Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games puts two long-running franchises in the same arena, and mostly gets the job done, though not without rough edges. The game is a Wii U exclusive, the fourth in the Mario & Sonic series, and the first in it to skip a handheld version entirely — no 3DS this time. It is also the first in the series to be published by Nintendo globally, and the first to include online multiplayer.
The game is built around the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, with a mix of real events — skiing, bobsledding, curling — and fictional events set in the worlds of Mario and Sonic. Players pick from twenty characters drawn from the two series. Orbot and Cubot from Sonic Colors appear as hosts in the Action & Answer Tour.
Trailer, via Nintendo of America.
The Events
The game offers sixteen Olympic events, from skiing to snowboarding slope style. Some use the Wii Remote Plus, some use the Wii U GamePad, and some use both. That split is a practical choice, since certain events need precise timing that a handheld controller cannot give.
The Dream Events — eight fictional competitions — are where the game’s fantasy flair sits. A new mixed event brings together snowboarding, skiing and bobsledding in one case, a gimmick the game leans on for a little extra fun. The visual variety across events — places drawn from Mario and Sonic’s worlds — is a plus, even if some of the controls do not match the ambition.
The Controls
Here is where the game struggles. Critics praised the visuals and the multiplayer, but the controls drew criticism, and the lack of innovation from previous games in the series was a repeated complaint. The game uses the Wii Remote Plus, Nunchuks, or the Wii U GamePad, sometimes at the same time, and the transition between them is not always smooth.
The online mode was a first for the series, and it is a welcome addition for players who want to compete beyond the living room. But the controls that work fine alone can feel awkward when a second player joins in.
What Works
The visuals hold up well. The game has a bright, clean look that fits its subject. The Action & Answer Tour adds a trivia layer that gives players a small reason to keep playing after the main events lose their shine.
The game is also the first in the series to be published by Nintendo globally, a shift from previous titles where Sega published outside Japan. Sega’s exclusivity agreement with Nintendo is the reason the game was released, and it formed the second part of that arrangement after Sonic Lost World.
What Doesn’t Work
The controls are the game’s biggest problem. A review of the game from multiple outlets gives it a 5.8 out of 10, which lands on the lower side of a mixed reception. The lack of innovation from previous games in the series is a recurring complaint, and some events feel like they were built around a control scheme rather than the other way around.
The absence of a handheld version is a notable change. Previous games in the series gave players a portable version alongside the console release. This game does not, and that choice may disappoint players who wanted the familiar portable mode.
Comparing the Series
| Game | Platform | Online | Handheld Version |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games | Wii U | No | Yes |
| Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games | Wii U | Yes | No |
| Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games | Wii U | Yes | No |
The table shows how the series has changed over time. The last Winter Olympic installment to date is Sochi, though the source does not call it the final Mario & Sonic Winter Olympic game.
The Verdict
Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games is a solid entry in a long-running series. The visuals are bright, the Dream Events are imaginative, and the online mode is a welcome addition. But the controls are awkward, the lack of innovation is real, and the absence of a handheld version may leave some players disappointed.
The game is a minor step forward for the series, not a leap. It is the fourth installment, the first exclusive to Wii U, and the last Mario & Sonic Winter Olympic installment to date.
A review of the game from multiple outlets gives it a 5.8 out of 10, a score that reflects the game’s mixed reception.
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