"One of the better consoles I've purchased."

INTRODUCTION
When the Nintendo GameCube was first released, I was expecting a lot from Nintendo in most categories, and I wasn't let down. The GameCube has been one of the better gaming purchases I've made.

LOOK AND FEATURES: 9
The Nintendo GameCube never did look good to me until I finally purchased it. I was pleasantly surprised at how small the console really was, especially when compared to the Xbox or PS2. Fortunately, power is not sacrificed due to the size of the GameCube, as you'll see when you first begin to play. The standard four controller slots exist and there are also has two memory card slots in a nice layout on the front of the console. It also offers online and modem capabilities (unfortunately, this is available in few games). The GameCube is also the only console with a pop-up disc loading tray, which is actually somewhat convenient. However, it does not play DVDs, which is a small letdown but hardly a problem. Otherwise the console has a nice appearance to it.

GRAPHICS: 10
No question here. The graphical capabilities of the GameCube match the competition and in some games surpass it. You no longer get any of the blocky 3D found in the N64 games, and the blurriness has disappeared for the most part, too. This little box can pull off very impressive visuals without any framerate slowdown. There is a lot of potential in the system and it only depends on whether or not the developer can utilize it.

SOUND: 9
The GameCube's sound is pretty much the same as that of the Xbox and PS2. Everything is crisp and clear, and depending on which games you play you might even be surprised at the quality. With a speaker system, everything sounds even better, so if you have the money and you like your sound, you might want to try it.

GAMES: 6
Unfortunately, this is where I believe the GameCube is unable to produce. Don't get me wrong – there are several great games available for this console that not only meet but surpass my expectations, including Pikmin, Resident Evil, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Metroid Prime, and more. Also, we already know of games that are upcoming for GameCube, and are sure to be great. These are all going to be quality games. But most, if not all, are first-party games. Nintendo has very little third-party support, and it shows in the selection of games they have available. If you buy the GameCube, you will be getting quality over quantity and many exclusive game titles. Depending on what you're looking for in a console, this works both ways, but it's definitely something to keep in mind when making a purchase.

GAMEPLAY: 9
In the era of the N64, framerate slowdown was common and expected when the console needed to produce extremely detailed or large scenes. As an example - in Super Smash Bros, when Beedrill were released from a Pokeball, the game could slow down to the point where it was almost unplayable. However, it isn't the case with the GameCube. In Super Smash Bros. Melee, the same scene, with Unown replacing Beedrill, can be played without any slowdown at all. You'll find that games played on the GameCube move smoothly, and that you'll never have trouble seeing what you're doing. The controller rumbles at the correct time while playing, and reacts to everything you do. The GameCube has never frozen while I've played it, even when tested in awkward positions (on its side, upside down).

CONTROLLER: 10
In my opinion, the controller for the Nintendo GameCube is the best ever created. It's perfect. The controller fits nicely into your hands, and is crafted to feel comfortable no matter how small or large your hands are. The buttons are all shaped differently, allowing you to identify them by simply sliding your thumb over them. The layout of the buttons on the controller make moving from one button to another seem motionless, and allow for quick movement in fast paced games.

The Control Stick on the GameCube is much better than before. My main concern was that it would be as tight as what was found on the N64 Controller, but this was definitely not the case. It is loose and easy to move around, but not so loose that it's wobbling all over the place. The Control Stick responds to the smallest of touches for the best in 3D Gaming. The C-Stick is the same. The shoulder buttons (L and R) are shaped to fit your index fingers. They are easy to push down lightly for a light effect or entirely for a full effect (Super Mario Sunshine comes to mind to use this feature throughout the entire game). All this combines for what I feel is the perfect controller.

MEMORY CARDS: 8
The memory cards for the GameCube that were originally released stored a minimal amount of data and were not enough to hold data from several games, especially sports games. Fortunately, Nintendo released the 251-Block memory card soon after and then a 1019-Block memory card, which does the job effectively. They are a bit high in price, though, which brings the rating down a bit.

SAVING AND LOADING: 10
The GameCube uses discs with a 3 inch diameter that can hold an incredible 1.5 Gigabytes of data, allowing for nearly instantaneous loading times, which is great as you don't need to wait for several minutes to play something as you might find on the other consoles. Saving to the memory cards is quick for the most part, but it depends on the size of the file you're dealing with.

CONSOLE RELIABILITY: 10
The Nintendo GameCube is probably one of the most reliable consoles I've ever owned. It has never failed to load up a game for me, nor have I ever gotten a DRE (Disc Read Error) in the middle of the game. The laser is able to read even some of the most damaged or beaten up discs without trouble. This is definitely a console that is durable and reliable.

OVERALL: 9
The Nintendo GameCube is one of the better gaming purchases I've made. It was well worth the money I spent on it, and considering that the price has dropped to as low as $100, you should definitely take a look at it if you're thinking of buying a new console.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 09/07/02, Updated 08/17/05