Reports indicate that Nintendo expressed displeasure with Sega during the advancement of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, after noticing Sonic’s foot positioned in front of Mario’s.
This situation came to light through an interview with the Arcade attack Retro Gaming Network,were Sega veteran Ryoichi Hasegawa,who worked on the classic mini-game on Wii and Nintendo DS before its 2007 release,spoke.
According to Hasegawa, Nintendo insisted that Sega modify the artwork in question.
## The End of the *Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games* Series
The *Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games* series concluded after the release of its final installment in 2020. This followed a decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to not renew its licensing agreement with Nintendo and Sega. Rather,the IOC opted to pursue partnerships focused on mobile gaming and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs).
### IOC’s shift in Strategy
According to Lee Cocker, a former product manager involved with the series through ISM Ltd, the IOC’s primary motivation was to regain internal control of the project and seek partners capable of generating higher financial returns.IGN Middle East originally reported this confirmation.
### Current Status (as of January 19, 2026)
As of January 19, 2026, there have been no announcements regarding a revival of the *Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games* series. the IOC continues to focus on digital engagement through mobile games and exploring blockchain technologies, including NFTs, related to the Olympic brand. The IOC launched an Olympic NFT platform in 2022, demonstrating its commitment to this new direction. GameSpot confirmed the end of the partnership in December 2020.
