Topics

151

Video Game Chat / GameCube successor under development? True.

« on: December 14, 2002, 06:58:20 PM »

I recently read an article at GameCubicle.com (it was actually posted at a number of different sites) regarding a future system under development by Nintendo that will be the successor to the GameCube...

According to Bloomberg, NEC Corp. is engaged in discussions with Nintendo Co. Ltd. regarding the co-development of a graphics chip for a next-generation Nintendo game console. The system would be GameCube's successor and compete with Xbox 2 and PlayStation 3. Hideki Wakabayashi, an analyst with Mizuho Securities, told Bloomberg, "It is natural for NEC to go with Nintendo. It would be difficult for NEC to switch and start supplying to Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.'s game machine." The Nintendo GameCube successor would likely see a release in 2005 or 2006. NEC and ATI recently announced the benchmark shipment of 12 million Flipper chips for Nintendo GameCube. The ATI-designed and NEC-manufactured Flipper is GameCube's core graphics processor.

GameCubicle.com will have much more information shortly...

December 13, 2002

Rick - Editor in Chief, GameCubicle

152

Video Game Chat / A much debated topic... NO FLAME WARS PLEASE!

« on: December 11, 2002, 07:30:39 PM »

Okay, I know many of you are tired of seeing people supporting the Xbox. Yes, I love the GameCube and all Nintendo games, but I must also be in favor of those Xbox fanboys...

GameCube and Xbox launched around the same time in November of 2001 (GC: Nov. 18, Xbox: Nov. 15). During the launches of both competing systems, GameCube had 3 top games at its disposal: Luigi's Mansion, Wave Race: Blue Storm, and Super Monkey Ball. Xbox had Dead or Alive and Halo (Halo being the top seller for that time).

A year has passed, and already the GameCube has had lots more success than the Xbox. Top games from Nintendo included: Super Smash Bros. Melee, Animal Crossing, Super Mario Sunshine, StarFox Adventures (Chupperson Weird's favorite game)...the list goes on.

The past year for Xbox has been less exciting. Titles like Blinx: The Timesweeper, NFL Fever, and Project Gotham Racing have failed to make much of an impact. Also, a huge lack of exclusive 3rd-party support have really hurt sales of the Xbox in Japan and Europe...not too good for Microsoft's first effort of console manufacturing.

Currently, the Xbox has had slightly better sales due to the introduction of Xbox Live, a "games only" online service. That product sold fairly well, and ironically, it has gained a fairly large amount of 3rd-party support...

And for GameCube, well these past months have been amazing for Nintendo's little purple cube. Superior games like Super Mario Sunshine and StarFox Adventures have boosted sales of GameCube hardware significantly. And Metroid Prime has already been voted "Game of the Year" in many online polls...

The future? Well it seems the GameCube has a much better future ahead. The release of Zelda: The Wind Waker will surely top the charts. Plus, the amount of exclusive 3rd-party support from Capcom, Sega, and Square will help the GameCube get an even larger hold on the foreign market.

And Xbox... Well let's just say that Microsoft had better come up with a better strategy for the foreign market. Because Xbox is still losing sales in Japan and Europe. Xbox Live is still too early to gain a significant amount of success - the online service hasn't even been released worldwide yet! The future certainly does not look bright for Microsoft's big monstrosity.

For now, we should all be happy that Nintendo is in the lead...and continue to enjoy the amount of high-quality games that Nintendo and it's supporters have made for us! Way to go Nintendo, keep up the great work!

Edited by - Mario Maniac on 12/11/2002 5:33:48 PM

153

Video Game Chat / New GameCube games confirmed by Miyamoto!

« on: December 11, 2002, 05:48:06 PM »

A few days ago, I read an article at Nintendojo.com stating that Shigeru Miyamoto (we all know who that is...) confirmed two new games are being developed for the GameCube: Pikmin 2 and Super Mario 128 (hopefully the true sequel to Super Mario 64)!

This is exciting news! Especially to those who had thought Super Mario Sunshine didn't live up to people's expectations...

Edited by - Mario Maniac on 12/11/2002 3:49:39 PM

154

Video Game Chat / Stupid Xbox fanboys...

