Reviews Surfing - Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (DS)

Back in the 90s, the console war was between Nintendo and Sega, among Mario and Sonic. As luck would have it, the two companies and their mascots teamed up in last year’s Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games for the DS and Wii. Unfortunately, the partnership wasn’t exactly well received, garnering mixed reviews from the gaming critics.

The unlikely duo returns for Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games. Does this sequel have what it takes to exceed its predecessor? We check out the DS reviews and see if we truly have a better game on our hands.

Official Nintendo Magazine UK: (91%) “Believe it or not, if you have both a Wii and a DS and you’re not really bothered about multiplayer action, we’d recommend you pick up the DS version of this instead of the Wii one. It’s not quite as retro-heavy as the Wii game but the Adventure Tours mode gives it more depth for anyone playing the game on their own.”

IGN: (75%) “It’s fun to see Mario team up with Sonic, even if the story in Adventure Tours mode doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, and the events–while still hit or miss–offer far more compelling gameplay mechanics and a whole lot more depth. Both the DS and Wii versions of this franchise are going to sell like hot cakes every time a new Olympic season rolls around, but at least players will have a reason to keep coming back to the DS game long after the waggle-fest on Wii wears thin.”

Cheat Code Central: (84%) “Mario & Sonic at the Winter Olympic Games is a fun, enjoyable, and approachable experience that improves upon last year’s Summer Games outing. The variety of both game types and style make for a highly enjoyable experience. Just don’t be fooled; this isn’t a hardcore game of any sort - it’s essentially a collection of Mario-fied mini-games themed around the Winter Olympics. But with its brimming supporting cast pulled from both Mario and Sonic’s past, gamers have an instantly recognizable world full of character to explore. Its non-violent and engaging gameplay is sure to appeal to many, while the multiplayer design of the events make it a prime travel or “pass the time” option. It’s obvious that developer SEGA Japan put a lot of time in the Nintendo DS version, crafting an experience that stands proudly on its own two feet.”

Are you surprised? I am. Between multiplatform games, it’s the DS that normally gets the short end of the stick. Based on the reviews (at least according to the ONM article), the DS version of Mario & Sonic at the Winter Olympic Games is better. Aside from the obvious perks like playing the game on the go, the DS version’s Adventure Tours mode looks a lot of fun to play. Check out this new Mario and Sonic team up, it just might be as good as advertised.

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