Every Mario & Sonic Olympic Games, Ranked

Highlights

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games franchise offers engaging Olympic events with beloved characters in fun settings.
Each installment introduces new events and features, catering to fans of both the Mario and Sonic series.
Despite some control issues, the series remains enjoyable for multiplayer gaming with friends across different events.

As a long-time fan of both Mario and Sonic, I’ve been following this series since its inception back in the early 2000s. Having played every single entry, I can confidently say that the Olympic Winter Games Vancouver 2010 stands out as my absolute favorite.

With the majority of the games published by Sega, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games began life on the Nintendo Wii. The iconic characters, together with many familiar faces from both series, could participate in multiple sporting events tied closely with real-life Olympic events. The franchise also had its “Dream Events”, wacky and immersive versions of sports taking place in iconic settings from either franchise.

Many people hold dear these “Mario & Sonic” games for their approachability, multiplayer features, and captivating experiences featuring a large ensemble of cherished characters. On home consoles, six installments comprise the series, which came out between 2007 and 2019. Coinciding with the Olympic Games that followed, these distinct yet delightful games remain enjoyable to revisit and play with friends today.

6 Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games (Beijing 2008)

GameFAQs: 3.3/5 Metacritic: 67

The initial release in the Mario & Sonic series took fans by surprise, with some initially believing it was a prank for April Fool’s Day. However, this game was the real deal, launching a new branch of the franchise that brought together two of video gaming’s most recognized characters. The opening scene, which became a staple in subsequent games, set the stage for the competition: Mario, Sonic, and their friends battling it out in various Olympic events. With 16 characters to choose from, as well as the option to play with Miis, this game offered a wide range of exciting events for players to explore, including unique twists on classics like Pole Vault, High Jump, and the 400m Hurdles.

In the beginning, Dream Events emerged with just four unique installments, distinct from the universes of Mario and Sonic. The game also introduced ‘Circuit’ and ‘Mission’ modes, providing extra obstacles for players to conquer. To access these Dream Events, completing the first mode is essential. Despite being the inaugural title in the series, it has a more leisurely tempo compared to its successors. Like all Wii games in the series, this version heavily emphasizes motion controls.

5 Mario and Sonic at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

GameFAQs: 3.46/5 Metacritic: 69

Tokyo 2020 marked the final chapter of the “Mario & Sonic” series, introducing some fresh twists while staying true to its roots. In an exclusive move for this installment, players could choose between two main Single Match modes: classic 3D events and retro 8-bit events based on the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo. With a rich selection of events, gamers have the freedom to pick their preferred control style – either motion controls reminiscent of Wii era or good old button presses. For the first time on a home console, there’s a captivating Story Mode where Luigi and Tails team up to save Mario and Sonic, who appear in their iconic 8-bit and 16-bit forms respectively.

Although Tokyo 2020 earned a higher Metascore than most games in the series, some fans find it lacks the excitement of previous installments. The Dream Events are enjoyable but fewer in number and not based on familiar locations from the franchises. Additionally, players cannot customize the background music with classic tunes from Mario or Sonic. The Story Mode progresses slowly, while events are shorter than expected. However, Tokyo 2020 offers captivating Olympic-style activities, excellent multiplayer features, and the chance to interact with beloved characters from both franchises, making it an entertaining experience overall.

4 Mario and Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games

GameFAQs: 3.37/5 Metacritic: 55

The initial HD version of “Mario & Sonic” offered distinctive elements and a robust lineup of activities, some resembling the 2010 Winter Olympics game. In “Sochi 2014,” new additions were Biathlon, Figure Skating Pairs, and Snowboard Slopestyle. Thrilling Dream Events like “Roller Coaster Bobsleigh” and “Groove Pipe Snowboard” took place in iconic franchise settings at breathtaking speeds. Additionally, Dream Events such as “Bullet Bill Sledge Race” showcased an enticing blend of the two series. However, the most captivating aspect was the “Winter Sports Champion Race,” allowing players to challenge each other on snowboard, skis, skates, or bobsleigh, or even all four at once.

