Legacy of the Nintendo Gamecube

Code named the Dolphin; the Nintendo GameCube was first introduced to the world at a controversial panel during Space World 2000. The new system's design was questioned by many and the controller caused many an eyebrow to rise. Worried gamers were soon silenced once Nintendo unveiled a now 'legendary' technical demo for games that were, at the time, believed to be in development for the GameCube.

Eventually launched on November 18th 2001, the GameCube became the fastest selling console ever released. The launch line-up consisted of some 17 titles, with only two being published by Nintendo. Looking to mend ties with third party developers scorned during the Nintendo 64 era, Nintendo tried to actively cooperate with developers creating software for the GameCube. This new attitude helped get titles like Eternal Darkness, Rogue Squadron, Tales of Symphonia, Skies of Arcadia, and Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes released exclusively for the GameCube. Later in the system’s life, Nintendo released the Wave Bird; the first mass- produced wireless controller to a use a R/F signal as opposed to infrared, thus making the controller very reliable.

During the GameCube’s lifetime a total of 639 titles were released, including such best-selling titles as: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Super Mario Sunshine, Pikmin, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Metroid Prime, Animal Crossing, Resident Evil, Mario Kart Double Dash, Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door, Mario Party 7, and more!

The GameCube’s successor, the Wii, was released almost exactly five years after the GameCube and as Nintendo’s new console became more and more popular, development for the GameCube came to an end on August 14th, 2007. An estimated 21 million GameCube systems were sold during its lifetime.