Mario (Super Mario Land 3D - Nov 11) and Sonic (Sonic Generations - Nov 11) are probably the hardest working video game characters in 2011, both with current gaming releases and this time their working together! Even though both characters are from two different companies, SEGA have brought them together again in Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games in this friendly collection of competitive mini-games.

However, as mentioned, this is not the first time that Nintendo and SEGA have brought their characters together and in 2007, we saw Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games but it didn't stop there. 2008 saw them together again Super Smash. Bros Brawl and then in 2009, it was Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games. So with the London Olympics just around the corner, SEGA have done it again.

Given that Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games is a collection of sporting mini-games on the Nintendo Wii which does feel a little stagnant at times, however SEGA have attempted to spice up the games and try something different but like most sporting games for the Wii, especially mini-games, some work and some don't.

In order to spice up the gameplay and give it that English feel, the developers have used almost every London landmark and cliché in the book to give the title a real London feel. The three main gaming modes available include Dream Events, Olympic Events and London Party.

Controls are also a mixed bag in the game and would have been nice if the title used the new MotionPlus capabilities of the Wii because the inaccuracy of the controls and limitations of the old controller does make the games feel a little dated at times. Also, for those that don't like to move, this game requires quite a bit of arm moving, especially if you’re trying to break a record.

The dream events incorporate Olympic type events into the game with over the top gaming mechanics that include weird surreal experiences such as running along on clouds and other arcade type adventures that are quite reminiscent of the Mario and Sonic titles. Next up are the Olympic games which are more realistic gaming modes that include sports such as badminton, canoeing, football , equestrian, shooting, volley ball and hurdles for example.

The highlights for me in the Olympic games was definitely badminton and shooting. Badminton reminds me of tennis from Wii Sports which in essence have replaced the tennis ball with a shuttlecock which allows you to have long volleys before smashing the shuttlecock on your opponent’s court to win the point. Canoeing is also fun as the Wii controllers are used to mimic the motion of rowing that can sometimes be a challenge. Horsing riding and football are a little lacklustre and overall, we've pretty much seen all these games in some incarnation before. As to shooting, even though the accuracy was a little hit and miss, it was fast blasting those skeets away.

However London Party is where the REAL fun is to be found which mirrors elements from the Mario Party games as London is turned into a huge board game. Allowing up to four players, this mode requires you to explore London in order to collect items and complete your tourist sticker book. The first to complete wins!

It's also cool that you can race other players to your destinations which creates a healthy dose of competition. Another fun aspect about the game is that the title rewards the players with a considerable amount of unlockable content thanks to the scratchy tickets that you are given. By scratching these tickets, it will award the player with bonuses such as new clothing for your Mii character to other prizes like music from the Mario and Sonic games which can then be used in the sporting events.

It’s definitely a game for the family!

Graphics & Audio

Graphically, Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games is a decent looking game on the Wii with its over the top characters that all look like their gaming counterparts. Although the game looks quite cartoony in all its elements, it's actually a fun looking game that assists in the overall party atmosphere. The virtual interpretation of London does look rather impressivem including the landmarks such as the Eye.

Great sound effects and some awesome musical scores which do need to be unlocked add to the overall gaming experience. All in all, the gameplay and graphics come together well and although it’s not the most original game, it delivers the fun.

Final Thoughts?

Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games is an interesting game that is reminiscent of those classic 80's Olympic games like Summer Games but with 21st century graphics and the innovative Wii gaming mechanics. Like all mini-game collections, some of the games work and others are just a little embarrassing.

Fortunately the majority work but where the game does shine is through the Dream Events and the London Party mode which is rather fun, especially with other players.

Sure, it may not be the most original game of the year but its fun seeing the colourful characters of Nintendo and SEGA together again, especially in the Dream Events that take certain aspects from games such as Mario Galaxy and incorporates those into these mini-games with the gorgeous locales of London as a background. London has never looked more colourful or cleaner for that matter.