GameCube Launch Numbers

Re: Update Jack

I'm sure that DID have something to do with the low numbers, however one report in particular still makes me wonder about that. Supposedly a large percentage of those waiting in line were NOT Japanese, but Americans scooping up the early imports. Don't forget also that the Japanese are incredibly "connected" and cell-phone and handheld tech is MUCH more widely used there. They could have easily been waiting in line and been getting live feeds on their handhelds and internet access enabled cells.

Again, I'm sure the tragedy back in the States had an impact on GC sales, just not as much as others may think (or rationalize!)

By the way - I'll be first in line for a GameCube on US launch day.

i am so looking forward to the gamecube...
all new systems are cool, but there is just something special about a nintendo.

though the release happened shortly after a "WORLDWIDE TRAGEDY" ....I never prevented myself from buying a cheeseburger because some kid was starving in Africa.

Dont get me wrong..in NO WAY am I trying to set aside the attacks on the US...I am a major believer in America and even more so now...and I feel for all of those that suffered..or are suffering...

however...I am making a point...

did I prevent myself from buying my copy of a game even though there was a bum begging for change right outside of the store? Granted the tragedy is probably one of the worst to ever happen to us....

but did you think that it MIGHT be possible that the sales were lower than expected because people wanted to wait for more...better release titles? I know I would...I got the n64 the day it came out to play Mario 64..and I dug it...but Waverace sucked...what was that other one...Pilotwings? What was THAT crap?

I wouldve waited myself until Nintendo had gotten some better release titles out..or just titles in general...and eventually when they do..I may get one...but for now...I am going to be spending some quality time with the Xbox...

Actually, I am able to browse a rather large amount of prOn with my dreamcast, it was the greatest thing ever. I still can't understand why it failed, maybe they didn't push the pr0n browsing capabilitys enough.

So the big question: Were the Japanese glued to their TVs because they love us and they're worried about us, or they think we got our just deserts, or they're worried that they might be next? (realize I'm only playing devil's advocate for sparking conversation...) I personally think it's a combination of a lil bit of one and a lil bit of three. Bad news for Nintendo, but it's nice to feel like we're actually a part of a world community with our former enemies.

And as for the GC/PS2 argument, PS2 is gonna get roasted once X-Box and GC launch here, and Sony knows it. Why do you think when the PS2 had not even launched here and Microsoft was hyping the X-Box, Sony started hyping the PS3? Cuz they're afraid of the competition, and they should be. I ain't buyin a PS2. I see one game on it that I like, and it's not a platform selling game to me cuz driving games aren't my greatest passion in life. (One guess what that one game is...)

Nintendo's sales will snap right back up. I'm a little annoyed that they'd dare whine about "disappointing" sales at a time like this though...

and another thing:

we're finally going to get some creative game titles out of nintendo!
since this is not a 'super' or a '64'

mario
super mario
mario 64
mario 'SUNSHINE'

yay!
small detail but i like details

I cannot wait to buy a gamecube. Zelda looks great, wave race was fun for n64, metroid, all they need now is a new earthbound, double dragon, ninja gaiden, and river city ransom and i will once again be hooked for life by howard and nester :D

I think Jack has a point.

And I also think sales numbers mean shit compared to quality, fun games.

This...Gamecube....it must be mine. By whatever means it takes, i will own one.

I love it. Just because you don't have to wait overnight to pick up your screw the customer forced bundle pre-order or to wait 24 HOURS for the privlage not to get a system its called a disapointment. Yet when you're able to walk into the store and pickup a system and a QUALITY game, not some fantavision crap and buy it right then LIKE NORMAL, people scream flop.
I just know that somewhere, someplace sony has a large vault filled with all the gamer souls they've sucked out of the japanese with their crappy repetive series games and screw the customer tactics.

I've heard that the XBox has 2 of the NVidia GPU's... Is this true?

Perhaps Jack can back me up on this, but perfromance wise, I'd put gamecube up there with X Box, and as far as software... um..... it's a nintendo console, do we need to say more on this?

The lack of hard drive and broadband internet access are factors for some, but not really for me.

I'll probably end up getting both an X Box and a Gamecube (probably not a ps2), but I'll probably get the X Box at launch (hey, gotta support our company, plus, I need DOA3), and I'll end up getting a gamecube whenever Zelda comes out. (Of course I'll be buying Metroid, too)

So many uninformed comments in here, where should I start...

