Nintendo and Sega are joining forces to develop a game based on two of the biggest icons in the gaming world, Mario and Sonic.

The game, dubbed Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, will be released for Nintendo's Wii and DS consoles in time for Christmas.

The title will allow gamers to pit Mario and Sonic against one another as they compete in traditional Olympic events such as running, swimming and table tennis.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games is licensed through a worldwide partnership with International Sports Multimedia (ISM).

"We are thrilled to partner with Nintendo and ISM on this groundbreaking title," said Sega president Hisao 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 Shigeru Miyamoto added: "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 that they have been given the perfect opportunity to meet at the Olympic Games, we may finally learn who is actually faster, Mario or Sonic?"

No pricing details for the game were announced.

The article Mario and Sonic join forces originally appeared on 999 Today