« on: December 11, 2002, 01:26:33 PM »

Ever since the Xbox Live online service was released about a month ago, everyone seems to be liking the Xbox even more! The public is so nieve to invest in a system that is losing sales every week!

When will Microsoft just face the facts: The Xbox has already failed in almost every country outside the US... Japan has been against the Xbox ever since it launched about a year ago. So why can't Microsoft just accept defeat and retire from the console market?

Edited by - Mario Maniac on 12/11/2002 11:38:42 AM

155

Video Game Chat / Is this Nintendo's big announcement?

« on: December 10, 2002, 08:23:40 AM »

At Nintendo.com, I found an announcement about a special rebate offer on GameCube hardware and games for the holiday season...

Save on Nintendo GameCube, Select Games and Accessories with Nintendo Rebate Offer
Dec/09/02 12:00 PST

Nintendo brings a "Green" holiday to shoppers this season



To make the holiday season even merrier, Nintendo of America Inc. is offering two, one-week rebate offers to help consumers nationwide save when they purchase Nintendo’s popular holiday products.

The first offer allows consumers to save $25 on the purchase of a Platinum, Indigo or Black Nintendo GameCube or Super Mario Sunshine Nintendo GameCube Bundle Pak. The second provides up to $25 off when purchasing a WaveBird wireless controller or select Nintendo GameCube games ($5 off each, up to five items). Combined, these offers could mean as much as $50 in total savings. The offers run through Saturday, December 14.

Consumers can download and print a mail-in rebate form from www.nintendo.com/coupon. Also, a double-sided, full-color, mail-in rebate was included in nearly 30 million Sunday edition newspapers across the country. Rebate forms can also be found at participating retailers.

"Nintendo GameCube, combined with incredible momentum of Game Boy Advance sales, gives shoppers terrific choices this holiday season," says Peter MacDougall, executive vice president, sales and marketing, Nintendo of America Inc. "The one-week offer is an irresistible invitation to join the millions of gamers who've already discovered the world’s greatest video game console."

More than two dozen of the best Nintendo GameCube games are part of the rebate program, including Metroid Prime, Capcom’s Resident Evil Ø, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 from Activision, and Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance from Midway.

The manufacturer’s rebate offer is valid on purchases made between Sunday, December 8 and Saturday, December 14. Official rules for the rebate program can be found online on the downloadable coupons.

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If this is Nintendo's big announcement, then I guess it was a bit of a letdown...since we all thought it would be something bigger, like the potential buyout of a big corporation like Sega. I could be wrong, maybe there is still big news that we haven't heard yet.

156

Video Game Chat / Nintendo cameos!

« on: December 10, 2002, 08:16:28 AM »

I saw one of those "Got Milk?" commercials with a big Nintnedo reference in it. A boy was playing with a glass of chocolate milk (for some odd reason), and the commericial showed a scene where he was playing a GameCube!

Deezer, add that to your Nintendo references please!
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157

Video Game Chat / Classic Nintendo or modern Nintendo?

« on: December 10, 2002, 08:13:14 AM »

Which do you prefer, the more traditional 2D sidescrolling Nintendo games, or the more updated 3D platforming adventures?

I personally love the new 3D games that Nintendo has made for N64 and GameCube. But I still think that they could update the classic 2D games for the 'Cube as well...

158

Video Game Chat / Nintendo is here to stay, Microsoft is here to stay...

« on: December 06, 2002, 01:43:47 PM »

All those rumors about Microsoft dropping out of the console businness are just that: RUMORS.

Allow me to explain:
Even though the Xbox is failing everywhere outside the US, that doesn't mean Microsoft is going to quit anytime soon. Microsoft has been completely dedicated to the development of their Xbox, they even invested over $500 million (yes I said MILLION) for the Xbox.

Microsoft has repeatedly said that they are in this for the long haul. Now that the company has suffered from the millions of dollars they lost this year, I doubt they will keep that promise for much longer. Developers have found that the Nintendo GameCube provides a much better investment, simply because it is succeeding in other countries just like the dominating PS2.

