System Specs: CPU: Custom IBM Power PC "Gekko" 485 MHz GPU: Custom ATI(ArtX)/Nintendo "Flipper" Sound Processor: custom Macronix 16-bit DSP 64 simultaneous channels, ADPCM encoding Floating-point Arithmetic Capability: 10.5 GFLOPS (Peak) (MPU, Geometry Engine, HW Lighting Total) System Memory: 40MB, consisting of 24 MB MoSys 1T-SRAM and 16MB A-memory Media 3 inch NINTENDO GAMECUBE Disc based on Matsushita's Optical Disc Technology, Approx. 1.5GB Capacity 4 Controller Ports 2 Memory Card slots 3 Expansion ports for various uses 56K modem and Broadband Adapter (sold separately) Game Boy Advance link up (through peripherals)
Often attached with the “kiddy” stigma, this generation appears to be the one in which Nintendo attempts to shake that perception. While offering no DVD or CD playback, the ‘Cube is a pure gaming system which Nintendo can honestly say appeals to gamers of all ages. With exclusive AAA titles like Metroid Prime, Resident Evil 0, Super Mario Sunshine, and Star Wars Rogue Leader, the ‘Cube is certainly one little console that delivers in a big way. If you want that classic “Nintendo Difference”, put the GameCube on your shopping list this holiday season.
An update to the Metroid franchise was well overdue. Appearances in the Smash Brothers franchise just aren’t enough for fans of the series. Thankfully, Nintendo and Retro Studios have seen fit to deliver a brand new Metroid game. Here’s the catch: it’s played from the first person. Even so, this is the same Metroid that so many know and love. Even the platforming elements have been successfully brought to 3D. Samus is sent to investigate a distress signal on an unknown spacecraft, but things quickly turn sour when an old foe of hers makes an appearance. Samus ends up on the planet Tallon IV, attempting to track him down. While there, she uncovers the mystery of the planet, as well as the great danger lurking beneath the surface. In classic Metroid style, Samus begins the game armed with practically nothing. All power-ups must be earned, but this makes the player often feel truly rewarded after solving a puzzle or defeating a boss.
Metroid Prime is a game about exploration and being rewarded for it; it’s not a typical shoot ‘em up. This is also, without a doubt, the best game on the GameCube, and a serious contender for Game of the Year. No gamer should miss this one.
Animal Crossing
A sure sign of the changing times, Animal Crossing is a quirky Japanese game that Nintendo actually released in the U.S. It also happens to be nothing short of excellent, with "innovative" written all over it. Touted as a "communication game", it differs from most titles in that it lacks any clear point or even an end.
Your character runs errands, plants (or cuts down) trees, goes fishing, collects bugs… and plenty more. Some of us here at GWX have spent days simply rearranging furniture. The "communication" aspect comes into play when you get friends hooked; you can live in the same town, enabling you to leave messages or send letters to your buddies.
Also, you can "visit" other towns (each one is randomly generated) by loading your info on a memory card and bringing it over to a pal's house. The beauty of Crossing lies in it's wide potential demographic. We can't think of a game that brings people closer together, and really, isn't that what this season is all about? There's really no way to understand its brilliance short of playing it, so we won't even try. We'll just leave it at this: when your mom, sister and girlfriend are all addicted and begin telling embarrassing stories about you on the town message board, don't say we didn't warn you.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4
Tony Hawk is back again to skate into your GameCube library!
The previous Tony Hawk games have arrived to great fanfare and acclaim, and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 lives up to its namesake. For those unfamiliar with the phenomenon, Tony Hawk involves skating around either pre-made or custom skate parks pulling tricks, doing insane stunts, and just looking cool.
The heart of the game is the career mode, which includes interactive, pre-made levels that you can skate through as either a pre-made or custom skater. In order to unlock new levels, you must meet goals set by fellow skaters throughout the park.
The skate parks in Tony Hawk 4 are huge and the amount of customization possible is staggering, but not overwhelming. Tony Hawk 4 will provide hours upon hours of gaming goodness and is a good introduction into the world of extreme sports. Tony Hawk 4 has pulled all the good things from the previous versions and wrapped them up in one neat package. Enjoy!
TimeSplitters 2
TimeSplitters 2 is the sequel to last year’s PS2 launch title, this time around released on all major consoles. It is the definitive first-person shooter on the GameCube, in large part due to the immense replay value. While the story isn’t very well told, players will basically travel through time in the single-player game. The beauty of the story, then, is that it allows for much variety – each level is from a different era, be it NeoTokyo, the Wild West, or Notre Dame.
In addition to the single-player game lies the excellent cooperative mode, definitely the best way to play. “Stupid fun” ensues from the game’s many Challenges, which include throwing bricks through all the windows in one level, to fending off explosive monkeys with a minigun atop a dam. Hilarious.
But there’s more – Arcade (multiplayer) mode might as well be a game on its own, considering the 16 different modes of play, and 126 characters with different attributes (who must be unlocked). A single-player Arcade League is also available, with three leagues of increasing difficulty (think pathetically easy to impossible). And coolest of all, is the mapmaker, which Eidos has recently opened a site for ambitious mapmakers who just don’t know where to start (http://www.eidosinteractive.com/gss/legacy/timesplitters2/mapmaker/).
