Nintendo Released around the same date as the Microsoft
X-Box, the Nintendo Gamecube faces fierce competition.
By Robert Esposito
Daily Bruin Contributor
With the launches of both X-Box and Gamecube packed into the
same week, Gamecube is undoubtedly going to face countless
comparisons to the former console, much like the old days of Super
NES and Sega Genesis.Â
Since then, the videogame industry has become a crowded place
with billions of dollars at stake. Sega recently felt the pressure
of this industry when it was forced to retire from the hardware
industry after its Dreamcast console failed to win over consumers.
The question remains, can Nintendo compete with Sony’s
Playstation 2 and Microsoft’s new X-Box?
Nintendo’s unique approach to gaming and hardware may just
give Gamecube what it needs to beat Microsoft and Sony into
consumers’ dens, according to Chris Olmstead, spokesperson
for Nintendo and former UCLA Bruin. This approach includes
foregoing DVD discs for 8 cm proprietary discs developed by
Matsushita, each which hold 1.5 gigabytes of data. Also, the
Gamecube will be built sans modem and hard drive; the former to be
made available peripherally in 56K and broadband flavors.
Nintendo’s online strategy is somewhat uncertain at this
point, but something should be available by next year.
“The big problem with online gaming ““ and EA
(Electronic Arts) has especially been dealing with this ““ is
that it has not been a money-making venture for anybody,”
Olmstead said. “There has to be the business model that will
make it viable, and Nintendo definitely is exploring that
capability.”
 Nintendo "Luigi’s Mansion," one of the first games
released for the Gamecube is a continuation of the ever-popular
Mario Brothers game series. Right now, Nintendo’s sole focus
is making quality games. Nintendo almost intentionally opposes
Sony’s and Microsoft’s more expensive DVD-playing,
Internet-surfing total entertainment systems, a lesson they may
have learned with previous blunders in the peripheral market
(power-glove anyone?)
.
“Nintendo is a game company and they’ve been making
games for twenty years,” Olmstead said. “To them
videogaming is the only entertainment they know. So when they have
a chance to build a system, they want it to be for games only
because that’s their strength. Most people already have a CD
or DVD player at home ““ they don’t need another
one.”
Olmstead’s view seems to parallel that of Ryan Rowe, a
first-year undeclared student at UCLA.
 Nintendo "Super Smash Brothers," a game that up to four
people can play, features new moves like "pummeling grab" and
"dodge" to give players more options.
“I think that they’re assuming most families already
have a DVD player,” he said.
Luckily for gamers, these omissions will also allow Gamecube to
undercut the X-Box’s price by $100.
“One of the reasons Nintendo was able to keep the Gamecube
at $200 is that it is a videogame machine only,” Olmstead
said.
And videogames are what Nintendo is all about. Nintendo’s
first party software is likely to be its biggest draw at
launch.
“I would buy a Gamecube because they have the best games
““ Zelda is the awesomest game,” said Robert Lettice, a
first-year math student.
With old friends like Mario, Donkey Kong, Link, Pikachu and
Kirby, what kid could resist, right? This raises the question,
though, if Nintendo is a system for little kids. Its diminutive
controller, wacky colors and lower price suggest a bias towards
younger buyers compared to X-Box’s imposing black case and
adult-sized controller.
“I believe Gamecube and other Nintendo systems are aimed
more at younger kids than other systems are, but it is still fun
for college students to play games from Nintendo and Gamecube,
because they are fun for people of all ages,” Lettice
said.
Olmstead believes that Gamecube will offer games for the young,
old and young at heart. In fact, Olmsted jumped at the opportunity
to point out various games’ mature ratings to establish the
Gamecube’s attention to more mature audiences.
“In February, Nintendo is going to release a psychological
thriller called “˜Eternal Darkness,'” Olmsted
said. “The game takes place over several centuries, and
what’s most interesting about it is the use of an insanity
meter. As you go through the game and the meter becomes more
pronounced, you have to distinguish between what’s real and
what’s not real. It’s rated M (mature) because of the
violence ““ because of all the killing and blood.”
Nintendo isn’t lacking in second party software
either. With sports games coming from EA and action from
Lucasarts, Nintendo will capture a lot of gamers.
Star Wars Rogue Leader will continue on the flight combat theme
of N64’s Rogue Squadron while Smash Brothers continues as
Nintendo’s ultimate 4-player party game.
“I think the key selling points to college kids will be
Star Wars and Smash Brothers,” said Rowe. “Star Wars is
really impressive and Smash Brothers will be a big deal.”
Olmstead is counting on Star Wars to attract a lot of gamers as
well. “Lucasarts’ Star Wars title is impressive ““
many people think it looks better than the actual
movie. It’s probably the finest looking Nintendo
Gamecube game at launch,” said Olmstead.
Whether Nintendo delivers the best games or not,
Gamecube’s success will rely on the credence of
Nintendo’s name and the public’s reception of its
design. Not too long ago, the Dreamcast failed despite its lower
$200 price and arguably superior games. Luckily for Nintendo,
Gamecube is entering this holiday season with all of these things
— good name, lower price, and popular games.