Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games

Mario & Sonic at the 2012 London Olympics is on the way, if leaked art is to be believed.

SEGA has confirmed that a new Sonic game will be released in 2011, though there's much confusion over its identity.

SEGA has announced that Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games has sold over six million units since release in October.

Although it combines characters from Nintendo and SEGA franchises, the series is developed by SEGA Japan and the Wii and DS versions of both the original Mario & Sonic and the Winter Olympics variation have done big business for the Japanese company.

SEGA reportedly sold around 10 million copies of the original worldwide, and enjoyed particular success in the UK where the original and sequel continue to occupy senior positions in the Nintendo Wii charts.

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PS3 blockbuster Uncharted 2: Among Thieves swung into the UK all-formats chart at number two this week, denied top-billing by an unmovable FIFA 10.

In November 2007, the first ever videogame starring Mario and Sonic appeared on shop shelves. It was a huge hit, despite being a bit 7/10, so it didn't come as much of a surprise when SEGA and Nintendo announced a sequel.

But with years to go until the next Olympics (we're sorry in advance), what would the next Mario & Sonic title be about? Perhaps SEGA and Nintendo would adopt the tried and trusted strategy employed by so many of today's successful publishers and rip off someone else's idea. Why not set the game in a post-apocalyptic American city? Or, how about Mario Gear Solid: Sonic of Liberty? Who wouldn't want to play, say, Mario & Sonic of War?

Alternatively, why not come up with something totally fresh and new like Mario & Sonic Fight to the Death, Mario & Sonic Explore their Sexuality, or Mario & Sonic Bring Peace to the Middle-East? Because that would be weird and stupid. But also because fresh and new doesn't sell half as well as old and familiar, most of the time anyway. And so here comes that sequel: Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games.

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SEGA has announced that Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games is due out for Wii and DS on 16th October.

The sports game sequel allows you to play as your Mii on Wii, and both versions feature new playable characters and of course a host of winter-themed events.

All the events will be unlocked from the start, and include downhill skiing, speed skating and bobsleigh - the latter featuring co-op elements. Certain events are also compatible with the Wii balance board, although it's not required.

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SEGA has confirmed the Wii version of Virtua Tennis 2009 for release next Friday, 19th June.

DS and Wii images.

Curling is up there with lacrosse, badminton, fencing and water polo as one of the world's most rubbish sports. It's not proper exercise, it doesn't appear to require much skill and everyone playing it looks stupid. Perfect if you're promoting a new Wii game, then.

SEGA has finally unveiled Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games, a sequel we knew was coming and a theme we heavily suspected.