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[Jubenhimer]

As great of a system as it is, the Nintendo GameCube is considered a failure. Often considered low-point for Nintendo in both sales and reception, the GameCube struggled against the monster hit PlayStation 2, and industry newcomer, Microsoft's Xbox. A lot of its problems came down to Nintendo itself, and how they chose to design, brand and market the console. Still as I said, it was a great system with a lot going for it. In many ways, I'd say Nintendo Switch is basically the GameCube, done correctly. Here's why.

• It's completely unique from other gaming platforms - A big part of the GameCube's problem was that there just wasn't much unique to it. When you get right down to it, it was a poor mans PlayStation with a weird controller and proprietary media. If you didn't like Nintendo games, then there was no worthwhile standout aspect to the GameCube. Switch on the other-hand, instantly distinguishes itself from literally every mainstream game platform that came before it. A hybrid tablet console with detachable controllers, the Switch offers a tactile experience completely unique from Sony and Microsoft's monolithic boxes. Not only can you take your home console with you, but you can also detach the controllers, hand one to a friend, and play shared screen multiplayer anytime anywhere. It's got a lot of fun gimmicks like HD rumble and free-hand motion control that set itself apart, but it never sacrifices well tested conventions for the sake of novelties. It's a perfect blend of traditional gaming hardware, and that trademark Nintendo quirk.
• It's toy-like, but in a good way - Another problem with the GameCube was its appearance. A purple lunchbox doesn't look appealing sitting next to Sony and Microsoft's DVD players from the future. It looked like a Fisher-price toy, which gave it a bad "kiddy" stigma. Nintendo Switch is very upfront and honest in its appearance. It's a dock-able tablet with two candy colored detachable motion controllers. You can obviously tell it's a Nintendo product just looking at it, and like the GameCube, the default color scheme is very toy-like in appearance. So why does it work for the Switch, where it didn't work for the GameCube? Because the Switch actually has a sense of sleekness to it. It's a fun and tactile system to use, like a well made kids toy. But it still has an adult like premium build quality to it as well, making it a console appealing to both kids and adults. The GameCube on the other hand, looked and felt like something primarily made for children. Comfortable as its controller is, the console as a whole felt a bit too childish.
• Better innovation with first party games - A controversial aspect of the GameCube was its first party software. Mario and Zelda were taken in weird directions. Link became a Cel-Shaded Cartoon, and Mario suddenly gained a water pack. Sunshine and Wind Waker were both great games, but felt a little too unpolished and weird for most Nintendo fans, causing them to be some of the weaker entries in their respective series. Meanwhile new properties like Pikmin and Chibi-Robo were often too niche for mainstream appeal, and Nintendo turned to outsourcing for many of their other properties like Star Fox and F-Zero. The Switch on the other hand actually innovates with Nintendo's first party software in ways that don't rely to heavily on excessive gimmicks. Breath of the Wild was a brutal deconstruction of The Legend of Zelda, and it resulted in the fastest selling entry in the series. Super Mario Odyssey took Mario back to the Sandbox style, and gave him the power of possession, but it still felt like a Mario title, and became the Switch's best selling game in less than a year, at a whopping 9 million copies. And Nintendo has lately been on a roll with New IP, releasing unique titles that use the Switch hardware in genuinely fun and interesting ways. 1-2 Switch, ARMS, Snipperclips, and most recently, Nintendo Labo. Good as Pikmin was, it never really demonstrated why exactly the GameCube was different or special, these games do.
• It gets the Console-handheld merger right - With the GameCube, Nintendo tried to bring it together with the Game Boy Advance in multiple ways. A link-cable that connected from the GBA to the GameCube for multi-screen games. And the Game Boy Player, an add-on for the GameCube that allowed it to play the vast library of Game Boy Archives. While neat, these felt more like bolted on afterthoughts, rather than actually combining handhelds and consoles together. Thanks to advancements in technology, the Switch improves and refines this concept to such a degree, that it makes the GameCube's attempts look backwards. The Switch is a literal home console you can take with you. You can take your favorite home console titles with you and play where-ever, and when-ever you like. Likewise, you can play some of your favorite mobile/handheld style games on the big screen if you want as well, along with a variety of different ways to use the various play styles. Not only that, but because it's both a home and mobile gaming system, Nintendo can concentrate 95% of its resources on just Switch software, whereas they needed to divide it between the GameCube and GBA.
• It targets adults, but doesn't pander to them - With the GameCube, Nintendo attempted to combat the childish stigma of both it, and the company as a whole. Thus, a series of elaborate ad campaigns were created to give the GameCube a more "adult" image. And by a adult, I mean a shallow middle school view of the term. From failed M-rated oddities to "edgy commercials" Nintendo's attempts to "Marture-ify" the GameCube often came off as try-hard and laughable. Not helped by the system's already childish appearance and lack of third party support. The Switch however, doesn't have to try and be "cool", it just is naturally. You see the console in action and it instantly becomes a desirable product. And while Nintendo is pushing for mature content on the system, they're not trying to ram it down people's throats to the point where it feels out of character. It still has that undeniably Nintendo feel, unique and kid-friendly. It just happens to be inclusive for older folk as well.

