Nintendo unveils its plans to gain industry leadership. Inside! Now!

Nintendo has revealed its strategy to get to the top spot in the console war with 'a multi-tiered offensive of Nintendo exclusives' as well as stronger ties with key developers.

First and foremost, Nintendo is strengthening its third party line-up with big-hitters like Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes, and Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike. Nintendo is also forging stronger ties with companies such as Electronic Arts, Capcom, Namco, Sega and Square-Enix, increasing the GC's line-up to over 320 titles by the end of the year.

Another important part is the GBA/GC link up. Ninty is putting a lot into the console/handheld link, with new GC games like Pac-Man, Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicle, Nintendo Puzzle Collection, and two new Zelda titles�The Legend of Zelda�: Four Swords and The Legend of Zelda: Tetra's Trackers boosting the use of the link up and unlocking special features in games.

Also, there's arcade/console link up. With the F-Zero game in both the arcades and on the GC, players will be able to race a home-built, custom machine in the arcade or transfer additional pilots, and all kinds of custom parts to your GC using a memory card.

Nintendo are also bringing major franchises back into the field, with Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, Kirby Air Ride, Pokémon Colosseum, Mario Party 5 and Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour all making their way to the Cube very, very soon, as well as new exclusive titles, such as Geist, a new FPS from n-Space.

Also, don't forget the Game Boy Player. In a few months (probably) gamers will be able to play all the greats from the tiny GBA onto your television screen, in all their, um, 32-bit glory.

Last but not least, 120 GBA titles will be out this year, including Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3, Donkey Kong Country, Pokémon Pinball, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, Mario and Luigi, Fire Emblem, and Sword of Mana.

"Thanks to our tremendous contributions from our third-party partners and increasing library of connectivity titles, we're delivering more entertainment and diversity to Nintendo fans than any time since we launched our first home console 20 years ago," explains Satoru Iwata, president, Nintendo Co., Ltd.

"Since the beginning of the year, Nintendo has taken an additional 11 market share points from its competitors," explains Peter MacDougall, executive vice president, sales and marketing, Nintendo of America Inc. "The collection of games built specifically for our systems continue a tradition of quality and value, and the momentum is in our corner."

This is certainly exciting news, and it shows that Nintendo are doing more than just 'getting their act together'. Make no mistake-this IS Nintendo's year.