The video game industry is always looking forward and focused on pushing the medium to new and challenging places that continue to prove the value of video games as a legitimate form of art. There are many important players in the gaming industry, but Nintendo is a developer that still plays a crucial role in the shape of where gaming is headed.
Nintendo has had its ups and downs when it comes to consoles and it’s hard to believe that their playful Gamecube console is now 20 years old. Nintendo has improved upon their Gamecube formula with their later console contributions, but some consider the Gamecube to be the last true console for hardcore gaming enthusiasts.
10 The Console’s Sterling Launch Title Line-Up
Sometimes it takes a while for a video game console to find its footing and establish a strong library of games, but there’s always a lot of pressure put on the original launch titles that debut with a new console. A console’s launch titles can say a lot about the console’s intentions. The Gamecube hits the ground running with an impressive and diverse library that pulls from Nintendo’s past and also looks to the future. The Gamecube’s US launch contains classics like Luigi's Mansion, Rogue Squadron II, Wave Race: Blue Storm, and Super Monkey Ball.
9 Emphasis On Four-Player Multiplayer Experience
The Nintendo 64 opened up new doors for Nintendo with a console that features a four-player experience right out of the box. The Gamecube doesn’t regress in this area and they better prioritize a roster of games that cater towards a party that can be enjoyed by multiple people rather than a solo gamer. Super Smash Bros. Melee, Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, F-Zero GX, and a number of Mario Party and sports titles are just a fraction of the multiplayer games. The Gamecube even had the power to feature more robust multiplayer experiences, LAN parties, and limited online capabilities.
8 The Wireless WaveBird Controller
Video game controllers can sometimes make or break the audience’s reception of a console and the Gamecube certainly has one of the stranger controllers that packs in a lot of functions. The Gamecube controller might look a little awkward and busy, but it’s a perfect tool for what Gamecube titles offer.
A major breakthrough for the Gamecube was the introduction of their wireless WaveBird controllers, which offered an even more comfortable experience. The wireless WaveBirds basically became the norm for Gamecube players and helped inform Nintendo’s future controllers moving forward.
7 Advanced Connectivity With The Game Boy Advance
Nintendo has made a name for themselves due to some of their more unconventional approaches to console gaming and how titles can be experienced. This level of experimentation started to grow during the Gamecube’s development and Nintendo found inspired ways to combine their handheld Game Boy Advance with their home console. The Gamecube can connect with the Game Boy Advance for additional functionality, or to even function as an extra controller. There’s also tons of DLC that’s accessible through the GBA’s e-Reader that’s specific to the Gamecube
6 It Embraces Weirder Peripherals And Gameplay Styles For The First Time
Video game consoles have reached a point where extravagant peripherals, some of which only correspond to a single game, have become appealing to a certain dedicated sect of gamers. The Gamecube takes some real risks in this department, which pushes the limits of what’s expected of the console and how its games can be played. The Gamecube featured creative controllers like the DK Bongos, the ASCII Keyboard Controller, a Hori Fighting Stick, and a Dance Pad for Dance Dance Revolution titles. There are even accessories that convert PlayStation 2 DualShock controllers to work on the Gamecube.
5 Its Easily Transportable Console
What’s most important with a video game console is the technology that it contains and how stable it’s able to perform, but there’s still a lot of emphasis placed on the aesthetic aspects of a console and how it physically looks. Much like the Gamecube’s name indicates, the Nintendo console is a compact cube that’s light and easy to transport.
This is simplified even further through the use of the Gamecube’s carrying handle. Additionally, attachable LCD screens for the Gamecube exist, which allows the console to become fully portable and can function without even the use of a TV.
4 It Can Be Turned Into A Karaoke Machine And DVD Player
A video game console should excel when it comes to video games, first and foremost, but there are plenty of examples where a console’s supplementary features are what allowed it to overwhelm the competition. The Gamecube comes as a complete package, but there are some drastic improvements that are possible. Panasonic got involved with Nintendo to produce versions of the consoles with DVD players, turning it into more of a multimedia device. There are also peripherals that turn the Gamecube into a karaoke machine so a whole different kind of fun can be had with friends.
3 It's A Dedicated Player For Game Boy Games On The Big Screen
One of Nintendo’s greatest advantages throughout the console wars is that they’re a company that doesn’t just tackle the home console market, but also has a storied history with handheld gaming. Nintendo has come up with different ways to combine these different streams of gaming. The Gamecube’s Game Boy Player, like the Super Nintendo’s Super Game Boy before it, allows audiences to play Game Boy titles on the comfort of their television. It brings a whole new library of titles to people who originally missed out on them or didn’t get into handheld gaming.
2 It Popularized The Microphone And Voice Chat For Nintendo
Nintendo has blazed trails when it comes to many areas in gaming, but one stream in which they continue to struggle is with online functionality and an exceptional online multiplayer experience. Nintendo’s progress has been minimal here, but the Gamecube does make use of a microphone peripheral in some creative ways. The N64 featured a microphone in an extremely limited capacity, but the Gamecube makes it a more justified accessory. It’s helpful in Mario Party 6 and 7, but also integral in more voice-based games, like Odama.
1 They Became A Major Partner With Sega Following The Dreamcast’s Failure
The landscape of the video game industry has gradually changed across the different generations of gaming. Sega used to be a major first-party developer that could go head-to-head with Nintendo as serious competition. Unfortunately, the Dreamcast signaled the end of Sega’s first-party efforts and they shifted towards third-party multi-platform releases. Sega released games for the Xbox and PlayStation 2, but it often felt like they had a greater bond with Nintendo’s Gamecube. Some of the most promising Gamecube titles are Sega offerings that get improved with Nintendo’s technology.