Gamecube readies for launch.
Posted by Marcel Klum on 14 September 2001 - 09:04 · no comments & 242 views
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Full name: Marcel Klum
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Full name: Marcel Klum
Forum name: Redmak
Contact: via forum PM
Submissions: Normal · Headline
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No out-of-box Internet readiness; no built in DVD capabilities; no Mario title for launch. In many ways, the launch of Nintendo's Gamecube is its most controversial yet, but does this really spell trouble for the company, or has it put its faith behind hardware and software that is set to be a raging success?
Two reports via Reuters in the South China Morning Post have raised issues regarding the imminent launch of Gamecube. One story points out that "the machine will lack something its rivals are eager to offer" – instant Internet capabilities – while the other quotes the editor of Japan's respected Famitsu magazine, who states that Nintendo's focus towards the younger market could hamper sales. To deal with the Internet aspect first, it's certainly true that the focus of PS2 and Xbox is far more orientated towards online gaming. Indeed, broadband was the primary focus of Microsoft's E3 Xbox conference in which Robbie Bach, chief Xbox officer, asserted: "It's gonna be fast because it's gonna be broadband."
Nintendo's stance, however, is that, although already working on online gaming (Phantasy Star Online, for example), it does not believe the time is right to make it a focus. When CVG interviewed Satoru Iwata, director and general manager of corporate planning division for NCL, he explained this position: "We don’t believe we are behind any of our competitors in terms of online strategy. Having said that, however, it’s a matter of what is more important to the company. Nintendo’s position is not to put the biggest priority on online gaming."
Nintendo is pumping an enormous $500 million behind the promotion of its latest console, (Microsoft is spending $550 million on Xbox) and all signs point to Gamecube enjoying tremendous sales in Japan. Nintendo has taken quite a gamble in releasing hardware without Mario – or any other major franchise – for the first time, but the launch titles have received good press in Japan, with Famitsu awarding Luigi's Mansion an excellent 34/40, and Super Monkey Ball and Wave Race each receiving a highly respectable 32/40.
Nintendo has yet to reveal a date and price for Gamecube in Europe, with a release not expected until next spring, but interest is already high. Gennaro Castaldo, head of press for HMV UK, stated that although the company hasn't begun to take pre-orders, there has already been "lots of interest" from the general public; interest which "compares favourably with interest in PS2 [before launch]." Retail expectations are "dependant on stock levels," but Castaldo states HMV "expects greater demand for Gamecube than PS2."
September 14, 2001 is sure to be a memorable day in gaming history and all signs point toward Gamecube performing extremely well. CVG will be sure to bring you full reports from Japan as soon as the riots for hardware begin…