Nintendo GameCube
Developer: Nintendo
Year Released: 2001
Generation: 6th
After five years of Sony dominance, the console market began to get interesting again. The two most successful software manufacturers tried to tempt gamers with new consoles: Microsoft as the newcomer on the scene, Nintendo as the veteran.
The GameCube was the first Nintendo console to use optical discs for its primary storage medium. The discs were similar to the mini-DVD format, and as a result of their smaller size, the system was not designed to play standard DVDs or audio CDs. Nintendo presented a variety of connectivity options for the GameCube. It supported online gaming for a small number of games via the broadband or modem adapters which was sold separately. Reception of the GameCube was generally positive. Some praised the extensive software library and high quality games, while others criticised the console’s exterior design and lack of features.
The PlayStation had caused Nintendo to lose its market share during the Nintendo 64 generation, and the GameCube just made things worse. The PS2’s sales numbers dwarfed those of the GameCube’s, while the Xbox sold slightly more. Despite this, things were still looking up for Nintendo. Huge sales from Nintendo’s handheld device Game Boy Advance kept the company profitable during the GameCube’s rough patch.
