Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games
- November 15, 2011
- Sega Sports R&D
Because Sonic and Mario haven't lost enough of their credibility yet, they both return for more sporting based mini-games that are pulled together by colourful visuals and an underwhelming story mode
"Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games" is a sport game that features local multi-player options for up to 4 players in split screen mode. The game is based on various Olympic events and features characters from both the Mario and Sonic franchises, each with different strengths in all-around, speed, power, and skill categories. Players can compete in environments inspired by the official venues of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
Wii
Reviews
- The game features a wide variety of fun and engaging mini-games, including both traditional Olympic events and imaginative 'Dream Events' that appeal to players of all ages.
- Graphics and music are praised for their quality, contributing to an enjoyable gaming experience, especially for fans of Mario and Sonic.
- It is a great family-friendly game that allows multiple players to join in, making it perfect for gatherings and providing hours of entertainment.
- The absence of a Festival mode and a more structured tournament experience limits the depth of gameplay compared to previous titles in the series.
- Some players found the controls to be inconsistent and the learning curve to be challenging for newcomers, which may hinder enjoyment.
- There are complaints about repetitive character voice lines and a lack of new content, making the game feel less innovative compared to earlier installments.
- graphics7 mentions
- 86 % positive mentions
- -29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are generally praised for their bright, colorful visuals and impressive CGI elements, contributing to an engaging aesthetic experience. However, some reviewers feel that while the graphics are solid, they fall short of expectations given the potential for more immersive gameplay features. Overall, the visuals are well-received, but they are accompanied by a desire for deeper gameplay mechanics.
“Graphics and songs are superb in all of the games.”
“Some of the features of the game include cool CGI graphics and imaginative dream events, like fighting a humongous piranha from Mario. You can also view records from people all around the world using the Nintendo WFC connection.”
“Controls well, some mini-games are quite enjoyable, multiplayer is a good laugh, graphics are solid, and great stereoscopic 3D.”
“The graphics feel outdated and lack the polish expected from a modern game.”
“The character models are poorly designed, making it hard to connect with the game.”
“The environments are bland and uninspired, which detracts from the overall experience.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games" features a mix of mini-games and traditional Olympic events, offering a vibrant experience with familiar characters. However, many players feel it lacks depth and innovation compared to previous titles, with some events being dull and a poorly executed story mode that fails to engage single-player gamers. Overall, while the game is visually appealing and accessible, it falls short in providing a robust and satisfying gameplay experience.
“Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games brings on the gameplay of Mario, Sonic, and company, delivering the excitement and challenge that fans have come to expect, although it may not fully capture what made the previous games so worthwhile.”
“The gameplay includes all of the mini-games and challenges of dream events immediately accessible from the beginning, such as Dream Discus, where Mario, Tails, Dr. Robotnik, Yoshi, and others ride on elevated discuses, trying to collect the most rings while avoiding obstacles. Traditional events like the hammer throw and cycling also make their debut here, reminiscent of earlier Mario & Sonic titles from the Nintendo DS era.”
“The vibrant colors and variety of gameplay, along with the numerous character options and custom clothing, create an engaging experience that resonates with players.”
“Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games brings on the gameplay of Mario, Sonic, and company, delivering excitement and challenge. However, it shortchanges gamers by failing to build on what made the past two games worthwhile.”
“Graphically, the game looks good, but there should have been much more in the gameplay, such as a festival mode or a tournament mode like in previous Nintendo Wii versions. Additionally, the learning curve is too steep for new gamers who haven't played earlier renditions.”
“Some events are dull, the gameplay is generally shallow, and the story mode is a poor excuse for a single-player experience. The story is lacking, and control descriptions are often unsatisfactory.”
- music4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The music in the games is highly praised for its superb quality and diverse styles, enhancing the overall experience. Players can earn music tracks from Mario and Sonic games through events, adding an engaging layer to gameplay. The vibrant graphics complement the soundtrack, creating a lively atmosphere throughout the events.
“Graphics and songs are superb in all of the games.”
“The soundtrack features a nice mix of music styles.”
“After doing events, you get scratch cards that you can win music from Mario and Sonic games.”
“The music feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged during gameplay.”
“I was disappointed by the lack of original tracks; most of the music is just remixed versions of older songs.”
“The sound quality of the music is subpar, which detracts from the overall experience.”
- story3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game has been criticized for being underwhelming and lacking depth, with many players expressing disappointment over its simplistic narrative and shallow gameplay. Expectations for a more engaging storyline featuring Sonic and Mario were not met, leading to a perception that the story mode serves merely as a weak framework for the mini-games rather than a compelling single-player experience.
“The story mode offers a unique blend of characters and settings, creating an engaging narrative that keeps players invested.”
“The storyline intertwines the adventures of Sonic and Mario in a way that adds depth to the gameplay experience.”
“While the gameplay is fun, the story could have been more developed to enhance the overall experience.”
“Because Sonic and Mario haven't lost enough of their credibility yet, they both return for more sporting-based mini-games that are pulled together by colorful visuals and an underwhelming story mode.”
“Some events are dull, gameplay is generally shallow, the story mode is a bad excuse for a single-player mode, the story is lacking, and control descriptions are often unsatisfactory.”
“They say it's not what they expected; they thought it would be a longer game with more challenge and a storyline between Sonic and Mario.”
Critic Reviews
Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games
The coming of this summer's London 2012 Olympic Games means an inevitable video game tie-in. This time, as in 2008, former rivals Nintendo and SEGA collaborate on an arcade-style take on the ceremonies with the lengthily-named Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games. The $39.99 cartridge
70%Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games 3DS Review
Because Sonic and Mario haven't lost enough of their credibility yet, they both return for more sporting based mini-games that are pulled together by colourful visuals and an underwhelming story mode
60%Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games review
60%
