One is a purple, toy-like cube. The other two are bulky, black, computer-like boxes. All three are powerful 128-bit videogame systems.
Nintendo Co Ltd will launch its long-awaited GameCube system on Friday in the opening shot of what promises to be a fierce three-way fight for the game console market.
For Nintendo, the GameCube"s "cuteness," combined with beefed-up software lineups, represents a new strategy to get an edge over PC-like systems made by technology heavyweights.
The number two game machine maker lost a big chunk of market share to Sony Corp in the 64-bit game console war.
"The GameCube is likely to keep attracting the young audience, Nintendo"s core loyal fan, as the company focuses on games," said Hirokazu Hamamura, editor in chief at Japan"s leading video game magazine, Weekly Famitsu.
About 500,000 GameCube units, priced at 25,000 yen ($208) each, will hit store shelves on Friday, four weeks after Nintendo started a massive advertising campaign.
It aims to ship four million units globally by March 31