"The little cube that could"

With the Playstation 2 already out, Nintendo released it's next console, called the Gamecube(GC). This generation of gaming is almost over, with the Xbox 2/Xbox Next/Xbox 360/Xenon on the horizon, but I still remember getting my GC very clearly. I got my GC for Christmas a few years ago(about 4) with SSX Tricky.

Gamecube design

I took my indigo(don't believe Sony fanboys saying it is purple, it is indigo) Gamecube out of it's box. I knew it was small, but this was really unbelievable. Holding this now broken cube(DREs, a black one is in it's place), I can provide a full description. It is clearly much smaller then the big bulky Xbox or the rectangular PS2. The front view is rectangular, with a smaller white rectangle. This stands out, since the whole console is indigo. This white rectangle has four controller slots, and two memory card slots. On the bottom of the outside rectangle are two black rubber-like things to prevent sliding. On the bottom left is a small grey "Graphics designed by ATI" sticker.

From the top, is a huge, black circle. Inside it says "Nintendo Gamecube". Unlike the PS2(thick one) and the Xbox, the gamecube uses a flip up device to put games in, like the PS1 and slim PS2. Directly under this is a semi-oval shaped power light. To it's right is the open button, and to its left is a reset button. Above the reset button is the power button, which is the color white. In the top right corner is a Nintendo logo. On the very top, we can see a handle to hold the GC with. From the back is the handle, along with a video port, digital port, and AC adapter port. Nothing is on the left or right except for two ventilation holes.

On the bottom are a bunch of removable doors used for various things. A modem was released to play ONE game online, that goes in the largest port. The Gameboy Player was released, allowing you to play Game boy games on the GC. Another port down. The third I'm not sure of. Overall, great design from Nintendo.

9/10

Controller

The GC's controller is one of the best I have ever used. It is shaped similar to a Playstation Dualshock controller, but much better. The controller fits perfectly in my hands. My pointer fingers go over the L and R buttons. They can be pushed down either partially or all the way down with a small "click!". If I need the Z button, located above the R button, I can put my middle finger on the R button and the pointer finger on Z. My right thumb fits over the large A button, and can be used to push the three smaller buttons surrounding it. B is small and red, X and Y are in a small grey kidney shape. It can also be used to move the C stick, which is probably the worst thing about the controller; it is too small. My left thumb is used for the control stick and the tiny Dpad. Unlike the PS2 controller, the stick is on top and the pad is on bottom. One thing I noticed is unlike the PS2 and Xbox control sticks, the sticks can't be pressed down to make another button. That takes away two buttons on the GC controller. The smallest button; start, is located in the middle of the controller. Overall, excellent controller design.

10/10

First Play

I didn't know much about Gamecube at the time. I have a PS1, so when I first saw the Cube, I asked myself "How can it play CD games like Playstation?" My question was answered when I opened the SSX Tricky case. There sat a small disk, only about 8 centimeters in diameter. I was surprised, but wasn't turned down. I popped SSX into the GC and played it. I was surprised by the great graphics and sound of SSX Tricky, especiallysince the last console I owned was a PS1, a console that had average sound and pretty dang terrible graphics. I liked SSX, but it left me wanting more. I had to wait a few weeks before I rented Super Smash Brothers Melee. That game I thought had extremely great graphics and I loved the Nintendo music themes.

8/10

Graphics

Out of the 3 current generation consoles, the GC has the second best graphics, next to the Xbox. It's hard to look at Resident Evil 4, Starfox Adventures, Super Mario Sunshine, Pikmin 1 and 2, and the upcoming Legend of Zelda game and not be amazed by the Gamecube's graphic power. However, there are some games(*glares at Spongebob Squarepants:The Movie*) that don't use the power to full potential.

9/10

Sound

I am not a sound *****. I don't give a crap for any Dolby 5.1, I just use ordinary TV speakers. Even with such a basic sound system, music is still great on the GC. The sound and music is great in several games, such as Super Smash Brothers Melee and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. Voice acting is good in MOST GC games, but not all. The sound rarely skips.

9/10

Comparison
Compared to Xbox and PS2, Gamecube has no real multimedia capabilities. Because of the small disc, DVD playing is not possible, unlike PS2 and Xbox. Gamecube has online like PS2 and Xbox, but it is just one game and Nintendo never put any real effort into it. Also, Gamecube can not play music. Gamecube doesn't fare so well here, but Nintendo made it just for games.

3/10

Games

There are a LOT of games worth buying for GC. Great games include Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Super Smash Brothers Melee, Metroid Prime 1 and 2, Animal Crossing, Pikmin 1 and 2, Madden 2004, and MVP Baseball 2004(the versions I have). Super Mario Sunshine is ok, but definitely not a must-buy. I haven't played them, but I have heard good things about Tales of Symphonia, Baiten Kaitos, Starfox Assault, Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, Paper Mario:The Thousand Year Door, and Resident Evil 4. Even better is the upcoming Legend of Zelda game, which should come out late this year. Gamecube scores high here too.

10/10

I don't understand why people bash Gamecube, it is a really good system. Don't be turned off by others who bash it for it's "kiddyness". Gamecube is still a really great system, and I will never get rid of it.

Final Rating: 9/10

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 04/06/05