Product Description

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games will take players to Vancouver, Canada, host city of the official 2010 Olympic Winter Games. This gaming experience invites players of all ages and skill sets to face-off in some of the most intense winter competitions. Tailored to the specific system controls, Nintendo DS and Wii gamers will enjoy completely unique experiences thanks to each platform having its own specific gameplay features and modes. Players of all skill levels will enjoy the intuitive controls of both the Wii and Nintendo DS systems, in both single and multiplayer gaming modes. The Wii game will offer an even richer multiplayer experience offering co-op and competitive gameplay where the Nintendo DS brings an intense competitive element using the Nintendo DS wireless capabilities. Additionally, one of the new features to be found in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games is the inclusion of the Wii Balance Board™ which can be used in some events featured in the Wii version, allowing for a more interactive and realistic gaming experience.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16 in Video Games
• Brand: Sega Of America, Inc.
• Model: 65030
• Published on: 2009-10
• Released on: 2009-10-13
• ESRB Rating: Everyone
• Platform: Nintendo Wii
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .55" h x 5.46" w x 7.54" l, .36 pounds

Features

• Shopping options throughout the game's Olympic village provide opportunity to buy both the gear and upgrades needed for competitions and to customize the gear that you already have.
• Compete in real Olympic Winter events, and over-the-top Dream Events, as you experience the glory of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics from the comfort of home.
• Choose from a large assortment of characters from both the Mario and Sonic game universes, including Donkey Kong, Metal Sonic, Bowser Jr. and Silver.
• Players are challenged to perform a variety of movements using intuitive controls on the Wii Remote/Nunchuk and Wii Balance Board as they simulate real-life movements, and skate, ski and snowboard their way to glory.
• Get your game on in singleplayer, multiplayer, co-op and the over Festival Mode where you complete in every event to become the overall Olympic champion.

Amazon.com Product Description

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games is a sports party game that takes players on the Wii platform to Vancouver, Canada, host city of the official 2010 Olympic Winter Games. This gaming experience invites players of all ages and skill sets to face-off in intense winter competitions in lifelike Olympic venues where they can choose from a legendary cast of playable characters, including new faces to the series like Donkey Kong, Metal Sonic, Bowser Jr., and Silver. The game features intuitive controls, multiplayer modes and Wii Balance Board functionality allowing for a more interactive and realistic gaming experience. Favorite Sonic and Mario characters. View larger. Actual Olympic events. View larger. Game-specific Dream Events. View larger. Mii customization in-game. View larger. Gameplay Like the previous game in the series which centered around the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games features player chosen characters entered into event from and inspired by the upcoming 2009 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, Canada. The game features a variety of play modes, both single player and multiplayer (coop and competitive). Within these players can choose to enter individual events or compete for all the events in the Olympiad. In addition to actual Olympic events players can also participate in winter-themed mini-games sprinkled throughout the game. Due to the overwhelming number of snow and ice sports making up the events of the Winter Olympics, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games makes extensive use of the Wii Balance Board, although it is not mandatory for play. Plenty of Events Prepare to compete in the Olympic Winter Games with your friends and family like you never thought possible. The action in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games is made up of a combination of actual Olympic sports and special Dream Events, which are winter-oriented activities all about fun and that are specific to this particular game. Just a few of the actual Olympic events that players can look forward to trying their hand at include: alpine skiing, ice hockey, speed skating, bobsled, figure skating (singles) and snowboard halfpipe. Dream events include, but are not limited to: dream ski cross, dream snowball fight and dream alpine skiing. Your Favorite Mario and Sonic Characters Play as your favorite characters from the world of Mario and Sonic. All the characters featured in the earlier game, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, are available as playable characters, including Luigi, Tails, Yoshi, Knuckles, Princess Peach, Amy Rose, Bowser, Daisy and many more. Each character comes with his/her own unique movements and stats, making them better suited to certain events and less so to others. In addition to the characters noted above players can look forward to seeing a few new faces, like Donkey Kong, Metal Sonic, Bowser Jr. and Silver. In-Game Customization In addition to the wide variety of playable characters available in game, built-in WiiConnect24 functionality allows players to import their favorite Miis into the game as playable characters. Monies earned for success in-game can be used to customize either game provided characters, or a player's Mii. This is done through the variety of in-game shops available to players. These include: a Boutique for customizing clothing and gear; the Sports Shop where players and buy the gear necessary for events themselves; a Music Shop for fun Mario and Sonic tunes, and more. Key Game Features A Multitude of Events - Prepare to compete in the Olympic Games with your friends and family. Compete in real Olympic events along with over-the-top Dream Events offer surprising objects and new character-specific moves. A Wealth of Character Choices - Choose from a large assortment of characters from the Mario and Sonic game universes. Intuitive Balance Board Controls - Players are challenged to perform a variety of movements using intuitive controls on the Wii Remote/Nunchuk and Wii Balance Board as they simulate real-life movements, and skate, ski and snowboard their way to glory. Single and Multiplayer Options - Get your game on in single, multiplayer and co-op modes that offer fun for players of all ages. Play the Way You Want - Compete in single events in the individual mode and team mode, or challenge your friends to an entire Olympic competition. Festival Mode - A new Festival Mode allows players to experience the full campaign (single and multiplayer). This includes new boss competitions against unique Mario and Sonic characters. Mii Support - Import your favorite Mii's into the game to serve as event competitors. Customization Options - Shopping options throughout the game's Olympic village provide opportunity to buy both the gear and upgrades needed for competitions and to customize the gear that you already have.

