Nintendo GameCube: Difference between revisions

|release={{release|Japan|September 14, 2001|USA|November 18, 2001|Europe|May 3, 2002|Australia|May 17, 2002|ROC|November 21, 2002<ref>https://multiplayer.it/notizie/il-gamecube-arriva-a-taiwan.html</ref>}}

The '''{{wp|GameCube|Nintendo GameCube}}''', or simply the '''GameCube''', is a home console system developed by [[Nintendo]] and released in late 2001 as the successor of the [[Nintendo 64]]. The Nintendo GameCube has six ports on its front: four controller ports (like the Nintendo 64) and two memory card ports. It has three buttons on top: Open, Reset, and Power. On the bottom are two serial ports and one hi-speed port for add-on expansions. The system uses proprietary 8 cm Game Discs based on the {{wp|MiniDVD}} format that are able to hold up to 1.5 GB (1,459,978,240 bytes), making it the first Nintendo console to use optical discs as the primary storage medium.

During pre-production, the console was codenamed "Project Dolphin," a name alluded to in several early Nintendo GameCube games, such as ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]'', where its main setting, [[Isle Delfino]], is shaped like a dolphin. ''Super Mario Sunshine'' did not release alongside the Nintendo GameCube at launch, and the Nintendo GameCube is the first Nintendo home console since the [[Family Computer]]

 

The Nintendo GameCube was the first Nintendo home console since the [[Family Computer]] that did not have a ''[[Super Mario (series)|Super Mario]]'' game as a launch title, as ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]'' was not released until a year after the system launched.

In 2006, the Nintendo GameCube was succeeded by the [[Wii]]. The original version of the Wii is mostly compatible with Nintendo GameCube hardware and software. Like the Nintendo GameCube, the Wii has 4 controller ports and 2 memory card slots which support all controllers, like the dance mat and microphone, though it does not support add-ons that attach to the console. Later revisions of the Wii, such as the [[Wii#Wii Family Edition|Wii Family Edition]] and [[Wii Mini#Wii mini|Wii Mini]], would remove Nintendo GameCube support. The [[Wii U]] and [[Nintendo Switch]] are also not compatible with any Nintendo GameCube games, but ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]'' and most Nintendo Switch games are compatible with the controllers through a special adapter. The GameCube controller is compatible with more consoles than any other Nintendo controller, with a total of four: GameCube, Wii, Wii U, and Nintendo Switch (as of its 4.0.0 update).

[[File:GCN Controller.png|thumb|The Nintendo GameCube Controller. The color shown here is indigo.]]

The '''Nintendo GameCube Controller''' is the system's standard controller. In addition to standard {{button|GCN|A}}, {{button|GCN|B}}, and {{button|GCN|Start}} buttons and a {{button|gcn|Stick}} control stick, the Nintendo GameCube is the first Nintendo system to include a second analog stick known as the {{button|GCN|C}} C-Stick, located on the bottom right side of the controller. This analog stick replaces the C-buttons found on a Nintendo 64 controller. The controller features analog triggers {{button|GCN|L}} {{button|GCN|R}} on the left and right sides of its back, and a single small shoulder button {{button|GCN|Z}} on the right. The controller features a built-in rumble motor, carried over from the Nintendo 64's [[Rumble Pak]] add-on. Unlike the Nintendo 64 controller, the GameCube Controller features {{button|GCN|X}} and {{button|GCN|Y}} buttons, as well as only two grips instead of three. The {{button|gcn|Pad}} directional pad on the Nintendo GameCube Controller has the same size and shape as the directional pad on the original [[Game Boy Advance]].

A wireless variant of the Nintendo GameCube controller, known as the '''WaveBird Wireless Controller''', was released in 2002. It connects to the system via a radio sensor that plugs into one of the system's controller ports. However, the WaveBird does not support the rumble feature that the standard controllers have.

{| class="wikitable"

| Unlocks exclusive items that can be obtained only from the bonus disc. Also unlocks the soundtracks 99 & 100.<br/>The GBA link option is absent in the European version of ''[[FireEmblem:Fire Emblem (GBA)|Fire Emblem]]'', since the ''Bonus Disc'' was not released in Europe.

| Used as a controller. Can also be used to download the NES version of ''[[Dr. Mario (game)|Dr. Mario]]'' and ''[[Yoshi (game)|Yoshi]]'' along with a GBA port of ''{{wp|Puzzle League (series)|Panel de Pon}}''.

{{main|Nintendo GameCube Broadband Adapter}}

The '''Nintendo GameCube Broadband Adapter''' is an add-on that allows players to connect their consoles via a local area network for system-to-system multiplayer. The device connects to the Nintendo GameCube by plugging into the bottom of the system. Only a few games were compatible with the adapter, one of which is ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]''.

The '''Game Boy Player''' is an add-on peripheral released in 2003 and allowing players to play [[Game Boy]], [[Game Boy Color]], and [[Game Boy Advance]] titles on their television screen through their Nintendo GameCube. The peripheral attaches to the bottom of the system, and requires a special disc in order to play any handheld titles. It is also capable of linking up to Game Boy systems and accessories, including the [[e-Reader]] and [[Game Boy Camera]], and players can connect their Game Boy Advance systems to the Nintendo GameCube by use of the Nintendo GameCube - Game Boy Advance Cable to use their systems as a controller, though some games support the rumble feature included with the standard controller. During gameplay, players can bring up a menu with the {{button|GCN|Z}} button that allows them to scroll through various options, including setting the screen size, changing the border surrounding the game, changing the button mapping for a Nintendo GameCube controller, changing the screen filter, and setting a timer. Players can also select to change the cartridge from this menu without turning off the system.

===[[Mario Party (series)|''Mario Party'' series]]===

Though a Nintendo GameCube does not actually appear in ''[[Mario Party 4]]'', the [[Party Cube]] is a reference to the GameCube, and the rumble machine in the options screen is clearly based on the system. Additionally, a Nintendo GameCube can be seen inside the [[Orb hut]]s of ''[[Mario Party 6]]'' and ''[[Mario Party 7]]''.