StarSoldier1's Full Review: Nintendo GameCube White Console
NINTENDO GAMECUBE
(November 18, 2001-2006)
DOLPHIN? Nope! It's Game Cube!
This review is part of Yarrick's Next Generation Console Write off! Here's the Game Cube.
Nintendo finally ditches it's long running cartridge format that served them well for over 16 years and goes with a new Mini CD Rom based console that was once called Project Dolphin. The Game Cube is out in stores with over 250 games already available like Luigi's Mansion, Resident Evil 4, and Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4. The GC system is cheaper and has a faster speed processor that the PS2 but the system isn't perfect though and you should be careful before you lay down that kind of cash.
Nintendo 64 2
If you get the Nintendo Game Cube then you get the system itself, a GC controller, video cables, ac cord, and instructions for a decent 99.99 Canadian (although it could even be cheaper now) but no game or memory card (which you need by the way). The system has four controller ports in front of the machine just like the N64, Xbox, and the original Atari 5200 do, so Nintendo's going to continue it's multi player quest for gamers. The GC uses a steady 485 megahertz processor that's stronger than the PS2 300 mh processor but weaker than the Xbox's large 700 mh processor (just look at the three versions of Spider Man), but unlike the others you won't be able to play any CD's, DVD's, or other non GC games so you can only play Game Cube games only and nothing else. These GC disc games are surprisingly small too, they are only three inches in diameter but they still hold over twice the data of the standard CD Rom.
Although the Game Cube can't quite match the X-box's graphics engine, if the Nintendo GameCube has any advantage over it's competition is that Nintendo has that huge experience under it's belt. For anybody who is too young to remember Nintendo has a list of successful game machines like the Nintendo Entertainment System (the NES), the Super Nintendo, and the Nintendo 64. Each of these systems lasted for years and had games that won critical acclaim. "Nintendo knows games and it shows!"
"Dam you!"
I have a question for Nintendo though? "Why isn't the Nintendo Game Cube compatible with the older Nintendo systems like the Sony Playstation2 is compatible with the older Playstation, uh?" Heck, even their Sony controllers are compatible with one another. I loved the N64 and the controller and I don't see why I can't use them on the Game Cube? Ok, maybe the Nintendo 64 was a distance second to the Playstation but that doesn't mean it was a failure Nintendo. It's not all bad though because my old video cables (plus RF adapter with the black connection thing will work too) from my Nintendo 64 worked for the Game Cube as well so I didn't need to disconnect them from my TV during set up of the GC.
Nintendo had the plans to have some kind of Modem network like the Sega Dreamcast, Xbox, and PS2 had but so far there are two games I know of that supports it. Nintendo doesn't believe online gaming isn't very profitable so they skipped on the whole thing.
GAME CUBE ACCESSORIES
GC Controller
The controller is light and comfortable like the Playstation control pad, however some of the buttons are spaced a little funny though so the controller takes some practice to master. There is a problem though because the tiny cross pad Nintendo gives ya sucks as bad as the Dreamcast cross pad. The Playstation2 cross pad is way better but I prefer the Game Cube Analog to Sony's loose design so it's a trade off. The Game Cube Controller also supports a Rumble feature build in so you don't have to buy a Rumble Pak this time. "What's the deal with that giant Green button?" Controllers usually go for $29.99 Canadian.
Wave Bird Controller
This new wireless controller uses a couple of AA batteries so that you can have up to 90ft of cordless action. The only draw back to these is that there is no Rumble feature plus you can forget about any bonus features either like Rapid fire, Slow mo, and other cool stuff. These babies usually go for $44.99 Canadian.
Memory Card 59
The GC memory card 59 really doesn't hold a lot of space but at $24.99 it still cheaper than the 8 Meg Memory Cards for the PS2 at $39.99 but it's still not very good value considering most sports games really eat up the card (Madden 2002 will use the whole thing!). Several games can be saved to card but it's most likely to only save a few games before you have to buy a new one. "Dumb move Nintendo!"
Memory Card 251 and 1019
These GC memory card 251 and 1019 came out of nowhere but I'm glad it did. These black and white coloured are a serious improvement over the standard gray MC 59. It still can only hold up to 16 games but unlike the other licensed Nintendo card this holds over 4 times the amount of space for only a few bucks more. Highly Recommend over the poor 59 original and I don't know why we didn't get this awesome card in the first place? The 251 Memory Cards go for the price of a fair $29.99 and the 1019 one will go for 39.99 Canadian.
Biggest Disappointment:
Luigi's Mansion
Runner Up: WWE Wrestlemania X8
The Worst:
Driven
Runner Up: Charlie's Angels
Most Underrated:
Pikmin 1 & 2
Runner Up: Extreme G III
Bottomline: Good enough!
Although the Gamecube looks unique, it's really not that original to be honest at least in my opinion. To the twin memory cards slots in front of the system, to the PS2-like controller, and despite the newer upgrade many of the launch games are mostly sequels from Nintendo 64 games unfortunately (like Rogue Leader RS II and Wave Race BS) but this is Nintendo's first disc based game system so they are still testing the waters so to speak. Nintendo would have a HUGE edge over it's competition thanks to its long history but they don't even use it. The Gamecube is still a good safe bet and it's even cheaper than a XBox and PS2 thanks to that cheaper price range (compared to the other consoles) and you got to like that. The GC has a good range of titles so far like Super Smash Bros. Melee, Eternal Darkness, and Rogue Leader and that's why I picked the GC over the Xbox, but the GC also needs a larger selection of titles in more categories like RPG's, Adventure's.
This is part of Yarrick's Write Off entitled, "the Next Gen Write Off!"
Here's a List of other Participants, please see their reviews as well:
Yarrick
ChromeKiller
ss3Goku
jeremy1465
paulyoungotti
xeno3998
Rock_On
bwoo
mskills
coldliver
ravenskya
swanton00
Horhay
pavona21
netnut746
scigamer
pffrdfdus7
nscanuck
search66
The 485MHz processor makes loading & starting the games faster than ever -- no more long load times The processor creates 6 to 12 million ploygons per...More at Amazon Marketplace
Though it looks like a toy, don't be fooled the Nintendo GameCube is a powerful video game console that rightly deserves its place among the other nex...More at eBay
eBay offers you smart deals and the widest selection, ranging from the everyday basics to things that are as unique as yourself. With millions of item...More at eBay
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.