Lots of people still sigh nostalgically when they recall the time they played Mario, Zelda, or Metroid games on the Nintendo GameCube. This revolutionary console is memorable not only for its great library of titles, but also advanced features, splendid graphics, cool sound, and state-of-the-art controllers. As a true connoisseur to GameCube legacy, you’ll definitely want to pay tribute to this splendid system by reading today’s post.
- And if you want to play the best GC classics, but don’t have a physical console, don’t worry. Just download a dedicated emulator, grab some cool GameCube ROMs, and set on your retro journey.
Not a Cube?!
Despite a name implying a perfect cube shape, the GameCube’s dimensions aren’t actually uniform for height, width, and length. But do you know why the GameCube was built in its famous cube shape? Well, according to retro gaming experts, the small shape was Nintendo’s effort to have a system be as small as possible to reduce the cost of the player who will be buying it.
Secret Sounds
The GameCube has a lot of firsts for Nintendo. It was the first system to use disk-based media. It had the first official wireless controllers. It also was the first system to start with its own internal system menu. Rather than start right up into the game with the cartridge-based systems of the past, the GameCube has a fun system introduction screen, a little tune that had a secret alternate version for gamers. Want to try it out? Well, if you own a good old GameCube device, just hold the ‘Z’ button on all four controllers at once and then turn the system on!
The Future of Gaming
The GameCube also represented a major leap-forward technology for Nintendo. We’ve already mentioned the wireless controllers and minidisk media that set the GameCube apart back in the day, but it wasn’t just that. The system was prototyped for a lot of other innovations that would actually make their way onto the future Nintendo systems. The GC controller was designed as one of the first ever to use motion-based technology. Of course, that would eventually get built into the Wii Remote in 2006. The GameCube graphics engine was also tested as one of the first to project 3D imagery, which was actually possible with a specialized LCD screen before eventually going mainstream with the 3DS nine years later in 2011. These things might seem normal now, but they would have been mind-blowing, had they actually been used way back in 2002. There were millions of people who bought the Wii or 3DS. And you can thank the GameCube for forging the path into the future.
Best Controller Ever?
There is widespread debate as to what actually ranks as the best controller ever. For lots of console gamers’ votes go to the GameCube controller. Its unique form factor in button layout makes it comfortable in hands of any size. And despite how it looks, one you pick it up, you realize how it was designed with the players’ natural hand movements in mind. The controller was so good that Nintendo left ports in the Wii to allow GameCube controllers for its backwards game compatibility. And then the company re-released the GameCube controller and a special GameCube adapter in 2016 for the Wii U. Also people could use it exclusively for the new release of Super Smash Brothers. Now whether you believe it’s the best controller or not, Nintendo clearly believes it. As they’ve now used it across three generations.
Meant for Fans
Those lots of people throughout the world admit that the GameCube was a revolutionary and devastatingly successful system, it would be unfair to deny the fact it had a rough start in its early days. The launch titles were not really good. And third-party support was far from being strong, which couldn’t but affect the sales. Nintendo managed to sell only 22 million GameCube units, letting its main rivals, Xbox and PlayStation, outsell it. Still, the GameCube learned from its mistakes and aged truly beautifully. It grew to include an epic library of games. It represented Nintendo’s first leap into the modern era, while solidifying their reputation as a company that focuses on gamers first. This philosophy was made clear in their pricing model where the company reduced the retail price to make their system more affordable. What’s more, Nintendo tried to bring their classic titles to a modern audience. From the revolutionary and controversial cel-shaded graphics of Wind Waker (which turned out to be amazing) to taking Metroid Prime to a first-person shoot (also amazing) to giving Mario a water gun and making him kick fruit. Not all of this risk turned to gold, of course, but Nintendo did it for you.