Of course, any game can have a billion options and still not deliver, depending on its gameplay. But rest assured, gift-giving gamers, for TimeSplitters 2 offers some of the tightest control, smart level design, and overall FUN gaming all around.
Super Mario Sunshine
Mario has always been the king of platformers, and this gem is no exception. Mario and Peach have headed to Isle Delphino for a much-needed vacation, but an imposter disguised as Mario is polluting the island. Gooey paint covers much of this tropical paradise, and Mario is charging with the crime. As punishment, he is forced to clean things up. While doing that, there’s plenty of the coin-collecting, butt-stomping and even Yoshi-riding that all gamers should be familiar with. One significant new gameplay element involves Mario’s water pack. This special pack has many functions; it’s a jetpack, a weapon, a propulsion device, and even a rocket. Mario Sunshine is one of the best 3D platformers ever released, and practically any gamer would be pleased to receive it.
Captain Olimar's spaceship has crashed, and you are his only hope!
In Pikmin, you must lead around hoards of small plant-like creatures called Pikmin and tell them what to do. 30 spaceship pieces must be collected within 30 game days, or Olimar will be permanently stuck on the planet.
Pikmin is a bright and cheerful game that is appropriate for people of all ages. While a few of the puzzles may be difficult for the youngest gamers, the game offers pointers that will help the second time around.
Pikmin offers a challenge mode as well, where gamers can compete for the best score in various situations. The main game is engaging enough that you can choose to either relax and take your time, or race through, trying to compete against the clock.
Pikmin is entertaining enough to interest gamers of all ages and is a must-own for Cube owners.
Super Monkey Ball
Remember Marble Madness? That’s generally the first thing one thinks of after a round of Monkey Ball. For some reason, a group of monkeys are trapped in clear plastic balls. By rolling them around each level, of which there 150, they can escape and go live in a house made of bananas. Sure, the plot is practically nonexistent, but the gameplay is top notch. Many levels involve guiding the monkey carefully along very thin platforms, but each level feels unique. This is also one of the best party titles on the GameCube, with six enjoyable mini-games for up to four players. The sequel, Super Monkey Ball 2, is also highly recommended.
A sequel to the much lauded N64 Super Smash Brothers, SSBM is a fun filled multi player fest that will provide hours and hours of fun for you and three of your buddies.
SSBM basically consists of Nintendo mascot characters whaling on each other using all sorts of painful moves and weapons and then sending them flying off the side of the game level and hurtling to their doom. With a total cast of 25 characters, the combinations and match-ups possible are nearly endless.
The game excels in nearly every way. The graphics are gorgeous. Every character model features a ton of detail and they all animate extremely well. The framerate in this game never drops below 60 fps, keeping the gameplay fast and smooth. The sound is likewise spectacular. Every fighter in the game oozes personality with their sound bites and the game has hands down one of the best soundtracks in any game ever. This game is a total audio/visual feast.
As a multiplayer game, SSBM has no peer. The more people you can round up to play, the more fun you'll have. The simple controls will allow anyone to just pick up the game and have fun and the dedicated players will find hidden depths to explore and master.
The single player aspect is the weakest part of SSBM however. There are plenty of modes to choose from when playing solo, but it is ultimately unsatisfying when compared to the glory that the 4-player mode provides. If you have 3 friends and can scrounge up 3 extra Cube controllers on a regular basis, then there is no better Christmas present than SSBM.
Resident Evil
Resident Evil is one of the best survival horror titles out there. Players guide Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine through a mansion, solving puzzles, shooting zombies, and piecing together exactly what happened. This is a remake of the original Resident Evil (PSone, Saturn), but there are many new elements. Several new rooms have been added, as well as a few new enemies. One cannot forget the absolutely gorgeous visuals. In a game so focused on atmosphere, graphics can make a big impact. Keep in mind, of course, that this is a frightening and graphic game. This isn’t something Santa should be leaving under the tree for the kids.
Any GameCube owner will be sure to run out of space on his or her memory card, considering the rather small Memory Card 59. Nintendo's solution? The Memory Card 251.
59 and 251 represent how many "blocks" each card has - each game occupies a certain number of blocks to save. The original Memory Card 59 was adequate at launch, but is nothing compared to the Memory Card 251, which holds more than four times the amount of blocks as the original. It's also black. With a gold sticker. That basically warrants the purchase right there.
To be honest, however, it is more than obvious that Nintendo is ripping gamers off with its memory cards, especially when compared to Sony's 8MB card (16X bigger than the Memory Card 59), which retails for a slightly higher price. For this Christmas, however, the Memory Card 251 is the way to go.
Wave Bird
The Wave Bird is a fantastic alternative to Nintendo’s default controller. It has the same look and feel, minus the cord. It’s a wireless controller, allowing gamers to play from more than 40 feet away. We’re not sure why anyone would play from 40 feet away, but it’s nice to have such range. The wireless connection also happens to be flawless. Even in very precise games like Super Monkey Ball, the Wave Bird never misses a beat. The controller also features multiple frequencies, so several Wave Birds can play at the same time without mixing signals.
