Olympics licensing director jumps the gun, reveals new Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games

by JC Fletcher { Feb 10th 2009 at 1:55PM }

The rumors (that we all knew were true) appear to be true: Sega's got a winter version of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games on the way. Dennis Kim, director of licensing and merchandise for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, seemingly revealed Sega's plans to The Province.

"Last year, 2008, they had a very successful game using Mario and Sonic at the Beijing Games, as well as a multi-sport simulation type of game," Kim said. "That's what's being discussed and planned for Vancouver. We are feeling optimistic about sales because of the Beijing experience." Kim has reason to feel optimistic: the first Mario and Sonic game is one of the best-selling releases on the Wii.

Kim praised Sega's dedication to realism: "They want to get a real sense of accuracy, particularly with the landscape and the venues and the look of the Games." If the venue didn't look 100% accurate, people would be able to tell from the first moment a two-tailed cartoon fox stepped onto the track.

[Via CVG]

Tags: mario-and-sonic, mario-and-sonic-at-the-olympic-games, olympics, sega, vancouver

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Kyattsuai @ Feb 10th 2009 2:06PM

The perfect venue to finally settle the conflict between these two gaming icons - Canada.

Shagittarius @ Feb 10th 2009 2:08PM

Except by 2010 the casual market won't be buying games for the Wii anymore.

Adolph @ Feb 10th 2009 2:19PM

Sony is more likely to go bankrupt in 2010 :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Bk0rnC9bYQ

People that make stupid pieces of shit all the time like PS3 are not likely to stay around the market.

Nintendo makes profits, when was the last time Sony did ????

samfish @ Feb 10th 2009 2:29PM

Still going with that, huh? You guys say that every year, and every year you get proven wrong.

Jack of No Trades 85 @ Feb 10th 2009 2:37PM

Only women and sissy boys like the Wii.

Mr Khan @ Feb 10th 2009 2:42PM

samfish is right. The Wii bubble has been expected to burst many times, but it just keeps expanding

Dr Jeckyl and Mr ESC. @ Feb 10th 2009 2:46PM

@ Adolph
Unsuccessful troll is unsuccessful.

Also You Lost The Game.

Baby J Penn (PSN johnnynumber5) @ Feb 10th 2009 4:03PM

I know why Adolph is so mad at Sony...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIFNMva56Wo

Baby J Penn (PSN johnnynumber5) @ Feb 10th 2009 4:15PM

Lets get one thing straight ... The Wii bubble will never pop and it will only continue to expand.

But I'm still left yearning for more.

What I find particuarly sad is that we still haven't seen a single important game on the platform that has relevant social commentary. Show me something that opens my eyes and makes me think differently about the world. We have those games on the PS3 & 360 but I have yet to see one on the Wii.

Sure you might have games with good gameplay (Galaxy) and games that aren't really games (Wii Fit, Music ...) but there isn't a game that I have seen that puts together the total package. Great gameplay, controls, story and visuals + being culturally relevant. If it's out there I certainly haven't seen it yet. I think that Bioshock and MGS 4 are complete experiences that change the way we look at games and think about games as an artistic and creative medium. I'm still waiting for the Wii to have something thats deep on any level. So far what they have is really fun games but mostly shallow.

Maybe the nature of the beast is to create light hearted games that can be picked up and played by anyone. I'm not criticizing the Wii's hardware or it's capabilities in any way. I'm calling out the developers to make something that isn't all fluff. The closest game that exists on the Wii that matches best with what I'm saying is Okami and it's a port. You don't need HD visuals or multiplayer to deliver those once in a lifetime experiences but you do need developers that will take a risk and not make mini game compilation 5, classic Nintendo character game 4 or last gen port cash in chop till you drop.

Flame away and think I'm talking bad about you all as people (I'm not) or that I'm demeaning the hardware (not) or that I hate the Wii (don't). I'm just calling it like I see it. The Wii still doesn't have what I define as an extraordinary game.

Strategy_Panda (Pot & Spoon 4 Life) @ Feb 10th 2009 2:10PM

Are there any events in the Winter Olympics that involve running? It seems like those competitions would be kind of unfair... you know, because Sonic is fast and stuff.

Fernando Rocker @ Feb 10th 2009 2:17PM

Well... that's the problem with some people and the perception of Sonic.

A lot of people complain about the new 3D Sonic games, and want 2D Sonic to comeback. Then, when you read reviews, impressions, and stuff, almost everyone claims: Sonic is about speed.

