Can the GameCube really emerge on time?
Is it possible that dear old Nintendo is leading us a merry dance
There are several factors that are leading us (and everyone else, to be honest) to doubt that the GameCube will launch on time.
The first point is a quick one, but it has great bearing on the GameCube’s chances of being released on time. It is a Nintendo machine. In the past, Nintendo has let down its loyal fanbase many times with a mixture of delays and blatant profiteering. Nintendo has admitted that the Game Boy Advance could have been made and released as much as three years ago but was unwilling to do so, as the Pokemon-powered Game Boy Color was selling so well.
The next point is the complete absence of any GameCube games or announcements at the recent Tokyo Game Show. Nintendo had originally stated that it would not be showing the Game Boy Advance at the show as it deemed the event to be more focussed on the home console market, and as such, would be focusing on the GameCube. Then, at the last minute Nintendo announced that the GBA would be in attendance. Many thought that this was a ploy to upstage Bandai’s WonderSwan Color (which it didn’t) but perhaps it was to divert attention away from the lack of GameCube presence.
At the Nintendo stand, there was little sign that the GameCube even exists. Perhaps it doesn’t. Nintendo officials were all smiles, brushing aside any questions regarding the missing console.
There is also the small matter of the connectivity between the Game Boy Advance and the GameCube. There will be many GBA games that will only reach their full potential when linked up to a GameCube, Including several new Pokemon titles. It is highly likely that Nintendo will try and engineer a situation whereby a GBA user-base that requires the GameCube to complete and make the most of its games exists.
“The GameCube will be released across all territories as planned,” said a typically bullish company spokesperson. “We are well into production of the hardware and can see no reason why there should be any delays.” This is reminiscent of “There will definitely be one million Game Boy Advance units available for America,” a comment made by Nintendo two days before it halved the allocation.
It just seems improbable that the console will be released on time. At present, GameCube is slated for a July release in Japan and an October release in the States. Europe has been given “Spring” as its release date. Thanks for that. It just seems that there will not be enough software available to successfully launch a console.
Thus far we have only seen working demos of a Mario title, Luigi’s Haunted Mansion, Meowth’s Party and Metroid. No second party games have yet been shown.
We do love Nintendo but a little realism or just old-fashioned honesty would be appreciated.
The first point is a quick one, but it has great bearing on the GameCube’s chances of being released on time. It is a Nintendo machine. In the past, Nintendo has let down its loyal fanbase many times with a mixture of delays and blatant profiteering. Nintendo has admitted that the Game Boy Advance could have been made and released as much as three years ago but was unwilling to do so, as the Pokemon-powered Game Boy Color was selling so well.
The next point is the complete absence of any GameCube games or announcements at the recent Tokyo Game Show. Nintendo had originally stated that it would not be showing the Game Boy Advance at the show as it deemed the event to be more focussed on the home console market, and as such, would be focusing on the GameCube. Then, at the last minute Nintendo announced that the GBA would be in attendance. Many thought that this was a ploy to upstage Bandai’s WonderSwan Color (which it didn’t) but perhaps it was to divert attention away from the lack of GameCube presence.
At the Nintendo stand, there was little sign that the GameCube even exists. Perhaps it doesn’t. Nintendo officials were all smiles, brushing aside any questions regarding the missing console.
There is also the small matter of the connectivity between the Game Boy Advance and the GameCube. There will be many GBA games that will only reach their full potential when linked up to a GameCube, Including several new Pokemon titles. It is highly likely that Nintendo will try and engineer a situation whereby a GBA user-base that requires the GameCube to complete and make the most of its games exists.
“The GameCube will be released across all territories as planned,” said a typically bullish company spokesperson. “We are well into production of the hardware and can see no reason why there should be any delays.” This is reminiscent of “There will definitely be one million Game Boy Advance units available for America,” a comment made by Nintendo two days before it halved the allocation.
It just seems improbable that the console will be released on time. At present, GameCube is slated for a July release in Japan and an October release in the States. Europe has been given “Spring” as its release date. Thanks for that. It just seems that there will not be enough software available to successfully launch a console.
Thus far we have only seen working demos of a Mario title, Luigi’s Haunted Mansion, Meowth’s Party and Metroid. No second party games have yet been shown.
We do love Nintendo but a little realism or just old-fashioned honesty would be appreciated.
Companies:
Nintendo
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