Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games: Tokyo 2020 by SEGA for the Nintendo Switch

Coming to Nintendo Switch November 5, 2019, Super Mario and Sonic Olympic Games 2020

This November, we’ve got the return of two major gaming powerhouses bringing to life the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games in 3D and 2D events, Super Mario and Sonic at the  Olympic Games 2020, exclusive to Nintendo Switch and published by SEGA. Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games: Tokyo 2020 is a crossover game, the sixth if I'm not mistaken since it’s inception in 2007 on the Wii. Now, we have a larger cast of characters from both gaming worlds, new Olympics games have been added like skateboarding, surfing, and karate, and over 30+ games in 2D and 3D formats. Mario and Sonic Olympic Games 2020 includes a star-studded cast of well-known characters like Mario, Sonic, Luigi, Knuckles, Peach, Amy, Doctor Eggman, Yoshi, Tails, Metal Sonic, Donkey Kong, Princess Daisy, and more!

Nostalgia On Screen

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 is the party game of the year! Good thing the holidays are on their way as this is the perfect gift for the gamer in your life. Especially, gamers who are nostalgic like me who has infinite love of everything original. Players old and new will be able to experience 2D and 3D versions of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, respectively.

There are over 30 games to play including the 2020 Olympics 3D events and the 1964 Olympic 2D events. Within the 3D gameplay, there are also games called Dream Events, and the name in itself is definitely appropriate as these game plays are nothing short from fantastic. 

3D Event: 100m Dash Photo credit: SEGA

The 3D 2020 Olympic Games are seriously so much fun to play, and to even watch others play! I have fully entertained both ways, and I am excited to get my hands on the actual game to play some more. This is the type of game that you can play alone or even with a large group of friends (up to four-player locally, and up to eight players online). The obstacle courses are challenging and will provide a gaming experience that doesn’t leave you yearning for more. You can play to true to life 2020 Olympics games like the 100m Dash, Table Tennis, Archery, and even Gymnastics! New to the Olympics overall are the additions of new sporting events like skateboarding, sport climbing, and karate. The skateboarding in-game is a lot of fun as it’s real park skateboarding

with quarter pipes and rails to grind. It’s really a sight to see Tails and Princess Peach doing flip tricks and other skateboarding terms I know nothing about. 

Photo credit: SEGA

Go back in time with 10 2D Olympic events to master, but the twist is that you have to use 2D characters. Play classic Mario and classic Sonic, and sprinkle in some Princess Peach and Luigi. This means that they don’t have any special skills, they just sort of bop around like the olden days. Using the joycon, you have to be quick and press a sequence of commands in order to perfectly complete the event. The player with the highest scores places gold, silver, or bronze. Otherwise, your player is listed on the scoreboard. It felt like old times seeing my beloved Mario and Sonic on the screen in this form. 

2D event Photo credit: SEGA

There are three Dream Events to choose from Dream Racing, Dream Karate, and Dream Shooting. 

Dream Racing is my favorite as you can collect power-ups to zoom past your opponents. Use your own choice of hoverboard and the character of your choice to be the first one to be at the finish line. Dream Karate is totally fun and provides lots of entertainment as it’s just a free for all. You have to be the last one standing with all of the blocks in your area highlighted to be declared the winner. Dream Shooting is great played solo or with others as the split-screen is not overwhelming. Shoot at the targets and earn points to be the best, and look for the kites as they provide opportunities to gain extra bonus points. 

Dream Karate Photo credit: SEGA

The mini-games, Olympics events, Dream Events, and even the story mode will provide solo and group players to have a blast. The overall gameplay, especially in party mode, is just fun and visually impressive. Get some friends together, or just play solo to experience beautifully designed maps, true to life overlays featuring games from the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, sounds, and realistic Olympic Games that will test your skills. You don’t need to be a specific skill set to play, as it’s rated for ages 10+. There is very minimal cartoon violence, and I would not have an issue with my younger son jumping on and playing. 

Story Mode with Our Favorite Villains

There are mini-games galore, which makes this game a lot of fun to play, but sometimes you just need a story. Thankfully, SEGA didn’t leave us hanging as the storyline is actually really fun. We have Doctor Eggman and Bowser, two villains from both universes colliding to create the ultimate in villainy. Bowser and Doctor Eggman send our heroes back to the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, which is just kismet - Nintendo 64/Tokyo ’64, it was like meant to be! Eggman’s evil invention is a Tokyo ’64 console that brings current players back to 1964 where they will be stuck forever! Players have to get the star-studded cast of characters in 2D form back to the future by completing a collection of 2D style mini-games (like racing the iconic Bullet Train), Olympics trivia; you can also unlock hidden characters within story mode, which just makes the game richer overall. 

Can Sonic beat the Bullet Train? Photo credit: SEGA

Nintendo Switch is the perfect console for this gaming feat, and SEGA delivers on the realistic and the fantastical gameplay. The 3D events include actual Olympic Games old and newly added for a fully immersive experience, the twist is that you can play with your favorite characters Sonic the Hedgehog and Super Mario Bros. The mix of these gaming worlds makes for a fun and nostalgic gameplay as you see each character’s personality and nuances shine throughout the 3D portions. The 2D events are apart of the story mode, where you jump back in time to the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, and even the overlay changes to that of an 8-bit console. Even the sounds and music take you back to a simpler time in gaming. 

Big thank you to SEGA for taking me along for the ride. The game designers and everyone at SEGA are very proud and excited about Mario and Sonic at the Tokyo Olympic Games 2020, and it was really such a joy to be apart of it and their excitement! Stay tuned to my YouTube channel for some sneak peeks and a full review coming next month. 

Let me know in the comments below if you’re planning to pre-order the Mario and Sonic at the Olympics: Tokyo 2020. You can pre-order it now in the US on Amazon for under $50 for the Nintendo Switch.

More info...

Release dates for Nintendo Switch:

1 November 2019 - Japan

5 November 2019 - North America

8 November - Europe and Australia

10 different classic 2D events:

100m

10m Platform (Diving)

400m Hurdles

Gymnastics - Vault

Judo

Kayak Single (K-1) 1000m

Long Jump

Marathon

Shooting - Trap

Volleyball

21 3D events:

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

*new Olympics games