We usually don’t cover Japanese arcade location tests, unless the game in question is known to be coming out to the West. In the case of the mouthful title Mario & Sonic At The Rio 2016 Olympic Games Arcade Edition by Nintendo and Sega, the game will be released worldwide in February 2016. The game is now showing up for more testing in Japan where news site Famitsu got some hands-on time with the latest version of the game.
While I got to play the game just a few weeks ago at IAAPA 2015 (which did feature localized content, aka in English), the latest test has a new event for players to enjoy, Trampolines. It sounds like this works similar to the 100M, in that it uses both the footpad and the joysticks for control. First you jump, then move the sticks in the shown directions to do tricks for points. But that’s not all as you’ll see below this pic…
According to the official MASATROAE website (even the acronym is a mouthful), two additional events have been unveiled – Rhythmic Gymnastics and 100m Freestyle Swimming. I imagine there will be others unveiled by the time the game is released. One thing that is likely going to stay with the Japanese version but not come over to the US/EU version is the online stats and account tracking. We can hope for such a thing but Western Sega arcade titles haven’t used online features in several years, their Extreme Hunting II was the last game I am aware of.
What are your thoughts on this upcoming arcade title?
I’m interesting in playing this game but considering that rawthrill’s new motor cross bike game will feature online features I don’t see why sega can’t do the same with mario and sonic at the olympics making it exclusive to Japan. Even mariokart arcade DX has the download content for updates so I think sega should do the same since we now live in a digital era.
Much like the previous installment, the characters are assigned to certain events. The difference is that returning characters are playable in two events each while newcomers are playable in only one each. However, Mario, Sonic, and Miis are available in all events.
Much like the previous installment, the characters are assigned to certain events. The difference is that returning characters are playable in two events each while newcomers are playable in only one each. However, Mario, Sonic, and Miis are available in all events.