It is the sixth instalment of the series which features Mario, Nintendo's famous plumber, and Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog competing in Olympic sports.

Sega has developed the Tokyo 2020 edition in association with the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) exclusive interactive entertainment software licensee, International Sports Multimedia.

Today's Americas release follows the game going on sale in Tokyo 2020 host nation Japan on Friday (November 1).

It will be available in the rest of the world this Friday (November 8).

Thirty Olympic events are playable, including the new sports of surfing, skateboarding, karate and sport climbing which will make their Games debuts at Tokyo 2020.

A "retro" mode allows players to go back in time to the Tokyo 1964 Games, while three "dream events" are also included.

"Dream racing" includes action on hoverboards, while "dream shooting" sees characters trying to hit various targets.

In "dream karate", players square off against each other in an illuminated ring. 

"Iconic characters Mario and Sonic are set to take gamers on another Olympic adventure ahead of next year's Olympic Games, with the popular duo starring in the official Tokyo 2020 video game," the IOC said.

"As well as recreating a wide range of Olympic disciplines in stunning 3D graphics - including the new sports of surfing, skateboarding, karate and sport climbing - the game features a retro 2D mode that draws on Tokyo's Olympic history to take Mario and Sonic back to the Olympic Games Tokyo 1964 for a nostalgic gaming experience.

"Players can also explore the different venues of both the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and 1964 in a new story mode, learn fun Olympic trivia, unlock additional characters from the Super Mario and Sonic franchises and play a multitude of mini-games that feature familiar Tokyo landmarks.

"The immersive motion controls of the Nintendo Switch allow players to use the Joy-Con to imitate actions like throwing a javelin or taking aim at the archery targets with a bow, while the multiplayer options mean the game can be enjoyed by groups, either in local split-screen or online."

Previous Mario and Sonic games have been released to tie-in with the London 2012, Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016 Olympics.