I firmly believe that before purchasing a console one must be completely weary of the criteria it boasts and know exactly what it is capable of before purchasing. I therefore think of it almost as a duty to state the truth about the gamecube, and all advantages and disadvantages of buying it.
The gamecube was released with fierce competition, the x-box and the Ps2. All three of these consoles boasted a new generation of graphics and companies such as EA and THQ were looking for the best to put on these new amazing games. However, a problem was that the gamecube was released after the playstation 2. This could mean disaster for the console because it may have meant that the games available to them would be limited as the big companies were happy with profits as they were, and were not willing to jeopardise their security. So Nintendo took it upon themselves to create the gamecube’s first games which would not be available to other consoles. This helped define the genre of the gamecube and also gave reason for specific people to buy it. The games that Nintendo released were Mario Sunshine and Super Smash Brothers Melee. As you may have feared these were targeted perhaps
at younger children, however, the gamecube showed its power for great multiplay and already, it may appeal to people who play consoles with lots of others.
The gamecube now had to buy some real official games shared by the giants of the PS2. The Bond series looked ideal because it could show how the gamecube is capable of so much more than the PS2. Using its superior power it allowed far smoother game play and more Bots on the multiplaying levels. This helped show just how good the gamecube’s capabilities are compared to the Playstation 2 for example. However, profits began to decrease and the budget of Nintendo meant that gamecube missed out on some amazing titles. These included the grand theft auto series, the grand turismo series, and the Hitman series. These are just a few of the games that appeal to so many yet gamecube does not have. Because of this gamecube just can not live up to the Playstation 2 because it just does not have the licenses required to have the gamers crave.
Another major flaw with the gamecube is that it is the only one of the second generation consoles that does not have a DVD player. Many buy the PS2 to have as part of a 2 in 1 yet all the gamecube can do is play games. This is a major drawback with the gamecube and to some may be a real reason not to buy it.
However, gamecube had one last attempt at pulling itself out of the rut it was in. This was by releasing Zelda the Windwaker. However, and this time of profit uncertainty, they made an enormous risk of releasing this game using cell shaded graphics. This meant that only Zelda fanatics purchased the game leaving gamecube in a worse state than ever. I myself had the Ocarina of time on the Nintendo and loved it. But the childish look of this new release through me off, as it did many other thousands.
As a result the gamecube has taken a tumble off a cliff and resorted to selling at an astonishingly low £79.99. My prediction is that very soon production of new games will stop and the gamecube will fall down just as the dreamcast did.
However, that’s enough of the story; I think you should know what the design and capabilities of the gamecube are like. First of all, it does not carry a hard drive. This may be seen as a disadvantage however it does save space and money. Also, this is a targeted X-box feature so don’t be thrown off, memory cards will have to suffice as usual I’m afraid. The gamecube controllers are amazingly comfortable and easy to use. Possibly the best design going, they are easy to adapt to and never denote the quality of games. They are simply marvellous designs. Once again the Nintendo has aimed to out do its nemesis the Playstation by having for controller slots instead of two. Playstation have once again made a multi tap available however, it just seems like another way of conning you out 20 quid. Therefore, it’s a great advantage of the gamecube’s. The gamecube is a very small console yet still very powerful. Its graphic capabilities excel past the Playstation’s, yet the X-box has the best. It seems a shame therefore that the gamecube does not have all the games the PS2 does, because it can do so much more with its capabilities, so games like Mario Sunshine really to make the gamecube worth buying just because it stretches the console to its limits. The gamecube has beautifully smooth gameplay on both single and multi-player. If you have friends over a lot especially, this is a great help because there are loads of great games that can be enjoyed on the multiplayer gamecube that just wouldn’t be as fun or even exist on the PS2. A nice little feature the gamecube has is that you can have remote control controllers. Wireless tools are becoming ever more apparent as time passes, so this may be considered an excellent feature to those who are less tidy and hate tangles. A drawback with the gamecube is that it lacks proper details about the internet connection and very little effort has been put in to make this feature obvious to the public. My advice is that if you’re an online gamer get a PC or an X-box because ‘its good to play together’.
So that’s about it really, the gamecube is a powerful little console with a lot of potential, however, I must warn you that I am switching to a PS2 due to its lack of game vareity and licenses, so be sure before you buy this one.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
I agree with most of the things you have said in the review but I would like to add:
1.The big games on PS2 + XBox were released on PC and most people own PCs
2. Nintendo didn't buy the Bond series they had a contract left over from N64
3.You've played Wind Waker and you love it
3min_man 23.01.2004 20:26
Nintendo could have done so much better with this as you say but it has nothing compared to the X-box and PS2 and this is why I've nevr had a play on this or any of the games! Gavvy.
mentaldyer 03.01.2004 18:09
good review console had good potential as you said pity about next to all the games being all round failures though
Advantages: Fits nicely on top of my PS2, Games last ages, legendary game characters (Super Mario, Zelda, etc) Disadvantages: Nearly everyone's quit stocking games for it
duck1979 20.10.2005 (20.10.2005)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Nintendo Gamecube
Dec 18th, 2003
exceptional by (3%):
very helpful by (97%):
