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Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Announced

by Daniel Bloodworth - March 28, 2007, 1:59 am EDT
Total comments: 66 Source: Press Release

Sonic, Mario, Tails, Knuckles, Luigi... all together in the same game for the first time ever. Weird tie-in, though.

SEGA AND NINTENDO JOIN FORCES FOR MARIO & SONIC AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES

Legendary Icons Appear Together for the First Time in Video Game History

TOKYO (March 28, 2007) - SEGA Corporation and Nintendo Co. Ltd. today made a historical announcement that two of the biggest icons in the entertainment industry, Mario and Sonic, are joining forces to star in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games. Developed for the Wii video game system and the Nintendo DS system, this momentous agreement marks the first time these two renowned stars have appeared together in a game.

Published by SEGA across Europe and North America, and published by Nintendo in the Japanese market, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games will be available for Holiday 2007 and is licensed through a worldwide partnership with International Sports Multimedia (ISM), the exclusive interactive entertainment software licensee of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

In Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, players will compete in events that take place in environments based on the official venues of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Using a supporting cast of characters from the amazing worlds of both Mario and Sonic, gamers will be able to compete as or against a range of lovable personalities including Mario, Sonic, Luigi, Knuckles, Yoshi, Tails and more. Innovative usage of the Wii and DS control systems to maneuver a favorite character will allow players to race the likes of Mario and Sonic down the 100m track, engage in exhilarating rallies in table tennis and churn water in a swimming heat, all while competing for the much sought after gold medal.

"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."

Announcement Artwork

Talkback

BlackNMild2k1March 27, 2007

If this doesn't confirm Sonic in SSBB then I don't know what does.

p.s. Infernal beat you to the punch, and I already posted the exact same line above in his thread face-icon-small-wink.gif
I'm guessing his will get locked though.

Shift KeyMarch 27, 2007

Quote

Originally posted by: BlackNMild2k1
p.s. Infernal beat you to the punch, and I already posted the exact same line above in his thread face-icon-small-wink.gif



We could report the newsbot for spam. OH HO HO IRONY.

BloodworthDaniel Bloodworth, Staff AlumnusMarch 27, 2007

yeah, I'm not sure when the announcement went live, but I'm glad I checked the news at 3:00 AM @_@

Bill AurionMarch 27, 2007

Oh wow, Mario and Sonic finally in a game together! Time to go fap somewh...

Quote

Mario, Sonic, Luigi, Knuckles, Yoshi, Tails and more.

Ah shiiiiiiiiii...

Infernal MonkeyMarch 27, 2007

Sega's publishing it in America and Europe, so there goes any chance it had of being a success!

BlackNMild2k1March 27, 2007

Nintendo is just trying to throw Sega a bone. The real question is who is developing it.

I'm not sure if Nintendo is allowed to talk yet, due to the stock sale issue, so maybe the are letting Sega announce. But even if Sega is developing, which team inside of Sega is developing? Is Nintendo supervising? Shigeru as Executive Producer? Who is developing!?

O.M.G.

LEAST.EXPECTED.GAME.EVER.

~Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

BloodworthDaniel Bloodworth, Staff AlumnusMarch 27, 2007

Nintendo posted the announcement on both their press site and Japanese site. I'm curious to know who's actually making this thing too.

Flames_of_chaosLukasz Balicki, Staff AlumnusMarch 27, 2007

According to IGN Sega of Japan is with Miyamoto supervising the project.

Michael8983March 27, 2007

I wonder if the "and more" could suggest we'll see the likes of Link, Kirby, Nights, or the Super Monkey Ball monkeys too. Could this be like Super Olympics Brothers with Mario and Sonic simply being the leading mascots? Or does it simply mean we'll see other less notable Mario/Sonic supporting characters?

A lot of people seem to take this as further evidence of Sonic being in Smash Bros but I dunno.
If anything it makes me worry it's less likely now. Like perhaps it WAS going to happen but they decided to create THIS instead.
I'm sure this game will be awesome and all but if we don't see Mario and Sonic fight it out in Brawl I'll be VERY dissapointed.

This announcement makes me nauseous. Sonic & Mario together? Great! Together in a Olympic sports compilation game? Not so much. I know

Michael8983March 27, 2007

I'm no big Olympics fan but it will make for an interesting variety of games.
Kind of like Wii Sports.

Plus the Olympics tie in will guarantee big sells.
It's the perfect mixture of hardcore and casual gaming love. Olympics and Wii Sports style gameplay for the casuals (non-gamers) and MARIO AND SONIC for the hardcore.

GoldenPhoenixMarch 27, 2007

I want to know when this stupid stock thing is supposed to go through, I thought I read early to mid March?

KlapauciusMarch 27, 2007

I just read the announcement on Nintendo.co.uk.

So long as it doesn't become a Mario Party with Sonic shoehorned in, it might be interesting.

MaximilianMarch 28, 2007

Great catching this Dan! I'm dubious as to the quality of the game myself, though it is still a very exciting announcement. I am hoping it is fun, most Olympic console games are not.

Terranigma FreakMarch 28, 2007

Sega's developing the game? I think I'll pass then. I'd love to see an Olympics game done right, and Sega is not someone I could see pulling it off.

Also, how does this confirm Sonic in SSBB? For all we know, the rumors could have actually been spawned by this game. Maybe they were going to put him in SSBB, but decided to make Sonic more important than just a cameo so they pull him out and put him in the spotlight with Mario in this new game.

TansunnMarch 28, 2007

Doesn't it seem like Sonic would have an unfair advantage in the running events? Or are they going to change the characters' attributes to make them more balanced? Chances are, the Sonic characters are going to have their special moves taken away, as Knuckles' gliding and Tails' flying would give them unfair advantages in the long/high jumps. Personally, I'm having a hard time seeing how this is a fair match up unless they take away all the qualities that make the Sonic characters unique...

tssfMarch 28, 2007

Who knows, maybe the growing popularity in this series had a big part in this decision?

CericMarch 28, 2007

I don't think this game will be very good. Just a marketing for the olympics really. If this game was them going at it in Olympic style with a merger of their respected universes then I be more interested. Though it says it will be in the actual venue. This makes it less interesting. Though Miyamoto has some say so I'm sure it will be a good Olympic simulator.

Also I hope to see Miis in this game. As playable characters or crowd at the very least.

ShyGuyMarch 28, 2007

Who else thought of Laff-a-Lympics when they heard this?

The big question though, is can the Miyamoto forces of quality overpower the Sonic Team forces of disappointment?

NWR_pap64Pedro Hernandez, Contributing WriterMarch 28, 2007

Wait, has this been confirmed to be a TRUE game? I'm sorry, but I am SO going to kill the guy that made April fools an official holiday...

Its cool that Mario and Sonic are FINALLY together, but it sucks that the first game won't be SSB Brawl.

Oh well, like someone already said, this should confirm that Sonic will more than likely be in Brawl.

StrellMarch 28, 2007

I'm thinking of this as "Wii Sports 2, but without Miis."

Ian SaneMarch 28, 2007

Well I normally am quite uninterested in Mario sports games so this is a good way to make one stand out and seem like a big deal. Though a Mario and Sonic teamup doesn't quite have the same oomph anymore now that Sonic, you know, sucks. It's too bad. My reaction on seeing this was "hey neato" when even five years ago it would have been "HOLY SH!T!!"

The choice of game is unexpected though an Olympics game allows for a lot of events which can keep the game interesting. You'll get a lot of value for your money with multiple events that presumably offer different gameplay from each other. I'll wager Sonic will be better at sprinting and Mario will be better at high jump. face-icon-small-wink.gif

But who is making this? If Sega is then, f*ck it, I wouldn't give it even the slightest chance of being good until reviews came in confirming otherwise. Sega has no name value to me anymore. It's just safer to assume a Sega game, much less a Sonic one, will suck. How much Nintendo is involved will have a direct effect on how good the game will be.

NWR_pap64Pedro Hernandez, Contributing WriterMarch 28, 2007

Quote

Originally posted by: Ian Sane
But who is making this? If Sega is then, f*ck it, I wouldn't give it even the slightest chance of being good until reviews came in confirming otherwise. Sega has no name value to me anymore. It's just safer to assume a Sega game, much less a Sonic one, will suck. How much Nintendo is involved will have a direct effect on how good the game will be.


I think Nintendo will likely play a role on this. Unlike Sega, they are very anal about the games Mario stars in. Hell, people diss the Mario Party games, but its hard to deny that they are polished, well developed Mario games.

Also, its more than likely that Shiggy will have a say on how this game is developed.

Smash_BrotherMarch 28, 2007

The reason why they made this an Olympics game instead of a story-based one is simple: making an epic Sonic/Mario team up game in which they combine forces to defeat Bowser and Robotnik would be jumping the shark. Every subsequent Mario/Sonic game after that would seem like less of a game in comparison.

It had to be a side game like this. Though, I hope this isn't an April Fools joke because it is right around the perfect time for it to happen...

NWR_pap64Pedro Hernandez, Contributing WriterMarch 28, 2007

Quote

Originally posted by: Smash_Brother
The reason why they made this an Olympics game instead of a story-based one is simple: making an epic Sonic/Mario team up game in which they combine forces to defeat Bowser and Robotnik would be jumping the shark. Every subsequent Mario/Sonic game after that would seem like less of a game in comparison.

It had to be a side game like this. Though, I hope this isn't an April Fools joke because it is right around the perfect time for it to happen...


Hmm...you do have a point.

I still wish that Brawl was the first game to feature Sonic and Mario together, but this does add even more to how Sonic will appear in the game.

And yeah, hence why I said that the guy that made April fools into an official holiday should be shot.

Luigi DudeMarch 28, 2007

This news can only mean the world is about to end. Farewell everyone, for the apocalypse is near. I guess we'll have to find a place in hell to continue our Nintendo discussions.

And this is actually related to this topic since the punishment for gamers like us will be to play Shadow the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 360 for all eternity.

KDR_11kMarch 28, 2007

Even if it is fake I won't shed any tears, I've had enough olympics on the C64 and haven't felt any desire to play anything like that ever again.

ShyGuyMarch 28, 2007

I look forward to Bob Costas waggling a wiimote. Mass Media coverage FTW!

vherubMarch 28, 2007

Quote

Originally posted by: ShyGuy
Who else thought of Laff-a-Lympics when they heard this?

The big question though, is can the Miyamoto forces of quality overpower the Sonic Team forces of disappointment?


This guy did.

Mario323March 28, 2007

Yeah, this game looks kinda dumb. Might be cool tho? Maybe an April Fool's joke? face-icon-small-wink.gif

UltimatePartyBearMarch 28, 2007

April Fool's Day is not an official holiday. For one thing, banks don't close. It's just a tradition.

It would be pretty funny if this was an April Fool's joke by Nintendo and Sega intended to draw attention to the "real" announcement of Sonic's inclusion in SSBB, but I think it's real because they'd get in trouble with the IOC for trademark infringement.

VanceMarch 28, 2007

The main thing that makes this announcement exciting for me is that it's coming out for the Wii, the perfect next-gen console for any kind of Olympic/sports-related game. Just being able to use the Wiimote to participate in all these different Olympic events (as long as the finished product has plenty of them) is going to make this a must-buy for me.

NinGurl69 *hugglesMarch 28, 2007

O.M.G.

LEAST.ANTICIPATED.GAME.EVER.

CericMarch 28, 2007

Unless I can play each and everyone of these:

Aquatics – Diving
Aquatics – Swimming
Aquatics – Synchronized swimming
Aquatics – Water polo
Archery
Athletics (track and field)
Badminton
Baseball
Basketball
Boxing
Canoeing – Flatwater
Canoeing – Slalom
Cycling – BMX
Cycling – Mountain biking
Cycling – Road
Cycling – Track
Equestrian
Fencing
Field hockey
Football (soccer)
Gymnastics – Artistic
Gymnastics – Rhythmic
Gymnastics – Trampoline
Handball
Judo
Modern pentathlon
Rowing
Sailing
Shooting
Softball
Table tennis
Taekwondo
Tennis
Triathlon
Volleyball – Indoor
Volleyball – Beach
Weightlifting
Wrestling

I will be disappointed. Especially the ones not coming back after this year.

AdrockMarch 28, 2007

I don't know. F-Zero was developed by Sega under Nintendo's supervision. I might have played GX, but I don't remember though that's irrelevant considering I'm not much of a fan of the series. However, I've heard good things about the game. I have faith in Sega, especially if Nintendo is breathing down thier necks to get it done right.

And you never know, Super Smash Bros. Brawl could come out before this game which is scheduled for Christmas 2007.

I hope there is online play.

BloodworthDaniel Bloodworth, Staff AlumnusMarch 28, 2007

April Fools joke? Are you serious? Why would you release the news in three territories several days too early? This isn't like print mags that don't know when the April issue will get to their readers. Does Japan even practice April Fools?

Smash_BrotherMarch 28, 2007

Quote

Originally posted by: Bloodworth
April Fools joke? Are you serious? Why would you release the news in three territories several days too early? This isn't like print mags that don't know when the April issue will get to their readers. Does Japan even practice April Fools?


Repeat victims can't help but be paranoid.

ThePermMarch 28, 2007

i just wish one company thats name begins with a N sound would buy a company that starts with an S sound, that way that S sound company could get managed correctly, and i could get all my favorate s sound games, and maybe perhaps get the 3rd chapter of that sh sounding game and kill Lan Di

also, F-Zero gx does kick ass, however, i have yet to barely dipp in it! Its fricking hard, but what i did play of it was awesome.

CericMarch 28, 2007

Quote

Originally posted by: ThePerm
i just wish one company thats name begins with a N sound would buy a company that starts with an S sound, that way that S sound company could get managed correctly, and i could get all my favorate s sound games, and maybe perhaps get the 3rd chapter of that sh sounding game and kill Lan Di

also, F-Zero gx does kick ass, however, i have yet to barely dipp in it! Its fricking hard, but what i did play of it was awesome.


So you want NSoft to buy Sammy right? face-icon-small-wink.gif

Seriously Nintendo buying Sega, *shrug* not worth the effort.

BloodworthDaniel Bloodworth, Staff AlumnusMarch 28, 2007

And if they did, you'd be almost guaranteed that would kill all hope for another Shenmue. That game is just a massive money pit.

Smash_BrotherMarch 28, 2007

It wouldn't happen for the same reason no one bought Take Two when the chance came up: most companies have enough problems without needing to buy up other problems.

You want to buy companies that have bright futures, not those who look like they're not going to pull through.

It wouldn't happen unless someone seriously believes the IPs owned by that company are worth it, and in this case, why would Nintendo seek Sega's IPs, especially when they have so many of their own which have been neglected?

BigJimMarch 28, 2007

Sounds like a great... mini game. face-icon-small-tongue.gif

Nintendo Summer Sports FTW?

donkykong.gif

Bill AurionMarch 28, 2007

Quote

Originally posted by: Bloodworth
Does Japan even practice April Fools?

Yep, but just like the rest of us they practice it on the actual day... =3

KnowsNothingMarch 28, 2007

I was hoping Mario and Sonic would star in some kind of tag-team aggressive knitting simulation, but this is almost as good!

ThePermMarch 28, 2007

why is Shenmue such a money pit? Just because it costed 20 million dollars to make it on dreamcast doesnt mean it would cost that much to make it on Wii.

IceColdMarch 28, 2007

Ahh... Shenmue on Wii.. the controller would help it so much.

I don't think SEGA is beyond hope. F-Zero GX was one of only three games that I'd give a perfect score to on the GameCube. Even though Nintendo probably supervised it closely, Amusement Vision still did a great job. Also, Panzer Dragoon Orta seemed to do be critically praised across the board.

The fact that so many of SEGA's franchises are perfect for the Wii doesn't hurt. I'd kill for a Panzer Dragoon game, or Shenmue, or NiGHTS, or lightgun and racing games from them. They've always had "arcadey" style games, and many of them can be translated well onto Wii.

CericMarch 28, 2007

As pointed out. At this given point the best reason to buy Sega is to get the IPs and dissolve the company.

Quote

Originally posted by: Infernal Monkey
Sega's publishing it in America and Europe, so there goes any chance it had of being a short of an abomination!


face-icon-small-frown.gif

DjunknownMarch 28, 2007

Quote

Sega's developing the game? I think I'll pass then. I'd love to see an Olympics game done right, and Sega is not someone I could see pulling it off.


I was going to mention F-Zero GX, but that's already been said. I doubt that Nintendo is going to let this flop on their watch.

I'm guessing the PS3/360 versions will get a more simulation based game on the Olympics, and the Wii/DS will be the over-the-top version. Now if they have Wii/DS connectivity...

It'd be interesting if they included mascots of the past Games for good measure.

DjunknownMarch 28, 2007

UPDATE: Gamedaily has the goods.

A sample:

"SJ(Simon Jeffery, President of Sega of America):The game itself is absolutely being built as a joint venture between Nintendo and Sega. The predominant game development is being done by Sega's sports team and with a fair amount of help from outside companies, and also from Nintendo themselves. Mr. Miyamoto is very heavily involved in the overall direction of the game, the gameplay mechanics, at an executive producer sort of level. He's looking at every milestone, he's giving up suggestions and directions, and Perrin Kaplan actually told us yesterday that his involvement is way more than a lot of normal Nintendo games. And his blessing is really quite a landmark for a game like this that's being built outside of Nintendo itself."

There you have it people. Unless Miyamoto takes a dive, it should be at the very least, technically competent.

18 DaysMarch 28, 2007

This is the worst thing that has ever happend.

Luigi DudeMarch 29, 2007

Wait, so it's being done by Sega's sports division and Miyamoto will actually be heavly involved. Well then, it might actually turn out OK.

The sports division of Sega is one of the more competent parts of that company and with Miyamoto leading the way I can see some good results. Plus this means the mentally challenged monkeys of Sonic Team will have nothing to do with the game which greatly lowers the chance of sucking.

NinGurl69 *hugglesMarch 29, 2007

This is the thing that will curse Wii from now on.

ArtimusMarch 29, 2007

IGN says Tose is making the game.

Taija-HerbalMarch 29, 2007

aaarrgh forget sega already, have not being impressed with some of their work lately sonic on wii's good though...... Sega's gotta get with the program most of their IPs will do well on nintendo platforms if done well...

KDR_11kMarch 29, 2007

Then IGN doesn't know the first rule of Tose: You don't talk about Tose.

Ian SaneMarch 30, 2007

So this game made the Vancouver Sun newspaper this morning! Apparently the general public still sees the idea of Sonic and Mario in a game together as a big deal. Ignorance of Sonic's suckitude will result in high sales!

BlackNMild2k1March 30, 2007

Quote

Originally posted by: KDR_11k
Then IGN doesn't know the first rule of Tose: You don't talk about Tose.

Well who is Tose? I know that I have heard of them before and they are some group of independant freelance programmers, but thats all I really think I know.

I looked at what I think is their website and it says:
"Planning and developing of entertainment software ;
Planning, developing and operating of mobile internet software "

I know they have worked for alot of different companies, but I couldn't find a listing of anything that they have actually worked on.

There's a reason for that. They're game developer ninjas.

http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20060518/sheffield_01.shtml

ArbokMarch 30, 2007

Quote

The titles Tose will admit to working on include ... a series of Nickelodeon licensed mobile games for THQ.


Run for the hills children! The hills!

PaleMike Gamin, Contributing EditorMarch 30, 2007

Hah, i'm sure you've played and enjoyed a few of their games, so I wouldn't stress too much about it.

BlackNMild2k1March 30, 2007

Quote

Originally posted by: MegaByte
There's a reason for that. They're game developer ninjas.

http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20060518/sheffield_01.shtml


Quote

We try to act behind the scenes, and we follow our clients' desires, instructions and everything, so our policy is not to have a vision.

Uh Oh

haha, j/k its taken out of context in that quote

I remember reading that interview before.

NinGurl69 *hugglesMarch 30, 2007

If Sonic Team tells Tose to make CRAP, Tose makes CRAP.

Very noble of them.

KDR_11kMarch 30, 2007

I know they have worked for alot of different companies, but I couldn't find a listing of anything that they have actually worked on.

That's because of rule #1.

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