With Nintendo’s roster of imminent releases, it looks like this year and next could mark the company’s re-discovery of its roots as a unique and ‘pro-gamer’ institution. Following last year’s E3 showcase, Nintendo garnered some criticism for ‘dumbing down’ with many of its titles for Wii seeming aimed at a large majority of lucrative casual gamers rather than the more traditional fan base, prompting some detractors to go as far as announcing the end of the company as a unique and recognisable games developer. But with two new Mario games on the way and a new Metroid, Nintendo’s attention seems to be returning to its definitive franchises.

As the company’s primary poster boy, Mario seems set to receive the lion’s share of upcoming titles. New Super Mario Bros Wii, the spiritual successor to DS’s New Super Mario Bros, is another re-imagining of Nintendo’s flagship title; yet rather than re-design gameplay elements of the DS original, or the numerous other Mario titles without Wii technology behind them, Nintendo has opted to keep the classic gameplay literally that; good clean platforming fun with a classic controller...or four. Excitingly, for the first time in a Super Mario title, up to four players can take part in liberating the mushroom kingdom, giving rise to a goldmine of new gameplay opportunities; help Mario and co. for the greater good or jump on his head and take the glory for yourself? ‘Super Mario Morality’ aside, with the absence of any Wii Mote-specific features, it seems Nintendo are out to re-assure fans that Mario isn’t relying on his console’s controller to survive and if New Super Mario Bros Wii shapes up the way it has so far, this will be a welcome, reassuring and resounding certainty come late 2009.

Of course Super Mario Galaxy proved that Nintendo didn’t compromise the plucky plumber’s quality by giving him a Wii Mote driven game. Enter Super Mario Galaxy 2. The sequel to the 2007 smash hit sees much of what made its previous instalment great return but with new planets to explore and even more features to boot; one of these being the welcome return of Yoshi as Mario’s handy and ever-willing companion. Players will be able to ride the redoubtable dinosaur, using the Wii Mote to control his multi-functional tongue to grab power-ups, navigate hard-to-reach areas and generally make life miserable for Mario’s numerous enemies. However, with a 2010 release lined up, it’ll be some time before we can hop on the loveable green lizard.

Also making planet fall next year, Metroid Other M seeks to bring our favourite bounty hunter blasting back in style. Nintendo, working alongside the highly acclaimed Team Ninja, appear set to bring us an excitingly varied game, containing both 2D and 3D gameplay, essentially combining the Metroid Prime series and the more traditional Metroids of Nintendo’s earlier consoles. Interestingly, although action is still rightly close to the heart of the game, an obvious effort has been made to give the story an even greater significance than ever before. Set between series classics Super Metroid and Metroid Fusion, the game promises to shed more narrative light on Samus and her noble obliteration of galaxy chomping aliens and evil alter-egos and with Nintendo’s natural affinity for game design and the slightly darker touch of Team Ninja, they’ve never had more reason to be afraid of her.