Worlds both real and virtual collided last summer thanks to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, with Nintendo and Sega collaborating to release the first video game in North America starring both Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog (Smash Bros. Brawl would show up just a little bit later).  Earlier this week the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) all but spelled out a new International Sports Multimedia (ISM) licensed game featuring the two video game icons in time for the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympics next February 12-28th.  Sega finally confirms it today with "Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games" for the Nintendo Wii and DS platforms.

Scheduled for release later this year, this latest "Mario & Sonic" title will pit the characters from both game franchises in winter sporting events drawn from the official list of 15 sport categories.  Sega is promising that the Wii version of the game will feature support for the Balance Board currently packaged with Wii Fit.

"We are extremely happy to again team up with Nintendo and ISM on what promises to be another global success." says Naoya Tsurumi, CEO, SEGA of America and SEGA Europe. "Sonic will partner with Mario once more beneath the spotlight of the legendary Olympic Games. Together they will face new athletic challenges that will provide gamers with more of the exciting experiences unique to this series."

"SEGA has been a valued publishing partner of Nintendo for many years and Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games is the ultimate representation of that relationship," said Reggie Fils-Aime, president and COO, Nintendo of America. "We look for this game to continue the tradition its predecessor started by bringing new events, new characters, and new gameplay experiences to fans worldwide."

"To once again have Mario and Sonic and friends compete in Olympic sports and events in a winter setting is tremendously exciting for the Olympic Movement and the millions of gamers worldwide who enjoyed the characters’ previous match up", says Raymond Goldsmith, Chairman & CEO of ISM.

Both Mario and Sonic have plenty of experience navigating treacherous terrain in snowy conditions, but can they handle Vancouver's Downtown Eastside?  The DS and Wii versions of "Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games" would eventually sell 10 million units worldwide since release back in November 2007, making it one of the more lucrative IOC licensed titles in recent memory, and the VANOC is hoping to see similar returns come out of Mario and Sonic throwing down in Vancouver, Canada.  After all, think of the royalties!