TL;DR - The Switch IMO, feels a lot like what the GameCube tried to do, but does it with a better designed, better marketed, better executed, and just all around better polished package.

 

[MiyazakiHatesKojima]

Gamecube is much better than the Switch.

Spoiler: Here's why:

 

[Codes 208]

Kind of a weird comparison. Honestly I would say the switch is the Wii U done right.

 

[LMJ]

Always awesome to see another GameCube fan here and while I don't agree completely I see where you're coming from and agree on the Switch being amazing.

1 I'm going to have to disagree, the Cube was actually stronger than the PS2 in many areas sans disc size and got most of the third-party ports minus the really big ones such as GTA.

2. This one I'll give you, I know the cube actually turned a lot of people off with how childish it looked, meanwhile I think the switch has a mixture of both simplistic and Sleek design, it's an awesome machine LOL.

3. Again I got to disagree a little I enjoyed Nintendo's first party output on the cube a great deal, that being said they didn't really set themselves apart any major way, this wasn't like the Wii where it was a unique way to play, something the switch can certainly claim. The Cube was just another console with a few peripherals But ultimately just another console.

4. Agree 100% on this one in fact I don't think Nintendo capitalized on this enough, plenty of people on here have said they should have change outs for the switch cons so that pretty much any kind of game you want can be played in maximum comfort.(dpad, multi joysticks, wheel, etc) As for the cube itself I don't think the technology was really there yet, they were forward-thinking with the GBA, but it really wasn't that great

5. Again many people consider the cube a children's toy given its design, and they missed out on phenomenal games because of it even some of the more simplistic family games we're just a delight to play (my personal favorite theme Luigi's Mansion) and I agree with you 100% the switch can appeal to pretty much all audiences

If Nintendo puts in the footwork working with third parties something they've struggled with in the past, and fixes their god-awful online system the switch could be one of the best systems of all time.

 

[ThatOneGrunt]

Kind of a weird comparison. Honestly I would say the switch is the Wii U done right.

I agree. This is a better comparison. The WiiU was a confusing console. It never made sense to detach the player from the main screen to look down at the second screen to play TV based console games.

Although, Zombie U using the second screen for backpack inventory without pausing the game was kind of genius. I really adored that game.

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

I see it more as a true successor to the DS, whose competitor had a TV-out option built into it. Nintendo's software focus on the Switch is reminiscent of the DS and Wii marketing, where gaming is supposed to flex with your lifestyle. Nintendo was very successful with the "lifestyle" marketing and they're doing it again now:



Three others in the same series: one two and three.

This is aimed at the "responsible Dad who still likes to kick back and have fun", a very different demographic than the forgetful dolts and the celebrities in pajamas who played DS or the families who waggled on the Wii. And Nintendo has been pumping out this kind of "lifestyle gaming" marketing for the Switch since it launched.

Gamecube was directly due to Nintendo's obsession with 3D. It was their most powerful console in relation to its peers. Nintendo really thought that bringing their IPs into the 3D realm would somehow make them more attractive and more popular, but they were mistaken.

 

[Dee Dah Dave]

GameCube had kickass exclusives and that was all it was needed for. Switch hardly has a great library of exclusives to make it a must own. Plus the cube had great hardware and the Switch is gash.

 

[Zog]

When you get right down to it, it was a poor mans PlayStation with a weird controller and proprietary media.

