Cameron Home

Why Did the GameCube Die?



Posted: Sunday, March 08, 2009

by Cameron Home

Why did the GameCube die? This is a question I've been asking myself for years. The GameCube, while not having epic graphics and having one of my least favourite Mario games on it, was astoundingly brilliant for me. Sure, the PS2 had better graphics, and a bigger fan base. Sure, it had a massive variety of games. But when you look at it, the GameCube is a brilliant console.

Let's look at it's gems first. Super Smash Brothers Melee is a game I only got a few years ago, so I was 4 or 5 years late. But I was late for the GameCube too. I first played it after renting it. I cannot remember this moment that clearly, but it was an epic game. 1 or 2 years later, I bought it and I found it astoundingly enjoyable. The graphics were good, the engine was epic, and the gameplay, oh the gameplay, was just astounding. The majority of characters were fun to use, and the stages were brilliant. It was such an enjoyable game. Then there was that Mario baseball game that's name I have forgotten. Brilliant. Complete and utterly brilliant. With gems like these two and more, how could this console sell so badly?

Actually, the games were the main thing about the GameCube. Personally, it had nothing better than it's games, but when it comes to game consoles, isn't that all that matters? That's why I am personally not buying the DSi. It has less focus on games and more focus on other things, which is proven by the lack of a GBA slot. I seriously enjoy my GBA games to this day and still play them on my DS and DS Lite. So what is the point of all this gadgetry on the DSi? In my opinion, it's just a waste of money.

But back on topic, with epic pieces like Smash Bros Melee, Mario Baseball and Paper Mario 2, why did the GameCube die?
 
Mr. Home
Mr. Cameron Home is an average joe who enjoys writing, gaming and just overthinking about the world in general. He also enjoys reading, and take time out of his life just to read and write.

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Top-level comments on this article: (9 total)
» left by Nancy Daniels
 3 years 74 days ago.
68 fans.
Mr. Home,
 
While I know nothing about the gaming systems of today or yesterday, it will be interesting to read other comments about Game Cube.
 
Nancy
» left by Jean Horst
 3 years 73 days ago.
178 fans.
The Game Cube died because the Wii replaced it. Now, I know you're saying that you miss the old Game Cube games. The thing is ALL the old Game Cube games can be can be inserted into the Wii and played using your original Game Cube controllers. Games you don't own or are damaged can be downloaded onto your Wii (some need Wii points for purchase) from the internet and played on your Wii. So really, the Game Cube ISN'T dead at all!
» left by Cameron Home 3 years 72 days ago.
15 fans.
Well, I do play my Wii a lot, and sometimes I play GameCube games on it.
 
What I meant was that the console itself had died. But maybe I think that because I got the console late.
 
Another thing that proves that the GameCube is not dead (or maybe it does) is the New Play Control for Wii, which is a collection of remade GC games with motion controls and updated graphics. Hopefully more games get announced for it soon.
» left by Sandra E. Graham
from Paragould, AR USA 3 years 73 days ago.
Great article, Mr. Home. I bought my grandchildren the Game Cube when it first came out and they still play it. However, it has been moved to 2nd place by the new Wii (which BTW, as Jean says, plays all the game cube games) and is a much nicer station. You might want to check it out if you know someone that has one. My daughter and my son both have one and I've been considering (once I can afford it) getting one for my house (I say my house, because it would actually be for the grandkids--not me). Anyway, great article. And a Great Big Welcome to SearchWarp.
 
Sandra
» left by Cameron Home 3 years 72 days ago.
15 fans.
The Wii is actually my favourite console.
 
I would rather though if the GameCube sold more due to it being at the bottom of the sale charts for consoled during it's generation.
 
Thanks for the comment!
» left by Connor Davidson
 3 years 73 days ago.
95 fans. Follow Connor Davidson on twitter!
I have never played a GameCube. However, I have played the Wii. I think part of the reson my be that the Wii was the first big console to have motion sensors. The GameCube however, does not - hence can not compete.
» left by Gregory Akerman
 3 years 71 days ago.
9 fans.
But back on topic, with epic pieces like Smash Bros Melee, Mario Baseball and Paper Mario 2, why did the GameCube die?
» left by Eleanor Wray
 3 years 69 days ago.
8 fans.
Cameron...You know I'm not a gaming person but whatever. I prefer the Wii.
» left by Anonymous
 3 years 34 days ago.
Well... I don't mean to disagree with you Jean but but...... he's right the gamecube did have some good games like frogger,sonic,mario, and as we all know pac-man and galaga
» left by Cameron Home 2 years 275 days ago.
15 fans.
Thanks for the comment.
» left by Marius from Canada 2 years 250 days ago.
So surprised to see that most people dont know that the PS2 DOES NOT have better graphics, that's just sony BS. As a matter of fact, the first models of gamecube had a digital output for component cable, so players could enjoy 480 progressive scanning resolution on HD TV sets. (It was later removed due to lack of interest, but remainead popular in Japan) There's maybe 200 gamecube games 480p compatible. I own about 25 and they look amazing on my HDTV.
 
PS2 hardly has 10 games with this feature, best looking one is probably God of War.
» left by Cameron Home 2 years 247 days ago.
15 fans.
Oh right! Thanks for enlightening me! I never knew that.
 
Thanks for the comment!
» left by Anonymous 2 years 242 days ago.
Gamecube came in third due to poor marketing. It was an excellent console. People were mostly put off by two things: the weird little discs (and the fact that the GC could therefore not play DVDs, although this became less of an issue as time went on); and the perception that it was a kiddie console.
 
Releasing it in Fisher-Price Purple was not the best move. A comment by a senior vice president early on that the GC wouldn't have any "Mature rated games" (because what makes games good is their play value, not their shock value) really turned American gamers off. Even getting exclusive (for a while) rights to the Resident Evil games (which are GREAT) didn't do enough to counter the popular misperception that the GC was a toy for kids.
 
It's a real shame, too, because as you and I know, the GameCube is an absolute gem, a blast to play with great graphics and a very comfortable controller and some amazing games.
» left by Cameron Home 2 years 241 days ago.
15 fans.
Thanks for the answer.
 
I completely agree. It actually stands as one of my favourite consoles of all time.
 
To all who have played Super Mario Sunshine: isn't the water effect beautiful?
 
Thanks for the comment!
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