Slew of new Nintendo info

Many Nintendo lovers' wishes were granted today when Nintendo released its 2004 calendar. The schedule confirmed one of the hottest bits of gossip--namely, that a GameCube sequel to the beloved N64 classic Paper Mario (due Q4 2004) is on the way.

The list also confirmed that Geist, Mario Tennis, Mario Party 6, Metroid Prime 2, and Star Fox 2 will touch down in time for the 2004 holiday season (in Q4). Spring will see WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Party Game$ (April 5) and Custom Robo (May 10), while summer will herald The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures (June 7), and Pikmin 2 (August). GameCubin' bongo players will also be pleased to know that Donkey Konga's US release has been confirmed for September.

There were also surprises on the Game Boy Advance front, but not all of them were good. The roster was totally free of Intelligent Systems games like Fire Emblem and Advance Wars. As a consolation prize, GBA owners will be able to pick up Mario vs. Donkey Kong (May 2), Hamtaro (July), and F-Zero 2 (September). The ever-crowded fourth quarter will see Pinball, Donkey Kong Country 2, Mario Tennis, and a new Kirby game hit the portable.

On the hardware tip, 2004 will see the release of the Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter, which will be packaged with Pokémon Fire Red and Pokémon Leaf Green's September release. GameCubers running out of memory will be pleased by Nintendo's higher-capacity 1019 memory card, which will also be released this year.