Reports have reached our ears that Nintendo of Japan has already begun production of the next games to feature Mario and Zelda for its GameCube console.

Reportedly, talking offhand to Japanese press, Mr Miyamoto, the creator of the two immortal Nintendo mascots, said that he "no time for a holiday as new Mario and Zelda games for GameCube were entering production."

Although it will come as no surprise that this may be happening, it's always nice to be reassured.

In the meantime, European gamers are anxiously awaiting the release of Super Mario Sunshine and Zelda for their Ninty boxlets, the former of which is due out next month with Zelda to follow early next year.

Stay tuned for more as it breaks...