Mario and Sonic to return for Winter Olympics

Track and field to be replaced by ski slopes and the ice rink.

According to Dennis Kim, director of licensing and merchandise for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, SEGA and Nintendo will be teaming up once again to see their two most valued assets competing for gold.

Last week SEGA announced it had secured a licensing deal with International Sports Multimedia (ISM), the exclusive licensee of the International Olympic Committee. While no video game titles have been announced Kim has revealed we can expect a similar model to that of the Summer Olympic Games.

"Last year, 2008, they had a very successful game using Mario and Sonic at the Beijing Games, as well as a multi-sport simulation type of game," Kim told The Province. "That's what's being discussed and planned for Vancouver. We are feeling optimistic about sales because of the Beijing experience."

The XXI Olympic Winter Games is to be staged in Vancouver and will be held February 12-28, 2010. It's safe to assume SEGA's video games will be released at around the time of the games.