Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020

I didn't expect to like this game as much as I do, and I certainly didn't think that a Story Mode would be the biggest selling point for a game known as a mini-game compilation, but here we are. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 is an excellent game with a fabulous soundtrack and fan service for fans of either franchise. The game's Story Mode does a great job of introducing players to all of the mini-games, while also teaching them about the rich history and culture of Tokyo. Sega has done a great job as ambassadors for the city of Tokyo, and the 1964 retro 2D mini-games and events are nostalgia-filled romps that will leave players smiling from ear to ear.

Though there is room to improve, Mario & Sonic nevertheless do what they do best, and that's deliver a fun experience from beginning to end. [Issue #44 – January/February 2020, p. 60]

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 is a game for people who really love the Olympic Games and want to buy memorabilia of the event as someone would buy a pin of the town the Games are taking place in or a t-shirt with the mascot. But as video game, it really looks like the typical, almost bland, product coming out of a production line every four years.

All-in-all, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 is probably the best game in the series with a nice selection of events, features and characters, and enough gameplay variation to keep fans occupied. It seems like it would have made more sense to launch closer to the actual Tokyo 2020 games, and it definitely has more replayability as a party or multiplayer game than as a single player title, but it’s totally worth checking out if Olympic-style titles are (or were ever) your thing.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games: Tokyo 2020 offers the quality of previous games and goes one step further thanks to the retro-style events. The variety of sports and events, the combination of modern and classic modes, the interesting story mode, the local and online multiplayer options and the good graphic and sound section make this title an excellent way to warm up for the Olympic Games.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 is one of the best episodes in this sub-series, bringing it back to form after the two lackluster Wii U releases.

Mario & Sonic at the 2020 Olympic Games is definitely the best chapter in the series, and will surely make the joy of younger gamers and those willing to climb the online charts, aiming for gold.

The best Mario and Sonic in the Olympic Games of the saga. Plenty of games, great retro feeling and undisputed in the multiplayer side.

With a fun story mode and a ton of minigames there is a lot to love about Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. The game is full of fun facts about the event and history that keep you learning as you play. The map could be better and there maybe is too much reading involved, but that doesn't take away from the game in any big way.

Are you looking for a Wii-style minigame collection to play at parties or with friends? If so, this title fits the bill exactly. If you're looking for a challenging single-player experience, you still won't find that here. In many ways, Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 is as straightforward of an update as you can get. Its primary purpose was to bring Olympic-style events to the Switch for the first time. If that's what you're looking for, then you'll be happy with this Mario & Sonic outing.

Moving above the mediocrity that has often plagued the series in the past, Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 is without question the best entry thus far, even if the mini-game and party structure is not for everybody.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 is a surprisingly competent minigame collection with a decent story. Where most in the genre would become repetitive after just a few rounds, this entry in the series incentivises replaying again and again to beat official Olympic records or the tough as nails AI. Either alone or with friends, it’s a great time.

It’s the perfect game to get out when you have family around for an occasion, and the retro events will likely elicit fond memories from gamers of a certain age. And to top it all off, there’s a decent single-player mode to get stuck into. It’s not perfect, but as mini-game collections go, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 is up there with the best of them.

The real magic of the game, though, is how it serves as a perfect casual entry point into the world of the Olympic Games.

Overall, Mario & Sonic is a welcoming surprise that I can see myself playing with friends regularly.

A surprisingly fun game with a lot to offer. The Story Mode is somewhat amusing and easily goes by in five hours. While I wish there was more interaction with the modern world, I can't deny the effort at least. That being said, the real star of the show are the activities themselves. With 34 minigames to choose from, this is one of the most packed games in series history. It helps that the button controls work quite well, and help to sell the experience just that teensy bit more.

Overall, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 is an enjoyable experience that’s jammed-packed with Olympic-sized fun. With so many events and modes to choose from, all presented in Nintendo’s signature welcoming style, there’s something for everyone here. Just don’t expect a deep and engrossing experience; while there are nice extra touches like Story Mode and an added retro element, this is mostly a game meant for casual, bite-sized fun on the go.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020's retro suite is compact but it kicks everything up a notch.

Mini game collections are not for everyone, but Mario & Sonic at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games is one of the better options within the genre. Especially the retro sports - not the least because of the nostalgia - are appreciated. The game would have made an even better impression with a slightly better finish, but at least offers enough choice in terms of activities.

If you’re looking for a game to enjoy with friends, this can be a great choice. It has a lot of content and some really nice details for fans of the two franchises it is based on.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games will be able to give hours of genuine fun to share in company.

Quotation forthcoming.

Loads of disciplines, retro sports and a top-notch presentation: Mario and Sonic invite you to fun and thoroughly enjoyable summer games. But the slow-moving story mode and too many automatisms among other things, keep the dynamic duo from podium places.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 is sixth installment in the franchise, as it stands somewhere in the middle. It may not be the best, but surely isn't the worst of them all. It looks superb, has a few really outstanding mini-games and even a selection of 10 retro styled ones for all you nostalgia lovers out there.

Definitely the best game in the series – but too niche to recommend it to everyone. [Issue#241, p.63]

As a multiplayer experience, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games: Tokyo 2020 can be considered the "1-2 Switch" of this Xmas, a fun game that is enjoyed when playing with friends, even if it lacks events and the story mode feels short and child-oriented. If you want it to play alone, there are better options...

A good revitalization for the franchise and one that packs enough charm to forgive its faults.

These games are always a guilty pleasure and this debut on Switch certainly fits the bill. The addition of the 2D events is by far the highlight of this package. I just wish there were more of them. I love that these games drop every couple of years and deliver almost every time. Anyone looking for yet another great Switch game to play with friends, this is another great addition to the library.

Even if Mario & Sonic at The Olympic Games isn't the party game of the century, it's still a nice pick with lots of sports available, a touristic tour of Tokyo, and 10 retro challenges with vintage pixels.

Mario and Sonic at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games is a solid, although not revolutionary, party game. Its wide selection of events, its clean technique and its various types of gameplay, all very accessible, make it an ideal companion for a few successful evenings with friends or family. The real added value of this opus, the solo mode, is however a good idea poorly exploited, due to a excess of inconsistent dialogues, which break the rhythm and all the interest of this charming initiative.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 is pretty basic but funny, especially with the right people to play with: if you enjoyed previous games in the series, you won’t be dissatisfied with this one.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 feels like the hardest Sega has tried at coming up with a broadly appealing track and field collection since DecAthelete. The wide range of events and alternative control options create open accessibility while a handful of retro throwbacks and madcap minigames function as impressive novelties. Mario & Sonic’s limitations are still recognizable, but Tokyo 2020 feels like the farthest anyone can drag an Olympic videogame into the present.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 knows how to get us excited about the Olympic Games. The sports are not all worked out to the same extent, but the big variation in mini-games, wonderful story mode and pleasant 2D versions of certain sports provide enough entertainment.