consoles

With great frustration, I find the overabundance of misguided preconception and unsubstantiated opinion surrounding Nintendo's Gamecube too much to keep quiet any longer. First and foremost I would like to concede to the fact that I am 22 year old, multi-platform gamer. Since my very early introduction to gaming with my first console, the Atari XE, I have since been privy enough to have experienced nearly every other console that subsequently followed. Included in this list are the NES, Sega Master System, Turbo Graphics 16, Game Boy, Genesis, Sega CD, Sega 32X, Super NES, 3DO, Jaguar, Lynx, Gamegear, Virtual Boy, Saturn, PS, N64, Game Boy Color, Dreamcast, PS2, XBox, Gamecube and Game Boy Advanced. In addition to all that, I have a background in PC gaming that began all too clearly with the likes of ID's original Wolfenstein 3D and Lucas Arts' original X-Wing. Now for the breakdown:

HARDWARE:
The first somewhat obvious advantage of the Gamecube is it's sheer processing power. The hardware architectural scheme is simply unparalleled when compared to the likes of the PS2 and Xbox. With the help of hardware development giants like IBM, NEC and ATI, Nintendo was able to assemble a very powerful machine that is cost effective and easy to code for. The beauty of the Gamecube's hardware design is in it's high emphasis on multi-processor resource sharing. With a CPU developed by IBM, a main graphics processor developed by ATI and a slew of other hardware components dedicated to such environmental effects as dynamic light sourcing, bump mapping, tri-linear vector shading, DLPII surround sound support to name a few. Given that all of these components work in tandem and are (for the most part) independent of each other, it is easy to see how resource burden is effectively reduced. Couple this with super-high-speed DRAM (best showcased in the loading-time-free Metroid Prime), and you've got the potential for more performance than you could ask for. Keeping all of this in mind, let us first take a look at PS2 when making comparison. The PS2's general processing scheme is dependant on 3 separate processors: the CPU and two "Emotion-Engine" co-processors. At first glance one may look at this layout and think, "that's not so bad, sounds like Nintendo's design." The truth is, although the intention of the 3 processors was to share processing burden, only but a handful of software titles for the PS2 have effectively been able to pull this off. In my research, I've found that the common, major complaint stemming from production houses was the inefficiency to which it takes in order to couple the processors. Rather than being an automatic component of the hardware (e.g. one processor starts to lag so it automatically routes data crunching to the next processor), whether or not the co-processors go to work is dependant on whether or not that instruction is explicitly stated in the software engine architecture (source code). In most cases, software development houses (especially those who specialize in making cross-platform software) will simply limit processor utilization to the CPU. Take a second to consider how much needs to be processed by the CPU: polygon draw, dynamic light sourcing, shadows, environmental mapping, reflections... this list goes on. Point being, the PS2 is really only barely hanging on in the hardware development. Now, to something a little harder to see is the Xbox architecture. Being the fair an honest critic that I am, I have been quite impressed by the visual and audio processing of the Xbox. Coupled with the fact that it has a built-in hard drive and ethernet card, I must say it is a good design in general. What turns me off about the Xbox is its incredibly striking resemblance to a PC (e.g. CPU, graphics card, sound card, hard drive setup). For God's sake, the thing supports Direct X. What turns me off to this set up is the sheer redundancy of it all. Why not just buy a computer? It does more, and is easily upgraded to last into the future. Granted I have enjoyed Halo, but I've enjoyed UT 2003 on my Pentium 4 1.4Ghz / Nvidia GeForce 4 Ti a heck of a lot more... especially with my mouse and keyboard.

SOFTWARE:
This is where the debate can truly get ugly. I'll be forthright, Nintendo's Gamecube has hands-down the best and most diverse software catalogue among all three next-gen platforms. First and foremost, when considering this statement you've got to look at console-specific games. Sure, the PS2 may have a ridiculous slew of games over both Xbox and Gamecube, but consider the fact that you can attribute this to PS2's earlier launch. Generally speaking, the majority of PS2's console specific games were developed from launch through to the first year of release. Given this fact coupled with the knowledge of PS2 being a less powerful system altogether, who wants these games anyway? If there is credit to be had on the PS2 side of things, it's that of the Grand Theft Auto franchise, the Gran Turismo Franchise, and a couple of good RPGs like Suikoden and Zenosaga... that's it. Both Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy are coming to the Gamecube, so both of those Franchises can no longer be used as bargaining chips. Also, consider that Grand Theft Auto exclusivity expires in 2004. Many experts are weary to assume that exclusivity will continue. You wanna talk Xbox now? Only one word: Halo. That's it. Other than Halo, all you have are other multi-platform games that you'll find on both PS2 and Gamecube anyway. Oh, and don't be so naïve as to effetely fall victim to the whole "Only on Xbox" campaign. Given the financial backing of a corporate giant such as Microsoft, how much more obvious is the fact that they pay out big bucks for limited (insome cases 1 to 2 weeks of) exclusivity. Don't be a fool, open your eyes... honestly what else is there for Xbox? Nothing. Now, lets look at Ninetendo's more notable exclusive franchises: Metroid, Zelda, Mario, F-Zero, Starfox, Resident Evil, to name only a few. Couple that with every other multi-platform game that is being published for Gamecube anyway, and you have the strongest software line-up. That's, it. Simple.

