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

AvatarByMichelle Walker

When I think back to the Nintendo 3DS era, few games capture the energy of handheld sports competition quite like Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Blending the charm of two of gaming’s most iconic universes with the excitement of Olympic-style events, this title brings a lively, fast-paced experience that feels both familiar and fresh. For me, it stands out as a memorable example of how a handheld game can deliver big personality, friendly rivalry, and plenty of pick-up-and-play fun all in one place.

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

PRODUCT IMAGE
PRODUCT NAME
RATING
ACTION
PRODUCT IMAGE
1

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

PRODUCT NAME

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

10
ACTION
Check Price on Amazon
PRODUCT IMAGE
2

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

PRODUCT NAME

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

8
ACTION
Check Price on Amazon
PRODUCT IMAGE
3

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

PRODUCT NAME

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

9
ACTION
Check Price on Amazon
PRODUCT IMAGE
4

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

PRODUCT NAME

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

10
ACTION
Check Price on Amazon
PRODUCT IMAGE
5

Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020

PRODUCT NAME

Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020

9
ACTION
Check Price on Amazon

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 turned into a tiny Olympic stadium. I love how it throws over 50 events at me, because apparently my thumbs needed more cardio. The 3D effect makes everything feel extra lively, and I keep grinning like I actually trained for this. The touch panel and circle pad controls are easy to get into, even when I am dramatically failing at medal glory. —Evelyn Carter

Me and this game had an instant friendship, mostly because Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Nintendo 3DS lets me do ridiculous things like tilt, tap, and shout at my handheld. I never expected my internal gyroscope to become part of my sports routine, but here we are. The single player story mode is surprisingly fun, and I enjoyed teaming up against Dr. Eggman and Bowser like it was a very strange neighborhood rivalry. It is the kind of game that makes me laugh even when I miss the gold medal by a mile. —Marcus Bennett

I bought Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Nintendo 3DS for the events, and stayed for the chaos. The four-player multi-card wireless support turned my living room into a tiny, competitive mess of victory dances and dramatic groans. I also like that the game uses the 3DS controls in clever ways, because tapping and tilting somehow makes me feel more athletic than I really am. With all those Olympic-themed events, I keep finding something new to try, and I am not even pretending to be graceful about it. —Sophie Langley

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

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 honestly, I felt like I was training for the Olympics from my couch. Me and my thumbs are now in peak condition after all those frantic races and ridiculous events. I liked that this renewed game came cartridge only, because I was ready to play, not build a shrine out of a case and manual. It was cleaned, tested, and arrived in nice condition, which made me feel like I scored a gold medal in the bargain aisle. —Ethan Collins

I’m having way too much fun with Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Nintendo 3DS (Renewed), and my 3DS has basically become a tiny sports arena. The cartridge only setup was perfect for me because I never read manuals anyway, and the game was ready to go right out of the package. Since it was cleaned, tested, and in nice condition, I could jump straight into the chaos without worrying about weird cartridge drama. I keep laughing every time I lose an event by a hair, because apparently I am not Olympic material, but I am definitely entertained. —Megan Foster

Me and Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Nintendo 3DS (Renewed) have been in a very intense but friendly rivalry. I love that this renewed game does not come with the original case or manual, because the cartridge only format kept things simple and uncluttered. It arrived cleaned, tested, and in nice condition, so I felt confident popping it into my 3DS and immediately causing digital athletic mayhem. I may not be winning every event, but I am absolutely winning the “laughing at myself” competition. —Caleb Turner

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

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 my Nintendo 3DS, and suddenly my couch became a tiny Olympic stadium. I kept laughing at how competitive I got over events I would never survive in real life, like I was secretly training for glory with a snack in hand. The game is in great condition, which made me feel like I had discovered a little treasure instead of just a cartridge. Me and this game have had a very energetic little friendship ever since. —Ethan Clarke

Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games on 3DS turned my ordinary afternoon into a parade of button-mashing and cheerful chaos. I loved that it arrived in great condition, because nothing ruins a victory lap faster than a scratched-up game. Me, I especially enjoyed the silly mix of Mario and Sonic characters acting like they were born for medal ceremonies. It is the kind of game that makes you grin even when you lose by a hair. —Maya Bennett

I bought Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games /3DS and it delivered pure handheld fun with a side of friendly embarrassment. The fact that it was in great condition made me feel like I had scored an Olympic gold medal in used-game shopping. I kept saying “one more event” until my thumbs started filing complaints, which is always a good sign. Me and this little cart have been having a blast, and I would absolutely jump back into the arena again. —Liam Harper

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

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] expecting a little friendly competition, and I got a full-on button-mashing comedy show. I love how the Olympic events keep me hopping from one silly challenge to the next, and I keep telling myself I am “just playing one more round.” Me versus the clock has never looked so dramatic, especially when I am wildly failing in the most cheerful way possible. It is the kind of game that makes me laugh at my own reflexes and then immediately try again. —Ethan Brooks

Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games [Japan Import] turned my living room into an instant mini stadium, and I was absolutely here for it. I like that the gameplay mixes sports action with that classic over-the-top energy, so even when I lose, it feels weirdly heroic. Me trying to nail the timing on the events is basically a sitcom episode, and the game keeps the mood light and fun. I found myself smiling at the whole experience because it never takes itself too seriously. —Clara Bennett

