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Mario & Sonic take to the water
We occasionally fret that we may have already seen the whole of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, such has been Sega's bloody-minded determination to extract every last drop of video from the game in the build-up to release.Still, the rowing is new to us, and it shows promise, if only because it looks like one of those events where a bit of timing and rhythm is the key to success, rather than the brainless, arm-waving lunacy required for the track-based events (this may teeter on being sacrilegious, but we don't all miss Track & Field, you know). That said, the fencing and archery still intrigue this blogger a little more than anything else in the package.How about your good selves? Any particular events you're looking forward to trying out?
Mario and Sonic exemplify 'comic mischief'
Okay, these "viral" videos are kind of ridiculous. The rotund Sonic suit looks pretty bad, and we question the validity of calling something "viral" when it's distributed via the same channels as officially-released material, just because it's intentionally kind of cheap-looking. But we have to admit, that this video for Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games made us laugh out loud. At first, there was something hilarious about the interaction of a normal human person with a guy in a Mario suit speaking in Charles Martinet's voice. Then Sonic came along and replicated a classic Kids in the Hall skit and we, shamefully, LOL'd.The other video, not so much. But it's embedded after the break anyway.
Sega makes an even worse prediction
If you were to look up 'hubris' in a dictionary, you'd probably see a picture of Sega executives high-fiving each other at a Ferrari dealership, confident in their estimates of Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games' success. Or you'd see some words that tell you what 'hubris' means. It depends on which edition of which dictionary you're looking at.First it was Sega of Japan corporate director Masanao Maeda predicting 4 million copies sold. Now Sega's UK product manager, Phil Lamb, is forecasting big success for the title: "This will be a leading title at Christmas. We have fully set our sights on it being the number one Wii title but are confident that this title has the potential to also achieve the top slot in the All Formats chart too."There's only one way this game is going to outsell Super Mario Galaxy, and we doubt that Sega is willing to swallow their pride and accept the help. [Via NeoGAF]
DS Daily: Mario and Sonic and DS
Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games is a big deal on the Wii, especially with the Leipzig crowd. Super Smash Bros. may have stolen some of its thunder recently, but the very idea of Sonic and Mario in a game together still holds a lot of power to many fans. Plus, if you don't own a Wii, Olympics on the DS is your only shot at Nintendo and Sega mascot characters competing at stuff. Are you planning on going for the portable gold? Do you think this game has the potential to be any good? Are you eschewing the handheld release for the Wii version, or are you dedicated enough to making Knuckles and Yoshi compete in a judo match to get both?
Mario and Sonic will destroy your touch screen
IGN's gameplay impressions of the less-discussed DS version of Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games were mostly positive: there's a tantalizing possibility of online play, the 3D engine is apparently pleasing, and the game contains all the same events as the Wii version.Unfortunately, the description of the game's controls is troubling for us, and probably money in the bank for companies who produce DS screen protectors. Most of the game's events are controlled by moving the stylus back and forth as rapidly as possible in a prescribed direction to build up speed or power. It may be fun, or it may just be a shortcut to a deep groove carved into your touch screen. Between this and the DS version of the notoriously controller-assassinating Mario Party, is any DS safe?
Joystiq hands-on: Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Wii/DS)
Smash Bros. isn't the only place the mascot exchange program is thriving. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games pits Nintendo and Sega characters against each other in Summer Games challenges. Bowser, Peach, Tails, Robotnik, and others compete in triple-jump, swimming relays, velodrome races, and dozens of other contests.I recently sampled the DS and WIi versions of the game. Sega mentioned that the IOC helped make sure that the stadiums and other settings accurately reflect the 2008 Beijing games. But another license requirement pitches the title at kids; other than real-world-based measurements of distance and time, don't expect accuracy within the events. Instead, Mario and Sonic plays like another mini-game buffet.A few modes -- especially with four players and user-created tournaments -- are interesting, but the majority seem suited to a younger crowd. Gaming families may enjoy the humor, variety, and simple style. But sports enthusiasts should wait for a more realistic game.%Gallery-4863%%Gallery-4864%
First trailer of Mii integration in Mario & Sonic at the Olympics
As you can see above, the inclusion of your own Mii in Mario & Sonic at the Olympics isn't anything all too special. It's pretty much what you'd expect. While we're fairly sure that we could hold our own fencing against Sonic (from what we've seen, this is the first time he's ever held a sword), we're certain racing against Sonic would only be an embarrassment.
Knuckles and Sonic get it on
If it weren't for all the other crazy news coming out of Japan right now, we would be tempted to call this Mario & Sonic week. Every time we turn around, it seems like we're seeing new bits from their upcoming joint Olympics title. Not that we're complaining, though -- not when it means we get to see Yoshi's stats and Knuckles and Sonic trying to poke each other with pointy objects. We can only guess it's Sonic's year to kick ass and take names. Check out the updated gallery below for the latest images from the game! %Gallery-4697%
Mario and Sonic joined by Mii at the Olympics
Hey, guess what? I'm going to be in Mario & Sonic at the Olympics! Yes, that's right, my very own Mii will be included in the cast of characters set to strut their stuff in a variety of different events when the game releases next month. In fact, you're just as lucky as me, as your Mii will be included in the game, as well. Don't you feel special? We certainly do.Sega announced that the upcoming game will include full support of Miis. So, if you want to know how you'd do in the 5K against Sonic, then feel free to give it a go.%Gallery-4697%
Mario and Sonic might as well jump
Of all the events in the Olympics, the Triple Jump seems like the one in which Mario would have the greatest advantage. After all, he's been practicing for it since Super Mario 64. Mario is a master of the triple jump. If Sega substitutes a normal triple jump for Mario's signature flip in the name of consistency, we will shake our heads in sad dismissal of this game. We may also roll our eyes and sigh.This trailer, despite holding potential for Mario-related disappointment, also shows us how the controls work for the triple jump. And, as many Wii trailers show, what it would look like to play this game in a very nice fake apartment full of overenthusiastic actors.Speaking of enthusiasm, we've embedded a certain obligatory Van Halen song in the post. Go ahead and (click on the) jump.[Via NeoGAF]
Luigi goes for the gold in Tails Stabbing
The latest screens from Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games show us some more of the game's twenty events. Like this one, in which Cream the Rabbit is forced to stand in the sidelines and watch as two idiots fence with no protective gear on-- in Tails' case, no gear at all. Fencing without a facemask or armor? That's just called stabbing. We also see Tails excelling in what we assume is the trampoline event, in which players push buttons in a prescribed sequence to make Tails flop around in the air in a controlled manner.
Mario & Sonic get their Games on
Twenty (!) separate events are planned for Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, and it looks like we'll be partaking in a variety of traditional summer games with our favorite mascots. Events range from Archery to Rowing to Table Tennis, with a little something for everyone. Siliconera reports that this list is not complete -- that two events are still missing of the twenty -- but if the various race lengths in the Track events are counted separately, then this could be the full list. However, Mike Hayes of Sega Europe mentioned the inclusion of judo earlier this year, so there may well be two other unconfirmed events. Curious about the current list? Race past the jump and check it out.%Gallery-4697%
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games screens
Everyone's eager to see what Sonic and Mario's first collaboration will look like, right? Well, here it is! The DS version, anyway. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games looks pretty okay! We don't really know what else to say about it. It's in 3D, and includes, at the very least, long jump, archery, hammer throw, and some kind of track event.Sonic and Tails are participating in the manner of the ancient Olympians-- nude. We don't know if they've covered themselves in olive oil as the Greeks did, and we hope we never find out. We hope nobody ever finds out.%Gallery-4700%