Launch titles. Three. PS2 in Japan didn't have much more (I know, I bought one from Japan the week it was released). GC will have at least 13 titles at US launch. All three current launch titles are high quality titles.

Bad numbers according to analysts. Apart from what Jack said, Nintendo also did no promotion of this thing. Very few advertisements, hardly any in-store promotions. And still they sold 300,000. And remember that's 300,000 happy customers, rather than droves of unhappy customers who couldn't get a PS2 like Sony had. Also, most Japanese PS2's have been sold as DVD players (as consumers see that they're getting a new console AND a cheap DVD player) and software sales have been disappointing (just ask Namco, they've lost a ton of money on it).

Kiddie titles. Have you seen that Resident Evil is now exclusively GC? Have you seen the screenshots at IGN? What about Metroid? Eternal Darkness? Shall I go on? Plus, any Japanese title for PS2 or XBOX is almost guaranteed to come out on GC too (especially the XBOX titles, since JAP developers have a real problem with creating exclusive titles for a non-Japanese console).


GC launch titles look good, and nicely next generation. There's a huge graphical leap here between N64 Wave Race and GC Wave Race. Now while the same can be said of PS to PS2 - Soul Calibur on the DC looks better than Tekken TT on the PS2, and that's just not right.

Odd how somebody thought Wave Race handled terribly, felt fine to me. Not too different from the original, but noticable enough. Most likely because the waves effect your ski more than before. Also remember that each of the eight riders has their own skills, so try somebody else and see if you find them better (I've certainly found that some can turn on a penny, while others can't as easily).

80% of games on the PS2 are great?.... I must have bought the 20% that are complete ass then (and that includes Tekken TT, which isn't a patch on Soul Calibur and Gran Turismo 3 which is just not fun).

And yes, I have a GameCube. Luigi is too much fun.

screw nintendo...little kid games and shit...the only thing i EVER liked for the 64 was the wrestling games and thats IT.

PS2 all the way baby...anyone who hasnt tried Twisted metal black is SERIOUSLY missing out

I just got mine 4-5 days ago. Some of us aren't as lucky.

Yeah Jack is probably right!

actually Jack usually is right!

OH WTF JACK IS ALWAYS RIGHT :-)

Okay Jack, you've been playing with the Gamecube. Tell us how much it kicks ass. Like, give us a totally over the top Billy Wilson type quote. That'd be cool.

Don't worry Jack, I'll pick up a gamecube at gamestop for 50 bucks after if fails..heh

This thread has been * D E M O T E D *

I want my GameCube Fire Engine Red, not Prissy Purple!

Maybe the lackluster Japanese economy right now also added to the low numbers (just a suggestion). Personally, DOA3 and Jet Set Radio Future, and has sold me... plus "VGA Box" like capabilities... and the broadband gaming of the X-Box. Although PSO v2 would be extremely nice on the GC... if they took multiplayer seriously.

Well, gee, what a plunge.... I can see where this system is going.

"Hello, is this the morgue?"

pfffff your wrong jack, go eat a taco =P

Jack's comment makes sense.

Although I'm hardly rooting for the X-box and am in fact pretty biased against it, I think the combination of war and a battered economy bode very poorly for Microsoft's chances.

Not really exciting games to launch a system with....wait a while for the truly amazing games to launch before judging the Gamecube!

I just hope no one forgot the reaction the GameCube got at the last E3. It was at the very least neck and neck (if not ahead) of the PS2, and WAAAAY ahead of the XBox in almost everyone's mind. From system quality, to fun looking games, to polish, everything.

Remember how all the reviewers were sh*tting all over the XBox's dismal showing?

Chalk disappointing GameCube sales figures up to bad (too little too late) marketing, not to an inferior system.

Those launch numbers are truly painful.

How can 300,000 units be disapointing at $210 each. That is 63 million dollars!

Warped man!

Although there are not as meany titles for the cube, some look realy cool! Like the new waveracer, and the starwars rougesquadron!

we have 2 gamecubes at work (uk). luigi is damn fun once you get used to the slightly odd controls (who'd have thought a [essentially] side-scroller could be tough to control :)

wave race isnt bad, but handles terribly

with all the chaos floating around, i'm not in all interested with playin games either.. i'm still buyin a gamecube this xmas though.. no big deal, analyists can kiss my hairy ass

Totally, totally disappointing.