Small but mighty! Remembering the GameCube, Nintendo’s purple bundle of joy
The first console I ever bought, it was hyped as a threat to the PlayStation, then mocked as a flop. But now, as it marks its 25th anniversary, it’s looked back on with misty-eyed reverence
TL;DR
- The Nintendo GameCube, released in 2001, is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
- Initially criticized and outsold by rivals, it's now viewed with nostalgia.
- Notable games include Luigi's Mansion, Super Monkey Ball, Super Smash Bros. Melee, The Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, Metroid Prime, Eternal Darkness, Viewtiful Joe, and a Donkey Kong game played with bongo drums.
- The console's unique controller and colorful design contributed to its distinct identity.
- Nintendo's late president, Satoru Iwata, recognized the futility of competing on graphics and tech specs, leading to the development of innovative consoles like the DS and Wii.
- The GameCube is considered Nintendo's last console designed primarily with 'core gamers' in mind.
- The article also touches on current gaming news, including the game Orbitals, Ikea's Skyrim mod, a union case against Rockstar Games, Hideo Kojima's Physint being picked up by Xbox, new Blizzard games, and a deep-dive into the GameCube's history.
- A section on games set in Scotland highlights A Highland Song, Still Wakes the Deep, Grease Trap ’99, and Forza Horizon 4, while noting a lack of modern, urban settings like Glasgow or Edinburgh in existing titles.