The Video Game Treaty: Sonic And Mario Team Up

The Video Game Treaty: Sonic And Mario Team Up

Article by Alan Biron

Sonic & Mario team up success has confirmed the healthy side of competition and sportsmanship. Nintendo and Sega, had worked before during the F-Zero GX, and next-Gen platform development. The idea of the Mario and Sonic team up was result of meeting between Yuji Naka, and Shigru Miyamoto the design heads of Mario and Sonic in 2005. SEGA was the official gaming partner for the Beijing Olympics after they obtained license from International Olympics Committee. It provided the suitable backdrop of this collaboration.

Historically speaking Nintendo and SEGA had aggressive competition. Nintendo was the first market leader with its simple 8-bit Mario, even in 1989 it had more then 20 million units sold. Mario was everywhere. It become more popular then very old icon Mickey Mouse. SEGA took the challenge head on with release off their superior and colorful 16-bit console. Nintendo took some years to develop but came back armed with 16-bit SNES. Both the companies started to battle for consoles. Nintendo being local player came at top and SEGA to stop making their consoles in 2001. Nintendo became the dominant leader in hardware as result. SEGA on other hand concentrated on software and produced many successful titles like “Madden Football”, “Gaiares”, and ever popular Sonic.

The “Mario & Sonic at the Olympic” had many popular players other then Sonic and Mario including Luigi, Knuckles, Yoshi, and Tails. The game was offered with 24 events, with realistic simulation and use of stylus, paddle, touch screen and remote. The game was released in two version, Wii and DS. It was a huge success with over 10 million copied sold. The game was also awarded best Wii game of 2007. There are some criticism that the Wii version was physically demanding and DS was too easy with rapid touch screen. Regardless of this criticism the game proved to be first attempt to do many first. It included 24 games, including Archery, Hammer throw, Relay Race, and Nunchuk. Judo was also included in this but taken out at the last minute. There was dream event included in which the players had the chance to play in slow motion. The graphics and music of the game reflected the Beijing Olympics. This game also provided the test for speed skill and stamina. The game has option of one, two, to six players.

The success of “Mario & Sonic at the Olympic” provided the launch pad for other games also. In 2008 SEGA published five event versions for mobile phones. In 2010 Mario & Sonic at the “Olympic Winter Games” in Vancouver has also proved to be a huge success with more then ten millions in sales. There is some rumor that the Sonic will be featured in the upcoming Super Mario Galaxy 2.

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