Game Review: Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games

What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that other than some comic mischief, you won't find anything questionable or offensive here. While some characters are apt to get a boot to the rear end now and then, "Mama Mia" is as close as you get to cursing. Sports games like this one provide a way for multiple players to bond and play together.

Families can talk about the history of the Olympic Games. Because this game provides entertaining information about the history of the real games and events, do you think this game has raised your interest in the real Olympics? Which events did you like playing the most? The real ones or the fantasy ones?

Common Sense Media Review
In MARIO AND SONIC AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES the unthinkable has happened. Rival game companies have cooperated to produce a game featuring their famous stars. Old-school gamers will remember how battle lines were drawn over the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and the SEGA Genesis. In one corner, we had the cute Mario with his addictive gameplay in the Mushroom Kingdom. In the other corner, we had the hip speedster and SEGA mascot, Sonic the Hedgehog. These two rivals have now come together in this madcap version of the Olympic games.

Gameplay involves competing in a series of Olympic-type games including track and field events, gymnastics, table tennis, and others that you will expect to be played at the Beijing Olympics. But the game also offers some games you will never see in real life, like maneuvering through hoops in the sky.

To compete, you get to choose your character from the ranks of these popular franchises. From Sonic's crew you can be Tails, Shadow, and Dr. Eggman, while Mario's cast includes Peach, Bowser, Wario, and Luigi. Even more characters can be unlocked by completing events.

While the premise sounds fun, and the characters are beloved old favorites, the resulting game lacks polish. Controls are spotty and simplistic, and the games have little depth. There are over 20 events to choose from, but playing them is more tedious than challenging. Simply wave the Wii remote and nunchuk like mad in a running motion to complete the 100 meter dash. Hit the button at the right moment to make a long jump. You can master every game within a few hours and grow bored quickly. Even the four different game modes don't add much to the experience, although the ability to play with up to three friends helps.

Sadly Mario's first meeting with Sonic is pretty lackluster. Especially on the already minigame-saturated Wii console.

For a similar sports thrill on your Wii try Wii Play , Rockstar Present's Table Tennis, and of course Wii Sports .