I love the Gamecube controller and the system is more powerful than the PS2. Poor mans Playstation? No.

If you didn't like Nintendo games

I do.

A purple lunchbox doesn't look appealing sitting next to Sony and Microsoft's DVD players from the future.

I just ordered an indigo model on eBay today with a Game Boy Player. I like the way it looks and always have. I have a platinum one and black one currently. Not that the PS2 wasn't a good looking console too, it was.

Sunshine and Wind Waker were both great games, but felt a little too unpolished and weird for most Nintendo fans,

I've never heard of these games described as being 'unpolished'.

With the GameCube, Nintendo tried to bring it together with the Game Boy Advance in multiple ways. A link-cable that connected from the GBA to the GameCube for multi-screen games. And the Game Boy Player, an add-on for the GameCube that allowed it to play the vast library of Game Boy Archives.

I would say that the Game Boy Player expanded the library of games that you could play on your Gamecube. At a time when Switch users are begging for a Virtual Console, the Gamecube wins this point by a mile. Maybe you can take the Switch with you but the Game Boy library isn't present. Consider this, when you want to take a Game Boy game with you, you just eject it from the Game Boy Player and put it into a Game Boy.

Let me just add that the kiddie image of Nintendo was never a concern of mine.

This is a timely topic because I am currently playing my Game Boy Player:

 

[Jubenhimer]

GameCube had kickass exclusives and that was all it was needed for. Switch hardly has a great library of exclusives to make it a must own. Plus the cube had great hardware and the Switch is gash.

Switch at this point in it's life, has about as many quality exclusives as the GameCube did at the same point in time, possibly a bit more.

 

[kunonabi]

They both have mediocre 1st party output but they don't feel all that similar outside of that to me.

 

[Breakage]

Disagree
The Switch is part of the Wii family. The Joy Con is an evolution of Wiimote. The Switch's handheld configuration is basically the Wii U GamePad with detachable controllers. The Switch builds on the ideas introduced by the Wii consoles. The GC was a “traditional” home console with a single standard controller.

I'm not a big Nintendo fan, but the GC is in my view Nintendo's best home console – because it is the most PlayStation-like Nintendo home console. From the hardware design and visual identity (logo / adverts etc) to the non-Nintendo library – it all felt very Sony.
The distinctive cube chassis could have easily come from Sony. When I first saw a jet black GC in real life, I couldn't believe it came from the same company that came up with the hideous N64. It really felt as if Nintendo had finally matured during the GC era. I am reminded of the infamous GBA SP advert from that generation:

You'd expect something like that from Sony's marketing dept, but Nintendo?
For me, GC era Nintendo was Nintendo at its most exciting.

 

[LMJ]

They both have mediocre 1st party output but they don't feel all that similar outside of that to me.

Mediocre? Outside of the virtual boy I cannot think of a single Nintendo console that has had a mediocre first party output...

Perhaps Nintendo 1st party games don't appeal to you, but can you honestly call them mediocre considering not just the love from fans but also critical praise they've recieved?

 

[Red Crayon Aristocrat]

From failed M-rated oddities

Hey now, Eternal Darkness is one of my favorite games and REmake was jaw dropping, they're not "failed M-rated oddities"

The only game that maybe applies to is Geist, which wasn't a bad game either.

 

[Jubenhimer]

Hey now, Eternal Darkness is one of my favorite games and REmake was jaw dropping, they're not "failed M-rated oddities"

The only game that maybe applies to is Geist, which wasn't a bad game either.

ED and RE0 may have cult followings, but they didn't really light up sales charts. That's my point when I said failed. Critically, they were amazingly received. But, they didn't do much commercially to help the Cube.

 

[Red Crayon Aristocrat]

ED and RE0 may have cult followings, but they didn't really light up sales charts. That's my point when I said failed. Critically, they were amazingly received. But, they didn't do much commercially to help the Cube.

I guess that's true.

It's a real shame though, Eternal Darkness should have spawned a long running series.

 

[db1416]

I tend to agree with you mostly. It’s a great comparison of both consoles having very crazy good software lineups and one had a very well made hardware that made up for the graphical incapabilities, while the other didn’t. Seems right to me!

