Nintendo is working on "replacement" for Mario and Pokemon for the next-gen systems

[OB1]

This is actually very good news. Nintendo is in third place right now even though they've released new, excellent installments in the Mario, Zelda, and Metroid series for the Gamecube, three of their biggest franchises. Zelda is selling well but Mario and Metroid sold below expectations. Nintendo's franchises don't mean too much to the average consumer anymore, so Nintendo really needs to come up with some great new franchises that will attract a whole new generation of gamers. Of course Mario won't fade away, but I'm all for Nintendo trying to do something new to get ahead in the console race.