Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games – Nintendo 3DS Standard Edition

I’m going to review this game as I believe it deserves a nod. I’m familiar with Mario , sonic Olympic Games. This one is not much different. I found it to quite enjoyable despite that. I love the atmosphere this game gives. If it’s not the game that will get you, it’ll be the bright colours and wonderful samba that will! I find I’m staying in the menu screens or idle in game as I love the music!

You can jump in and play any game without unlocking it. The game uses a wonderful balance of button, gyro, and stylus games. If you’ve only played the winter versions , there is a lot more in the summer ones. Characters are a plenty but are selective for specific events which can deter some people but if you just want to enjoy the games and atmosphere it’s not a big deal.

Games are fun , simple to grasp and are involved and provide fun challenges. You’ll wanna go back and beat your score or try and get first. You can unlock achievements which you need to complete all three in a set to get one token towards prizes. You can upload your scores online for each of the events and see how you rank worldwide.

Beautiful all around. if you want a basic, easy to pick up, colourful Mario sports game. you gotta try this one. Wait for a price drop though if you aren’t willing to pay full price.

Modes

Single Player
You can play the game alone in story mode. You pick a team Sonic or Mario to compete with as your mii. You can take part in a seven day run of. Not entirely in depth but a lot to do if you train and rank up your mii to be able to unlock all the clothes and then compete.

Versus
No online bummer but you can play with others via download play for free as long as they have a 3DS of their own. up to 3 others.

Pocket Marathon
If You can take your 3DS with you, the steps it counts can be added to the distance you run and unlock rewards. You get awards for logging into it once a day. based on running tracks in Rio!

Quick play
You can play any game event plus , plus events basically Olympic Games but Mario themed.

Very fun, just dipping into it. I’ve played Table Tennis, Javelin, Beach Volleyball, Boxing, Archery, Golf & Football so far. They have all been fun and challenging. I love games that you can pick up and instantly jump in. Not a lot of thinking here, just good old fashioned arcade style fun. Can’t wait to try local play with friends.

It has been 5 years since Nintendo unveiled the 3DS, and honestly it really took handheld gaming for Nintendo to the next level. The system definitely had brought so many great games like Mario Kart 7, Super Mario 3D Land, and Pilotwuings Resort to name a few. But honestly, the takeover of tablets and smartphones dominating the handheld market the past few years, Nintendo had been taking in the heat with the success of games like Angry Birds and Candy Crush Saga. But still, Nintendo has been holding its own with good control of the handheld gaming market for over 25 years. But Nintendo has decided to being back a gaming rivalry with Mario & Sonic at the Olympic games series. The games have been very popular with the Wii and Nintendo DS for the past several years. But there wasn’t a strong stride with the past few games on the Wii and 3DS from the last version, which lost its common core with gamers. Now with Sonic and Mario set to try for the gold again with the Summer Olympics in Rio 2016, the question is does it ignite like before? Mostly yes, and some no.

Mario & Sonic At The Rio 2016 Olympic Games brings back the fun and challenge with the Nintendo 3DS in mostly good ways, by adding a bit more challenge to the fun, and some good gameplay. The object is to challenge yourself with 14 different events including golf, horse riding, golf, boxing and javelin throws. The gameplay works nicely, by bringing in a story mode just like what was played in Mario Golf for the 3DS a few years ago, as you try to work your way to the Olympics, and try to retrieve the stolen medals from the clutches of Bowser and Dr. Robotnik. Graphically the game works well, and holds up to the standards with past Mario sports games. But at times, the control does cause you to lose momentum, especially in some events like Archery and Basketball, where you are only limited to the motion control, the gameplay can be a bit shaky for those extra training points for outfits and gear that you’ll need to uncover extra characters and dream events. The extra gear can be cliche’ at times, but it is essential in some contests to capture the gold.

Overall, what I did get with Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic games is a lot of fun. Still, it did bring back a lot of fun that the Nintendo 3DS had left off of back in the 2012 London games. While it does have some faults, you will get a bang at this great title, that shows that Nintendo is still alive in the video game market where it did lose some steam for the past few years. Still, if you own a Nintendo 3DS, than you’ll mostly love this title, and try to go for the gold.

Graphics: B 1/2+

Sound: B

Control: B-

Fun & Enjoyment: B

Overall: B 1/2-