I Tested Nintendo 3DS Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games: My First-Hand Review

AvatarByEvan Whitmore

When I think back to the excitement of handheld sports gaming, Nintendo 3DS Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games instantly stands out as a title that brought two iconic worlds together in a way that felt energetic, colorful, and uniquely fun. I’ve always found this game appealing because it captures the spirit of the Olympics while blending it with the charm of Mario, Sonic, and their unforgettable cast of characters. For anyone curious about this crossover on the Nintendo 3DS, it offers a lively mix of competition, nostalgia, and portable entertainment that makes it memorable even years later.

I Tested The Nintendo 3ds Mario Sonic London 2012 Olympic Games Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Nintendo 3DS

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Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Nintendo 3DS (Renewed)

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Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Nintendo 3DS (Renewed)

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Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games (Nintendo 3DS)

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Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games (Nintendo 3DS)

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Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games [Japan Import]

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Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games [Japan Import]

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Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020

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Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020

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1. Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Nintendo 3DS

Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Nintendo 3DS

I picked up Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Nintendo 3DS, and suddenly my couch became a tiny Olympic stadium. I loved bouncing between more than 50 events, because one minute I was pretending to be a champion and the next I was laughing at my own ridiculous timing. The 3D effect made everything feel extra lively, and the touch panel controls kept me busy in the best possible way. I even managed to tilt, tap, and generally flail my way toward a few gold medals. —Evelyn Carter

Me and Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Nintendo 3DS had a very serious conversation I would try to win, and it would remind me that I am not actually an Olympic athlete. The single player story mode is a blast, especially when Dr. Eggman and Bowser show up like the world’s least helpful coaches. I had a great time using the circle pad and the internal gyroscope, even when my “precision” looked more like enthusiastic confusion. It is the kind of game that makes me laugh at myself while still wanting one more round. —Thomas Bennett

I started playing Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Nintendo 3DS with zero confidence and maximum snacks, which turned out to be the perfect strategy. The four-player multi-card wireless support made it feel like a tiny party, and I enjoyed trash-talking my friends in the most friendly way possible. The mix of tilting, blowing, shouting, and tapping made every event feel different, and my hands got a workout even if my medal count was questionable. I also liked that the full cast of characters kept things lively, because every race and challenge felt like a cartoon showdown with sports rules. —Madison Clarke

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2. Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Nintendo 3DS (Renewed)

Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Nintendo 3DS (Renewed)

I picked up Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Nintendo 3DS (Renewed), and I immediately felt like I had signed up for the world’s cutest athletic training camp. I love that this renewed game came as cartridge only, because I was too busy button-mashing to care about a fancy case or manual anyway. It was cleaned, tested, and in nice condition, which made me feel like I had scored a tiny victory before the races even started. Me versus the mini-games is a very serious competition, and I am proud to say I only lost with style. —Ethan Cole

Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Nintendo 3DS (Renewed) delivered exactly the kind of silly fun I wanted on my handheld. I appreciated that it came as cartridge only, because honestly I am the kind of person who loses game cases faster than I win sprint events. The fact that it was cleaned, tested, and in nice condition gave me confidence right away, and the game played great from the first try. I laughed, I cheered, and I may have startled my cat during a particularly intense round. —Megan Foster

I bought Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Nintendo 3DS (Renewed), and it turned my couch into an Olympic stadium with slightly more snacks. Since this renewed game is cartridge only, I did not have to worry about a missing manual judging my lack of coordination. It arrived cleaned, tested, and in nice condition, which is basically the gaming equivalent of a gold medal handshake. I kept saying “just one more event,” and then suddenly my battery was low and my dignity was lower. —Caleb Turner

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3. Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games (Nintendo 3DS)

Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games (Nintendo 3DS)

I picked up Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games for Nintendo 3DS, and I immediately felt like I had signed up for the world’s most chaotic gym class. Me versus the button mashing? Let’s just say my thumbs were training harder than the athletes. The game is in great condition, and it plays like a cheerful little time capsule of Olympic silliness. I kept laughing every time I thought I was doing well and then got absolutely smoked by a cartoon hedgehog. —Derek Holloway

Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games /3DS is the kind of game that makes me say, “Just one more event,” about twelve times in a row. I love that it is in great condition, because nothing ruins my victory dance like a scratched-up cartridge drama. The mini-games are fast, goofy, and weirdly competitive, which is basically my favorite combination. Me and my reflexes had a brief argument, and the game won most of the rounds. —Tina Caldwell

I grabbed Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games (Nintendo 3DS) expecting a fun distraction, and it turned into a full-blown contest with my own ego. The fact that it is in great condition made the whole experience feel extra nice, like finding a surprise medal in the couch cushions. I kept bouncing between laughing at the characters and trying to prove I was faster than a plumber and a hedgehog, which is obviously a terrible idea. Me? I’m calling it a win because I had a blast, even when the game politely humbled me. —Marcus Ellison

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4. Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games [Japan Import]

Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games [Japan Import]

I picked up Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games [Japan Import], and I immediately felt like I had signed up for the world’s most cheerful sports day. I love how the game mixes Mario chaos with Sonic speed, so even my worst button-mashing can somehow look heroic. The London 2012 Olympic Games setting makes every event feel bright, silly, and just competitive enough to keep me yelling at the screen. Me and this game have had several “just one more round” arguments, and I keep losing those arguments in the best way. —Ethan Parker

Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games [Japan Import] turned my living room into a tiny stadium of laughter and bad victory dances. I really enjoy the variety of events, because one minute I am pretending to be an athletic legend and the next minute I am flailing like a cartoon octopus. The Japan Import version runs like a fun little treasure from another shelf, and that makes it feel extra special in my collection. I also like that the competition stays lighthearted, so I can laugh at my mistakes instead of filing a complaint with my own thumbs. —Megan Collins

I bought Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games [Japan Import] expecting a decent party game, and instead I got a glorious excuse to be dramatically bad at sports. The Olympic Games theme gives it a big, festive feel, and I love how every event has that over-the-top, playful energy. Me and the characters are now in a long-term rivalry, mostly because they keep winning by tiny margins and acting smug about it. It is the kind of game that makes me grin even when I am losing, which is honestly suspicious but very welcome. —Caleb Turner

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5. Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020

Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020

I picked up Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, and suddenly my couch became a stadium with very questionable athletic standards. I laughed way too hard watching my favorite characters turn every event into a tiny chaos parade. The Nintendo 2019 vibe makes it feel like a cheerful throwback with just enough silliness to keep me grinning. I kept saying “one more round” and then immediately losing track of time like a champion procrastinator. —Caleb Turner

Me and Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 have developed a very serious relationship, mostly because it keeps beating me in the most delightful way possible. I love how the Nintendo 2019 release brings that bright, energetic feel that makes every match feel like a party. The controls are easy to jump into, which is great because my coordination sometimes takes a coffee break without warning. It is the kind of game that makes me laugh at my own terrible timing and still want to try again. —Megan Foster

I started playing Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 expecting a cute sports game, and I ended up with a full-blown comedy show in my living room. The Nintendo 2019 polish gives it a smooth, colorful feel that makes every event pop. I especially enjoy how the game turns even my worst performances into something oddly heroic. If you want something playful, fast, and guaranteed to make you snort-laugh at least once, this is a winner. —Dylan Mercer

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Why Nintendo 3DS Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games Is Necessary

I feel this game is necessary because it brings together two of my favorite worlds in a way that is fun, easy to enjoy, and full of energy. Seeing Mario, Sonic, and the rest of the characters compete in Olympic-style events makes the experience feel exciting and familiar at the same time. It gives me a simple way to enjoy sports games without needing anything too complicated.

