Mario and Sonic take on the Olympic Games @ Gaming Target

Written by John Scalzo on March 28, 2007

News: Finally, a true champion will be chosen!

In a momentous announcement, Nintendo and Sega have announced that the almost twenty year rivalry between Mario and Sonic will be settled at at the 2008 Olympic Games.

Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games will be coming to the Wii and DS this December. The game will be published by Sega in America and Europe and Nintendo will handle those duties in Japan. It was not announced who would be developing the title, but I assume it will be some kind of joint Nintendo/Sega alliance.

Characters from both worlds (including Mario, Sonic, Luigi, Knuckles, Yoshi, Tails and more) will compete in a variety of Olympic events such as the 100 meter dash, table tennis and swimming. All the events will take place in their official venues of the 2008 Beijing games.

УWe are thrilled to partner with Nintendo and ISM on this groundbreaking title,Ф said Hisao Oguchi, President and Chief Operating Officer, SEGA Corporation. УFor the first time, two of the world's greatest games' characters come together to compete in the world's greatest sporting event and we couldn't be more excited.Ф

УMario and Sonic have been respectful rivals since the early days of video games,Ф says Shigeru Miyamoto, Senior Managing Director and General Manager, Entertainment Analysis and Development Division, Nintendo Co., Ltd.. УIn fact, for a long time they have been discussing the possibility of one day competing against each other. Now that they have been given the perfect opportunity to meet at the Olympic Games, we may finally learn who is actually faster, Mario or Sonic?Ф

We'll have more on Mario and Sonic's first competition soon and we'll keep our fingers crossed for a similar announcement for Super Smash Bros. Brawl.