GameCube US launch details.
We take a look across the Pond as Nintendo begins the big count
Yesterday Nintendo launched its GameCube into the $7 billion American market, hot on the heels of the Xbox from Microsoft.
The company readied an impressive 700,000 units for launch, compared to only 300,000 Xbox units, a feat of organisation and engineering of which Nintendo can be proud.
Although no definitive figures are available, we can reveal that 11 of the 15 busiest stores in Los Angeles had sold out of Cubes by close of business yesterday, compared to only five stores selling out of Xbox, even though more Nintendo machines were available. This is promising news for Nintendo.
The September 14 Japanese GameCube launch was troubled by only having three games available at launch, and overshadowed by the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Centre.
Initial reports suggest that the American launch was a resounding success.
“I was waiting for eleven hours to get my GameCube and it was worth it,” said Mike Malmsteen, a gamer who had queued all night outside a major New York game store. “I have always played Nintendo games and this is just like the company has grown up alongside me. When I saw the GameCube and Xbox when they were first shown, my mind was made up straight away. This will be the best console the world has seen and I can’t wait to get home!”
Scenes of people camping outside stores were reminiscent of the PlayStation 2 launch last year.
We will bring you precise sales figures as soon as Nintendo America makes their announcement later today.
The company readied an impressive 700,000 units for launch, compared to only 300,000 Xbox units, a feat of organisation and engineering of which Nintendo can be proud.
Although no definitive figures are available, we can reveal that 11 of the 15 busiest stores in Los Angeles had sold out of Cubes by close of business yesterday, compared to only five stores selling out of Xbox, even though more Nintendo machines were available. This is promising news for Nintendo.
The September 14 Japanese GameCube launch was troubled by only having three games available at launch, and overshadowed by the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Centre.
Initial reports suggest that the American launch was a resounding success.
“I was waiting for eleven hours to get my GameCube and it was worth it,” said Mike Malmsteen, a gamer who had queued all night outside a major New York game store. “I have always played Nintendo games and this is just like the company has grown up alongside me. When I saw the GameCube and Xbox when they were first shown, my mind was made up straight away. This will be the best console the world has seen and I can’t wait to get home!”
Scenes of people camping outside stores were reminiscent of the PlayStation 2 launch last year.
We will bring you precise sales figures as soon as Nintendo America makes their announcement later today.
Companies:
Nintendo
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