Product Description

Though it looks like a toy and comes at a relatively low price, don't be fooled: Nintendo's GameCube is a powerful video game console that rightly deserves its place among the other next-generation game systems. The GameCube doesn't try to play your CD collection, run your movies, or read your e-mail. The company has concentrated its efforts on games, and the titles are uniformly smooth, with bright, fast graphics and great sound. The console is optimised to push speed up while pushing costs down, hence its position at the lower end of the price spectrum. The GameCube is the first Nintendo video game system to use a disc-based media--in this case proprietary 3-inch, 1GB discs--rather than cartridges for its games, which means lower game development costs, ie: lower prices for consumers and a higher likelihood of new game ideas. The controllers (one is included) are ergonomically designed to use even for long periods; there's a built-in rumble feature and two analog control sticks complement an intuitive series of face and shoulder buttons. The system comes with four built-in controller ports, a built-in carry-handle, and two memory card slots--plus there's the capacity for future expansion into the world of online gaming. Of course, the main advantage of the GameCube is that it's the home field of one of the world's premier game designers--Nintendo. While powerhouses Electronic Arts and Sega make games for all systems (including this one), you can only play Nintendo games on a Nintendo system. And Nintendo, you might recall, have been scoring holes in one since they started with Donkey Kong. In fact, here's a roll call of characters and series you won't find on the other consoles: Mario, Legend of Zelda, Resident Evil, Metroid, Kirby, and, of course, Pokémon. In short, the GameCube isn't an all-in-one entertainment system, and neither is it (quite) the most powerful of the modern video game consoles. But for video game enthusiasts who appreciate the superlative gameplay of Nintendo titles, its value cannot be beaten.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4305 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Nintendo
• Released on: 2003-10-10
• Platform: GameCube

Manufacturer's Description
One look at the Nintendo GameCube hardware and you know it's different. The compact shape is not only practical--the unique design is symbolic of Nintendo's commitment to focus on creating the world's most original and innovative video games.

The GameCube is Nintendo's first video game console to access game data through a disc rather than a cartridge. Each disc holds an incredible 1.5 gigabytes of information, but has a diameter of only three inches. The disc drive and processor work together with awesome speed, which makes load times hardly noticeable.

The GameCube Controller provides the crucial connection between the player and the game. Two analog Control Sticks, a built-in rumble feature and flawless ergonomic design ensure that the Controller feels and plays perfectly.

On their own, Game Boy Advance and GameCube are each powerhouse game systems. Together, they make an awesome team. Using the GameCube Game Boy Advance Cable, the Game Boy Advance can be connected directly to the GameCube. The features available will change depending on the game, from exchanging data or unlocking new game levels to allowing the Game Boy Advance to be used as a supplemental game screen or input device. Look carefully at game packaging to see which games are compatible with the cable.

Customer Reviews

Superb console!!!
Great console and probably one of the best ever!!!
cheap
great games
cheap games
one of the best designed controllers
top classic games
can buy add ons for it for gba games, internet etc
some great peripherals for it
small design
easy to set up
produces beautiful graphics!

You will see Nintendo in an entirely different way...
The GameCube may have a reputation for being for kids, and no D.V.D drive, but don't let that put you off buying this console, because that would be a very big mistake.
To start with, there are plenty of mature titles for the GameCube, like Eternal Darkness, Final Fantasy and Resident Evil- a GameCube exclusive! It is true that the purple may seem childish, but you can get it in black. Also, without the D.V.D we have a very low price, that is irresistable if you are on a tight budget .

When you are deciding which console to buy, it always comes down to personal opinions. If you want raw power, get the XBOX. 100's of games? The PS2 is for you! But if you want pure gaming fun(and for a brilliant price) then buy the GameCube, who have the best game designers on the planet, Nintendo.
Nintendo have produced some amazing games in the past, like Mario and Zelda which are both appearing on the Cube this Christmas. Unfortuanately, this means that most of the games that Nintendo make are just sequels of games on other consoles and if you didn't own those consoles you might feel left behind like I did (I own a PlayStation).
However this time the Cube has big third party developers making some of the best games available like Rogue Leader(LucasArts), StarFox(Rare) and Super Monkey Ball (Sega).It has always been about the games and luckily, this is what the GameCube excels at.

Nintendo have been shy to show off the Cubes graphics, but one look at Rogue leader and all your doubts will be forgotten. They are simply stunning! With a rate of 12million polygons per second you cannot ignore the visuals offered here.Powering the Cube is a chip specially designed for gaming. Instead of dumping a processor straight out of a PC, everything has been made specially for the Cube, allowing the best possible gameplay experience.

An important part of the Cube is the ability to connect to the GameBoy Advance. This hasn't been used much yet but upcoming games are supposed to take advantage of this more.

Having given the GameCube all that praise, there are some warnings I should give you:
- If you borrow games from your friends, more people will have a PS2 than a GameCube right now, because it has been out for longer.
- There is no built in modem for online gaming, you have to buy one separately.
- Lots of games are sequels of N64 games.

Overall, the GameCube is a great console to own if you don't mind it not having a DVD player. It has a very comfy controller, tiny load times, amazing graphics, sound and games and a nice little intro screen!
Aha! Nintendo have said that there are many functions yet to be revealed. Could there be a minidisc or mp3 player hidden inside that mysterious cube.....

Initial thought - superb
I have a PS2 and bought a GameCube purely to play Star Wars Rogue Leader II, which for me is the true definition of a Killer Game. I have not been disappointed. If the quality of this title (and Luigi's Mansion which I also got) is anything to go by then this console has a very bright future. It's small and neat, the controller is comfortable and easy to use with well situated controls. The quality of graphics and sound as produced by the aforementioned games is outstanding. I am a big fan of Starfighter on the PS2 but Rogue leader totally blows it away. On paper the pologons/sec and all that techno babble may make the cube sound a little weedy. In my opinion take a look at the games, not the numbers!

A highly recommended purchase! Must go, I have a Star Destroyer to blitz!