Not to be confused with Sonic at the Olympic Games (2020).
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020[4] (マリオ&ソニック AT 東京2020オリンピック Mario & Sonikku AT Tōkyō 2020 Orinpikku?, lit. "Mario & Sonic AT Tokyo 2020 Olympics") is a 2019 crossover sports party video game developed and published by Sega. It is the sixth installment in the Mario & Sonic series based on the 2020 Summer Olympics (which was later rescheduled for a 2021 date), which took place in Tokyo, Japan. The game was released on 1 November 2019 in Japan, 5 November 2019 in North America, and on 8 November 2019 in Europe and Australia on the Nintendo Switch.[2][3] An arcade version[5] was later released in 2020.[6][7]
Gameplay[]
Like the previous entries in the Mario & Sonic series, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 is designed to be a sports/party game whose cast consists of a crossover of characters from Nintendo's Super Mario franchise and Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog series.[8] By taking control of one of these characters, the player participates in various events based on sports games from the Olympic Games. The game includes a number of events, including returning ones from previous Mario & Sonic titles, such as boxing, soccer, swimming, and gymnastics, and new ones, such as karate, skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing.[9] The game has two modes of events; the first mode, dubbed the Tokyo 2020 Events, allowing players to compete in events from the 2020 Summer Olympics, and are all rendered with 3D graphics. These events feature twenty playable characters, with an additional character for each specific event. The game also features a mode with 2D events called the Tokyo 1964 Events, where players can compete in classic 2D versions of events from the 1964 Summer Olympics. Based on older sports games, these events are played using button controls only and only feature eight playable characters.[10] These 2D Events' animations reflect the 8-bit (Mario) and 16-bit (Sonic) game art style. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 also features a story mode.[2] The game features compatibility with the Nintendo Switch's Joy-Con controllers and Pro Controller.[9][11] For the first time in the series, the game offers the choice between using motion controls or button controls for all of the Tokyo 2020 Events. Depending on the event, the game allows either using one or two Joy-Con controllers for motion controls.
Not counting the Nintendo 3DS version of Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 is the first installment in the Mario & Sonic series that feature no unique character stats. However, each character has specific advantages that correlate to their character type (All-Around, Power, Speed, Skill) from the first four games. One will notice though that All-Around characters are listed as "All-Around" in all events. The event-specific advantages are as follows:
Event(s) | Power | Speed | Technique |
---|---|---|---|
100m |
Good at Super Moves | Runs Fast | Super Starts are Fast |
Javelin Throw | Charges Power Quickly | Gauge Extends Faster | Easier Best Angle |
Triple Jump | Good at Super Moves | Perfects are Easier | Approach is Fast |
Discus Throw | Easier Best Power | Easier Best Angle | Good at Adjusting Tilt |
Skateboarding | Jumps are High | Fast at Moving | Turns are Tight |
Boxing | Punches are Heavy | Good at Counters | Good at Super Moves |
Karate - Kumite | Good at Charging | Fast at Moving | Good at Defense |
Football | Shots are Powerful | Runs Fast | Good at Stealing Balls |
Rugby Sevens | Good at Tackles | Runs Fast | Gauge Builds Fast |
Canoe Double (C-2) 1000m | Good on the Last Leg | Good at Paddling | Super Starts are Fast |
Swimming - 100m Freestyle | Good at Super Moves | Swims Fast | Good at Turning |
Equestrian - Jumping | Good at Super Moves | Gallops Fast | Turns are Tight |
Gymnastics - Floor Exercise | Good at Takeoff | Good at Super Moves | Good at Landings |
Badminton | Good at Smashes | Fast at Moving | Controls with Precision |