 

[Petrae]

Switch may be the better-selling hardware, but GCN had games that were visually amazing for the time while Switch is at least a generation behind graphically what we’re seeing from the competition. There’s no Rogue Leader equivalent that has made me say “Wow!”.

Major third-party support is also lacking by comparison, thanks to the loss of EA and the death of several significant publishers like Midway and THQ. The NFL and NHL are conspicuously absent on Switch, while they were present on GCN. What third-party support there is comes at least somewhat compromised due to the weaker Switch hardware. Conversely, third-party efforts on GCN often held their own against the dominant PS2.

GCN deserved a better fate, but it just wasn’t to be with Sony wiping the floor with everyone in Gen6. One thing in favor of the Switch is that it’s selling comparatively well versus its more powerful opponents.

 

[Jubenhimer]

Switch is at least a generation behind graphically what we’re seeing from the competition. There’s no Rogue Leader equivalent that has made me say “Wow!”.

Switch is much closer to current gen than people give it credit for. It's CPU and GPU for the most part, obliterate last gen consoles, on top of having more RAM for games (ammount availible for games is only slightly less than the other two consoles). Sure it's not as powerful as the PS4 or Xbox One, but honestly, how much more powerful could you make a 6 in. tablet with heat and battery constraints?

Major third-party support is also lacking by comparison, thanks to the loss of EA and the death of several significant publishers like Midway and THQ. The NFL and NHL are conspicuously absent on Switch, while they were present on GCN. What third-party support there is comes at least somewhat compromised due to the weaker Switch hardware. Conversely, third-party efforts on GCN often held their own against the dominant PS2.

In the case of EA, the only way at this point they'll support the Switch significantly, is if it becomes so popular that they'd be a fool to not put at least something on it like the Wii and DS. Aside from that though, Switch is doing pretty well in third party support considering the type of product it is. It's a mobile device, so there are limits as to what it can do.

Compared to the GameCube, Switch has the advantage of support from indie developers, as well as being more attractive for exclusives due to its unique hardware. Putting a game on the Switch will by default, give that version something unique, unlike the GameCube where it'd just be a gimped version of what you could find on the PS2 (GameCube ports were often more compromised than people like to admit due to media limitations).

 

[UltimaKilo]

The GCN and Switch have almost nothing in common other than being made from the same company.

The GCN wasn’t a failure, even if it wasn’t a success, nor was it a “poor man’s PS2” anything, considering it was more powerful. The Wii U? Now that’s a failure.

 

[Jubenhimer]

The GCN and Switch have almost nothing in common other than being made from the same company.

The GCN wasn’t a failure, even if it wasn’t a success, nor was it a “poor man’s PS2” anything, considering it was more powerful. The Wii U? Now that’s a failure.

Regularly missing Nintendo's sales goals, and the fact that Nintendo had to temporarily cease production of the GameCube because it wasn't selling, and drop the price to $99 not even 3 years into its life doesn't give signs that it was anything but a failure. I love the GameCube, but let's not pretend its troubles didn't exist.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

Pretty sure GC had better third party support from the big publishers.

 

[TGO]

GCN had better games though.

 

[Jubenhimer]

Pretty sure GC had better third party support from the big publishers.

The difference is that the Switch is gaining more support YoY, while the Cube gradually lost support after the first couple years.

 

[Zog]

The difference is that the Switch is gaining more support YoY, while the Cube gradually lost support after the first couple years.

Yep, every Thursday the Switch gets lots more shovelware to the point that finding the good stuff gets harder. With the Switch, it's about quantity instead of quality.

 

[HeresJohnny]

No it isn’t. Not until it has a Metroid Prime game.

And I really liked the Cube. I remember playing Resudent Evil Remake on it and being blown away by how good it looked.

 

[ItsDJ]

I would say the Gamecube was innovative. I wouldn't say it was a failure. The Wii U was a failure because it wasn't really any difference from the Nintendo Wii. The only difference was the game pad which was unique but had awful battery life. The Switch was a breath of fresh air and it's unique style gave it a very successful two years since it's launched. This is just my opinion though.

 

[Petrae]

Yep, every Thursday the Switch gets lots more shovelware to the point that finding the good stuff gets harder. With the Switch, it's about quantity instead of quality.