VALUE:
$... plus a free game? Are you kidding? Need I say more? Buy it now, you will not be dissapointed.

The Nintendo Gamecube is probably the better choice of the three systems. It may not play DVD's or play your CD's but the games are what make it the best system. Sony and Microsoft are trying to leave real video game systems in the past. They think their systems with all sorts extra features are better. The Xbox is just a cheap computer and PS2 is just a piece of electronic junk.
The Gamecube however is a true video game system. PS2 may have a bigger selection but most of it's games stink. They take forever to load. Which gets extremely annoying. The Xbox is mainly for older males. It has mostly violent games. And not every mother wants their kids playing games with blood and strong language.
I'm not saying that every Xbox game is violent but it doesn't have a big selection. Gamcube has all sorts of games you can't find on any other sytem or even a PC. Where else can you find names like these,
Mario, Metroid, Zelda, Starfox, Kirby, Pokemon, and Resident Evil. You can get many great games such as Metroid Prime, The Legend of Zelda Wind Waker, Super Mario Sunshine, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Luigi's Mansion, Pikmin, Starfox Adventures, Mario Kart Double Dash and many more only for Gamecube. You can also get games like Madden, Tony Hawk Pro Skater, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles, Splinter Cell, and Sonic. Gamecube also has great accsessories like the Wavebird Wireless Controller and the Gameboy Player. Which makes the Gamecube library 10 times bigger.
If you want a system with great games and the best accsessories get a Gamecube. If you want a cheap computer get an Xbox. If you want a system with cheap 3rd party games. But I think you want a good system get a Gamecube.

well i have to say this was the first system i got (out of xbox and ps2) and ive had it for 2 years now. i have 21 games for it and theyre all brand new, but theyre wer such a low price. honestly, gamecube has the games with the best quality and the lowest prices. i mean, you can get a brand new game for only like 10 bucks! this syystem already brings memories. my very first game was super smash bros. melee. heres a list of games you should look for:

1. Super Smash Brothers Melee (AWESOME GAME!!! MUSIC ROCKS!)
2. Mario Paty 4 or 5 (i recommend 4 very fun family game)
3. Animal Crossing (GREAT GAME SO MUCH TO DO NEVER GETS OLD)
4. Harry Potter (ss, cos, or poa, either one is great!)
5. Any of the Tony Hawk games (the music on #3 is the best! CKY ROCKS!!!)
6. The legend of zelda, the wind waker (awesome graphics, music, and secrets! great game!)
7. Harvest Moon, A wonderful Life (this game is....very very good. a must buy. the graphics are excellent!)
8. Starfox adventures (amazing graphics! very good game!)
9. The legend of zelda, mastor quest or collectors disc (these two games have what is probably the best n64 game ever created!)
10. James Bond Games (I recomend Nightfire, it has the best levels!)
11. Medal of Honor games (great war games! I recomend Frontline!)
12. Sonic Adventure 2: Battle (I LOVE THIS GAME!! THE MUSIC ROCKS AND SONIC IS THE BEST GAME SERIES!!!)
13. Sonic adventure DX: directors cut (Very good game! Music is good, too!)
14. Sonic Mega Collection (WOW, this game brings back memories! Has over 10 classic SEGA games!)
15. Godzilla: destroy all monsters melee (a good game to take out your anger on. smash the heck out of the monsters and cities!)
16. Soul Calibur 2 (AMAZING GRAPHICS The best fighting game there is!)
17. Spiderman (I think this is better than #2, better graphics! fun game!)
18. Mario Kart: Double Dash ( Great racing game! classic characters!)

These are only a small amount of all the great games to get!!! GAMECUBE WILL LIVE ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thanks!

Oh, one more thing! Nintendo was the first (besides atari) to come out with a gaming system! It has the most systems (besides SEGA) and lets face it: Nintendo knows games! it has the best sustems:

Nintendo (NES)
Super Nintendo (SNES)
Gameboy
Gameboy Pocket
Gameboy Color
Gameboy Advance
Nintendo 64
Gameboy Advance SP
Nintendo Gamecube

If you dont have a GC, I HIGHLY RECOMEND THIS GEM OF A GAME SYSTEM!!!! NINTENDO IS THE MOST SUCCEEDING GAME COMPANY IN THE WORLD!!!!!