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THE NINTENDO GAMECUBE SYSTEM
The Nintendo GameCube is the successor to the Nintendo 64. Nintendo's next console system.

Nintendo has learned from it's past mistakes with the Nintendo 64, and has designed GameCube from the ground up to be an easy system for game designers to develop for.


The Nintendo GameCube is a 128-bit system powerhouse! It's more powerful than the Playstation 2, and is about comparable to the Microsoft Xbox, although both systems are stronger in certain areas, such as the Nintendo GameCube's stronger texturing abilities.

One of the biggest mistakes Nintendo made with the Nintendo 64, was to stay with the cartridge format. Which majorly limited developers in how big a game could be. It also made FMV almost impossible. Although developers could get a lot out of the format if they really tried (See Resident Evil 2, probably the only N64 game that does contain FMV), most weren't willing to take the time (and spend the money) they would need to get such a feat done on the system. Even then, the FMV and sound usually wasn't as good quality as it was on systems that used CD's or the digital disc format.

Well, Nintendo won't make that mistake again. The Nintendo GameCube system uses a propriety
mini-disc format, which is comparable to a mini-DVD. It holds 1.5 GB of data, roughly twice the amount of a single CD. The discs are very small, about 3 inches wide.

The Luigi's Mansion GameCube disc. Note how small it is!

Although they don't hold as much data as a normal DVD (Which holds 4.7 GB of data), 1.5 GB is more than enough space. As most of you know, most companies haven't even started using DVD's for their Playstation 2 games. Since they don't need that much space.

Even if they ever did need more space, they'd simply ship the game on multiple discs, like they've been doing with the Playstation for years.

The system itself is VERY small. It's about as tall and wide as a Game Boy Color. Only a lot thicker. The official measurements are: Height: 4.3 inches. Width: 5.9 inches, Depth: 6.3 inches.

Also, as the name implies, the system IS in the shape of a cube.


It has a handle in the back for easy carrying. On the top of the console are the power, reset, and open buttons.
The front of the console has four controller ports, and two slots for the GameCube Memory Card and the SD Adapter. Although there are only two slots for cards, you WILL be able to upload data from four cards by swapping them when prompted by the game.

On the bottom of the system are three ports for future expansion. One of which both the 56K Modem and Broadband Adapter will fit into. The others could be used for a variety of different purposes in the future.

The back of the console obviously just has the plug-ins for you to hook your console up to the TV. The sides have vents to help keep the system cool.

The Nintendo GameCube will be released on November 18, 2001 here in the US (It launched September 14 in Japan) and will cost $199.99. That's a hundred dollars less than PS2 and Xbox! It will launch in two colors: Indigo (Purple) and Jet Black. After launch more colors will be added. Of which, only the Spice (Orange) system has been announced for after launch. Hopefully more colors will follow (Such as the Gold and Silver colors that were shown at SpaceWorld 2000 as shown in the pics above). Around 14 or so games, from 1st, 2nd, and 3rd party developers will be available at launch. Some (Such as Super Monkey Ball and Star Wars Rogue Squadron 2: Rogue Leader) have even been shipped to stores before launch.

Games that will be available on launch day include: Luigi's Mansion, Wave Race: Blue Storm,
Star Wars Rogue Squadron 2: Rogue Leader, Super Monkey Ball, Madden NFL 2002,
Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2, All-Star Baseball 2002, NHL Hitz 2002, Crazy Taxi, The Simpson's: Road Rage, Batman: Vengeance, Universal Studios: Park Adventure, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3, and Disney's Tarzan: Untamed


For information on the controller and other peripherals check out the 'Peripherals' section.

For information on some games for the Nintendo GameCube, check out the 'Games' section.








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