It would have been unthinkable ten years ago, but two of the greatest video game icons are set to star together in a new title for Wii and DS.

Mario & Sonic At The Olympic Games will be released this Christmas, published by Sega in Europe and North America and by Nintendo in Japan. It has been licensed through a worldwide partnership with International Sports Multimedia (ISM), the exclusive interactive entertainment software licensee of the International Olympic Committee.

"We are thrilled to partner with Nintendo and ISM on this groundbreaking title," said Sega's president and COO Hisai Oguchi. "For the first time, two of the world's greatest games characters come together to compete in the world's greatest sporting event and we couldn't be more excited."

Nintendo's senior managing director and general manager Shigeru Miyamoto offered: "Mario and Sonic have been respectful rivals since the early days of video games. In fact, for a long time they have been discussing the possibility of one day competing against each other. Now they have been given the perfect opportunity to meet at the Olympic Games, we can finally learn who is the faster, Mario or Sonic?"

"The Olympic Games represent the true spirit of competition and passion," added ISM's chairman and COO Raymond Goldsmith. "Bringing together intensely competitive and fun characters like Mario and Sonic in an Olympic setting helps showcase the sports of the Olympic Games in a new and compelling way for all generations."