Mario Hits the Slopes, Revisited

Nintendo and Electronic Arts waited until recently to announce a partnership that allows Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach to appear in the GameCube version of the upcoming title SSX On Tour. Previously, the trio was featured in NBA Street V3, another EA title from the EA Sports BIG line.

NinBit reported that the world-renowned plumber was shown in screenshots of the game from Germany's Games Convention, confirming a previous rumor that the GameCube version would include characters from the franchise. However, neither side released any comments on the issue at GC.

EA Canada's general manager, John Schappert, was the voice for his side of the partnership, saying, " "I am extremely proud of our innovative partnership with Nintendo with our EA SPORTS BIG titles. Mario, Peach and Luigi are among the greatest videogame characters of all time and we are thrilled to include them in SSX On Tour."

Representing Nintendo, Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of sales and marketing, said, "When Electronic Arts put a basketball in Mario's hand, he did quite well. Now Mario and crew are hitting the slopes thanks to a successful and creative partnership between Nintendo and EA. Mario has traveled in snow before, but never this fast. Let's hope his mustache doesn't freeze."

SSX On Tour is scheduled for an autumn release.