Mario & Sonic Olympic Games Series Concludes: No Release Planned for 2024, Confirms Developer

The Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games series, a unique collaboration between Nintendo and SEGA that has allowed iconic characters to compete together in Olympic-style events, has officially reached its finale.

According to Lee Cocker, a key figure involved in the production of every title in the franchise, there are no plans for a new installment coinciding with the Paris 2024 Olympics, signifying the end of the crossover series. The series first debuted in 2007 with Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games for the Nintendo Wii, blending the worlds of Mario and Sonic in a competitive sports format sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Over the course of its run, the franchise expanded to major Nintendo platforms, including Wii, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo DS, and Nintendo 3DS, garnering a dedicated following.

In total, six main games were released spanning both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games.

The most recent title in the series was Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, launched in 2019 for the Nintendo Switch. Lee Cocker, who contributed to every entry in the series while at sports marketing and digital media firm ISM, stated via social media that, “We won’t be seeing a Mario & Sonic game for the 2024 Olympics, and the series has wrapped up with the Tokyo 2020 edition.” This message underlines the conclusion of the franchise and reflects the shifting priorities in Olympic video game licensing. On his professional site, Cocker detailed his responsibilities overseeing projects for SEGA, Nintendo, and the IOC, with a specific focus on developing Olympic-themed games.

His insights were later elaborated upon, clarifying that the International Olympic Committee has chosen to move in a new direction, opting to investigate partnerships with other companies and explore ventures such as NFTs and esports.

Cocker further noted, “The IOC wanted to bring development internally and seek other partners, aiming to increase their revenue.” In place of the usual console crossover, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games have launched a new title, Olympics Go Paris 2024, which is available primarily on mobile platforms and PC.

With Nintendo and SEGA no longer attached, this shift marks a significant change in Olympic video game representation.

Despite the considerable success and nostalgic appeal that the Mario & Sonic franchise brought to fans across Nintendo hardware, neither Nintendo nor SEGA has issued an official statement on the future or closure of the series. While the legacy of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games continues to resonate with fans, the confirmed end from a key developer and the IOC’s new direction means that, for now, the Olympic arena will no longer feature the world’s most celebrated video game mascots.

Nintendo Mario Sonic SEGA International Olympic Committee Lee Cocker Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Olympics Go Paris 2024 Nintendo Switch Wii Wii U 3DS DS Olympic Games