It’s been a fun ride, but numerous reports are suggesting that the Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games franchise has come to an end, as the International Olympics Committee (IOC) has opted to allow the licence to lapse, instead of renew the deal. This explains why the legendary Nintendo and SEGA characters haven’t appeared in the iconic sports franchise this year in time for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The series started way back in 2007 on the Wii and Nintendo DS, where Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games was released to celebrate the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The series covered each major Olympics since, from London, to Rio, and ending with Tokyo – with two additional Winter Olympics games released as well. Fans had noticed the absence of a Paris-themed game to mark this year’s Olympic Games, but the concerns were addressed when Lee Cocker, who worked on every game in the franchise, confirmed the series was over in an X post.
As if that wasn’t bad enough news for fans, Eurogamer dove deeper into the topic after speaking with Cocker. They report that with the end of the Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games franchise, the IOC is instead turning to other partners, including those who produce NFTs. A free-to-play mobile game set in the Paris Olympic Games has been released, and the company behind it promotes commemorative Paris 2024 Olympic Games NFTs.
Whilst this may have at one point seemed like a more profitable idea than the Mario & Sonic franchise, NFTs are laden with controversy, compared to the fun and family-friendly platformer mascot duo. It’s a shame to lose the series, but even more so when the hole it leaves behind is being filled with is a relatively soulless mobile game and terrible NFT integration.
How do you feel about the end of the Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games franchise? What do you hope we can see the pair do next in hopefully a future crossover title? Let us know in the comments below, and keep your eyes on GameLuster for more gaming news.