Microsoft hasn't brought any good 3rd-party development support for their system recently. 3rd-party companies are noticing that the system is indeed failing and are not going to risk developing for it because of this reason. That is why the GameCube and PS2 are doing so well, because more developers are supporting those systems!

As you may know, most of the dead consoles (Sega consoles: Dreamcast, Saturn, 32X, etc.) in the history of video games resulted because of poor developer support and lack of sales in foriegn countries. The Xbox is currently experiencing these same problems - a lack of exclusive 3rd-party support and poor sales in foreign countries. Does this mean that Microsoft is giving up?

No. Microsoft is still going to continue investing in the Xbox, even though it is a poor decision on their part. There is really no chance for the Xbox to survive, unless Microsoft can convince foreign gamers that the system is worth buying. They are desperately trying to drop the price by offering special "game bundles" but these are just costing the company even more money.

Many people have wondered if Microsoft would eventually end up buying out some major 3rd-party company (like they did with Rare). Sega and Capcom have been mentioned, yes those would certainly bring more support for the Xbox overseas, but Microsoft hasn't mentioned anything regarding a future buyout...

For now, let's just (happily) accept the failure of the Xbox. Microsoft tried to conquer the video game market with a promise of astounding developer support and a huge library of great games. But all we've gotten from Microsoft is a bunch of disappointments and poor sales figures...

Better luck next time Microsoft... HA HA! GameCube rules all!

159

Video Game Chat / New Game Boy Advance games...

« on: December 02, 2002, 08:53:06 AM »

What do you think of Metroid Fusion and the not-yet-released Kirby: Nightmare in Dreamland?

I loved the Kirby series back on the original Game Boy. I am glad Nintendo and HAL Labs decided to bring back the pink puffball!

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past is almost here... This will be one of the biggest Nintendo games ever released for Game Boy! I can't wait!
-0-0-0-

160

Mario Chat / Future Mario games on GameCube...

« on: December 02, 2002, 08:48:43 AM »

What will they be? Mario Golf and Mario Tennis have been announced, but nothing new has been known about these games for quite a while! And what about Mario Kart for GameCube? Any new information on that title?

161

Video Game Chat / Nintendo is winning over Xbox!

« on: December 02, 2002, 08:46:17 AM »

Official press release on Nintendo.com:

Metroid Prime Sales Hit Quarter Million Mark
Nov/27/02 12:00 PST

Older Gamers Also Flocking to Nintendo GameCube Exclusive Resident Evil Ø



REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 27, 2002 – After waiting eight years for a return visit from their favorite video game heroine, a quarter million Nintendo GameCube owners in North America purchased the hit title Metroid Prime in its first week of availability. Coupled with the concurrent launch of Capcom’s Resident Evil Ø, also a Nintendo GameCube exclusive, well over half a million teen and older gamers will have purchased the two new games by the end of Thanksgiving weekend.

The appeal of these and other popular Nintendo GameCube titles has boosted Nintendo GameCube into second place in total system sales so far in November, according to a number of retailers.

"While Nintendo retains its legacy as the destination of choice for family gamers, we're also making substantial inroads with more mature players," says Peter MacDougall, executive vice president, sales and marketing, Nintendo of America Inc. "Both of these games are selling through at rates well beyond any game launched this year for Microsoft Xbox, which is skewed almost exclusively at older players."

In addition, Metroid Prime is selling through at a unit rate approximately 50 percent higher than Microsoft's Xbox Live online service. Both products retail at an identical MSRP ($49.95), and debuted simultaneously in the market.

Meanwhile, sales of the Game Boy Advance title Metroid Fusion, which is designed to interact with its Nintendo GameCube counterpart, have exceeded 100,000 units in the same period of time. Both games feature the eerie solitude and claustrophobic first person exploration that the classic original Metroid games demonstrated.

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Nintendo is back, bigger and much better than ever! GameCube and Metorid Prime are Nintendo's tickets to respect and prosperity in the world of video games!

Go Nintendo! If Nintendo's strong hardware and software sales keep up past Christmas season, Nintendo will be the supreme victor over Xbox! This is a dream come true!

Imagine what will happen once The Legend of Zelda is released for GameCube... TOTAL CHAOS WILL ERRUPT!