But the classic 2D Sonics, the good games according to most, were never about the speed (even Mario in New Super Mario Bros. is faster than Sonic when he grabs a Star). Sonic was never about being fast... it was a platformer... it was about going left to right, with multiple paths and loops, but not in a very fast way.

Problem with Sonic now is precisely that... I don't know why reviewers, and even bloggers in this site, thinks that Sonic is about the speed.

ronEbear @ Feb 10th 2009 2:39PM

@Fernando

Then tell me, sir, why SEGA themselves used Sonic`s speed as a selling point when advertising the game in the 90`s. TELL ME!!

Sonic, as in a sonic boom, occurs at Mach1, a VERY fast speed.

Sonic= Speed

Whoever thinks otherwise has obviously missed the point/did not read the memo.

Mr Khan @ Feb 10th 2009 2:44PM

Speed was Sonic's razzle dazzle, the thing that helped to sell the game. At the core experience, it was a solid traditional platformer.

Kinda like if you said that Super Mario Galaxy was all about zipping from planet to planet. The core platforming is still there in many cases, the crazy gravity just helps accentuate it

Haohmaru @ Feb 10th 2009 2:51PM

If you play and pay attention to the classic Sonic games on the Genesis, they were always more about platforming and using MOMENTUM rather than simply speeding through every level. There is a difference.

Batzarro @ Feb 10th 2009 3:22PM

In any case, wouldn't they just do whatever they did last time(I didn't play it, but I'd wager pseudoslowing Sonic).

On to the debate. While Sonic's claim to fame IS speed, he wasn't, like, 3 times faster than Mario in the old days. At least in a Sonic 2 vs Super Mario World test, wich is as fast as 2d Mario's got.

Strategy_Panda (Pot & Spoon 4 Life) @ Feb 10th 2009 5:06PM

how many replies in this thread are actually directed at me?

To those that are,

Fact: Sonic if fast
Fact: events with running involved are won by the fastest competitor

nice reading comprehension

Adolph @ Feb 10th 2009 2:15PM

Lets just hope they use WiiMotion Plus and make a worth while game this time.

reppy @ Feb 10th 2009 2:16PM

This has the potential to be cool (no pun intended). Also, the Wii was pretty much made to simulate curling.

Seriously though, it seems like it could be a fun party game. The Summer Games were pretty cool but I think Winter Games would lend themselves to a more enjoyable gaming experience.

rov947 @ Feb 10th 2009 2:20PM

If the balance board is used for skiing etc, it could be a step above the shovelware that was the first one.

samfish @ Feb 10th 2009 2:31PM

The first one I thought was horrible, but I'm much more intrigued by the possibilities of using winter games.

...at the very least, it should be difficult for even Sega to screw up snowboarding...

Baby J Penn (PSN johnnynumber5) @ Feb 10th 2009 4:20PM

If you want Snowboarding go buy Shaun White's snowboarding. It's the only multiconsole game that I know of that's actually better on the Wii than PS360. I'm sick of all these cash in and mini game compilations. When people go out and buy this junk all their doing is telling developers they don't need to work hard for their money. It's a travesty that the Wii had seemingly been reduced as the go to console for shitty mini game compilations. but hey when the fanboys are happy their console is winning (as if they get a prize), the companies are happy to make tons of money from minimal effort and the vocal minority that wants quality experiences is being drowned out then who am I to interrupt the party.

Gamers today are more concerned with e-peen sales figures dick waving to admit their console might not be the diety they claim it is.

Dr Jeckyl and Mr ESC. @ Feb 10th 2009 2:41PM

You know I always wanted to see Sonic and Mario in a game but the Olympic games were not what I meant.

In brawl Sonic only appears in one miserable cutscene by the end of the game,WTF is that?

Seriously why can't we have a Mario/Sonic platformer game,Unleashed was pretty good it only needs a bit of polish.

Mr Khan @ Feb 10th 2009 2:46PM

Sonic's addition to Brawl came fairly late in the dev cycle, which probably explains his marginal role in the story (Spoilers: he appears from nowhere and knocks the wings off Tabuu so that the player can engage the final boss)

Of course, Toon Link, Jigglypuff, and Wolf had no role in Subspace Emissary's story at all, so it could've been worse

Dr Jeckyl and Mr ESC. @ Feb 10th 2009 2:52PM

Wolf and Co supposed to be Secret characters that were spoiled in the interbutts so fast they could've been avalible from the start.I think everyone knew about the complete rooster before the game was released.Good game though.

Eh I guess you are right.

I would like to see a Mario & Sonic platformer game for the next gen.Bowser & Dr Robotnik could form a good team especially because Robotnik latest creations aren't all that crappy.