Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020: Crossover Ambitions Revealed by Former Developer

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, released for the Nintendo Switch in November 2019, stands as the most recent entry in the long-running crossover sports series crafted by Nintendo and SEGA.

Bringing together the iconic mascots of two gaming giants, the Mario & Sonic series has delighted fans with its Olympic-themed competitions since its debut in 2007.

While the title met expectations as a fun, family-friendly party game, new insights from a key developer have revealed that its original vision was far more ambitious. According to Lee Cocker, a former developer who worked on every Mario & Sonic title, the early design plans for Tokyo 2020 were set to extend well beyond the familiar Mario and Sonic universes.

In a conversation on social media, Cocker disclosed that there were intentions to incorporate a wide array of popular gaming franchises and intellectual properties.

Referenced series included Pokémon, Street Fighter, Mega Man, Dragon Ball, Metal Gear Solid, as well as additional characters from both the Mario and Sonic "families." Cocker also noted that discussions even extended to properties owned by Sony and Microsoft. Cocker reflected on the nascent development phase, sharing: "The initial plan for Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 was exceptionally ambitious, aiming to unite characters from numerous major franchises.

However, the scale of the idea ultimately made it unfeasible." He elaborated that any participating characters would have been limited to certain Olympic events to suit their unique abilities or brand considerations. This revelation adds a new layer of intrigue to the already popular Nintendo x SEGA crossover series.

Not only does it highlight the cross-industry appeal of such collaborations, but it also underscores the challenges involved in negotiating rights and mechanics when multiple intellectual properties are at stake. The Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games series has historically launched alongside recent Olympic events, with installments on platforms like the Wii, DS, 3DS, Wii U, and Switch.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, currently available via the Nintendo eShop, was met with solid reception and managed to capture the excitement of the Tokyo Olympic Games, even as the real-world event was postponed in 2020. However, according to a statement from Cocker made in 2023, the Mario & Sonic series has concluded, at least for the foreseeable future.

This suggests that Tokyo 2020 may remain the final chapter in the collaborative Olympic saga, ending a remarkable run that has sold millions of copies worldwide and cemented itself as a staple of family and party gaming on Nintendo hardware. This behind-the-scenes look into what might have been underscores the enduring popularity and collaborative potential of video game crossovers.

Although fans will not see the wider-reaching crossover that was originally envisioned, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 remains a testament to the remarkable partnership between Nintendo and SEGA, celebrating gaming’s rich history on the Nintendo Switch.

Nintendo Mario SEGA Tokyo Sonic Lee Cocker Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Switch Pokemon Street Fighter Mega Man Dragon Ball Metal Gear Solid Zelda Sony Microsoft