Gameplay is a favorite past time of the men in this household, and my boys love two games and gaming platforms more than any other- Super Mario Bros and Sonic the Hedgehog, the two video game franchises that have been popular for literally decades now. There are all new games starring Mario, Luigi, and Sonic all the time, and they want them all. The most recently released, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, is utterly fabulous, and they play it on their Nintendo Switch every evening.
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 was just released two days ago, and it’s likely going to be phenomenally popular because it’s so incredibly fun. The boys have competed in archery, canoeing, jumping hurdles, and more, and excitedly update me on new challenges, bonus features, and how well they are doing. It features all their favorite characters across a variety of beloved games in amazing graphics, and there is the really cool option of reverting between 2D and 3D games(some of us love the throwback feel of 2D for nostalgia- I remember when all games were like that and they were plenty awesome in the 80s). It’s Tokyo 1964 vs Tokyo 2020!
This game is the only one in the only gaming franchise that brings Sonic and Mario together along with other favorite Sega and Nintendo characters, and all to celebrate the Tokyo Games! Compete with Mario, Luigi, Sonic, Dr. Eggman, Bowser, Eggman Nega, Amy, Shadow, Bowser Jr, Wendy, Wario, Waluigi, Metal Sonic, Blaze, and more… all the characters you loved playing all these years are here to challenge each other in this huge mash-up from different games… so head to the skate park, compete on a diving board, match skills at the archery range, get on your marks at the race track, and get ready to roll at a variety of other places too. Events include- in 2D:
100m
10m Platform (Diving)
400m Hurdles
Gymnastics – Vault
Judo
Kayak Single (K-1) 1000m
Long Jump
Marathon
Shooting – Trap
Volleyball
and in 3D:
100m
110m Hurdles
4 x 100m Relay
Archery
Badminton
Boxing
Canoe Double (C-2) 1000m
Discus Throw
Equestrian – Jumping
Fencing
Football (Soccer)
Gymnastics – Floor Exercise
Javelin Throw
Karate – Kumite
Rugby Sevens
Skateboarding – Park
Sport Climbing
Surfing – Shortboard
Swimming – 100m Freestyle
Table Tennis
Triple Jump
Whether your sport is dashing, climbing, jumping, or surfing, you can do it with up to four friends at home or eight friends online. There are Dream Events (a variation on the Olympic Games challenges that include “Dream Shooting”, “Dream Karate” and “Dream Racing” that add a layer of the fantastical) and story mode (characters are trapped in a console and need gold medals to escape), and over 30 events in all for gamers to master in this showdown event. Here is a smidgeon in action:
If you have game players in your house, want a fun Nintendo Switch, then Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 is a great choice. It’s 10+ but there is no violence, cursing, or negative storylines, so really I would be ok with any age playing it, and my sons weirdly surprise me with new vocabulary whenever they play these games (they read all the story boards and have started using words like tactical, structure, and obstruction- who knew video games could be educational).
So, this is our pick for the perfect stocking stuffer for kids 7-17, and a great idea if you have friends over and it’s going to be an indoor weather sort of time, or you just like to game play whatever the weather. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 is available NOW!
We received a digital copy to share our review.