Table Tennis | Returns are Powerful | Fast at Moving | Good at Spins |
Fencing | Good at Parrying | Fast at Moving | Good at Stepping |
Surfing | Boost Time is Long | Good Acceleration on Landing | Good at Tube Riding |
Archery | Controls with Precision | Good at Bow Drawing | Good at Aiming |
Sport Climbing | Long Grip Gauge | Good at Power Climbs | Fast Grip Gauge Recovery |
Dream Racing | Jumps are High | Good at Grinds | Turns are Tight |
Dream Shooting | Good at Dizzying Opponents | Fast at Moving | Good at Aiming |
Dream Karate | High Attack Power | Fast at Moving | Good at Power Strikes |
The game also features split-screen local multiplayer and online play.[9]
Objects[]
Items[]
Gimmicks and obstacles[]
Characters[]
Playable characters[]
Team Sonic[]
Image | Character | Type | Bio |
---|---|---|---|
Sonic[note 1][note 2] | Speed | The world's fastest hedgehog. He can be impulsive and impatient, but he is driven by kindness and a strong sense of justice.[12] | |
Tails[note 1][note 2] | Technique | A kind, twin-tailed fox kit. He can spin his tails to fly through the air, and his engineering talent helps Sonic on his adventures.[12] | |
Knuckles[note 1][note 2] | Power | A powerful echidna who lives on Angel Island as the lone guardian of the Master Emerald.[12] | |
Amy[note 1] | All-Around | A hedgehog who is a real go-getter and lights up the room when she's around. She's quite strong-minded, and won't hesitate at taking on evil with her trusty hammer.[12] | |
Dr. Eggman[note 1][note 2] | Technique | A self-proclaimed evil scientist and mechanical genius with an IQ of 300. He never gives up on his plans to take over the world.[12] | |
Shadow[note 1] | Speed | A black hedgehog known as the ultimate life form. Created with an immortal body, he wields Chaos Emeralds to warp space and time.[12] | |
Silver[note 1] | Technique | A hedgehog from a devastated future. He is always positive and has a strong sense of justice. His powerful psychokinesis can move big objects as well as allow him to levitate.[12] | |
Metal Sonic | Speed | A high-performance robot built by Dr. Eggman to mimic Sonic. He has Sonic's speed and power, and serves as Eggman's obedient henchman.[12] | |
Blaze[note 1] | All-Around | A princess from another world who uses the Sol Emeralds she protects. Cool-headed and hard on herself, she's still a little shy.[12] | |
Vector[note 1] | Power | The head of the Chaotix Detective Agency. He has a sharp mind and a sharp tongue, but is also an optimist with a compassionate heart.[12] |
Guests[]
Icon | Character | Playable events | Type |
---|---|---|---|
Eggman Nega[note 1] | Karate - Kumite | Technique | |
Espio[note 1] | Triple Jump | Technique | |
Jet[note 1] | Football | Speed | |
Rouge[note 1] | Sport Climbing | Technique | |
Zavok | Boxing | Power | |
Zazz | Table Tennis | Speed |
Supporting[]
- Egg Pawns (Rugby Sevens teammates and Football goalie)
- Eggrobos (Dr. Eggman's Volleyball teammates)
- Pockies (Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles' Volleyball teammates)
Team Mario[]
Image | Character | Type | Bio |
---|---|---|---|
Mario[note 1][note 2] | All-Around | A cheerful plumber and everyone's favorite superstar. He stands up to Bowser with his jumping skills and all-around athletic ability.[12] | |
Luigi[note 1][note 2] | All-Around | Mario's younger twin brother. He's a little timid (especially around ghosts), but is kind and just as capable as his brother.[12] | |
Peach[note 1][note 2] | Technique | Princess of the Mushroom Kingdom. She has a close bond with Mario and is unfailingly kind. She loves baking and cooking.[12] | |
Daisy[note 1] | Speed | The Princess of Sarasaland. She is cheerful, active, and always full of energy.[12] | |
Bowser[note 2] | Power | The Koopa King's strength, fire breath, and large army of Goombas, Koopa Troopas, and more make him a constant threat to world peace.[12] | |
Wario[note 1] | Power | Never a dull moment with Wario, a loud, brash fellow who says he's Mario's greatest rival. He loves garlic and money.[12] | |
