So is the GameCube dead?

[Angcuru]

Overall the GC is the best system to have. Nearly all games that come out on PS2 and XB are on GC as well, and in a better format with better graphics. Their exclusives are on average far better than the exclusives for the other systems, but each system has its gems.

Besides, Nintendo is busy with the DS, which is a phenomenal success. They already know that people know about and love the GC, so marketing is less of a priority. As well, Nintendo is busy making their next-gen system, which if the jump from GameBoy to DS is any indication, will be wonderful goodness.

And yes, MGS2:SoL and FF:X were UTTERLY HORRIBLE! I vomit upon them!

 

[drothgery]

Mark me down for another person with more Gamecube than PS2 games. The X-Box does indeed seem to be the console of choice for online gaming.

As for market share, I belive worldwide it is PS2>Gamecube>X-Box, while in North America it is PS2>X-Box>Gamecube.

Pretty much everywhere except Japan, it's PS2>Xbox>GameCube. It's just that in Japan, Xbox is pretty much a no-show, which made the global Xbox vs. GameCube numbers close for a while. I'd be willing to bet that recently Xbox has taken a pretty convincing hold of #2 worldwide, because, as the thread's originator noted, there hasn't been all that much of interest on the 'Cube lately, and Nintendo is pushing the DS and GBA more than the 'Cube.

Myself, I've got about the same number of PS2 and Xbox games, more classic PSX games than either (despite never owning an original PlayStation), and one GameCube game.

 

[drothgery]

Gamecube has better graphics, also.

In terms of graphics capabilities, the Cube and the PS2 are roughly equal, and the Xbox is quite a bit better than both. However, the PS2 has an oddball architecture that's not easy to program for, so it's the hardest system for developers to get the most out of. Almost without fail, the Xbox has the best-looking version of a multi-platform game, because it's both the most capable and fairly easy to program for (in a vacuum, the Cube would probably be the easiest to code for, but the Xbox is quite similar to a PC, and most developers know PCs); the few times that it doesn't, it's usually quite clear that the developers completely blew off the Xbox port (and that doesn't happen much anymore).

 

[LeifVignirsson]

I wouldn't say DEAD, I would say in a small little niche market as far as roleplaying games. They seem to have some pretty decent ones, though they are a bit more on the child side of things. I have it and I bought 7 games a month after owning it... It is more of a preference, but in comparison to what I own for PS2 (35 now...), it is still a little niche IMO.

 

[Psionicist]

Regarding game console demographics, I created a poll at another forum.

319 votes, results:

* I am < 18 years old and own a Xbox = 40 = 12.54%
* I am > 18 years old and own a Xbox = 79 = 24.76%

* I am < 18 years old and own a PS2 = 49 = 15.36%
* I am > 18 years old and own a PS2 = 64 = 20.06%

* I am < 18 years old and own a GC = 20 = 6.27%
* I am > 18 years old and own a GC = 67 = 21.00%

The GameCube has the largest percentage of "adult" gamers according to the results. Which is reasonable, because the current definition of a "mature" game is blood, gore and boobies, which seems to be quite common on the Xbox and PS2. This will attract more 14 year old boys while giving the GameCube a status of being childish and immature. Which is obviously not the case.

 

[Frozenface]

I will readily admit to being a "mature" Gamecube devotee. However, I must add that Animal Crossing wasn't so great, IMO. The idea is good, but I couldn't get any of the animals to like me very much. Also, they didn't know how to read my letters most of the time.

 

[Jdvn1]

Currently addicted to SSBM and ToS. Two awesome GC games. The Metroid games are also great, though, as was Windwaker.

It's not dead, it's just advertised less.

 

[mojo1701]

My collection has grown to 14 games: 4 of those are zelda discs with about 7 games (in chronological order: Zelda 1, Zelda 2, Ocarina of Time (2 of these, actually: one on the WW preorder disc with MQ, the other with 1,2 and MM on the Collector's edition), OoT: MasterQuest, Majora's Mask, WindWaker, and Four Swords. Never will I part with them.

It's not dead, it's just advertised less.

MIA, not KIA, right?

 

[LightPhoenix]

die-kluge has it exactly right - Nintendo's games are great, they've just completely given up on the 18+ demographic entirely. Thousand Year Door is one of the best RPGs I've played in a long time, so it's not like they don't have enjoyable games. They just adhere to the idea of being childish.

Of course, Nintendo has a near monopoly on the handheld market, and the reason Nintendo is focusing on the DS is because they want to keep it. And they will. That's why Nintendo will never truly be out of the console wars.

Also, I've found with the XBox that most of the games I'm interested have come out for the PC or another console as well. I know that not all of them do, but it seems a large number are cross-platform in some way, and I'm just not willing to drop money on a system that I can get most of the games on one I already have.

 

[thatdarncat]

Our household has all three systems - PS2, XBox and GC. We play pretty much nothing but RPGs on the PS2 as two of my roommates are final fantasy fanatics. I'm working my way through Fable and Crimson Skies on the Xbox, and one of my roommates is playing through Sands of Time and KoToRII. When company comes over, we break out the GC for some DoubleDash or Soul Calibur 2. We also have the Metroid games, which my roommates are playing through as well.

Our only complaint about the GC is the cost for a broadband adaptor. CND$60 each and a minimum of 2 is a little much, considering the only game we would be playing is Double dash.