GameCube
 An indigo GameCube console with its controller and the 251-block memory card. | |
| Also known as | Dolphin (code name) |
|---|---|
| Developer | Nintendo |
| Manufacturer |
|
| Type | Home video game console |
| Generation | Sixth generation |
| Release date | |
| Lifespan | 2001–2009 |
| Discontinued |
|
| Units sold |
|
| Media |
|
| Operating system | Dolphin OS |
| CPU | IBM PowerPC Gekko @ 486 MHz |
| Memory | 24 MB (total) |
| Storage | None |
| Removable storage | GameCube memory card (16 MB max. capacity) |
| Display |
|
| Graphics | ATI Flipper @ 162 MHz |
| Sound | Analog stereo (Dolby Pro Logic II) |
| Controller input | GameCube controller, WaveBird, Game Boy Advance, various other input devices |
| Connectivity | GameCube online functionality |
| Online services | Limited |
| Dimensions | 5.9 × 6.3 × 4.3 in 149 × 160 × 112 mm (width × depth × height) |
| Best-selling game | Super Smash Bros. Melee, 7.09 million (as of March 10, 2008[update])[5] |
| Predecessor | Nintendo 64 |
| Successor | Wii |
| Related articles | Panasonic Q |
The Nintendo GameCube (called GameCube, NGC, or GC for short) is the fourth video game home console made by Nintendo. Nintendo's previous console was called the Nintendo 64. Nintendo's next console is called the Nintendo Wii, released in 2006.
The Nintendo GameCube is the first Nintendo console to use discs to store the games. Unlike the other consoles at the time, the GameCube uses small discs instead of full-size DVDs.
The GameCube also had many new features compared to other Nintendo video game consoles, and was the first Nintendo console to officially support Internet play (playing together without wires). It could also connect to the Game Boy Advance to allow special features in some games.
The console was released on September 14, 2001 in Japan, November 18, 2001 in North America, May 3, 2002 in Europe and May 17, 2002 in Australia. The GameCube sold 21.74 million units worldwide.[4] The system was discontinued in early 2009.
Its successor, Wii, is backwards compatible with GameCube games. However, only the original model is. The Wii Family Edition and Wii Mini lack GameCube backwards compatibility. The Wii's successor, the Wii U can play GameCube games only if the Homebrew app is downloaded.
Controller[change | change source]
The GameCube's controllers have two analog joysticks. In many games, one of them is used to control a character, while the other is used to control the camera, or some other secondary function. In addition to the analog sticks and the directional pad (D-pad), there are eight buttons: A, B, Y, X, L, R, Z, and Start.
Nintendo later released a wireless version of the controller, called the WaveBird. Instead of wires, it used RF signals to communicate with the console and was powered by standard AA batteries.
Popular Games[change | change source]
The Nintendo GameCube was known of its popular first games, which includes:
- Super Smash Bros. Melee
- The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
- Super Mario Sunshine
- The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
- Mario Party 4, Mario Party 5, Mario Party 6, Mario Party 7
- Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
- Wave Race Blue Storm
References[change | change source]
- ↑ "Nintendo reports record GameCube launch". CNET News. Retrieved March 16, 2013.
- ↑ Martyn Williams (August 24, 2001). "Nintendo unveils Gamecube launch plans". CNN. Retrieved March 16, 2013.
- ↑ "NEW MEDIA | GameCube price dropped". BBC News. April 22, 2002. Retrieved March 16, 2013.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Consolidated Sales Transition by Region" (PDF). Nintendo. 2008-07-30. Retrieved 2008-07-30.
- ↑ Nintendo (March 10, 2008). "At Long Last, Nintendo Proclaims: Let the Brawls Begin on Wii!". Press release. Archived from the original on March 13, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080313235109/https://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/1u0FthaPxTSSeJelWm4Jt8TI0VJlTt5j. Retrieved March 11, 2008. "The previous installment in the series, Super Smash Bros. Melee, is the best-selling game for Nintendo GameCube with 7.09 million copies sold worldwide."
Notes
- ↑ Requires the use of the Digital AV port, which was removed from later models