At Sochi 2014, there were four additional game modes besides individual matches. The popular “Online mode” is no longer available. In the captivating “Legends Showdown,” set in the renowned Sonic environment of Soleanna, players engage in every event and face shadow versions of each character while battling guest bosses to claim a trophy. Dr. Eggman’s hench-bots, Orbot and Cubot, oversee the “Action and Answer Tour,” where players compete in puzzle-based adaptations of Olympic events to earn the most points. The versatile “Medley Mania” allows players to pick a theme for their event selection or create their own. While it’s enjoyable, Sochi 2014 is limited due to its control requirements – not just the Wii U GamePad, but also the mandatory use of Motion Plus add-ons for each Wiimote.

3 Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games

GameFAQs: 3.66/5 Metacritic: 66

At the London Olympics in 2012, which followed Vancouver 2010 as the second Summer Games in the sequence, we saw a significant leap forward from the initial event. As previously mentioned in reference to Vancouver 2010, this installment introduced more sports, more characters, and the opportunity for four-player activities beyond Single Matches. The Dream Events were also in high gear.

At this occasion, “London Party” serves as the secondary activity where participants traverse the city of London to encounter different Mario and Sonic characters. They engage in challenges and mini-games to collect stickers for their albums before their rivals do. Sabotage and theft of stickers add a thrilling competitive edge to the event, similar to the Vancouver 2010 installment. Just as before, winners receive rewards such as iconic outfits of beloved Mario and Sonic characters or catchy tunes from both franchises. Some classic compositions, like “Angel Island Zone” from “Sonic 3 and Knuckles,” and numerous “Overworld Themes” from older Mario games, have been remixed to add excitement.

2 Mario and Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games

GameFAQs: 3.53/5 Metacritic: 60

In this version: The second installment of “Mario & Sonic” series for Wii U synchronized with Rio 2016 Olympic Games. With a stronger emphasis on Team Mario versus Team Sonic, it brought back the iconic rivalry between the mascots from the early ’90s. The game offers various modes such as amiibo-exclusive “Mario and Sonic ‘Leagues” and “Heroes Showdown,” allowing players to pick their preferred team and compete fiercely against the other. The cover art also features the two teams facing off against each other. Unlike earlier versions, this game does not require motion controls, making it more favorable for many gamers.

In addition to the usual cast of 20 characters, this game featured special “Guest characters” with expertise in specific events. For instance, Sonic’s fan-favorite companion Rouge the Bat could only participate in Beach Volleyball, while Nabbit excelled at the 100m sprint. Although there were fewer events than in previous installments, new “Duel Events” replaced the beloved Dream Events. As suggested by their name, these three sports – Football, Volleyball, and Rugby – placed a significant emphasis on combat and provided intense competition. This was the first game to include a compact Hub world set on Copacabana Beach instead of a static menu screen. Here, players could stroll around and explore the available events. Regular “Tournaments” and Rio Carnival Challenges were frequent occurrences, with the latter allowing players to earn prizes for their Miis, including character costumes.

1 Mario and Sonic At The Olympic Winter Games (Vancouver 2010)

GameFAQs: 3.65/5 Metacritic: 72

As a gamer, I’d say: I personally believe that “Mario & Sonic at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games” stands out as my favorite game in this series. It paved the way for future installments by introducing Dream Events, which allowed me to experience Olympic sports with a twist. Instead of just Ski Jumping or Snowboard Cross in their traditional forms, I could take on these challenges in unique settings from both the Mario and Sonic universes, such as “Good Egg Galaxy” for Ski Jumping or “Radical Highway” for Snowboard Cross. The roster expanded with new additions like Bowser Jr., Donkey Kong, Metal Sonic, and Silver the Hedgehog, all of whom have remained part of the game since then. Being the first Winter Olympics title in this series, I was introduced to a fresh and exciting lineup of sports, which ranged from the high-speed thrills of Skeleton and Bobsleigh to the elegant grace of Figure Skating, or the technical challenges of Halfpipe and Moguls.

In addition to an extensive lineup of sports competitions, this game provides players with numerous other engaging features that set it apart as the most captivating title in the Olympics edition of the Mario & Sonic series. The introduction of “Festival Mode” allows users to create their own team and name, then participate in all the events within a specified timeframe, facing off against legendary Mario and Sonic adversaries to earn the highest score. Three distinct options are available in the “Party Mode,” expanding the game’s social features even further.

2024-07-23 16:36