Waluigi[note 1] | Technique | Wario's pal who thinks he's Luigi's rival. His gangly arms and legs make him a fierce competitor in all manner of sports.[12] | |
Yoshi | Speed | Mario's kind, chill ally from Yoshi's Island. His long tongue lets him gobble up fruit and foe alike and turn them into eggs.[12] | |
Donkey Kong | Power | King of the jungle and superstar of the Kong Family. He's so strong, it isn't funny. He'd do anything for a banana or ten.[12] | |
Bowser Jr. | All-Around | The Koopa King's little boy. He might be small, but he's got all of Papa's strength and selfishness. Wears a mask with a big mouth on it.[12] |
Guests[]
Icon | Character | Playable events | Type |
---|---|---|---|
Diddy Kong | Rugby Sevens | Technique | |
Larry | Equestrian | Technique | |
Ludwig | Fencing | Technique | |
Rosalina[note 1] | Surfing - Shortboard | Technique | |
Toadette[note 1] | 110m Hurdles | Speed | |
Wendy | Swimming - 100m Freestyle | Power |
Supporting[]
- Birdos (Football goalies)
- Boom Booms (Rugby Sevens teammates)
- Hammer Bros (Bowser's Volleyball teammates)
- Toads (Mario, Luigi, and Peach's Volleyball teammates)
Non-playable characters[]
Audience characters[]
Referees, judges, and camera operators[]
- Chao (2020 events only)
- Charmy Bee (2020 events only)
- Cream the Rabbit (2020 events only)
- Cubot (2020 events only)
- Lakitu
- Orbot (2020 events only)
- Toads
- Rocky (1964 events only)
Others[]
- Balkiry
- Blooper
- Buzz Bomber
- Chain Chomp (cameo)
- Cheep Cheep
- Clucker
- Egg Pawn
- Goomba
- Koopa Troopa
- Mecha Sonic
- Miraitowa (cameo)
- Nebula
- Rexon
- Shy Guy
- Toads
Events[]
2020 Events[]
- 100m Dash
- 100m Freestyle
- 110m Hurdles
- 4 x 100m Relay
- Archery (Individual or Team)
- Badminton - Doubles
- Boxing
- Canoeing
- Discus Throw
- Equestrian
- Fencing
- Floor Gymnastics
- Gymnastics - Floor Exercise
- Football
- Javelin Throw
- Karate - Kumite (first appearance)
- Rugby Sevens
- Skateboarding - Park (first appearance)
- Sport Climbing (first appearance)
- Surfing - Shortboard (first appearance)
- Table Tennis
- Triple Jump
- Dream Events
- Dream Karate (first appearance)
- Dream Racing
- Dream Shooting
1964 Events[]
- 10m Platform
- 100m
- 400m Hurdles
- Canoe
- Judo
- Long Jump
- Marathon
- Shooting
- Vault
- Volleyball
Game Room Minigames[]
- Bullet Train Blast
- Highway Chase
- Kabikiza Clash
- Metropolitan Goal Kick
- Museum Sneak
- Shibuya Scramble Smash
- Sumida River Boat Ride
- Tokyo Sky Flight
- Tower Climb
- Treeside Rumble
Development[]
History[]
In October 2016, it was announced by Sega that it had secured the licensing rights from the International Olympic Committee to publish video games based on the 2020 Summer Olympics. Their plans were for these games to be released on various devices.[13] On 29 March 2019, at the Sega Fes stage show in Japan, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 was announced alongside Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 - The Official Video Game.[11][14] This game is the first entry in the Mario & Sonic series since Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, which was released for the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS in 2016,[11][15] and was scheduled to be released for the Nintendo Switch in late 2019, with an arcade version sometime in 2020.[11] A companion game for Android and iOS, Sonic at the Olympic Games, was also released on 7 May 2020.[8][14]
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 was the final game that AlphaDream worked on before it filed for bankruptcy in 2019. Developers Racjin, Yuke's, and Success Corp also worked on the game. Racjin helped develop previous Mario & Sonic games, while Yuke's helped Sega develop Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 - The Official Video Game.[16]
Promotional[]
The game was featured at E3 2019.[17] The official lanyard that guests of the event received featured new artwork of both Mario and Sonic in promotion of the game. A new trailer premiered and a demo of the game was playable at Sega's booth.
