Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

game2007

62%

WISE Score

64%

IGDB

Mario and Sonic finally team up to compete in Olympic mini-games—safe and wholesome, but painfully dated by 2025.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games

game

2007

62%

WISE Score

64%

IGDB

Mario and Sonic finally team up to compete in Olympic mini-games—safe and wholesome, but painfully dated by 2025.

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Where to Play

Nintendo

Screenwise Verdict

This was a big deal in 2007—Mario and Sonic finally in the same game! But nearly 20 years later, it's hard to recommend unless you're specifically looking for ultra-safe content for very young kids or you happen to have a dusty Wii lying around.

The motion controls were fun novelty then but feel clunky and imprecise now. The 24 Olympic events sound impressive until you realize they're all shallow mini-games with almost no depth. You swing the remote to throw a javelin, waggle it to run the 100m dash, and... that's about it. Kids will enjoy it for maybe an hour before asking to play something else.

That said, it's squeaky clean and genuinely wholesome—no purchases, no chat, no content concerns. If you have a kindergartener who's just learning to hold a controller and loves Mario, this could work. But for anyone over 8 or anyone used to modern gaming, this is a relic that's better left in 2007.

Age Fit

Best for kids 5–10 who are new to gaming and don't mind simple, repetitive mechanics. Older kids and teens will find it boring and outdated compared to modern party games like Mario Kart or Smash Bros.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Features beloved Nintendo and Sega characters competing in friendly Olympic sports. ESRB rated E with only 'Mild Cartoon Violence.' IMDb parent guide confirms no sex, nudity, profanity, drugs, or frightening scenes. The competitive framework is positive and sportsmanship-focused, making it genuinely family-friendly.

Imaginative

It's a straightforward sports mini-game collection with motion controls—you're mimicking real Olympic events like table tennis and javelin. The crossover of Mario and Sonic is fun fan service, but there's zero creative building, exploration, or open-ended play. You pick an event, compete, repeat. The Wii Remote mimicry was novel in 2007 but doesn't invite much imagination beyond 'swing your arm like you're playing real sports.'

Safe

No in-game purchases, no loot boxes, no online chat. Users can interact locally (multiplayer), but that's just couch co-op. ESRB rated E for Everyone with Mild Cartoon Violence (characters bonking into hurdles or missing a shot). No monetization manipulation, no privacy concerns, no toxic elements. This is a clean, sealed cartridge experience from 2007.

Enriching

Kids learn Olympic event rules and get some physical movement from swinging the Wii Remote, which is mildly beneficial. The game encourages hand-eye coordination and timing. But it's shallow—24 mini-games with limited depth or skill progression. No story mode worth mentioning, no meaningful lessons or empathy building. It's entertaining in short bursts but doesn't leave kids with much beyond 'I beat Dad at archery.'

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Iconic crossover of two legendary gaming franchises that kids (and nostalgic parents) recognize
Genuinely safe and clean—ESRB rated E, no purchases, no chat, no content concerns whatsoever
Encourages physical movement with Wii Remote motion controls, getting kids off the couch (sort of)
Local multiplayer is solid for family game nights with younger kids who just want to button-mash and laugh

⚠

What to Watch For

Extremely repetitive—24 events sounds like a lot, but they get stale fast and lack depth
Wii motion controls are clunky and inconsistent by modern standards; expect frustration
Released in 2007, so graphics and gameplay feel ancient compared to what kids are used to now
Low replay value—once you've tried each event a couple times, there's not much reason to come back

Conversation Starters

"Which Olympic sport do you think you'd actually want to try in real life?"
"Do you think Mario or Sonic would win more events if they competed for real?"
"What's harder—playing these events with the Wii Remote or doing them in real life?"

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