The GameCube: 3 Months On

We are now three months into, what we hope, will be a long and memory filled GameCube life. The GameCube was released on the 17th of May, 2002 in Australia, a day that I will never forget. Now, after three months I have decided to write and article on what we have seen so far and what is to come.

GameCube Australia
Before the GameCube was released here in Oz, Nintendo Australia estimated that 15,000 to 20,000 units would be sold by the end of May. Before they knew it 10,000 preorders were made so they estimated 50,000 units would be sold by the end of May. Well, the GameCube was a success preorder wise, cracking up nearly 15,000 just before it was released. The sales after that were only mediocre. The GameCube has done well enough, but not as good as first hoped. It seems all Nintendo lovers went out and got their GameCube but many people are waiting for the big guns. The likes of: Super Mario Sunshine, Star Fox Adventure, Zelda, Metroid Prime, Resident Evil and so many more will boost the GameCubes sales enormously, it is just a matter of time. By Christmas 2002, the GameCube will be the on top. The software released so far has been good but no games have demanded the purchase of the GameCube, no, not even SSB:M. This will all change soon. Luigi's Mansion was a great title but not quite Nintendo standard. SSB:M, Wave Race and Star Wars are great but they are all remakes. Pikmin is one of the few original, quality Nintendo titles but was far too short and could easily be finished within a renting. The GameCube has done a marvelous job to be where it is without any of its killer apps, remember, it is still beating the Xbox. Super Mario Sunshine is less then two months away. Star Fox soon after and throw in Resident Evil, Eternal Darkness and Metroid Prime and you have a group of fantastic, killer apps. Everything is looking up for the GameCube.

GameCube Japan
The GameCube has done both good and bad in Japan. The sales figures are good, but considering that Nintendo are Japan based, the sales should have been higher. All that changed recently when Super Mario Sunshine was released. It has sold over 500,000 copies already and boosted GameCube sales by 147%. Now Star Fox is about to released and again, sales will skyrocket. As you can see, this group of games is going to put Nintendo on top in all countries. It's just a matter of time.

GameCube Europe
This is where the GameCube is going very well. The GameCube has had superb sales figures over in Europe and will only do better when the elite games are released. European people are close to Rare and it seems they are all well aware of Rare's quality games so they have all gone and purchased a GameCube. Lets just hope Rare don't go 3rd party. All is well in Europe, its off to the U.S

GameCube America
America is evenly spread in the consoles wars. All systems are going quite well. Super Mario Sunshine is only a couple of weeks off and will boost GameCube sales in the U.S. It is all looking good for the Nintendo GameCube.

Conclusion
The GameCube has been a success in its own right already and is set to get even bigger. Nintendo are reknown for quality and there upcoming batch of titles really proves it. By December this year, Japan, Australia, Europe and the U.S will all have: Super Mario Sunshine, Star Fox Adventures, Resident Evil, Metroid Prime, Zelda (early 2003), Eternal Darkness and more. This will take Nintendo to the top. But what happens after that? It that is for the killer apps? Answer: No. Take a look at this list of games. Remember, some might not make it but hopefully they will. Mario Kart GCN, Donkey Kong Racing, Kameo: Elements of Power, Pikmin 2, Perfect Dark 0, Wario World, Conkers Other Bad Fur Day, Banjo 3 and more. These games are all potential killer apps and what's more they are all GameCube exclusive. (Unless Rare go multiplatform). There is also a number of multiplatform games that look excellent. From here on in, it is a one way street for Nintendo, and its all uphill.

Writer: Spag777
15/8/02