The game was later playable at Sega's booth at Tokyo Game Show 2019, and players were able to receive a limited lanyard and ticket holder.[18] Due to the lanyard featuring flags of characters in the game, it revealed some new characters early.
A demo of the game was released on the Japanese Nintendo eShop on 10 October.[19] Two weeks later, on 24 October, a demo was released for the European Nintendo eShop.[20]
Cast[]
Announcers[]
Role | English voice actor | Japanese voice actor | French voice actor | Italian voice actor | German voice actor | Spanish voice actor | Dutch voice actor | Brazilian voice actor | Russian voice actor |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tokyo '64 Announcer | Wally Wingert | Gentoku | Philippe Barrier | Matteo Zanotti | Oliver Brod | Ramón Rocabayera | Reinder van der Naalt | Hélio Vaccari | Vladislav Kopp |
Male Announcer | Billy Kametz | Olivier Deslandes | Angelo Cola | Steffan Boje | Fabio Tassone | Lars Oostven | Rodrigo Araujo | Golitcin Vladimir | |
Female Announcer | Cristina Vee | Caroline Klaus | Tiziana Martello | Tabea Börner | Lourdes Fabrés | Adinda Bruijning | Camila Castelani | Andronova Alena |
Sonic characters[]
Mario characters[]
Role | Voice actor |
---|---|
Mario | Charles Martinet |
Luigi | |
Wario | |
Waluigi | |
Princess Peach | Samantha Kelly |
Toad | |
Toadette | |
Princess Daisy | Deanna Mustard |
Rosalina | Laura Faye Smith |
Yoshi | Kazumi Totaka |
Birdo | |
Donkey Kong | Takashi Nagasako |
Diddy Kong | Katsumi Suzuki |
Bowser | Kenny James |
Bowser Jr. | Caety Sagoian |
Larry Koopa | Michelle Hippe |
Wendy O. Koopa | Ashley Flannegan |
Ludwig von Koopa | David J. Goldfarb |
Shy Guy | Nate Bihldorff |
Boom Boom | Sho Murata |
Trivia[]
- This was both the last Sonic the Hedgehog game & Mario game to be released in the 2010's.
- As the real life Summer 2020 Olympic Games were delayed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this marks the first time a Mario & Sonic game about Olympic Games has been released with its real-life version not taking place the following year or the exact year.
- The game's title places the location and year after "Olympic Games" rather than before.
- The game's Japanese title mentions the year rather than before.
- Donkey Kong's bio references the DK Rap from Donkey Kong 64 with the line: "He's so strong, it isn't funny".
- For the first time ever in the Mario & Sonic series, most characters wear sports clothing appropriate for the event that has been chosen.
- This is the first game in the series where male characters have unique outfits. However, they revert to their standard looks during Dream Events.
- Even characters who had sports outfits (i.e. Peach and Daisy) in previous installments gained new ones here.
- The shoes Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Wario and Waluigi wear in athletic events are identical to the ones they wear in Mario Tennis Aces.
- Sonic and Vector wear shoes similar to the ones they wear in the Sonic Riders series.
- Rouge wears an outfit identical to the one she wears in the Sonic Riders series.
- Dr. Eggman wears gear similar to a piece of artwork of him posted on Sonic Channel.
- Toadette is the only non human Mario character to receive a new outfit.
- Yoshi, Bowser, Bowser Jr., Donkey Kong, Metal Sonic, Zavok, Diddy Kong, Larry Koopa, Wendy O. Koopa, Ludwig Von Koopa and Zazz do not receive new outfits.
- Because Yoshi is the only one of these characters that wears shoes, this makes him the only character that does not receive different footwear. Additionally, like most of the Sonic series characters, he retains his footwear during the Surfing, Gymnastics, 100m Freestyle and Karate events
- All Sonic series characters (aside from Dr. Eggman, Metal Sonic, Eggman Nega and Zavok) retain their footwear during the Surfing, Gymnastics, 100m Freestyle and Karate events unlike the Mario human characters. According to Takashi Iizuka, this is because "Sonic doesn't take off his shoes (in canon)."[21]
- In 1964 events, the sprites of the Mario characters all originate from Super Mario Bros. while several of the differently colored Toads are based on the original red sprite and the Shy Guys are given new 8-bit sprites. The Sonic and Eggman sprites originate from the original Sonic the Hedgehog, though the Picky, Cucky, Pocky, Ricky, Rocky and Flicky sprites are only based on their original sprites and are portrayed in 8-bit. Several differently colored versions of the Pocky can be seen in the game. Tails' sprites originate from Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Knuckles' sprites originate from Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
- This is the first game in the Mario & Sonic series that does not feature the Miis.
- This is the final Mario & Sonic game to feature Charles Martinet and Deanna Mustard as the voices of Mario, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, and Princess Daisy, respectively.
- This is the first Mario & Sonic game to cut playable characters from a previous installment, as Wave, Sticks, Toad, Dry Bowser and Nabbit do not return as playable characters.
- In an unused audio clip in the game files is the announcer calling for Zeena, suggesting she was going to be in the game.[22] Curiously, there is no corresponding voice clip of an unused Mario character.
- In the credits of the game, Patrick Seitz's name is misspelt as "Patrcik Seitz".
- Some of the characters' Table Tennis victory animations come from Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games and were also used for Badminton and Table Tennis.
- The poses of the characters in the character select screen were taken from Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games.
- Sonic's pose on the character selection screen is similar to a piece of artwork from Sonic Art Assets DVD.
- The victory poses of the characters in the award ceremony were taken from Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
- Some of Sonic, Tails, Amy, and Shadow's voice clips are recycled from Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric, Dr. Eggman, Vector, Metal Sonic, Rouge, Eggman Nega and Zazz's voice clips are recycled from previous Mario & Sonic games, Jet's voice clips are once again recycled from Sonic Free Riders, while Espio and all of the characters that received new voice actors in Team Sonic Racing (Knuckles, Silver, Blaze, Omochao, and Zavok) have new voice clips with those actors reprising their roles.
- Omega is the only character that received a new voice actor in Team Sonic Racing that does not appear in this game. While Omochao is not playable, he appears in some scenes of story mode with his new voice actress.
- As in the previous game, archived recordings of Chikao Ōtsuka from previous Mario & Sonic games were used for Eggman Nega's voice lines, despite Kotaro Nakamura being the current voice of Dr. Eggman following Otsuka's death.
- Similarly, despite Johannes Oliver Hamm being the current German voice of Dr. Eggman in the mainline games following Hartmut Neugebauer's death in 2017, archived recordings of Neugebauer were used for both Dr. Eggman and Eggman Nega.
- This is the last Sonic-related game to feature Klaus Lochthove as Shadow and Zavok before passing away in August 17th, 2023.
- This is the only game where Ángel de Gracia voices both Sonic and Silver in Spanish, as the latter was recasted by Masumi Mutsuda after de Gracia replaced Jonatán López as the voice of Sonic. Silver uses recycled voice clips from previous Mario & Sonic games.
- One of Silver's dialogues in the Spanish version of Story Mode says: "¡Basta ya! Creo que va siendo ora de que nos devolvaís ese juego." instead of saying: "¡Basta ya! Creo que va siendo hora de que nos devolvaís ese juego." (Enough already! I think it's about time you gave us that game back.)
