Ten Franchises Nintendo Needs To Update

1. PilotWings

There was nothing like it on either the Super NES or N64. Bizarrely, Nintendo haven’t updated this in recent years, but the Wii is crying out for this game. Actually, I’m crying out for this game, but they’re essentially the same thing as far as I’m concerned.

2. Star Fox

Let’s get this straight: nobody wants to see a repeat of Starfox Adventures (when did that ever seem like a good idea?) What we all want (and what would be for everyone’s own good) would be a Lylat Wars style incarnation of the game. With online co-op. Please. Now. Please.

3. F-Zero

Probably not likely because it’s Nintendo at their most hardcore - but dammit Nintendo! - we need a disgustingly fast version of this, with a thumping soundtrack. Something to make the masses (and WipEout) quake. Like F-Zero X.

4. Super Tennis

Okay, so we have Wii Sports, but Super Tennis was the ultimate. I want to be able to control my own character, thanks Nintendo. And I want characters that are openly bad losers.

5. Animal Crossing

Ok, this one is on the cards already and given the tack that Nintendo have taken with the Wii, this is a shoe in. Noodling about writing letters and growing stuff, when you think about the Wii’s other funtions, it actually almost seems built around this game.

6. Kid Icarus

Ok, I never played it and it’s only bloody available on the US Virtual Console at the moment, but everything that I’ve heard makes me want to play this. Hopefully the inclusion of Pit in Super Smash Bros. Brawl will make this more likely but, well, did that happen for the Ice Climbers? Oh, and please make it in spangly 2D.

7. Pikmin

This was born for the Wii. The Gamecube original was a fantastic game, that was once again overshadowed by it’s stable-mates. Actually, wait - if they release this, then I won’t be able to get anywhere near the Wii because my mates will be hogging it. Don’t do it Nintendo!

8. Wave Race: Blue Storm

I played this for hours on the N64. The combination of stunts, waves and some breathtaking tracks plus customisable jet skis hooked me in a way I never expected, despite the really annoying commentator.

9. 1080 Snowboarding

One of the most overlooked Nintendo franchises, this and Wave Race are a double-whammy of extreme sports racers.

10. Luigi's Mansion

Much better than people gave it credit for. Just because it didn’t star Mario, wasn’t a platform game and was a launch title for the Gamecube, people overlooked all of the good stuff, most particularly the sense of humour and strangely creepy comedy horror vibe (is it me, or is Evil Dead II creepier than most straight horror films?) The only gripe is that it was a little too slight. Seems ripe for some online hide-and-seek hilarity too.