Pros & Cons
-
- Good graphics and animation.
- Broad selection of events.
- Party modes
-
- No online multiplayer mode.
- Repetitive controls.
- Not enough Wii Balance Board use.
- Not compatible with Wii MotionPlus.
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games Specs
| ESRB Rating: | E for Everybody |
| Genre: | Sports |
| Platform: | Nintendo Wii |
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games is the second installment of the Mario & Sonic Olympic series. This sequel akes place during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. Most of us remember intense competition, sore arms, tough workouts, and frequent breaks needed between events during the original Mario & Sonic Summer Olympics. Unfortunately, Mario, Sonic, and friends left many of those great gaming elements back in Beijing. Winter Olympics offers great graphics, 27 different Winter Olympic and Dream events, the incorporation of Mii characters and the Wii Balance Board, and the ability to use the built-in Wi-Fi connection. Don't let the smoke and mirrors fool you, however.
Sega did a fantastic job developing cut-scenes and above-average Nintendo graphics, but fell short of what was most important: the gameplay and experience. Most of the events use the same unimpressive Wiimote controls (twisting, turning, and tilting your wrist) and lack the intense diversity and challenge we saw in the game's predecessor. The Wii Balance Board brings a new and unique experience to the franchise, but it has its own separate menu area and cannot be used in the Festival or Multiplayer modes. In addition, if you are looking for a Wii game to play online with friends, the online component for Winter Olympics does not go beyond checking records of other players. It's probably best just to hibernate until the 2012 Summer Olympics, as Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games is not worth the purchase.
More Computer & Console Gaming: