Summary
The long-runningMario & Sonic at the Olympic Gamesseries is officially dead, according to a former developer of the sports series that accompanied each event. The popular sports series has beena staple of each Summer Olympicssince 2007, with Sega and Nintendo collaborating to pit their flagship mascots against one another in a variety of different sporting events. Sega and Nintendo also teamed up for two games based on the Winter Olympics, celebrating the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver and 2014’s event in Sochi. Now, the series is reportedly dead in the water.
While Mario andSonichave long stood as some of gaming’s biggest rivals, SEGA’s transition to solely software development in the early 2000s has led to plenty of crossovers. Sonic has become a mainstay of Nintendo’sSuper Smash Brosseries, appearing in each new game in the franchise since the Wii’sSuper Smash Bros Brawl. 2013’sSonic Lost Worldalso received aMario-themed DLC, with a special zone based on theYoshi’s Islandgames. However, one of the most well-known partnerships between the plumber and hedgehog is now reportedly finished.
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games is Officially Dead
As reported by Comicbook, formerMario & Sonicdeveloper Lee Cocker shared the status of the beloved OIympic series in an interview with Eurogamer. According to Cocker, the series partnership with Nintendo and SEGA wasofficially ended by the International Olympic Committee, citing a desire to pursue different avenues. The International Olympic Committee reportedly expressed more of an interest in NFTs and esports for its Olympic video game future. The International Olympic Committee has not made an official announcement regarding the cancellation of theMario & Sonicseries.
The surprise cancellation of theMario & Sonicseries comes as the Olympics have expressed a greater interest in international esports. The IOC recently revealed it wouldhost the first Olympic eSports Games in 2025, with the event set to be held in Saudi Arabia. A trial run of an eSports-themed Olympic Games was previously run in 2023 in Saudi Arabia, with players competing in multiple games includingFortnite. Rumors have hinted at a variety of games that may be featured within the 2025 Olympic eSports Games, includingLeague of LegendsandStreet Fighteramong others.
While theMario & Sonicfranchise may officially be over, fans of both franchises have no shortage of new games to dive into.Mariohas seen a multitude of new titles in recent years, including the first 2D side-scrollingMariogame in more than ten years withSuper Mario Bros Wonderlate last year. SEGA also confirmed a newSonicgame coming soon,revealingSonic x Shadows Generationsas a remaster ofSonic Generationsfeaturing new levels starring Shadow. TheMario & Sonicgames will go down as an ambitious crossover between two of gaming’s most iconic characters.
Mario & Sonic at The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
Team up with Mario, Sonic, and friends on Nintendo Switch in action-packed sporting events! Bring your best moves to the track, the gym, the ring, or the water in dozens of different party games everyone will enjoy.Skateboard, surf, and race your way to the top! With more than 30 events to master in this fun-filled Olympic Games contest, there are plenty of ways to prove your skills to your friends in multiplayer mode.The team’s all here! Play as Mario™, Sonic, or choose from a star-studded cast of colorful characters from your favorite games.Dive into unique Dream Events that layer fantastical chaos with reality. Zip through a downhill obstacle course on your hoverboard, throwdown for territorial control with lightning-fast karate action, or smash the most targets inside a traditional Japanese manor!And you won’t want to miss an epic story mode that sends you to 1964 to compete in classic, retro 2D sports events.
