Mario & Sonic, two of the most iconic characters of the industry, are warming up to compete in a wide variety of sports once more. Honoring the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, the two characters and their friends will compete in some of the most thrilling disciplines. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg… Time to explain why this is the most complete Mario & Sonic game to date!
The party of the year
First things first, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 can be considered as one of the best party games for the entire family. With the inclusion of around twenty classic 3D sports mini-games, you better prepare for a fun time alone or together with your friends. If you played the previous entries in the franchise, you already know what to expect as this one stays true to the classic formula. Meaning you’ll be able to select the discipline of your choice, select a character from the Super Mario or Sonic universe and compete for the highest score. The best thing about the disciplines is the fact that all of them are worked out rather well. These aren’t just easy programmed mini-games that quickly become boring, no, these are programmed with the right amount of love and time; in order to deliver a product of quality.
Most disciplines are returning ones from other entries including archery, marathon, football, track and field, and many more. But the Tokyo 2020 version does come with several brand-new ones. Surfing and sport climbing being my absolute favorites of the new ones, probably because I adore sport climbing in my daily life too. That being said, it doesn’t really matter which discipline you’ll pick. Thanks to the motion controls and the ability to turn those off, you’ll master the controls in mere seconds, really keeping the flow of the party going. I see this game as one of the best party games you’ll be able to pick up right before the Holiday Season.
Let’s go back in time
Now, playing these fun 3D mini-game versions of popular Olympic Sports is great but it’s not exactly innovating. That’s where the Tokyo 1964 games kick in. Offering you a total of ten classic Olympic Games, this game throws you back in time. These special 1964 support retro visuals and a much easier control scheme. It’s best described as an NES version of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games and I really adored the inclusion of these retro events in the game. But, it goes further than just this since the 1964 games play a crucial role in the story as well.
In story mode, you’ll be able to go on an adventure where you’ll have to save some of our heroes who are sucked back in time. Without spoiling this mode for you, the Story Mode enables you to constantly switch between the different eras. One moment, you’re competing in a retro sprint while minutes after, you’ll do the same in the gorgeous 3D environments. In Story Mode, you’ll encounter the right mix of exploration, narration, puzzle-solving, and mini-game competitions. It’s clear that the team behind this mode really wanted to deliver something impressive and I must say, they really succeeded in doing so. Story Mode is fun to play from start to finish thanks to the great variation of mini-games and the funny story, putting Super Mario and Sonic characters in some unexpected positions. A lot of you won’t buy this game for the story but I do advise everyone to a least give it a try, you won’t be disappointed!
The event of your dreams
As if the inclusion of the retro and modern mini-games in combination with a fun Story Mode weren’t enough to justify a purchase, Nintendo made sure you’ll game enough content for your money. Next to the classic sports disciplines, you can also compete in Dream Events, which are a lot bigger and thrilling to play. In Dream Events, you can, for example, play games that resemble lite versions of other popular Nintendo games such as Splatoon or even Mario Kart. These events are extremely satisfying to play and will bring a smile to your face from start to finish. Just like in the other main mini-games, you’re able to invite over some friends or family to compete against each other in these bigger events as well. This results in a lot of great content, especially when you take the fact that these Dream Events are truly masterfully created into consideration. Don’t expect the same amount of quality as in a Mario Kart but the Dream Event racer is extremely fun to play, especially since it’s just a small piece of the cake.
Conclusion:
There’s no doubt about it, this is the best Mario & Sonic game to date. With the inclusion of a wide variety of disciplines, including both retro and modern graphics, you’ll have a blast playing this with friends and family. But, the fun doesn’t stop there. The funny and interesting story mode and the thrilling Dream Events only add extra fun to the party. Also, keep in mind that you’re able to carry this game around you anywhere you want to go and you’ll understand why we loved this game so much. It’s an unexpected surprise but Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 truly is a great game. Since it’s releasing this close to the Holiday Season, this might be the perfect party-starter for all those cozy celebrations in the coming months. If you’re looking for a fun-oriented sports collection, this is the one you’ll need to get as it offers far more than you would initially expect.