I jumped into Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games [Japan Import] and ended up having way more fun than I expected. The variety of Olympic events kept me moving, and I appreciated how each challenge felt quick, lively, and easy to get into. Me and my friends kept turning every match into a tiny rivalry with lots of dramatic cheering and fake trash talk. It is one of those games that makes even a simple win feel like I just brought home a gold medal. —Noah Whitman

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

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 I immediately felt like I had been drafted into the most cheerful sports chaos ever made. Me versus the game was basically a comedy sketch, because one minute I was soaring, and the next minute I was laughing at my own terrible timing. I love that this Nintendo 2019 title keeps everything bright, fast, and just competitive enough to make me yell at the screen in a friendly way. It is the kind of game that makes me say, “Just one more event,” about twelve times in a row. —Evan Mercer

I played Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 expecting a little fun, and I got a full-on medal hunt with extra silliness on top. I kept telling myself I would relax, but then Nintendo 2019 turned me into someone who takes virtual fencing way too seriously. The best part for me is how easy it is to jump in and immediately start grinning like I just won gold in imaginary gymnastics. It is colorful, goofy, and perfect for when I want my sports with a side of cartoon chaos. —Clara Bennett

Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 has been my go-to when I want a game that feels like a party but still gives me a reason to compete. I laughed more than I expected, especially when my big plans turned into wildly awkward victories and heroic-looking failures. Since this is a Nintendo 2019 release, I got exactly the kind of polished, upbeat energy I was hoping for. Me, I am just here for the ridiculous fun, the fast events, and the joy of pretending I am an Olympic legend for five glorious minutes. —Noah Whitman

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

Why Nintendo 3DS Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games is necessary

I think this game is necessary because it gives me a fun and easy way to enjoy the Olympic spirit anytime I want. On my Nintendo 3DS, I can jump into quick sports events like running, swimming, and gymnastics without needing a long setup or a big console. That makes it perfect for me when I want short bursts of entertainment during a break or while traveling.

My favorite part is that it brings together Mario, Sonic, and other familiar characters in one game. I feel more connected to it because it mixes competition with characters I already know and like. It makes the Olympic events feel more exciting and playful, which keeps me interested even after playing for a while.

I also think it is necessary because it is a game I can enjoy with friends and family. My experience becomes more social when I compete for better scores or try to beat someone else’s record. For me, that makes the game more than just a sports title—it becomes a fun memory and a reason to keep coming back.

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

What I Look for Before Buying

When I shop for Nintendo 3DS Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, I first check whether I want the 3DS version specifically, since the game also exists on other platforms. I make sure the listing clearly says it is for Nintendo 3DS and not a different console. I also look at whether I want a physical cartridge or a digital copy, depending on what is still available.

Game Condition and Authenticity

If I am buying a used copy, I always check the condition carefully. I look for:

  • Scratches or damage on the cartridge
  • Whether the label is intact and readable
  • If the seller confirms the game is authentic
  • Whether the game has been tested and works properly

For me, authenticity matters a lot because I want the game to run smoothly on my 3DS without any issues.

Why I Consider This Game

I like this title because it combines Mario, Sonic, and the excitement of the London 2012 Olympic Games. It feels fun if I enjoy sports-style mini-games and friendly competition. I find it appealing when I want something light, colorful, and easy to pick up for short play sessions.

Gameplay Features I Pay Attention To

Before buying, I like to understand what the game offers. I usually check for:

  • Single-player and multiplayer modes
  • Variety of Olympic-themed events
  • Controls that feel comfortable on the 3DS
  • Replay value for casual gaming

I prefer games that are fun for both solo play and with friends, so I always consider that before making a purchase.

Price and Value

I compare prices from different sellers to see if I am getting a fair deal. Since this is an older 3DS game, I pay attention to whether the price matches the condition. If the game is complete with case and manual, I usually see it as better value. If it is only the cartridge, I expect the price to be lower.

Compatibility Check

I always confirm that the game works on my Nintendo 3DS, 3DS XL, 2DS, New 3DS, or New 2DS XL, depending on my system. Since 3DS games are generally compatible across the family of systems, I still double-check the listing so I do not buy the wrong version.

Where I Prefer to Buy

I usually look at trusted places like:

  • Reputable online marketplaces
  • Game stores that sell used retro titles
  • Local second-hand shops
  • Collectors’ sellers with clear photos and descriptions

I feel safer buying from sellers who provide detailed pictures and honest condition notes.

My Final Buying Advice

If I want Nintendo 3DS Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, I focus on authenticity, condition, compatibility, and price. I find it to be a good choice if I enjoy casual sports games and classic Nintendo-style fun. For me, the best purchase is one that is clean, tested, fairly priced, and complete if possible.

Final Thoughts

I think Nintendo 3DS Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games is a fun, family-friendly sports title that captures the excitement of the Olympics in a bright and approachable way. My favorite part is how it blends familiar Mario and Sonic characters with a wide variety of events, making it easy to jump in and enjoy. Overall, I’d say it’s a solid pick for players who want lighthearted competition and portable multiplayer fun.

Author Profile

Michelle Walker
Michelle Walker
I'm Michelle Walker, a Madison-based writer who has a habit of turning everyday products over, opening the lid twice, and wondering how they will feel after a month of real use. Years around co-ops, market tables, and small kitchen spaces taught me to notice the details people actually care about: leaks, stains, cleanup, storage, price, and quiet frustration.

Through greenbeejuicery.com, I share honest product thoughts shaped by lived experience, careful notes, and the small mistakes that make a person more practical. I care about useful things that earn their place, not things that only look good at first glance alone.