| Product: |
Computer and Video Games in general |
| Date: |
03/05/02 (17 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Small, Sexy, Powerful
Disadvantages: Large gaps in release dates, people won't give up with the "kiddy image" views
Dolphin, the original name that Nintendo came up with. I'm glad they changed it. It was a bad name, what were they thinking?
I'm not a zealot, but a Nintendo Loyalist (buh buh buh, before you shout, I own a PSOne and a Dreamcast too) and wouldn't of cared so much, as long as it delivered quality games.
Several years on, and I see it is gonna live up to the hype I gave it.
£129, that is an obscene price, especially for a big, next-gen console. What makes it even stranger is the fact that they dropped the price before they even released it.
Not only that but some quality games right from the very first day, boasting the largest range of launch titles for any launch.
The facts -
0.18 Microns copper-based 485MHz MPU.
24MB of cutting-edge 1T-SRAM.
162MHz GPU includes 3.1MB of embedded MoSys 1T-SRAM for Z-buffers, frame buffers, and texture cache.
6 to 12 million polygons per second.
Dimensions : 4.3"(Height) x 5.9"(Width) x 6.3"(Depth).
You can link Gameboy Advances and use them as controllers.
There will be expansion slots for either a broadband/56k modem.
The Games will come on micro disc format, developed by Nintendo, with a width of 8 cm, which can hold 1.5 gigs of data.
4 ports for 4 pads
2 memory card slots
Possible connection of multiple Gamecubes (similar to the Xbox)
The launch games -
Sonic Adventure 2 Battle
Super Monkey Ball
Cel Damage
Luigi's Mansion
Universal Studios
Burnout
Tony Hawk's pro skater 3
Wave Race: Blue Storm
ISS: International Superstar Soccer 2
Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader
FIFA World Cup 2002
Bloody Roar
Driven
Crazy Taxi
Extreme G3
NBA Street
NHL Hitz 20-02
Batman Vengeance
Tetris World
Donald Duck: Quack Attack
Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2
Tarzan's Freeride
With further releases including - Legends
of Wrestling, Pikmin, Super Smash Bros Melee,
and Resident Evil. The games will vary in price from £34.99 to £44.99.
Release date - 3rd May, not long to go !
Final opinion.
Many dismiss Nintendo, their consoles and the games, as for kiddies only, but thats not true, sure they have games with cutesy graphics and vibrant colours, but don't forget, they can cater for the adult market. No, Resident Evil doesn't qualify as the only "grown-ups" game, oh no, Eternal Darkness, Metroid Prime, Turok Evolution and BloodRayne destroy the kiddie image.
I think that Nintendo maybe onto a winner, the N64, in my mind wasn't a failure, but many flaws prevented to be as popular as the Playstation. But the Gamecube could prove to be Nintendos ace up it's proverbial sleeve. This means that Ninty are deadly serious at gaining the number 1 spot in, what can only be described as one of the largest console wars ever.
Stupidly cheap prices, and some triple A titles will prove Nintendo are the best in their field.
I'll be getting 5 games on launch, which should last me quite awhile, or at least until Resident Evil comes out anyway........
Summary:
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Last comment:
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pooky - 03/05/02 Yes it's finally here. i'm going out to buy mine later today and it will surely be worth the wait. And, unthinkable as this may have been six months ago, Nintendo really may be on to a big thing. Microsoft's Xbox is floundering everywhere but the good ol' US of A and Sony's PS2 is starting to look a little shaky with many of it's games simply not looking as good as those on other formats (they have also started word of mouth about the PS3, surely not the sign of confidence). And with a £129 price tag, it seems that maybe at last Nintendo are serious about Europe.
And I'll drink to that : ) |
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