SEGA and Nintendo today announced that two legendary icons in the entertainment industry, Mario and Sonic, are set to star in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games. Developed for the Wii and DS, this will be the first time these two stars have appeared together in a game in video game history.

Mario & Sonic will be published by SEGA across Europe and North America while Nintendo will publish in the Japanese market. It will be available for Christmas 2007. The game is licensed through a worldwide partnership with International Sports Multimedia, which is the exclusive interactive entertainment software licensee of the International Olympic Committee.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games will see players competing in events taking place in environments based on official venues of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Players will be able to compete as or against characters from both Mario’s and Sonic’s worlds including Mario, Sonic, Luigi, Knuckles, Yoshi, Tails and more. Using the Wii and DS control systems, players will maneuver their favourite character in various events including the 100m sprint, table tennis and swimming in pursuit of the gold medal.

Respectful rivals since the early days

“We are thrilled to partner with Nintendo and ISM on this groundbreaking title,” said Hisao Oguchi, President and Chief Operating Officer, SEGA Corporation. “For 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.”

“Mario and Sonic have been respectful rivals since the early days of video games,” says Shigeru Miyamoto, Senior Managing Director and General Manager, Entertainment Analysis and Development Division, Nintendo Co., Ltd. “In 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?”

“The Olympic Games represent the true spirit of competition and passion,” said Raymond Goldsmith, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ISM. “Bringing together intensely competitive and fun characters like Mario and Sonic in an Olympic setting helps showcase the sports of the Olympic Games in a new and compelling way for all generations.”