Phone Detective

Beloved ex-rival of fun chaired in London, in what could be the Wii 's Last Hurrah

Back in the 8 - and 16-bit days of Mario and Sonic were the most bitter rivals, as a result of their representative duties for Nintendo and Sega - who were then locked in a bitter struggle for dominance in the console market.

Then Sega 's Dreamcast flopped, and it opted out of the thankless business to make hardware withdraw. But it was the lure of a big, fat official license of the Olympic Games, the last almost four years finessed its approach.

The resulting got Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, where the legions of the early adoption of Wii owners had played the console 's starting line-up until death, and it was a huge success. Now, with the Wii 's compensation threatens the fun-loving duo are for what are certainly an appropriate Last Hurrah for Nintendo \ return's form-breaking console (although they have another foot firmly in the present, as Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games in London 2012 will also appear on the 3DS).

Hands-on with the Wii

We have the opportunity to some of the events on both versions of the game in the appropriately grandiose surroundings of the Tower of London, where play. On the Wii, it was immediately clear that the tried and tested formula Mario & Sonic hasn 't exposed to questionable interference As always, please take part in mini-games based on real Olympic events, as well as "Dream" events that concerned the slightest inspiration from anything recognizable sports, but show more inventive gameplay.

Sega was at pains to point out that it has sought to differentiate 2012 from London to the original game, and the events we played were all new. First, riding instead included in a facsimile of the Greenwich Park, this keeps the Wiimote to rotate it into horizontal speed up, shake (if you tried too hard in a turn too fast, fell out of one) and the timing of the jumps in front of a Sprint finish. Not particularly challenging, but \ also fun in the game's family-friendly setting.

Canoeing was a timing game, best played with two players per canoe - most of the events allow four-player cooperative play, many of the same, although dictate some (like horses), that turns the participants. Badminton felt like a potential four-player co-op favorite, very similar to Mario Tennis, complete with the ability of a solid roster of Sega and Nintendo characters, each broken quirky with a powered-up that the enemy forces in the Defensive select required and the timing of your Wii Remote, shake well.

The two Dream events we played were much more left-field. Dream Discus turned out to be an on-rails flying-and-collecting game not unlike something from the realms of recent Sonic games – whatever character you choose stands on a discus and is fired along a course. Forward movement was automatic, although you could move left and right, in order to pick up rings, avoid obstacles and jostle your fellow players. It was another game at its best played by four people, although bots are substituted for humans if it's just you at the controls.

Dream Long Jump was to achieve a fascinating side-scrolling platform effort, in which competitors are seeking, the furthest distance to a long side-scrolling level, by jumping on clouds, balloons and the like, and avoiding the inevitable huge, slowly moving spheres. by, for example, jumping on larger clouds and thereby to break, or jump on clouds and lighting unleashing bursts - Extra spice has been of several means to impede your competitors 'recorded efforts.

Hands-on with 3DS

On the 3DS, a similar format prevailed, but it became instantly clear that the two versions were developed independently, with no duplication of events. Naturally, many availed themselves of the 3DS's unique attributes, especially the motion-sensors. At times, there were pleasant echoes of WarioWare.

Judo was the first game on offer - essentially a beat-em-up at a rock-paper-scissors mechanic. Rowing was another timing-based effort, the rotation of the analog stick circuit is required - simple, but surprisingly pleasant.

Balance beam was more inventive, and you have forms by tilting the 3DS (more like one of those maze games), to track moves. Breast using the 3DS 's microphone, encourage her in shock if your character' s head appeared - certainly not one to play with the public transport.

And Race Walk, that most ludicrous of sporting events, was perhaps the most compelling of all the games on show, as you had to move the stylus from side to side in time with music, which hilariously broke down if you faltered.

What we think?

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games 2012 in London, is a comfort blanket of a game, and we mean that in a complimentary way. He won 't win prizes for the cause of the games in general, nor should it attempt to do so. But it is infinitely reassuring, especially for us Brits, with their recognizable London scenes.

On the Wii, it provides a final update of this classic family and party-friendly game console is all about - and this time even the hardcore gamer could comfortably from some of the retro-inspired Dream events might be surprised.

On the 3DS, it offers a degree of ingenuity, too. Once again, Mario and Sonic have common future, which will certainly be a great success was.