Events announced for Mario and Sonic at the Olympics Games

I always thought there might be about 5 events. Maybe. But seeing the latest trailer for the game had me quite excited at the possibilities. And then this list blew me away:

• Fencing – Individual epee
• Archery
• Shooting – Skeet
• Gymnastics – Trampoline
• Gymnastics – Vault
• Field – High Jump
• Field – Pole Vault
• Field – Long Jump
• Field – Triple Jump
• Field – Javelin Throw
• Field – Hammer Throw
• Rowing – Single Sculls
• Table Tennis – Singles
• Aquatics – 100m Freestyle
• Aquatics – 4x100m Freestyle
• Track – 110m and 400m Hurdles
• Track – 4x100m Relay
• Track -100m and 400m

Anybody else looking forward to seeing Mario Peach in a pink leotard? There were also a number of different game modes unveiled. Single Match mode allows you to choose any event you want and compete for a high score. Circuit Mode is where you can either choose a series of events individually, choose a pre-determined series of events, or play a series of events at random. Mission Mode is a more in-depth version of the game where you have to complete specific goals for each event. And finally, there is an area with historical information about the Olympics in the form of a gallery, trivia quizzes, and other as of yet unknown mini-games.

Full press release after the break.

SEGA Unveils Details For Mario & Sonic At The Olympic Games™

LONDON (September. 26, 2007) – SEGA Europe Ltd and SEGA® of America, Inc., today revealed details of the exciting blockbuster title, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games™. Published by SEGA across Europe and North America, and published by Nintendo in the Japanese market, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games is licensed through a worldwide partnership with International Sports Multimedia (ISM), the exclusive interactive entertainment software licensee of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

This exciting new game for the Wii™ video game system Wii™ and Nintendo DS™ system is packed with all-new interactive features and includes 20 authentic Olympic events – played out in stylised Olympic venues. Using the Wii Remote™ and Nunchuck™ control system, players can have an unparalleled interactive experience and compete using one of 16 characters – 8 from the world of Mario and 8 from the world of Sonic. The Wii controls are created specifically to replicate the actions that offer the best results for each event which include:

Fencing – Individual epée
Archery
Shooting – Skeet
Gymnastics – Trampoline
Gymnastics – Vault
Field – High Jump
Field – Pole Vault
Field – Long Jump
Field – Triple Jump
Field – Javelin Throw
Field – Hammer Throw
Rowing – Single Sculls
Table Tennis – Singles
Aquatics – 100m Freestyle
Aquatics – 4x100m Freestyle
Track – 110m and 400m Hurdles
Track – 4x100m Relay
Track –100m and 400m

The interactive Wii controls include actions like swinging the Wii Remote™ to simulate hammer throw, notching the Nunchuk to shoot arrows, and replicating swimming strokes. Players can also discover the best way to win a game by experimenting with different movements to discover secret boosts to propel them towards a win.

With four playing styles to choose from, players can decide their game strategy: all-around, technical, speed, and power – for example: Mario and Amy (All-around), Peach and Tails (Technical), Sonic and Yoshi (Speed), and Knuckles and Bowser (Power). Players will be able to choose and try out, in both single and multiplayer mode, each event individually with Single Match mode (where players can choose their event and play until they score top marks). They can also compete for the highest overall score in a series of events in Circuit mode (where players can either create their own circuit by choosing the individual events, choose a pre-determined circuit, or randomly generate a circuit). Gamers looking for extra tests of their athletic abilities can choose the single-player Mission mode and earn top marks on challenges made for only the toughest athlete. Additionally, gamers can learn about the history of the Olympic Games through trivia, quizzes, and mini-games and unlock all-new facts and figures from past Olympic Games in the Gallery.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games will be in-stores across Europe on November 23, 2007 for Wii, and Q1 2008 for the Nintendo DS.