So much this. A ton of digital shit permeates the eShop every week, with the occasional interesting game that gets buried by the avalanche of indie look-alikes.

Not that GCN didn’t have its own shovelware, but Switch is fucking inundated with it. Advantage GCN.

 

[Zog]

The only difference was the game pad which was unique but had awful battery life. The Switch was a breath of fresh air and it's unique style gave it a very successful two years since it's launched. This is just my opinion though.

You were unhappy with the battery life of the Gamepad but are fine with the battery life of the Switch?

A ton of digital shit permeates the eShop every week, with the occasional interesting game that gets buried by the avalanche of indie look-alikes.

I wonder if Nintendo saw the VC as a threat to selling indie games? Why buy a Super Mario Bros. clone when you can buy the real Super Mario Bros.

 

[Goro Daimon 71113]

Gamecube is much better than the Switch.

Spoiler: Here's why:

Well the Gamecube's joypad is better than Nintendo's Switch sux joystick.

 

[Jubenhimer]

Yep, every Thursday the Switch gets lots more shovelware to the point that finding the good stuff gets harder. With the Switch, it's about quantity instead of quality.

Shovelware always gravitates twards the most successful consoles. Not even the PS4 is safe from it. It's a necessary evil for a console to be easy to develop for and as successful as possible

You were unhappy with the battery life of the Gamepad but are fine with the battery life of the Switch?

It's more a matter of context. For a controller, the Gamepad's battery life was unacceptable considering it had almost no proccessing components in it at all. Meanwhile, the Switch is a mobile device with a GPU, CPU, active cooling system, and all the inherent limitations that come with those. Neither are particularly great as far as Battery Life is concerned, but the Switch is a bit more forgivable in this case.

I wonder if Nintendo saw the VC as a threat to selling indie games? Why buy a Super Mario Bros. clone when you can buy the real Super Mario Bros.

It's more that Nintendo saw Subscription based models were the future, and decided to move forward with them starting with their retro backlog offered via their Online service. It's actually not a bad idea. They simply just need to do more with it.

 

[Zog]

It's more a matter of context. For a controller, the Gamepad's battery life was unacceptable considering it had almost no proccessing components in it at all. Meanwhile, the Switch is a mobile device with a GPU, CPU, active cooling system, and all the inherent limitations that come with those. Neither are particularly great as far as Battery Life is concerned, but the Switch is a bit more forgivable in this case.

Ah yes, the 'it's ok when the Switch does it' defense. Seriously, this shit is so transparent. What next, compare the Switch to the Virtual Boy as another excuse to sing it's praises? I've seen people say that the Gamepad was uncomfortable to hold while praising the Switch. Complete fanboy nonsense.

 

[Jubenhimer]

Ah yes, the 'it's ok when the Switch does it' defense. Seriously, this shit is so transparent. What next, compare the Switch to the Virtual Boy as another excuse to sing it's praises? I've seen people say that the Gamepad was uncomfortable to hold while praising the Switch. Complete fanboy nonsense.

That's not what it is for me at all though. There are things I think the Wii U did better than the Switch and vice versa, and I never said the Switch's battery life is particularly good. I'm just saying it has more of an excuse since there's a lot more going on. The battery life for the GamePad was inexcusable because it had a lot less going on than the Switch.

 

[Zog]

That's not what it is for me at all though. There are things I think the Wii U did better than the Switch and vice versa, and I never said the Switch's battery life is particularly good. I'm just saying it has more of an excuse since there's a lot more going on. The battery life for the GamePad was inexcusable because it had a lot less going on than the Switch.

Either 4 hour battery life is ok or it isn't.

 

[Jubenhimer]

Either 4 hour battery life is ok or it isn't.

It isn't, but in the case of the Switch, it's forgivable due to the kind of device it is. Meanwhile, that same battery-life is inexcusable for the GamePad which is a controller that has no processing or cooling components of any kind in it.

 

[ItsDJ]

You were unhappy with the battery life of the Gamepad but are fine with the battery life of the Switch?



I wonder if Nintendo saw the VC as a threat to selling indie games? Why buy a Super Mario Bros. clone when you can buy the real Super Mario Bros.

I rarely use my Switch outside of my home. So I haven't really experienced the poor battery life on the road.

 

[Zog]

I rarely use my Switch outside of my home. So I haven't really experienced the poor battery life on the road.

