Nintendo back on track in 2009?

Each year, the festive period seems to come and go all too soon. Once the seemingly bottomless supply of cold turkey sandwiches runs out, it’s time to consider New Year resolutions. How many of us can honestly say we've seen them through as planned? This year, one game developer has made some pretty bold resolutions for 2009 and the industry will be watching very carefully to make sure they follow through.

Nintendo has been the target of widespread criticism since last summer’s lacklustre showing at the E3 convention in Los Angeles. The wide demographic appeal of Nintendo’s casual game portfolio left their core audience coming away feeling a bit betrayed. In-house projects like Wii Music and Animal Crossing have failed to douse the fiery discontent from the Nintendo faithful.

Since then, the developer has come forward to assure the punters that 2009 will be a memorable year with several high-profile titles. Both Wii and DS will enjoy their fair share of 'hardcore' games in the future, but will they be any good?

Sure to make the Daily Express hitlist for its over-the-top violence, Madworld, from Platinum Games, takes the bold, abstract styles of Okami and marries it with the brutality of bloodsport movies like cult Japanese hit Battle Royale. The game is entirely monotone, taking inspiration from film noir for its colour palette. Only the deep red of blood provides any sort of contrast.

As lumbering, hard-ass Jack, you must play through a gameshow called Deathwatch, set in a city where posters reading 'We kill because we care' are the order of the day. Not the safest, friendliest neighbourhood, but bursting with undeniable character. This looks set to be the ultimate Wii fighting game.

Sega will be publishing Madworld in 2009, along with Wii shoot-em-up The Conduit. Developer High Voltage Software has made the most of the system's underutilised processing power to deliver some rather tasty visuals. Set in present-day Washington D.C., The Conduit follows a violent war between humanity and the Drudge, a volatile alien race. Unsurprisingly, it’s your mission to obliterate them with guns, guns and more guns.

It won’t be easy though, as the enemy AI has been touted as very responsive; aliens cleverly duck and cover, while others wait for you to reload before charging your position. There’s also a massive amount of control customisation, so you can personalize your perfect play style. Add in obligatory online multiplayer, and Sega could be onto a winner with the Metroid fans out there.

If getting your hands dirty appeals to you, then join Rockstar on the DS as they take you down to Chinatown. Liberty City has once again been rebuilt from the ground up for Chinatown Wars, but in essence, the game world mimics a scaled down GTA IV. That’s not to say there won’t be loads going on. As soon as Huang Lee sets foot on US soil, you’re shot, robbed and left for dead before having to regain your honour and avenge your father’s death.

The top-down action comes with a smattering of all things explicit. Much of the gameplay is made up from minigames such as tattooing your gang recruits, drug dealing and hotwiring cars; all of which make effective use of the stylus. This is definitely one to watch for in 2009, especially for the amusing ad campaign provided by BBC News.

But where are the gaming icons Nintendo built their reputation on? All-new Mario and Zelda games are reportedly 'under development', which could be industry-speak for 'ages away'. However, all is not lost!

Under the working title of ‘Play it on the Wii’, Nintendo plans to reinvent some of the Gamecube’s classic titles to make modern use of the Wiimote. Suggested titles include Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, Pikmin, Chibi-Robo, Pikmin 2, Mario Tennis, Metroid Prime and the sequel, Echoes. Also, the SNES classic Pilotwings and Treasure's epic Sin and Punishment are being remade entirely for the home console and winging their way to the Wii next year.

The games mentioned here are only the tip of the iceberg for Nintendo's hardcore strategy. In addition, the Western release of the DSi in Spring poses some interesting possibilities for connectivity between Nintendo hardware. We’re only two years into the lifecycle of the Wii, and this generation looks like it could be the longest yet. With that in mind, maybe we shouldn’t be too quick to jump the gun and assume all is lost before it's even begun.

Will 2009 be the memorable year Nintendo needs? Let’s hope so.