Page 18 - Old School Gamer Magazine Issue #39 FREE Edition

In the realm of video game consoles, the Nintendo GameCube emerged amid a fiercely competitive
market. While its journey may not have unfolded as triumphantly
as Nintendo had envisioned, the GameCube has carved a niche as
a cherished underdog within the gaming community. The narrative of this console is woven with tales of challenges and victories. From delayed releases to the lack of online games and a perceptibly "kid-friendly" aesthetic, GameCube encountered obstacles on multiple fronts. Direct competition from
the PlayStation 2 and the original Xbox added further hurdles to its path. Despite these adversities, the GameCube stands as a testament to resilience.
While it holds the title of Nintendo's least successful console in terms
of retail sales, the GameCube eventually found its footing and surpassed the original Xbox
in overall profitability. This turnaround can be attributed
to a combination of factors, including a dedicated fanbase cultivated through the release of high-quality game titles and an attractive, affordable price point. The GameCube's legacy endures through the unwavering love of
its fanbase, a testament to the enduring impact of its well-crafted gaming experiences and its ability to overcome early setbacks.
The console's journey encountered a hiccup as Nintendo opted to delay its release by 13 days in the United States, shifting it from November
5, 2001, to November 18. This strategic move aimed to bolster inventory for a robust release day.
However, fortune played a fickle hand as Microsoft launched the original Xbox just 3 days before
the GameCube, on November 15, securing a slight advantage for the Xbox. Despite this temporal edge, both the Xbox and the GameCube found themselves trailing in the wake of the sales juggernaut, the PlayStation 2, which had graced the market in March of 2000.
While the GameCube never permanently ascended to the zenith of the market, consistently trailing the PlayStation, and maintaining
a neck-and-neck competition with the Xbox, there were noteworthy moments in the mid-2000s when the GameCube triumphed in sales over both its competitors. These sporadic instances showcased the console's resilience and ability
to carve its own path, even in the midst of formidable competition.
Merely five brief years following the GameCube's debut, Nintendo ushered in a new era with the release of the Nintendo Wii on November 19, 2006. This marked the triumphant conclusion of the GameCube's reign, with its era gracefully ending by February 2007. The arrival of the Wii not only signaled a shift in Nintendo's console landscape but also underscored the rapid evolution and innovation within the gaming industry during that period.
Now that we’ve gotten history out of the way, let’s talk about what makes the GameCube great. The GameCube was small but mighty in terms of capabilities. When compared to the PlayStation 2 and the Xbox, some critics felt that
the console was underpowered
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GAMECUBE
NINTENDO’S HIDDEN GEM
By Curry Blaha
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