Sega has praised the ‘flawless’ distribution network of Apple’s iPod after signing up to provide games for the platform – calling the device ‘the most pervasive cross-demographic piece of consumer electronics today’.

The publisher agreed to provide Sonic The Hedgehog as a download via iTunes back in December.

And despite being unable to confirm that more of its content may come to the device soon, Sega of America boss Simon Jeffery told MCV that the firm was very excited to have forged a working relationship with Apple.

“The iPod is arguably the most pervasive cross-demographic piece of consumer electronics today,” said Jeffery. “There are no age or fashion barriers to iPod adoption, and making Sonic available to tens of millions of iPod owners really is a fantastic opportunity for us.

“We don’t have anything to talk about at this time in terms of future projects, but naturally we are thrilled and honoured that Apple chose to partner with Sega.”

The iPod is currently a closed platform to developers – and Jeffery said Sega was “honoured” to have been picked as a partner by Apple.

“iTunes and Apple's whole banking/payment system is flawless,” he added. “They have to be one of the smartest companies in the world. Being able to buy a game and have it on your iPod with a couple of clicks is just brilliant.”

When asked whether it saw Apple as an up-and-coming rival to the casually-skewed DS, Nintendo UK told MCV that it didn’t comment on the ‘activities of current or potential competitors’.