Same here, when I am out I am usually not in a position to play games. I did upgrade my Wii U Gamepad battery and now it gets closer to 8 hours but that isn't an option on the Switch.

 

[xviper]

hell no, i don't own a Switch and i'm pretty damn sure it doesn't hold a fart to the GameCube

the GameCube will forever be my favorite gaming system of all time

within 2 years the switch got: Mario Odyssey and Smash ultimate (BOTW is on wii u so it doesn't count)

while the gamecube in 2 years got: Luigi mansion, Melee, Super monkey Ball, Pikmin, Wind Waker, Metroid prime, Eternal darkness Mario sunshine, monkey ball 2, Resident evil 0 and Mario party 4

 

[Red Crayon Aristocrat]

hell no, i don't own a Switch and i'm pretty damn sure it doesn't hold a fart to the GameCube

the GameCube will forever be my favorite gaming system of all time

within 2 years the switch got: Mario Odyssey and Smash ultimate (BOTW is on wii u so it doesn't count)

while the gamecube in 2 years got: Luigi mansion, Melee, Super monkey Ball, Pikmin, Wind Waker, Metroid prime, Eternal darkness Mario sunshine, monkey ball 2, Resident evil 0 and Mario party 4

To be fair, Mario Odyssey is as good as anything else they've ever put out.

So while Switch may be quality over quantity, it's some very good quality.

 

[Jubenhimer]

while the gamecube in 2 years got: Luigi mansion, Melee, Super monkey Ball, Pikmin, Wind Waker, Metroid prime, Eternal darkness Mario sunshine, monkey ball 2, Resident evil 0 and Mario party 4

And Switch has Splatoon 2, Octopath Traveler, Xenoblade Chronicles 2, ARMS, Labo, Mario + Rabbids, Super Mario Party, Mario Tennis Aces. and Pokemon Let's Go!

They're about even at this point in time.

hell no, i don't own a Switch and i'm pretty damn sure it doesn't hold a fart to the GameCube

That explains a lot.

 

[TLZ]

Your whole post is weird OP. I love the GameCube, but you've picked the wrong console to compare to.

And I wouldn't call the Switch a 'literal home console'. It's a portable made to act as a home console with the TV out, just like the Sega Nomad and PSP were. It's much closer to the PSP Go because of the dock as well.

Your post reads like a romantic one.

And Switch has Splatoon 2, Octopath Traveler, Xenoblade Chronicles 2, ARMS, Labo, Mario + Rabbids, Super Mario Party, Mario Tennis Aces. and Pokemon Let's Go!

They're about even at this point in time.

Please don't include this trash with actual good games.

 

[Jubenhimer]

Please don't include this trash with actual good games.

Labo's not trash. It might not be your thing, but it's got an audience and was a well received by many people.

 

[Scopa]

Nice write up, but I disagree that the Gamecube “felt” like it was made for children. That thing was built like a brick shithouse. Tough as nails.

And people always retcon the Gamecube controller. At the time it was widely praised as the most ergonomic and comfortable controllers ever made. “Melts into your hands” was a common phrase bandied about at the time.

Other than that, like I said, nice write up.

 

[SlR_GlBBY]

Who said the GameCube was a failure? I've actually never heard that!

 

[Red Crayon Aristocrat]

Nice write up, but I disagree that the Gamecube “felt” like it was made for children. That thing was built like a brick shithouse. Tough as nails..

I think that's why it was built that way, the toughness plus the handle on the back made it so that it would be easier for kids to lug the thing to a friend's house or grandma's house, like a very, very proto Switch.

 

[jufonuk]

I think apart from the VB and lacklustre sales of the Wii-U

Most Nintendo consoles are done right for their time

 

[cireza]

How can the Switch be Gamecube done right, when it isn't even a cube to start with ?

 

[Sygma]

Gamecube games actually had rock solid performances without the need of patches, were more imaginative and we had Winning Eleven on that shit so its gonna be a nope

 

[Maguro]

The Gamecube was the Gamecube done right.

 

[petran79]

Gamecube was not launched at the expense of the Gameboy Advance though. Nintendo had to ditch the 3DS for the Switch to be successfull.

 

[RobRSG]

I would say WiiU instead.