Nintendo reveal an incredible software line up for Christmas, featuring a host of gaming legends

2003 has been an incredible year for Nintendo so far having launched many amazing games such as The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Metroid Prime on NINTENDO GAMECUBE and Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire on Game Boy Advance. As well as fantastic software Nintendo also launched the stylish new handheld console, the Game Boy Advance SP � and Nintendo are set to continue this success for Christmas 2003, with a fantastic line up that will appeal to players of all ages.

In the run up to Christmas 2003 players will see NINTENDO hit top gear with some of the most anticipated games for both the NINTENDO GAMECUBE and the Game Boy Advance. There are over 60 games still to launch for NINTENDO GAMECUBE bringing the total library to over 200 in Europe. There are also over 60 Game Boy Advance games still to launch in 2003 which will bring the total library to over 400!

Just in time for Christmas Nintendo are launching the fantastic new title, Mario Kart: Double Dash!! That's right! All your favourite Nintendo characters and more are back for some serious kart action. At least 16 characters will be there to choose from including the likes of Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, Koopa Trooper and the hairy hero himself, Donkey Kong. For the first time ever, players will be able to choose two characters to race on each vehicle simultaneously. Mario Kart fans have never had so much to choose from!

The F-Zero series continues exclusively on NINTENDO GAMECUBE this year in the all-new F-Zero GX. With a fantastic story mode plus the regular grand prix and multiplayer modes, F-Zero GX now offers some insights into its famous lead man, Captain Falcon, and the many other racers. F-Zero GX not only looks amazing, but it also controls exceptionally well, with the cornering, acceleration, boosting, and sliding all executed with pixel-perfect precision.

Eagerly awaited Soulcalibur II arrives on NINTENDO GAMECUBE, with Link from the classic Legend of Zelda series making a special exclusive appearance as a playable character. A new page in history begins with the highly anticipated return of the Soulcalibur franchise. Soulcalibur II is one of the greatest 3-D weapons-based fighting games, providing non-stop action, excitement and surprises as players go one-on-one against their favourite challengers.

2003 will see the return of the little flower people in the new Pikmin 2. The previous game, Pikmin, first launched for NINTENDO GAMECUBE in June 2002 and people were instantly charmed by these industrious, quirky and off beat little creatures. With more than 60 different species of enemy characters and randomly generated dungeons that span the planet, Pikmin 2 features even more game play than the original. Pikmin 2 can also be enjoyed with friends as it features the fantastic 2-player function.

Sports fans are anticipating the latest in the 1080� Snowboarding series, 1080� Avalanche. From the team that produced the critically-lauded Wave Race: Blue Storm at development house NST, 1080� Avalanche will be the essential adrenalin game.

Mario and his closest friends are back for Mario Party 5! This time they're trying to restore peace to Dream World by racing around a collection of all-new game boards-and tons of surprises await! The new game sports new game boards, more than 60 new mini-games, new playable characters, an expanded one-player mode and, of course, the multi-player madness that made it famous in the first place. This sequel extends Mario Party's reign as the king of the party game.

The run up to Christmas 2003 is also an exciting time for the Game Boy Advance with many fantastic titles coming up. Golden Sun 2: The Lost Age continues the story where the smash hit title Golden Sun left off. In this stunning continuation of the first title, players must once again venture forth into a new realm where evil creatures lurk at every corner and the safety of the world depends on their success. But this time, players must light the two remaining lighthouses whilst being pursued by the brave warriors who defeated the Mars clan in the first Golden Sun.

Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros 3 sees the return of the dynamic duo to the Game Boy Advance. In what many consider to be the best Mario game ever, players will have to jump bottomless pits, battle familiar foes and use new and classic power-ups. Mario has special super powers for the first time ever in this game, becoming larger than life to jump and battle his way through eight huge new worlds. The game also contains a multiplayer function when you link up with any of the other three Super Mario Advance games for even more fun in the classic Mario Bros game. This game looks all set to be a Christmas must have.

Mario is also making an appearance in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga. An evil witch has magically stolen Princess Peach's voice and replaced it with explosives, causing chaos in the Mushroom Kingdom. Rushing to the Princess's aid is the trusty duo, Mario and Luigi, who set out together to brave the perils standing between them and the evil witch. This Mario and Luigi adventure is definitely not to be missed.

Hailed by many as the best handheld strategic title for the Game Boy Advance � the original Advance Wars game shot to fame and became an instant classic. Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising is the sequel to this Academy Interactive Arts & Sciences handheld Game of the Year 2001 with an array of new missions and features to capture the minds of players all over Europe once again. If handheld strategy is what you're looking for then you can also lose yourself in Final Fantasy Tactics Advance. An epic fantasy adventure bringing the magic of the Final Fantasy series to the Game Boy Advance. Challenging minds rather than quick trigger fingers, Advance Wars 2 and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance are set to be the greatest cerebral challenges for the handheld console yet.

Gotta catch 'em all, but his time it's with fast flipper action in Pokémon Pinball: Ruby and Sapphire. With highly addictive gameplay and endless amounts of fun Pokémon Pinball: Ruby and Sapphire is the ideal for gamers of all ages!

Let's not forget everyones favourite pink character with a healthy appetite, Kirby! In Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land players accompany Kirby on his mission to find the pieces of the Star Rod and restore peace to Dream Land.

And that's not all! Several awesome titles are coming soon from third party publishers for NINTENDO GAMECUBE. Use the force once again in Star Wars Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike from Lucas Arts. This thrilling third chapter features the intense flight battles of Luke Skywalker and his elite unit of X-wing starfighter pilots and adds highly desired multiplayer capability to the classic gaming series. Viewtiful Joe and P.N.03 from Capcom will be creating a storm when they appear with their unique appearances on NINTENDO GAMECUBE. Think you've got what it takes to star in a blockbuster, then give Joe a call! Need to take out your rage upon mechanical monstrosities then defeat them with your special dancing moves in PN03.

In Sega's beautifully rendered Billy Hatcher and The Giant Egg from SEGA, players collect magical eggs and use them to solve puzzles and nurture them with items found while exploring the world. Solid Snake debuts on NINTENDO GAMECUBE in Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes from Konami. With astounding new gameplay features and an intricately woven plot, Solid Snake is back with a vengeance, in this unforgettable stealth action adventure.

There is also a great line up of games from EA coming to the NINTENDO GAMECUBE in 2003 which includes FIFA Football 2004, Harry Potter Quidditch World Cup, and The Lord of The Rings: The Return of the King. All these and more are coming soon!

On Game Boy Advance, prepare yourself for an amazing third party lineup, including James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, and FIFA Football 2004 from EA, Tony Hawk's Underground from Activision, Disney/Pixar's Finding Nemo, Banjo Kazooie from THQ and Spyro Adventure and The Hobbit from Vivendi. All these and more are coming soon!

In 2004, there's also plenty to look forward to! Upcoming titles for NINTENDO GAMECUBE include - Pokémon Channel, Pokémon Colosseum, The Legend of Zelda: The Four Swords, Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles, Kirby Air Ride and Mario Tennis! For Game Boy Advance - Hamtaro: Rainbow Rescue, Sword of Mana, Mario Golf: Advance Tour, Mario Tennis and Fire Emblem are on the way.

The message is clear: The most anticipated games are launching on NINTENDO GAMECUBE and Game Boy Advance this Christmas.

Click onto www.nintendo-europe.com for all of the most up to date official information on Nintendo.