The International Olympics Committee (IOC) has ended its long-running partnership with Nintendo and Sega, leaving behind the popular Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games series. This decision, confirmed by Eurogamer, marks the first time in nearly two decades that there will be no new Mario & Sonic tie-in for the summer Games.

A Strategic Shift by the IOC

According to Lee Cocker, a veteran who worked on almost every entry in the series, the IOC chose not to renew its licensing deal with Nintendo and Sega, which expired in 2020. Instead, the IOC decided to explore new partnerships focused on NFTs and esports. This move aims to bring more revenue to the IOC by handling the partnerships internally.

The Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games series began in 2007 and included six titles tied to various Olympic Games, such as London 2012, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2020, as well as the Winter Olympics in Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014. Despite its success, the series faced criticism for repetitive sports in later entries.

New Direction: Olympics Go! Paris 2024

With Mario and Sonic out of the picture, the IOC has partnered with nWay, a company known for developing Power Rangers games, to create the official video game tie-in for the Paris 2024 Games. The game, titled Olympics Go! Paris 2024, is a free-to-play smartphone-focused effort also available on PC via the Epic Games Store. Players can compete in 12 Olympic sports, including archery, gymnastics, swimming, and golf.

Olympics Go! Paris 2024 incorporates NFTs, offering players the chance to collect commemorative digital pins featuring the Paris 2024 mascot. These NFTs are available through Magic Eden’s marketplace as part of Coinbase’s Onchain Summer event.

Looking Ahead: Esports Olympic Games

The IOC’s shift towards digital innovation continues with the inaugural Esports Olympic Games set to take place next year in Saudi Arabia. As the Olympics embrace new technologies and trends, the iconic duo of Mario and Sonic may find themselves steering clear of these new ventures.