Nintendo: To Delay Or Not Delay.
There are rumours that Nintendo are now hinting at a November 2001 Japanese release for GameCube.
Console delayed?
The company, well known well for its problems with delays, have fallen into the trap once again. Following a planned July release for the hardware, a Q4 2001 launch now seems more likely. The consequences for such a late launch could prove damaging to Nintendo. What’s more, delays in the company’s home market are likely to have a direct effect on American and European launches.
With the hardware finished, developers now have their hands on GameCube development kits. However, reports from third parties claim that the GameCube is not as easy to develop for as Nintendo originally claimed. If Nintendo are having hardware difficulties, rectifying the problem would result in huge delays. The hardware structure is unlikely to be altered, and if Nintendo are to aim for a launch equal or greater to that of PlayStation 2 in terms of sales, mass production of the hardware will have already begun. But if further delays occur, an American launch is likely to be pushed back to Summer 2002. Unfortunately, a European release may not happen until Winter 2002.
Ironically, Nintendo’s other hardware venture is having some good fortune. The U.S release for Game Boy Advance has been brought forward to June and the European date stands at July. Newcomers Microsoft have also delayed the Xbox console until late 2001 in the States, and early 2002 in Japan and Europe. This would result in a head to head war between the two companies.
Official GameCube release dates are expected to be unveiled at E3 this May.
With the hardware finished, developers now have their hands on GameCube development kits. However, reports from third parties claim that the GameCube is not as easy to develop for as Nintendo originally claimed. If Nintendo are having hardware difficulties, rectifying the problem would result in huge delays. The hardware structure is unlikely to be altered, and if Nintendo are to aim for a launch equal or greater to that of PlayStation 2 in terms of sales, mass production of the hardware will have already begun. But if further delays occur, an American launch is likely to be pushed back to Summer 2002. Unfortunately, a European release may not happen until Winter 2002.
Ironically, Nintendo’s other hardware venture is having some good fortune. The U.S release for Game Boy Advance has been brought forward to June and the European date stands at July. Newcomers Microsoft have also delayed the Xbox console until late 2001 in the States, and early 2002 in Japan and Europe. This would result in a head to head war between the two companies.
Official GameCube release dates are expected to be unveiled at E3 this May.
Companies:
Nintendo
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