After moderate success with their last console the Gamecube, Nintendo seems to have hit the their stride this generation. With their “gaming is for everyone” approach, Nintendo’s changed the face of video games forever and has even managed to woo the Holy Grail of demographics - EVERYONE. Whether it’s your little brother or your great grandmother Ethel, there’s no age group that hasn’t been caught up in the wii-mote waggling madness of Wii Sports, Wii Fit, and the like.

But that’s not to say Nintendo is doing everything right. There’s always room for improvement and with that in mind, I’ve compiled a list of 5 things the big N can do to maximize their success this new year.

1. Bring back Kid Icarus.
Kid Icarus fans have been getting the runaround for years now. First with rumors that Capcom’s gamecube-exclusive Dead Phoenix was to be remade into a new Icarus title. Sadly, the game was cancelled soon after. Then just recently, Nintendo teased us in the latest Super Smash Brothers with everyone’s favorite angel-winged boy hero as a playable character. Unfortunately, there’s been no word on a new entry to the popular NES title for a while now. Nintendo, if you’re listening, it’s time. Enough with the teasing and just release it already.

2. Enough with the shovelware!
Ever since the overwhelming success of the Wii, the system has seen an avalanche of what can only be described as “shovelware” – quickly made, cheap games released to cash in on the success of the Wii. Don’t believe me? Go down to your local game store and take a look at the shelf. Amid the Ninjabread Mans, Chicken Shoots, Target: Terrors, and others, there are some genuinely good games. It’s just a shame that they’re so hard to find. Nintendo, it’s time to polish that seal of quality.

3. Where’s my HD dammit?!?
We’ve heard the rumors but nothing’s surfaced yet about the ever-elusive HD wii console. While some wii games do support 480p progressive scan, it’s still not 780 or 1080 true high definition that its competitors Sony and Microsoft are utilizing. With a new decade upon us, it’s time Nintendo caught up with the rest of the world and touted some HD visuals (hell even PBS has HD broadcasting).

4. Make a Pokemon game for the Wii that doesn’t suck.
The Wii (as well as the Gamecube) have seen a handful of Pokemon games released on each of their respective consoles. Unfortunately, they haven’t been very good when compared to their handheld brethren. It’s time Nintendo steps up and makes a true Pokemon game for the Wii. Pushing full 3D visuals, over 500 monsters to capture and collect, and an online battling system, this is just what Nintendo needs to revitalize it’s waning franchise.

5. Focus more on the hardcore fan-base.
While Nintendo has been busy enticing non-gamers with the likes of Wii Fit and Wii Sports, die-hard Nintendo fans have all but been given the middle finger. Since its 2008 launch, the console has seen only a small number of hardcore titles such as Mad World, No More Heroes, Metroid Prime Trilogy, and others. It’s no secret that Nintendo’s done poorly to woo it’s longtime fans with many jumping to the 360 or PS3. But this year could change all that with the release of a new Zelda game, Metroid: Other M, No More Heroes 2, and an announcement at E3 that the big N will be focusing more on hardcore games. While it’s highly unlikely this last one will happen, a gamer can dream right?