162

Video Game Chat / Nintendo's big announcement...

« on: November 25, 2002, 12:43:54 PM »

There have been rumors going around on the Internet of Nintendo going to release a BIG announcement by the end of the year.

If any of you have heard of these rumors, what do you think the announcement will be?

163

Video Game Chat / Exciting GameCube news (MUST READ)!

« on: November 19, 2002, 08:09:02 AM »

Here is an exciting perhiperal I just read about at nintendo.com:

Game Boy Hits Moving to the Big Screen
Nov/18/02 12:00 PST

Game Boy Player Attachment For Nintendo GameCube
Displays Game Boy Titles On Home Televisions



REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 19, 2002 – The most successful video game system in history is finally ready for its debut on the big screen. Nintendo of America Inc. today announced it will introduce the Nintendo GameCube Game Boy Player in May 2003, allowing a library of more than 1,000 games designed for the original Game Boy, Game Boy Color and the current Game Boy Advance to be displayed on home televisions through the Nintendo GameCube console.

The Game Boy Player, a one-inch platform connecting to the bottom of the Nintendo GameCube, will match the Nintendo GameCube footprint and allow players to use either their console controller or Game Boy Advance to direct action on screen.

"For several years, the video game industry has been pushing forward to new technical frontiers…while at the same time celebrating classic hit games of the past," says Peter MacDougall, executive vice president, sales and marketing, Nintendo of America Inc. "This new Game Boy Player actually fulfills both desires: it instantly makes your current favorite Game Boy Advance game larger-than-life, and at the same time allows you to see your favorite portable title from a decade ago in an entirely new way."

Since its introduction in 1989, Nintendo’s portable Game Boy line has been responsible for sales of more than half a billion games worldwide. And that total stands to jump substantially with the introductions of Metroid Fusion, launched this week in North America; The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, launching in North America on Dec. 2; and two new Pokémon games, Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire, launching in Japan on Nov. 21 and in the U.S., first quarter of next year.

Indirectly, the Game Boy Player will also boost the game library for Nintendo GameCube from 180 by year-end to well over 1,000 with the inclusion of hundreds of Game Boy titles. Plus, with the ability to play all of your favorite Game Boy games on the road and on a big screen at home, it is even more reason to own both Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance.

The Game Boy Player accommodates several novel forms of game play. With the Game Boy or Game Boy Advance game cartridge inserted in the Game Boy Player, a regular Nintendo GameCube controller or WaveBird wireless controller can direct the action. Or, using the Nintendo GameCube Game Boy Advance link cable (sold separately), the Game Boy Advance becomes the controller. The Game Boy Player also supports multiplayer action via Game Boy Advance Link Cables. Player one sees the action on the TV screen while other players view the screens on their linked Game Boy Advance systems.

The Game Boy Player will launch in Japan in March 2003. The manufacturer's suggested retail price has not yet been announced for the North American market.

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Playing Game Boy games on a TV is an awesome concept - a new revival of the classic Super Game Boy!

164

Video Game Chat / METROID PRIME IS HERE.............!!!!!!!!!!!!

« on: November 18, 2002, 06:31:02 AM »

One of the most highly anticipated Nintendo games of 2002 is shipping to stores acrossd the country: Metroid Prime!

Which will you buy, Metroid Prime or Metroid Fusion?

I don't have a GameCube yet - sniffle...:{ so I'll probably get Metroid Fusion since I do have a Game Boy Advance!

165

Video Game Chat / Nintendo cartoons...

« on: November 15, 2002, 12:42:16 PM »

How many of you have seen the new Kirby cartoon on the FoxBox Network (used to be called Fox Kids Network)? If so, then what did you think of it?

I saw a couple of episodes - this cartoon is MADE FOR BABIES! Well, yes it is Kirby, and yes Kirby is cute and puffy...but they could've made the cartoon to appeal to all ages instead of making it so friggin' cute!

Oh well...maybe Nintendo will make a new Zelda cartoon based on The Legend of Zelda for GameCube! Or even make a cartoon based on Metroid Prime/Metroid Fusion!

A Metroid cartoon would be AWESOME!
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