GameCube and Xbox launch details confirmed
Nintendo and Microsoft set to go to war this fall.
On the eve of E3, both Nintendo and Microsoft have revealed launch details for their upcoming super-consoles.
Nintendo has gone on record, stating that the newly developed GameCube console will launch in Japan on September 14th with the American launch set for November 5th. The European release is proposed for early 2002.
Microsoft has confirmed a U.S launch of November 8th for Xbox, just three days after the launch of GameCube. The proximity of these dates will pit the two industry giants against each other in what may become the ultimate console war. Whether or not the two launch dates are coincidental or intentional is unknown, but industry opinion states that the best time for platform releases lies between September and December.
Nintendo is notoriously unreliable at meeting launch dates, and the possibility remains that the company may push back the release of the console in all territories. The Nintendo 64’s experienced a one-year delay on its European release, which all but sank the platform. As a consequence it had little success, despite a great catalogue of first and second-party triple-A titles. Microsoft has never had a major hardware release before, but everyone is aware of how Windows 95’s name almost became an ironic joke.
Nintendo has yet to disclose details on marketing and pricing strategies. With Microsoft launching their console at $299, Nintendo may seek to launch at $250 or less, giving them a serious competitive advantage from the outset.
In Microsoft’s favour, the Xbox is a powerful piece of hardware. Early demonstrations have been very impressive, and the company claims that the machine is capable of much more. Microsoft has set aside a massive $500,000,000 for marketing. The company also claims it will have 600,000 to 800,000 units available for the American launch.
Fortunately, when such console wars occur it often proves most beneficial to the consumer. Both companies could slash the price of their consoles earlier than expected in an attempt to outsell one another. This is shaping up to be one hell of a battle.
Nintendo has gone on record, stating that the newly developed GameCube console will launch in Japan on September 14th with the American launch set for November 5th. The European release is proposed for early 2002.
Microsoft has confirmed a U.S launch of November 8th for Xbox, just three days after the launch of GameCube. The proximity of these dates will pit the two industry giants against each other in what may become the ultimate console war. Whether or not the two launch dates are coincidental or intentional is unknown, but industry opinion states that the best time for platform releases lies between September and December.
Nintendo is notoriously unreliable at meeting launch dates, and the possibility remains that the company may push back the release of the console in all territories. The Nintendo 64’s experienced a one-year delay on its European release, which all but sank the platform. As a consequence it had little success, despite a great catalogue of first and second-party triple-A titles. Microsoft has never had a major hardware release before, but everyone is aware of how Windows 95’s name almost became an ironic joke.
Nintendo has yet to disclose details on marketing and pricing strategies. With Microsoft launching their console at $299, Nintendo may seek to launch at $250 or less, giving them a serious competitive advantage from the outset.
In Microsoft’s favour, the Xbox is a powerful piece of hardware. Early demonstrations have been very impressive, and the company claims that the machine is capable of much more. Microsoft has set aside a massive $500,000,000 for marketing. The company also claims it will have 600,000 to 800,000 units available for the American launch.
Fortunately, when such console wars occur it often proves most beneficial to the consumer. Both companies could slash the price of their consoles earlier than expected in an attempt to outsell one another. This is shaping up to be one hell of a battle.
Companies:
Nintendo
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