"The SNES age all over again."

INTRO: First of all the Gamecube was my top favorite pick of the 3 new consoles, followed by PS2, and last XBOX. My first impressions of the 'Cube were it looks a little small and too cute but that was before I started to play it. This little magic wonder could pump some of the best visuals I had ever seen. My first games were Super Smash Bros. Melee and Luigi's Mansion and I was totally impressed by both. Now I have played other games like Simpsons:Road Rage and All-Star Baseball and I was completely amazed. So I will give you my break down of the 'Cube and comparisons to the other two.

OUTSIDE APPEARANCE:9
The outside of the GC looks very simple. A small cube shaped console with a handle on the back. It is very space efficient and is very light. Obviously, Nintendo wanted this system to be the most portable and I agree that it is. Nothing more can really be said about the system besides its modem ports on the bottom and 4 controller ports on the front. Now when compared to the PS2, the PS2 could have the advantage with the use of the vertical stand, however if the PS2 is on its side then the gamecube has the advantage. Now when compared to the xbox, the cube wins hands down. The xbox is very, very big and clunky. It is way too big to be carried from place to place and it isn't the best looking console by any means, so cube wins here.
XBOX < GCN=PS2

Features: 7
The gamecube has online capabilities (xbox and ps2 have) however at the current time it is staying dormint but probably not for long with the release of Phantasy Star Online. The cube has 4 controller ports (xbox has, ps2 doesn't have)and 2 memory card ports(ps2 and xbox have)on the front side. The gamecube doesn't have a DVD player(xbox would have w/ $40 payment and ps2 has), it doesn't have a CD player (ps2 and xbox have)or a hard drive and can't do fancy disc downloading options (xbox has and ps2 doesn't have). Does this make gamecube bad because it can't do other entertainment options? NO, gamecube is a videogame system not an entertainment system(ps2 and xbox are entertainment systems) so there really shouldn't be any discreditment for this but I guess I have to do it with the current hardware standards set as they are today.
GCN < PS2 < XBOX

Graphic Capabilites: 10
This is were the gamecube really glimmers. The visuals this thing can pull are almost unbelievable. The gamecube can create the best textures of the 3 consoles and can outperform the ps2 in polys. Xbox though being the technical monster and all can outperform the gamecube, however it has the worst texturing system of the three. The gamecube's framerate is very high and can show off a ton of action with out any slowdown or framedip. The cube overall is pretty equal to the xbox in graphics.
GCN=XBOX > PS2

Sound Capabilities: 10
The sound quality of the cube is almost exactly the same as the PS2 and XBOX, except the fact that the PS2 and XBOX can use a better version of Dolby Surround. However you can only find this difference with the use of a 5 set speaker system and I know for a fact that many people do not have a $400 dollar sound system set up. So this difference is almost non-existent.
GCN < XBOX=PS2

Early Game Library: 9
Currently as of Jan. 2002 the cube has a pretty nice library. The library so far has been very innovative and eye dazzling. With already hot classics such as Luigi's Mansion, Smash Bros. Melee, Pikmin, STAR WARS:Rogue Leader, Wave Race: Blue Storm and Super Monkey Ball out, the developing library hasn't fallen any less than of spectacular. When compared to the XBOX and PS2's early library, gamecube leaps over the competition with also one of the best launches ever in the history of gaming. If you get a gamecube now, while in its early life span you will not be disappointed. Also don't forget the awesome 3rd party titles available such as Tony Hawk 3, Madden 2002, Simpsons:Road Rage, SSX Tricky and many others.
XBOX < PS2 < GCN

Upcoming Library: 10
The upcoming gamecube titles are very impressive and inspiring to a gamecube owner with the new titles such as the Resident Evil Series, Mario Sunshine, Metroid Prime, Zelda, Donkey Kong Racing, Eternal Darkness, Sonic Adventure 2, Skies of Arcadia, Rune, Soul Calibur 2, 007 Agent Under Fire, Cel Damage, Phantasy Star Online, and about 60 other titles in just 2002 alone. The fireworks are gonna fly. Future libraries of the xbox and ps2 aren't as impressive as this but they are half decent with xbox's Jet Grind Future and sequel of Shenmue.
XBOX=PS2 < GCN

Console Technical Specs: 9
The xbox has the advantage in this category with its faster running times and such, but gamecube isn't too far behind when the xbox and it are compared. The PS2 is the weakest of the three(PS2 is still a very good system though). I don't really want to get into technical mish mash because I, myself get confused with all the numbers and stats. So you'll have to take my word for it. O.K.?
PS2 < GCN < XBOX

Peripherals, controllers, memory cards, etc.: 9
The controller of the gamecube is a technical wonder having the advanced control scheme that we want w/ the comfortable button layout and design that we thrive for. It is slightly better than the PSX/PS2 controller and is far superior over the xbox controller that I can't even fully grasp. The gamecube memory card isn't very big, data wise that is. The PS2 memory 8 mb card is a lot more efficient and lasts longer. The XBOX memory card which I have yet to see doesn't seem to be making any impact apparently because of the XBOX hard drive (xbox hard drive = 64mb, however it isn't portable, obviously).Note that a device for gamecube is currently under development called the SD card adapter which boosts the strength of a GCN memory card to approx. 64mb. The cube will have a link for the gameboy advance that will transform the gameboy into another controller and screen for the cube in the future. XBOX and PS2 don't have this sort of innovative device so the gamecube has the advantage in this department too. Some other available accessories are the LCD portable screen and battery for those really long road trips when you want to play videogames that are not handhelds. As of now PS2 and XBOX (xbox would never have one) don't have one available right now.
XBOX=PS2 < GCN

Storage Medium: 10
Nintendo has jumped the cartridge ship and landed on the mini-DVD rom enterprise carrier. A very smart move after the not so successful run on the N64 with carts. These small 3 in. discs hold about half as much more space than the standard CD rom or a total of 1.5 gb. (Note that a N64 cart could hold only 68mb and cost almost 10-20x more than a mini-DVD rom which can hold as stated 1.5 gb) XBOX and PS2 use DVD rom mediums which are about 3x larger than gamecube's mini-disc. Now that may sound bad but the PS2/XBOX DVD roms are very easy to pirate or burn unlike the GC discs which are literally impossible to pirate. Very smart move Nintendo.
GCN=PS2=XBOX

Overall: 10
This console completely impressed me and after researching its strengths and weaknesses I have found it to be the best system of the three IMO. I hope you found this very enlightening and find that the cube is a very interesting and reliable piece of hardware. I know I did.
GCN > PS2 > XBOX (My opinion)

Until my next review this is GameReaver signing off.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 01/26/02, Updated 01/26/02