- This is the only Sonic-related game to feature voice work from voice actor Billy Kametz before his death on 9 June 2022.
Videos[]
Notes[]
References[]
- ↑ Radfordhound (@Radfordhound) on Twitter (13 October 2019). Retrieved on 24 November 2022.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Sega (21 August 2019). Sega on Twitter (Japanese). Twitter. Retrieved on 21 August 2019.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Sega (20 August 2019). Sega on Twitter. Twitter. Retrieved on 20 August 2019.
- ↑ Zwiezen, Zack (30 March 2019). SEGA Announces Mario & Sonic At The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 For Switch & Arcades. Kotaku. Retrieved on 9 April 2019.
- ↑ Official Olympic Video Games site (Traditional Chinese). Sega. Archived from the original on 1 August 2019.
- ↑ Sega (30 March 2019). Sega on Twitter. Twitter. Retrieved on 12 June 2019.
- ↑ Brian (29 March 2019). Mario & Sonic at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games announced for Switch. Nintendo Everything. Retrieved on 29 March 2019.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Romano, Sal (29 March 2019). Sega announces four Tokyo 2020 Olympics games. Gematsu.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Sarkar, Samit (11 June 2019). See Yoshi and Knuckles skateboarding in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. Polygon.
- ↑ Mario and Sonic Tokyo. Events. Sega. Archived from the original on 20 August 2019. Retrieved on 20 August 209.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Doolan, Liam (29 March 2019). Sega Announces Mario & Sonic At The Tokyo 2020 Olympics For Nintendo Switch. Nintendo Life.
- ↑ 12.00 12.01 12.02 12.03 12.04 12.05 12.06 12.07 12.08 12.09 12.10 12.11 12.12 12.13 12.14 12.15 12.16 12.17 12.18 12.19 Mario and Sonic Tokyo. Main page. Sega. Retrieved on 21 August 2019.
- ↑ Makuch, Eddie (27 October 2016). Sega Making Video Games for 2020 Summer Olympics. GameSpot.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Wong, Alistar (30 March 2019). Sega Celebrates Tokyo Olympics With Four Different Games, Including Sonic Smartphone Game. Siliconera.
- ↑ Theriault, Donald (29 March 2019). Sega Announces Pair Of 2020 Olympic Games. Nintendo World Report.
- ↑ Doolan, Liam (2 November 2019). It Looks Like AlphaDream's Last Project Was Mario & Sonic At The Olympic Games. Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on 3 November 2020.
- ↑ Craddock, Ryan (7 June 2019). Sega will feature Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games 2020, Mega Drive Mini and more at E3. Nintendo Life. Retrieved on 7 June 2019.
- ↑ Sega (12 September 2019). セガ公式アカウント on Twitter. Archived from the original on 17 September 2019. Retrieved on 17 September 2019.
- ↑ Brian (10 October 2019). Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 demo out now on the Japanese Switch eShop. Nintendo Everything. Retrieved on 27 October 2019.
- ↑ Matt (24 October 2019). Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 demo now available on the European Switch eShop. Nintendo Everything. Retrieved on 27 October 2019.
- ↑ Sarkar, Samit (11 June 2019). If Mario can surf barefoot, why can’t Sonic?. Polygon. Archived from the original on 12 June 2019. Retrieved on 12 June 2019.
- ↑ Mysticus . Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020: Announcer (English). The Sounds Resource.
External links[]
- Official website (Chinese (Traditional))
- Official website (Chinese (Simplified))
- Official website (Dutch)
- Official website (English)
- Official website (French)
- Official website (German)
- Official website (Italian)
- Official website (Japanese)
- Official website (Korean)
- Official website (Russian)
- Official website (Spanish)
- Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 at MarioWiki, the Fandom wiki of Mario.
- Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 at Super Mario Wiki, the Super Mario wiki.