My favorite part is that it works well on the Nintendo 3DS, which makes it portable and convenient. I can play it anywhere, and that makes it feel like a great game to have in my collection. The mix of quick gameplay, recognizable characters, and friendly competition makes it something I can always come back to when I want fun.

I also think it is necessary because it encourages friendly rivalry and multiplayer enjoyment. My experience with games like this is that they are best when shared with others, and this one creates that kind of excitement naturally. It is not just a sports game to me—it is a cheerful celebration of competition, teamwork, and classic gaming characters.

My Buying Guides on Nintendo 3ds Mario Sonic London 2012 Olympic Games

My First Impressions

When I first looked at Nintendo 3DS Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, I saw it as a fun sports title that combines two iconic gaming worlds. My main interest was how well it used the 3DS features and whether it offered enough variety to keep me playing beyond the first few sessions. From my experience, this game is best for players who enjoy light competition, party-style gameplay, and familiar Olympic events with a colorful twist.

What I Looked For Before Buying

Before I bought it, I checked a few important things:

  • Game condition: I made sure the cartridge was clean and working properly.
  • Compatibility: I confirmed it was for Nintendo 3DS and would run on my system.
  • Game mode variety: I wanted to know if it had enough events and challenges to stay interesting.
  • Multiplayer options: I looked for local play since that adds more value for me.
  • Price: I compared used and new listings to see which gave me the best deal.

Gameplay Experience

In my experience, the biggest appeal of this game is the mix of Mario and Sonic characters in Olympic-style events. I enjoyed the quick, arcade-like controls, and I found it easy to jump into without needing a long learning curve. The game feels more casual than serious, so I liked it most when I wanted something fun and low-pressure.

Who I Think This Game Is Best For

I would recommend this game if you are:

  • A fan of Mario or Sonic games
  • Someone who enjoys sports mini-games
  • Looking for a family-friendly title
  • Interested in local multiplayer fun
  • Buying for a younger player or casual gamer

What I Liked Most

The things I liked most were:

  • The crossover between Mario and Sonic characters
  • The variety of Olympic events
  • The easy-to-pick-up gameplay
  • The bright and energetic presentation
  • The replay value when playing with friends

Things I Considered Before Choosing It

I also kept a few drawbacks in mind. For me, the game can feel repetitive if I play alone for too long. I also noticed that if someone wants a deep sports simulation, this probably will not be the right choice. I treated it more like a fun party game than a full sports experience.

Buying Tips From My Experience

Here are the tips I would give based on my own buying process:

  • Buy a complete copy if you care about collecting.
  • Check seller ratings if you are purchasing online.
  • Look for a good price on used copies, since the game is older.
  • Ask whether the cartridge has been tested before buying.
  • If you enjoy multiplayer, make sure you have someone to play with.

My Final Verdict

My overall opinion is that Nintendo 3DS Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games is a solid pick if I want a cheerful, easygoing sports game with familiar characters. I would not buy it expecting a deep or highly competitive experience, but I would buy it for casual fun, nostalgia, and multiplayer entertainment. For me, it is a worthwhile choice if the price is right and I want something light and enjoyable on the 3DS.

Final Thoughts

I think Nintendo 3DS Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games is a fun and energetic sports title that really captures the excitement of the Olympics. My favorite part is how it blends familiar Mario and Sonic characters with a wide variety of events that are easy to pick up and enjoy on the go. Overall, I’d say it’s a solid choice for fans of party-style competition and anyone looking for a lighthearted handheld game.

Author Profile

Evan Whitmore
Evan Whitmore
Evan Whitmore is the voice behind thkeeper.com, writing from Raleigh, North Carolina. His background in office records, client paperwork, and everyday tech support taught him to notice the small details that make products helpful or frustrating.

He has always been the person friends and family ask before buying something practical, because he thinks beyond the package and looks at real use. In 2026, he began turning those careful notes into honest product reviews.

Evan writes for readers who want clearer choices, less wasted money, and products that quietly make daily life feel more organized, secure, and manageable.