# Is the Gamecube a ship sinking into the abyss of failed game systems? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 23, 2003, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-gamecube-a-ship-sinking-into-the-abyss-of-failed-game-systems/156947 "2003-02-23T09:26:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![lothos2002](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/df788c/32.png) [@lothos2002](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lothos2002)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-gamecube-a-ship-sinking-into-the-abyss-of-failed-game-systems/156947/41 "2003-02-25T23:33:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CyberPundit \* > \*\*The obvious difference between videogames and say oil is that the former is a form of entertainment whereas the latter serves only a functional purpose so obviously the oil industry isn’t so interesting. > > If you look at other industries in popular entertainment, especially movies, they draw a lot of attention as well. For instance there are many people who follow boxoffice numbers week by week. \*\* That’s my point exactly, I just find it odd that people would be so interested in the financial aspects of companies that make entertainment products, especially videogames, when compared to other kinds of companies. The basics are the same, and yet one seems interesting to more people than the other. I’m not saying it’s wrong or bad, just odd that the underlying subject matter interest the general public (not only financial analysts) in one case, but would be considered petrifyingly boring in the other, even though it’s basically the same. Only an observation. Sorry for the hijack, everyone. ---
**Author:** ![DougAB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@DougAB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DougAB)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-gamecube-a-ship-sinking-into-the-abyss-of-failed-game-systems/156947/42 "2003-02-25T23:40:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Join the club. I’m still baffled as to how “Jet Set Radio” didn’t become a huge-seller. And why the Dreamcast tanked. Oh, boy. Jet Set Radio is the most ridiculous game I have ever played. I got it for free, and I played it once. For 5 minutes. Why would anyone want to play a game where the characters are constantly dancing to non existent music, but whose mouths dont move while they talk? Not to mention the fact that every 3 seconds you’re bombarded with the cliche “Sure you’re good, but you’ve still got to prove yourself on the STREETS!” ---
**Author:** ![SolGrundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbce88/32.png) [@SolGrundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SolGrundy)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-gamecube-a-ship-sinking-into-the-abyss-of-failed-game-systems/156947/43 "2003-02-25T23:46:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DougAB \* > **Oh, boy. Jet Set Radio is the most ridiculous game I have ever played. I got it for free, and I played it once. For 5 minutes. Why would anyone want to play a game where the characters are constantly dancing to non existent music, but whose mouths dont move while they talk?** Yeah, excellent point. It’s not excellent level design, intuitive control, and stylish presentation that people are looking for in videogames; it’s all about the lip-synch. As for “non existent music,” I don’t know where the hell that came from – are you sure your speakers were plugged in? Remember that you have to hit the mute button an even number of times. ---
**Author:** ![JDeMobray](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/85e7bf/32.png) [@JDeMobray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JDeMobray)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-gamecube-a-ship-sinking-into-the-abyss-of-failed-game-systems/156947/44 "2003-02-26T00:53:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by skaterboarder87 \* > \*\*Nintendo is the most profitable video game company as demonstrated by this report, and that’s exactly why Nintendo will not leave the hardware business. \*\* Rather than going through planetgamecube, the link to the DFC press release is [here](http://www.dfcint.com/news/prfeb112003.html). Of note: the report actually puts Nintendo in second place, looking only at revenue, at $32 billion compared to Sony’s $36 billion. Also, the grouping in the study of Nintendo with Sony, Microsoft and most tellingly Electronic Arts leads me to the conclusion that the study is tracking software sales. Not console sales, which would be the determining factor in continuing to produce hardware. (And which is also, co-incidentally, the area where Sony’s dominance would be most apparent.) ---
**Author:** ![green\_dragon\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/13edae/32.png) [@green\_dragon\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/green_dragon_1)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-gamecube-a-ship-sinking-into-the-abyss-of-failed-game-systems/156947/45 "2003-02-26T01:46:24Z")
I love the PS2! _Ahem_ anyway, do carry on… ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-gamecube-a-ship-sinking-into-the-abyss-of-failed-game-systems/156947/46 "2003-02-26T02:25:54Z")
