Mario & Sonic at the Tokyo Olympics 2020: 6th Time is the Charm

We, here, at Alternative Mindz, would love to thank the team behind the making of Mario & Sonic for sending an advanced copy to review.

With that, I cannot tell you (the reader), how much of a blast my family and I have had playing Mario & Sonic!

Here’s a tiny synopsis of the story: Dr. Eggman and Bowser devised a plan to trap Mario and Sonic in an 8 bit video game system, which happens to be the Tokyo 1964 Olympics. Right here is where the story and main protagonists unfolds.

The above story plays out in Story Mode, while there’s Competition Mode where you just experience the games for themselves. Story Mode is 1 player (typical RPG fashion), while Competition Mode is just that, many players can go against each other using button only mode, motion only, or both together for some games. And, naturally, there are some 2 player only games like Fencing, Sumo Wrestling and Karate.

Where this game shines is in the physics of movement. As in the Skateboarding event, you’ll be surprised by how many tricks you can pull off. I found that using the motion controls for this event was very fluid and engaging. Also, traveling back in time to Tokyo Olympics 1964 in 8-bit brings a whole new nostalgia spin to modern competitive games. Definitely has an 80’s California Games old school vibe.

Another shining point is with how accurately detailed Tokyo is here. And, being a person that has been to Tokyo 3 times, this is a huge selling factor for me. It actually feels like your at major landmarks of Tokyo like Tokyo Station, Tokyo Tower, and other stadiums built specifically for the Olympics. There’s even a “Where’s Waldo” like game with trying to find Toad right in the middle of crowded Shibuya Crossing! It’s like going back to Tokyo and saving a 14 hour flight.

Where Mario & Sonic kind of falls is with the difficulty of some of the events. My 8 year old kept getting frustrated with the Wall Climb because of how you have to jump precisely on to the rocks. And, naturally, the smaller the rock, the higher the difficulty. The Discus event also has an extensive learning curve. You have to make sure you’re holding your controller at a specific angle while manipulating the buttons precisely to get it just right to throw the disc. We ended up fouling a lot more than we should’ve, which was really quite frustrating. Also, these events are crucial to move the story along so it was very daunting trying these over and over again. Don’t get me wrong, these events do get the competitive juices flowing because my family found ourselves taking turns to see who could succeed at a mission or not, but sometimes, the level of difficulty was too intense.

My family laughed, cried, cheered and jeered, but all in all, Mario & Sonic Tokyo Olympics 2020 is THE family competitive game of the year! And with this being the 6th installment in the Mario & Sonic series, this just feels like they got it right this time.

Available in North America: November 5, 2019

MSRP: $59.99 AGE: E10+

New Mario & Sonic Olympic Games 2020 Switch Preview: A Game The Whole Family Can Enjoy!

Editor’s Note: this article is entirely based on a preview. A full review of this game will be posted when the embargo is lifted on November 5th.

I was one of the lucky few to get a preview of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. And, to my delight, this game doesn’t disappoint at all. Mario & Sonic 2020 seems to be a really multifaceted game with a bit of something for everyone whether it’s their first time to this series or a hardcore gamer. Very user friendly interface, polished graphics, and just all out competitive fun! What really stood out in this preview was how easy it was to just jump right into gameplay, choosing whether you want to have buttons only, hybrid of buttons and motion, or just motion entirely. With motion only, the player is definitely immersed in the 3D graphics world, a feeling I felt when the Wii and Wii U were at their apex. The buttons only mode truly shines when playing the 2D Tokyo 1964. For instance, during the diving competition, you’re able to choose the level of difficulty for button combos. The more difficult chosen, the better the chance of getting a higher ranking dive.
I believe Mario & Sonic 2020 will be a nice edition to all the other Mario Olympic Games and commemorating the actual Tokyo Olympics 2020 games as well. Having the Tokyo Olympics 1964 in 8-bit graphics even added a great nostalgia feel, all the while being challenging. And, since RPGs are still huge, having the story mode brings on a whole new realm to a game that’s usually competitive.

So in a nutshell, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 has a lot of replay value, whether you want to compete against the computer or getting the whole family together for game night (my 8 year old enjoys it when I make a side of stove top popcorn on the side).

Please check out the trailers here:

Trailer 1 Trailer 2 Trailer 3

Fun Stats:

It’s party time, and everyone’s invited!

Team up with Mario, Sonic and friends on Nintendo Switch™ in action-packed sporting events! Bring your best moves to the track, the gym, the ring, or the water in dozens of different party games everyone will enjoy.

Features:

● Overview: Mario, Sonic, Tails, Bowser and the whole gang are here for some party fun with friends and family of all ages, including: 21+ 3D events, 10 classic, retro-styled 2D events, Story mode with
hours of gameplay and wacky, unlockable minigames and guest characters. Try brand new events for Tokyo 2020: Skateboarding, Karate, Surfing, and Sport Climbing.

● Skateboard, surf, and race your way to the top! With more than 30 events to master in this fun-filled Olympic showdown, there are plenty of ways to prove your skills to your friends in multiplayer mode.

● Everyone’s here! Play as Mario, Sonic, or choose from a star-studded cast of colorful characters from your favorite SEGA and Nintendo games.

● Dive into unique Dream events that layer fantastical chaos with reality. Zip through a downhill obstacle course on your hoverboard, Karate chop your way to gain and hold the most neon squares, or blast away the competition in a shooting range full of kites!

● And you won’t want to miss an epic story mode that sends you back to 1964 to compete in classic, retro 2D events.

● Play any way you want on your Nintendo Switch. We’re talking motion and button controls, single and dual Joy-Con, single-player and multiplayer, local split-screen and online!

Publisher Name: SEGA

Developer Name: SEGA

Genre: Sports/Party

Nintendo Platform(s): Nintendo Switch

ESRB with descriptors: E10+; Cartoon Violence

Number of Players: 1 – 4 (Local), 2 – 8 (Online)

Release Date/Window: North America – November 5th, 2019 | Europe – November 8th, 2019

RRP: $59.99 US

Official Game Website: https://www.olympicvideogames.com/marioandsonic/
Twitter Handle: SEGA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SEGA/

Stay tuned to Alternative Mindz for full review and future let’s plays!

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