BenSpark’s Holiday Gift Guide – Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 – Review and Giveaway

Mario and Sonic - Olympic Games 2020

I was provided a free download code of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 for the Nintendo Switch by SEGA, so that I could review the game and include it in my Holiday Gift guide. I was also provided 3 additional download codes for a giveaway. Opinions are my own.

Finding a fun family game on the Nintendo Switch isn’t difficult. Finding one that has tons of choices and many mini-games to play is a bit more challenging. Our family is having a great time competing with each other in a ton of Olympic events while playing Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. This game is so much fun. I first got to experience it at the HoliDAY of play where I competed with other attendees in the 100m dash. While I did not have the best time I still had a good time.

There are a ton of events to play and many characters as well. You unlock the play of different characters by playing the story mode of the game. I have been playing story mode which is a lot of fun. In story mode Mario and Sonic are sucked into a video game that was created by Dr. Eggman. But Dr. Eggman and Bowser have also been sucked into the game. They end up at the Tokyo 1964 Olympic games. In order to get back to the Tokyo 2020 games they have to compete in a bunch of Olympic games and earn gold medals. Meanwhile in 2020 Tails and Luigi are attempting to bring Mario and Sonic home. They are also competing in the Olympic games in order to earn gold medals. As we play through the Story Mode we meet a bunch of characters and unlock them in order to play them in different events. I will finish the Story Mode first in order to have all the characters available to play in Quick Match mode. Here is my video on the game that shows you what it is like.

If you would like to try and win a download code please enter through my Rafflecopter widget below. You must be in North america to win. The codes are for the Nintendo Switch in North America. SEGA provided these to me for free for the giveaway.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

More details on the game.

What you need to know about Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020:

  • Brand New Story: Help Mario and Sonic escape from a 2D-themed console, the “Tokyo ’64,” hatched as part of Dr. Eggman’s and Bowser’s nefarious plans to trap the colorful and capable power pair.
  • A Bountiful Medley of Events: Skateboard, surf, and race your way to the top of the podium! With more than 30 events to master in this fun-filled Olympic Games showdown, there are plenty of ways to prove your skills to your friends in local and online multiplayer.
  • Push the Boundaries: Dream Events deliver a layer of fantastical chaos. Zip through a downhill obstacle course on your hoverboard, throwdown for territorial control with lightning-fast karate action, or smash the most targets inside a traditional Japanese manor!
  • So Many Ways to Play*: Exclusively on Nintendo Switch, determine who the real champion is while using the fun and flexibility of Joy-Con controllers to your advantage.
  • Play with a Cast of Fan-Favorite Characters: The gang’s all here! Play as Mario, Sonic, and a star-studded cast of your favorite SEGA and Nintendo characters!

Mario Sonic Tails and Luigi 100m Dash

Enjoy all the different classic 2D events, perfect for friends and family:

  • 100m
  • 10m Platform (Diving)
  • 400m Hurdles
  • Gymnastics – Vault
  • Judo
  • Kayak Single (K-1) 1000m
  • Long Jump
  • Marathon
  • Shooting – Trap
  • Volleyball

Mario and Sonic 100m Dash

You will also dash, climb, jump, surf and more in these fast-paced 3D events:

  • 100m
  • 110m Hurdles
  • 4 x 100m Relay
  • Archery
  • Badminton
  • Boxing
  • Canoe Double (C-2) 1000m
  • Discus Throw
  • Equestrian – Jumping
  • Fencing
  • Football (Soccer)
  • Gymnastics – Floor Exercise
  • Javelin Throw
  • Karate – Kumite
  • Rugby Sevens
  • Skateboarding – Park
  • Sport Climbing
  • Surfing – Shortboard
  • Swimming – 100m Freestyle
  • Table Tennis
  • Triple Jump

Dream_Karate_-_Battle
The fun even goes beyond the limits of reality with all-new Dream Events:

  • Dream Karate
  • Dream Racing
  • Dream Shooting

Release Date

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will take to the starting blocks exclusively for the Nintendo Switch on November 5 in the Americas for $59.99 USD and November 8 in Europe with commensurate pricing.

*Joy-Con functionality does not extend to all events.