Customer Reviews

Variety of games and play options make this game a 5-star title
Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games has many games (listed below) and play options so there's something for everyone. It also has variety for different situations, such as playing alone, as a team or against others, which make it a great all-around game.

Initial events:
Alpine Skiing (Downhill and Giant Slalom)
Ski Jumping (Individual and Team Large Hill)
Freestyle Skiing (Moguls and Ski Cross)
Snowboard (Halfpipe and Snowboard Cross)
Speed Skating (500m, Short Track 1000m, Short Track Relay)
Figure Skating
Skeleton
Bobsleigh
Ice Hockey
Curling
Dream Ski Cross
Dream Snowboard Cross

Other "Dream" events are unlocked as you play. These involve variations on the main events and some new ones. In the Dream versions you collect and use items, face obstacles, use different tracks, etc.

There are also 3 "Party Games" that seem silly when playing them on your own but should be a fun way to play many events quickly with a group of people.

Pros:
Multiple modes--Single Match allows you to select your events and choose Versus, Team Versus, or Co-op Play. Festival allows an individual or team of up to 4 players to take on events and rival challenges as assigned over 16 "days" of the Olympic games. This is like arcade mode. You can also check your records against others' on WFC.

Balance board option--you don't have to use the Wii Fit balance board but, if you have one, you can do 1-player games with it. It changes the game play and provides additional variety. (It's harder than the regular controls though!)

Multiple characters--the characters all have different attributes and special moves so it keeps the play interesting.

Many games--as mentioned there is something for everyone due to nice breadth and depth--and all ages should enjoy it. It's easier to unlock things than in Mario Kart. It even lets you accumulate points and "shop" for decals so you can customize your skis, bobsleighs and snowboard, outfits for your Mii, etc.

Cons:
Controls--if you want to play something that actually simulates hockey moves, skating, etc. this isn't it. The controls are fun and pretty responsive but not similar to Wii Sports or Wii Sports Resort (although using the balance board helps.) Also, the instructions for Curling tell you to use a bowling swing but neither my boyfriend nor I can get it to work that way consistently. We've found that you have to snap your wrist and then it works fine.

Balance board option--a pro but a con too as you can only use it for 1-player games.

No Wii Motion Plus option--it would be fun if WM+ worked with this.

Mario & Sonic Olympic winter games
What more can I say when I bought this game my kids played it for the whole day! They had a blast with this game and loved the interaction together playing it! Its def. a family game and a very fun one for everyone! All aspects of the winter games was well received. I would YES recommend this game and be prepared to play it all day long!!!!!!!!!!!!

who says summer games are better
I had high hopes for this game and my hopes were exceeded. If you liked Mario and sonic at the Summer Games, trust me, you will like this on ten times more.


Pros
-This game has superb graphics that really get you into the winter feel
-It is not as strenuos as the first one which leaves more playing time and less rest time
-The wii motion controls are excellent whether it is skiing or speed skating you feel like you are sonic or mario
-Some of the games aren't even in the winter olymics. You may think this is a bab thing but having a snow ball fight is one of my favorite things to do in this game. use thhe nunchuck to build a snowball nd flick the wii remote to throw it
-excellent replay value unlike the previous mario and sonic game that had no replay value this game you can paly over and over and still break new records


Cons
-just like last game multy player is very unfair like , whoever has the fatest or strongest guy wins




All in all this is a great game for wii players of all ages and i highly recommend it to anybody who wants to have a good time