Over the years I’ve owned an Atari, a NES, a Sega Genesis and CD, a Nintendo 64, and finally a PS 2. My heart isn’t with any one system and I don’t feel the need to get into a pissing contest to say which one is better. I don’t think Nintendo is sinking but I don’t think their console is nearly as successful as they wanted it to be. I felt like I got burned with the N64 so when they announce the GC I knew I wasn’t going to buy it. From what I’ve been able to see the GC is repeating the same mistakes made with N64. They just don’t release enough decent games. I actually had to decide whether to buy an X-Box or a PS 2. Sony was pretty good about releasing a variety of games so I went with them instead of the untested X-Box. At this point I’m pretty happy with the system I choose. Having competeting systems is a good thing in my book. If I had to pick my next system today I’d go with whatever Sony puts out. Though perhaps X-Box and GC can convince me that their next system will be the superior one. As I said I’m not a fan boy, I just want the best bang for my buck. Marc ---
**Author:** ![JDeMobray](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/85e7bf/32.png) [@JDeMobray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JDeMobray)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-gamecube-a-ship-sinking-into-the-abyss-of-failed-game-systems/156947/47 "2003-02-26T03:58:46Z")
For the record, I am a tremendous geek; I have all three systems. I probably play the PS2 the most. It simply has the most games that I enjoy. The XBox has very few games that I enjoy, but the few that I do like seem to be masterpieces. The technical performance of the XBox cannot be beaten, it seems, with the current generation of consoles. The Gamecube. . . well the Gamecube has quite a few games that are fun to play with a group. My friends all enjoy the Monkey Ball games and SSB: Melee. As for single player games, in my opinion, the Gamecube isn’t that strong. Mario Sunshine was a real disappointment, Metroid: Prime wasn’t and Legend of Zelda doesn’t look promising. I’m holding out hope for Mario Kart, though 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-gamecube-a-ship-sinking-into-the-abyss-of-failed-game-systems/156947/48 "2003-02-26T04:55:36Z")
Zelda is a great game, turst me. I’ve played it and it’s awesome. I agree with Mario… It wasn’t great. (Metroid: Prime wasn’t what? A Disappointment?) ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-gamecube-a-ship-sinking-into-the-abyss-of-failed-game-systems/156947/49 "2003-02-26T10:22:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SolGrundy \* > \*\*Yeah, excellent point. It’s not excellent level design, intuitive control, and stylish presentation that people are looking for in videogames; it’s all about the lip-synch. > \*\* I hated Jet Set Radio because of the control method, which was designed purely for moving fast in open areas. As soon as got into any sort of confined space or wanted to move slowly with any desgree of accuracy the whole thing fell apart. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-gamecube-a-ship-sinking-into-the-abyss-of-failed-game-systems/156947/50 "2003-02-26T10:25:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by UnwrittenNocturne \* > \*\*I will buy any console with the Final Fantasy series…guess that means my PS2. I found the controller for the GC too small, and purely hated the one for X-Box. Now I eagerly await PS3 \*\* Of course, Square are now making a Final Fantasy game for the Gamecube (Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles) and Final Fantasy Tactics is coming out on the GBA. ---
**Author:** ![JDeMobray](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/85e7bf/32.png) [@JDeMobray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JDeMobray)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-gamecube-a-ship-sinking-into-the-abyss-of-failed-game-systems/156947/51 "2003-02-26T21:42:00Z")
From [Strategy Analytics’](http://www.strategyanalytics.com/cgi-bin/greports.cgi?rid=172003020621) report on Advanced Game Consoles. > [@](#): > > Global sales of advanced 128-bit consoles reached 32.9 million units in 2002, according to the research. PS2 was the choice of nearly 70 percent of buyers, while the remainder was split evenly between GameCube and XBox. Total sales of all platforms in 2003 are predicted to reach 36.2 million units, but GameCube’s sales are expected to fall by 4 percent in 2003, while XBox sales will rise by 12 percent. Key drivers of this trend are XBox’s growing software library, its clearly defined online gaming strategy, and Microsoft’s substantial investments in the platform. By contrast, the GameCube’s online strategy is unclear, and its support from publishers appears to waning. Again, marketing research is a nebulous, uncertain field but the sales numbers (70% PS2 marketshare) are pretty clear. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-gamecube-a-ship-sinking-into-the-abyss-of-failed-game-systems/156947/52 "2003-02-26T21:56:52Z")