**Internet connection required during online play. To use online services, you must create a Nintendo Account and accept the related agreement. The Nintendo Account Privacy Policy applies. Some online services may not be available in all countries. Online play requires paid online membership.

About ISM:
ISM manages and develops entertainment software applications and is the International Olympic Committee (IOC) exclusive worldwide licensee for Interactive Entertainment Software. In addition to these exclusive rights, ISM is one of the world’s leading providers of sports fantasy games working with a number of sport’s governing bodies. Visit the company’s website at www.ismltd.com.

About SEGA® of America, Inc.:

SEGA® of America, Inc. is the American arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA Games Co., Ltd., a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony Interactive Entertainment. SEGA of America’s website is located at www.sega.com.

SEGA on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SEGA

SEGA on Facebook: www.facebook.com/SEGA

SEGA on Twitch: www.twitch.tv/SEGA

SEGA on YouTube: www.youtube.com/SegaAmerica

If you are interested in purchasing this game please consider using our Amazon.com affiliate links below. they cost you nothing extra and help us out.

DJI Global Mavic Mini – High Flying Fun in a Lightweight Package

DJI Global Mavic Mini 1

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card. All opinions are my own.

I love flying drones. I personally have a DJI Spark and have enjoyed flying that for a while now. I am, however, seriously considering upgrading to the new DJI Global Mavic Mini. Several years ago now I was able to fly one of the larger Mavics and I loved it. It was portable and able to fold down really small. The new DJI Global Mavic Mini can fold down ever smaller and only weighs in at 249 g. This weight actually puts it under the legal required weight for registering the drone with the FAA. I only fly for fun in wide open areas at a super low altitude and do not want to have the hassle of all the regulations that come with flying much larger drones. With this drone I could fly all over quickly and easily. I can also do it longer with the Mavic Mini because the Mavic Mini’s weight allows it to stay in the air longer than similar consumer FlyCams on the market. I can enjoy up to 30 minutes of flight time with a fully-charged battery.

I was constantly worrying about how much flight time I had with other drones and had to purchase several batteries to get some decent flight time in. With the Mavic Mini I can fly longer and have to use less batteries. Although, Best Buy has a great bundle for sale on the Mavic Mini that includes 3 intelligent flight batteries. You’ll have plenty of flight time with those.

When I think about why I even fly a drone the answer is always for the photos. I love shooting photography and video with my drone and the new Mavic Mini has some amazing features for aerial photography. You can shoot complex shots easier than ever. Shots that look like they came from a Hollywood film set are just a few taps away with Mavic Mini’s QuickShot modes, which include Dronie, Circle, Helix, and Rocket. Just select your QuickShot and Mavic Mini will execute an elaborate preset motion while recording. Take the automatically generated short video and share it instantly with friends on social media. CineSmooth ModeSmoother motion for compositions that wow. Slow down Mavic Mini’s flight speed and movements for an added layer of precision and stability. This mode is especially useful when flying in narrow or complex spaces.

the controls for taking photos sound great but what about the camera? The camera is a stabilized gimbal camera with a 3-axis motorized gimbal that provides superior camera stability and ensures clear, ultra-smooth footage. The photos are 12MP and videos are 2.7K Quad HD videos.

DJI Global Mavic Mini 2

See what your Mavic Mini sees. A dedicated remote controller maintains an HD, low-latency video feed at a distance of up to 4 km. Detachable control sticks can be easily stored inside the remote controller for added portability. The remote control uses your cell phone to display this video feed through the new DJI Fly app. The DJI Fly app gives users integrated access to SkyPixel, a social media platform for users to share their aerial photos and videos. Browse work, share your own, and even discover popular aerial photography spots in your area.

On top of all that you can use the DIY Creative Kit (an optional accessory) to make your FlyCam truly yours. With this kit that includes shell stickers and colorful markers you can be as creative as you want to be to decorate your Mavic Mini.

Key Features of the Mavic Mini

  • 249 g Ultralight
  • 30-min Max. Flight Time
  • 4 km HD Video Transmission
  • Vision Sensor + GPS Precise Hover
  • 3-Axis Gimbal
  • 2.7K Camera
  • Simplified Recording & Editing