First Sonic and Mario Olympic screens

**Shrygue** · July 11th, 2007, 17:47

via Computer and Video Games

When Sega and Nintendo revealed that Sonic and Mario would be in a game together it was is a big deal. Following 20 years of rivalry the two gaming icons would join forces to promote sport to kids around the world.

Back when the game was announced we caught up with Sega Europe boss Mike Hayes who explained, "Obviously we were lucky enough to secure the Beijing 2008 Olympic licence about a year ago and so we were thinking about what we could do with that. Speaking to the IOC (International Olympics Committee), they really pushed home the spirit of sport for everyone, and their wanting to get younger people into the Olympics.

"So rather than just doing a simulation we thought that we had some great characters that young people love and are very iconic. The idea started there, and then we thought that is would be perfect if Nintendo could bring Mario into it so we talked to Nintendo and they agreed it was a great idea. So it was actually from the Olympics that this was born."

Screenshots here