Nintendo Speeds Ahead.(Mario Kart: Double Dash)(Pikmin 2)(Metal Gear Solid: the Twin Snakes)(Super Mario Advance 4)

Two pair in poker, that ain't so hot. But two pair of new Nintendo games? That'll get us reaching for our wallets. Check out a couple new sequels that stress two-player gameplay and a couple remade classics, all due later this year. As for more screens and hands-on impressions next month, you can bet on it.

MARIO KART: DOUBLE DASH

It's always tough to do other things while you're driving--changing a CD, making a call on your cell phone, nailing the guy on your tail with a turtle shell, etc.--and that's a problem Nintendo plans to address in this GameCube update to its battle/racing franchise. Pair up any two Mario characters, then place one up front to drive …