GameCube

"One of the best systems ever...."

After years of work, Nintendo created yet another sensation to the video game world. Nintendo, being known for high quality games and systems, came out with the Gamecube. It' amazing on how they packed so much ability in such a small space. The system is amazing. It has some of the best titles available exclusively for it. Games like Metroid Prime, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Mario Kart Double Dash, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, and Pikmin are just a few titles that have made this system one to remember.

Graphical Capabilities- Beautiful. This system has produced some games with the best graphics ever seen. Games like Metroid Prime and Soul Calibur 2 clearly show this. Details in the 3D models are incredible. The way that the 3D models interact in the games is nice. Nintendo definitely outdid themselves here.

Audio Capabilities- Also Beautiful. The games have sounds that come crystal clear. Metroid Prime and Mario Kart Double Dash both are good examples of this. Plays all kinds of high-resolution sounds. Games are capable of playing realistic voices and sound effects. The music can be played fluidly without delay.

System Capabilities- Some of the best today. For one, it has online capabilities so games with online capabilities can use it. Also it has the LAN connection as well. So for those of who don't know what LAN is, it's where you connect multiple systems with link cables. Similar to Game Boys. But you need more TV's as well. But unique to the Gamecube, is the Game Boy player hook-up. When you hook it onto the bottom and insert the special disk, you can play Any Game Boy Game ever made on the big screen. Compared to a regular Game Boy Advance Screen, the TV is about 50-400 times larger. Also some Gamecube games can get benefit from the Game Boy Advance to Gamecube link cable. Metroid Prime has a function where you get special bonuses in the game from linking with Metroid Fusion for Game Boy Advance. Also, Nintendo has Wireless Wave Bird controllers available for $30 which allow you to play up to 30ft away, even through walls. If you are good enough to play through walls then good for you. Also there a few off-brand Hook-on screens and battery packs. As of now, no other system has had some of these capabilities.

Physical Properties- The system is 4'' by 4'' by 6''. With the Game Boy player attached, 4'' by 4'' by 7''. It is very compact. It weighs about 1.6lbs. It comes in colors of Jet (Black), Indigo (Purple), Platinum (Silver), and in some places Orange (rare in the US). Has no hard-drive and none is currently available. Has four controller slots. Two Memory Card Slots. It also has a nifty little handle so you can carry it places if you feel like carrying it. (Bring it to the park?) The RCF plug is the same as SNES and N64. There are three buttons on the top, Power, Reset, and Open (Disc Cover). The broadband connections, LAN connections, and Game Boy player all go on the bottom slots. It's a pretty unique design.

Controller Setup- The controller is relatively simple. All buttons have a unique location and shape. It is relatively small and is easy to adjust to. Buttons are START/PAUSE, B, A, Y, X, Z, R, and L. There is also a C-Stick. Then there is the control stick and the control pad. On a Wave Bird, these are all the same but there is a frequency dial and an ON/OFF switch. It is pretty easy to adjust to. If you use the Game Boy Advance as one, then it is even simpler really.

How Does it Compare to the Other Systems?- It is the smallest for sure. And the lightest (Especially with XBOX weighing like 15lbs.) It ranks #2 as far as graphics go. It does have the best games though. It doesn't have a hard-drive like XBOX. PS2 was supposed to get one but I haven't heard much about it. Though the other systems play CDs and DVDs, a gaming system isn't about those, it's about the games. Also it is the cheapest. Only costing $99 is a major plus. I mean, why do you need a CD player in a system? What good does it do you to stare at the screen while it plays? Also, a DVD player is only like $40-$90. It is still cheaper to get a Gamecube and a DVD player than an XBOX or PS2. In my opinion, it is the best system of the 3 next generation systems (Gamecube, PS2, XBOX).

In conclusion, this is one great system. It is easily affordable. It has the best games. It is quite capable of great things. And it's good for people of all ages. With very few flaws, I give the Nintendo Gamecube a 9/10.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 12/30/03