This month marks the tenth anniversary of the Nintendo GameCube’s European release. As a proud Nintendo fangirl who looks for any excuse to blither on about the awesomeness of the company, this was like a pot of gold to me: not only could I write a tribute to one of my favourite consoles, but, given the ‘flop’ label attributed to that console, I could also get on my high horse about why the rest of the world was wrong to dismiss it. It was one of those articles that I just couldn’t wait to write…which is why it’s typical that on sitting down earlier, I could not come up with a bloody opening sentence. So many things I wanted to say, but no idea how to begin them.
Finally, after listening to me struggle for about half an hour, my husband came up with a gem of an idea: list a number of other super cool things shaped like a cube, and link them all together. Excellent! Well, first, and quite obviously, there’s the Rubix Cube. Everyone loves the Rubix Cube. Secondly, we have ice. Who doesn’t love a lovely refreshing ice-cube in their beverage of choice? Third, there’s…well, there’s…ummm…oh! Stock cubes! Making soup and gravy is so much more convenient since the invention of stock cubes, after all. Fourth? Ah. OK, Nintendo, I’m going to have to ask the obvious question here: what exactly was it about the cube shape that made you think you were onto a winner?
Obviously, I’m just messing about here…and actually, I do love the shape of the GameCube. It’s unique and fun, and when you compare it to the likes of the XBox 360, it does look a lot more appealing. It is true, however, that the design of the GameCube did turn out to be a big problem for Nintendo. For one thing, the size meant that (unlike its competitors) the console wasn’t DVD-compatible, automatically putting it at a disadvantage in the market. The main issue, though, was something a little more surprising when considered from a modern point of view. The GameCube, with its funny shape and purple colouring, looked like a toy. In design terms, it was miles away from its dark, chunky, powerful-looking counterparts; in fact, it was actually quite cute. 2002, however, was a time when gamers did not want ‘cute’.
The thought process behind the design of the GameCube is probably best explained in this quote from Nintendo: “GameCube will appeal to anyone who enjoys being entertained by interactive gaming. We believe gaming is an attitude – not an age. With family friendly, sports, racing, adventure, extreme sports, and action games available from day one, GameCube is dedicated to good gameplay… all players, all ages, all genres.”. Nintendo clearly had an aim: they wanted to make gaming an all-encompassing experience, one which the whole family could enjoy together. Ten years on, and the successes of the more innovative Wii and DS have proven that the idea was not a crazy one. Nintendo had the right concept; it just wasn’t the right time. In 2002, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City took the world by storm. The Halo franchise was just beginning to take off, the Resident Evil games were huge, and Manhunt was just around the corner. Violence, horror, and really big guns were the order of the day, and Nintendo’s family friendly toy just wasn’t compatible.
What didn’t help the GameCube was the fact that it was apparently lumbered with some of the worse titles in Nintendo’s main franchises. Mario Sunshine, Mario Kart: Double Dash, and Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker were seen in many corners as disappointing, while the somewhat over-the-top cartoonish elements of all these games (in keeping with Nintendo’s drive for family games) did not help the console’s cause when stood next to the more adult titles named above. I’m going to be totally honest, and admit that the general consensus is correct: these games are weaker when held up next to the likes of Ocarina of Time and Super Mario World. Cartoon Link IS a bit annoying, and Mario Sunshine DOES feel a little gimmicky. Come on, though; the worst Mario and Zelda games are still better than 95% of the games out there, and they are still necessary additions to any serious gamer’s collection. Later on in the console’s life, meanwhile, Nintendo reached out to a wider audience with Resident Evil 4, and the infinitely-more-adult-than-its-predecessor Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Then there’s Metroid Prime, Smash Bros Melee, Animal Crossing (which would really come into its own on the DS), and the all-round fun of Super Monkey Ball and Donkey Kong Jungle Beat (complete with bongos)…brilliant games, one and all. The GameCube back catalogue is immense, and sits proudly alongside what any other console has to offer.
I realise I’m biased. I mean, if it were up to me, Shigeru Miyamoto (Nintendo’s chief games designer) would be ruler of the planet, and we’d all live in a colourful world, travelling on our own little Yoshi every day, with toadstools for houses. I really do love that little purple box though, and I’m certainly not alone. The GameCube was too much, too soon, for a gaming world intent on more grown-up adventures, but it still deserves recognition, not only for its brilliant games, but for daring to be a little bit different.
Three cheers for the GameCube!