“clearly defined online gaming strategy” Seeing as online gaming has been the “next big thing” for about the last 3-4 years, I wouldn’t hold my breath for this doing much. I find it strange that they think the Xbox’s sales will rise and Gamecube’s will fall when the Xbox is finding it almost impossible to sell anything in one of the three main regions. “Sustanital investments” are, I guess, Xbox Live. As I said above, console online gaming was supposed to be here ages ago. A service which is already failing on its initial promise of one monthly fee to cover all games (Phantasy Star Online will charge a seperate fee) and is broadband-only when huge numbers of owners do not live anywhere near broadband is not the kind of service I would pin my hopes on. ---
**Author:** ![Frida\_s\_Boss](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/49beb7/32.png) [@Frida\_s\_Boss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frida_s_Boss)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-gamecube-a-ship-sinking-into-the-abyss-of-failed-game-systems/156947/53 "2003-02-26T22:21:29Z")
if they come out with a new version of mario golf and tennis for the cube i think that they may be able to save it a little bit, but it may be too little too late. the lack of dvd player and internet access may have been bigger mistakes than they thought. ---
**Author:** ![JDeMobray](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/85e7bf/32.png) [@JDeMobray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JDeMobray)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-gamecube-a-ship-sinking-into-the-abyss-of-failed-game-systems/156947/54 "2003-02-26T22:31:05Z")
I’m not convinced that DVD and internet access are neccesarily a strong selling point for the consoles, since it seems that Nintendo and Microsoft are both getting equal console sales despite the lack of either on the cube. Ideally, I would think the Gamecube could drop in price (for the console while maintaining the same prices for the games). Of course, I don’t know what kind of a profit (if any) Nintendo makes on each console sale. The problem with that, of course, is that any price reduction that Nintendo could do would be instantly matched at the very least by Sony. ---
**Author:** ![erislover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/71e660/32.png) [@erislover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erislover)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-gamecube-a-ship-sinking-into-the-abyss-of-failed-game-systems/156947/55 "2003-02-26T22:31:42Z")
70% market share means shit, I’m sorry. I own two PS2 titles, and I own seven GC titles. If GTA ever makes it to the “Greatest Hits” collection I’ll own three PS2 titles. Sony has a decent system, but the games just don’t grab me. XBox is doing slightly better than PS2 in my book, given the number of games I own. Nintendo is crushing them. And the N64? Christ, I own more N64 games than I do PS2+GC+XB combined. Nintendo is a constant companion with what pretty much amount to excellent reliability in first and second party titles both in gameplay/fun and release schedules (another reason I never listen to the hype). Third party titles are the same on all three systems: a crapshoot, sports being the most notable genre which can wildly vary in quality. Nintendo’s games have never let me down one bit. The worst they did IMO was Starfox Adventures which just wasn’t enough to warrant a purchase, but I thought the game was fun as hell. Smash Brothers is awesome, but when Soul Calibur II comes out, well, that dominates all fighting games ever so no comment, that’s just an unfair comparison. I can understand why people bought a PS2. Mine is collecting dust right now, but it wasn’t forever and it won’t be forever (well, until the PS3 comes out, heh). None of my systems are in constant use, but the GC is my most-used. Metroid was everything I dreamed it would be and more. FPS? Hell no, that’s a comparison no one should make. FPA? You taint it with such banality. It was pure perfection, except it only took about 40-60 hours to do everything. Still, they made the move (as with Zelda) from 2-D to 3-D so gracefully that I can’t even begin to imagine how they planned such a thing. Metroid still feels like Metroid, and Zelda still felt like Zelda, even though they both took advantage of the 3-D world. Amazing. Sony (and theirs) are good, but they ain’t that good. Will I buy a PS3? Yeah. Will I buy whatever Nintendo decides to bring out? Oh yes! They have never let me down yet. Disappointed with the quantity? Nope! - I think they’ve got it just right. The day I care if someone releases 500 games is the day I can play that many, which I can’t, so who gives a shit? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-gamecube-a-ship-sinking-into-the-abyss-of-failed-game-systems/156947/56 "2003-02-26T22:32:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Frida’s\_Boss \* > \*\*if they come out with a new version of mario golf and tennis for the cube i think that they may be able to save it a little bit, but it may be too little too late. the lack of dvd player and internet access may have been bigger mistakes than they thought. \*\* DVD Player? Let’s face it, evenyone who is going to buy a GC has a PS2 already. They’ve probably got a seperate one as well. Do they really need another? Also, one side effect of this is that the GC is the only one of the three consoles which has not yet been hacked to play copied games. Seeing as most Sony, MS and Nintendo make most of thei rmoney from games sold … Internet access? As I said above, the impact of console online gaming right now (and IMHO the forseeable future) is minimal. We have all been told that it is the next big thing year after year after year. Remember the Dreamcast? Now, if Nintendo can do something decent with the GBA link-up then all hell could break loose. Unfortunately that is probably going to end up as an underused gimmic, like the Dreamcast’s VMU. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-gamecube-a-ship-sinking-into-the-abyss-of-failed-game-systems/156947/57 "2003-02-26T22:36:12Z")
Actually, I should point out that the Dreamcast is still the only console to have had out-of-the-box internet connectivity. ---
**Author:** ![erislover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/71e660/32.png) [@erislover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erislover)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-gamecube-a-ship-sinking-into-the-abyss-of-failed-game-systems/156947/58 "2003-02-26T22:40:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by erislover \* > Nintendo is a constant companion with what pretty much amount to \*\*excellent reliability in \*\*first and second party titles both in gameplay/fun and **release schedules** … Gee, unlear much? Just to clarify, I don’t mean their stated release dates are reliable (hence the parenthetical comment about not listening to hype), but that to historically view the schedule of what I consider “good games” they are spread out fairly well to keep a mostly constant pace. ---
**Author:** ![JDeMobray](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/85e7bf/32.png) [@JDeMobray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JDeMobray)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-gamecube-a-ship-sinking-into-the-abyss-of-failed-game-systems/156947/59 "2003-02-26T22:43:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by erislover \* > **70% market share means shit, I’m sorry. I own two PS2 titles, and I own seven GC titles. If GTA ever makes it to the “Greatest Hits” collection I’ll own three PS2 titles.** Wow, we’re like reverse identical twins. (See my post about my systems earlier in the thread. I probably own three dozen PS2 titles and 8 GC.) Taste in games is a funny, funny thing. To a large extent that’s what makes this sort of exercise impossible to predict. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-gamecube-a-ship-sinking-into-the-abyss-of-failed-game-systems/156947/60 "2003-02-26T22:46:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by amanset \* > \*\*DVD Player? > > Let’s face it, evenyone who is going to buy a GC has a PS2 already. They’ve probably got a seperate one as well. Do they really need another? Also, one side effect of this is that the GC is the only one of the three consoles which has not yet been hacked to play copied games. Seeing as most Sony, MS and Nintendo make most of thei rmoney from games sold … > > Internet access? As I said above, the impact of console online gaming right now (and IMHO the forseeable future) is minimal. We have all been told that it is the next big thing year after year after year. Remember the Dreamcast? > > Now, if Nintendo can do something decent with the GBA link-up then all hell could break loose. Unfortunately that is probably going to end up as an underused gimmic, like the Dreamcast’s VMU. \*\* I have a GC, and didn’t have a PS2 before it, nor do I have one now. Let’s just say between X-Box, PS2 and store bought DVD players, its likely people will have one DVD player that they can use. GBA/GC link is already being used quite a bit, and there’s supposed to be a game on the way that uses the connectivity in a huge way. Cool thing is, 3rd party developers are using it too… on games that are also on both X-Box and PS2, But GC is the only one that connects with GBA, so that’s good!! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-gamecube-a-ship-sinking-into-the-abyss-of-failed-game-systems/156947.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-gamecube-a-ship-sinking-into-the-abyss-of-failed-game-systems/156947.md?page=4)