Though it looks like a toy and comes at a relatively low price, dont be fooled: Nintendos GameCube is a powerful video game console that rightly deserves its place among the other next-generation game systems. The GameCube doesnt 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 and comfy to use even for long periods; theres 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 theres the capacity for future expansion into the world of online gaming. Of course, the main advantage of the GameCube is that its the homefield of one of the worlds 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, heres a roll call of characters and series you wont find on the other consoles: Mario, Legend of Zelda, Resident Evil, Metroid, Kirby, and, of course, Pokémon. In short, the GameCube isnt 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.
One look at the Nintendo GameCube hardware and you know its different. The compact shape isnot only practical--the unique design is symbolic of Nintendos commitment to focus on creating the worlds most original and innovative video games.
The GameCube is Nintendos 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 t hree inches. The disc drive and processor work together with awesome speed, which makes load times h ardly 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 mak e an awesome team. Using the GameCube Game Boy Advance Cable, the Game Boy Advance can be connec ted directly to the GameCube. The features available will change depending on the game, from exchang ing 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.