rememeber!
Sandra Dufoe says
Would love to play this they come out with some amazing game consoles.
nicky says
Looks like fun! I would try the gymnastics event first.