*Updated 11/12*

Launch Date: November 18, 2001
Available System Colors: Indigo (purple), Jet Black
System Price: $199 (USD)
Game Price: $49 (USD)

System Includes

• Gamecube console
• One controller (same color as system)
• Stereo A/V cable (to hook it up to your TV)
• AC adapter

Current Launch Games

• Luigi's Mansion - Nintendo
• Star Wars Rogue Leader: Rogue Squadron 2 - Factor 5
• Wave Race: Blue Storm - Nintendo
• Super Monkey Ball - Amusement Vision (Sega)
• Madden NFL 2002 - EA
• All-Star Baseball 2002 - Acclaim
• NHL Hitz - Midway
• Batman: Vengeance - Ubi Soft
• Disney's Tarzan Untamed - Ubi Soft
• Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2 - Acclaim
• Crazy Taxi - Sega
• Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 - Neversoft

Games scheduled for release before the end of the year (ship dates)

• 11/19: FIFA 2002: Road to the World Cup - EA
• 11/26: XG3: Extreme Racing - Acclaim
• 11/27: SSX Tricky - EA
• 12/03: Super Smash Bros. Melee - HAL (Nintendo)
• 12/03: Pikmin - Nintendo
• 12/04: Simpsons Road Rage - EA
• 12/15: NFL Quarterback Club 2002 - Acclaim
• 12/19: Cel Damage - EA
• ??/??: Universal Studios Park Adventures - Kemco

*Release date information from EBgames.com and GameSpot

Peripherals

• Extra Controllers: $35 each
  • Indigo (purple)
  • Clear Indigo
  • Jet Black
  • Spicy (orange)
• Memory Card 59: $15 each
• S-Video cable: $20
• Component Video cable: $30 (available only through Nintendo)

*We recommend using only official Nintendo products. Especially for memory cards.

Hardware Recomendations

• Make sure to pick up a Memory Card since you will need it to save your games.
• If you plan on getting Madden or All-Star Baseball you may need a separate memory card just for that game. It's better to be safe then sorry since usually around system launches, memory cards are scarce commodities.
• If you're getting a muliti-player game you'll want an extra controller. Get ones that are different colors from your system so you can tell them apart:)
• If you don't have A/V inputs (those yellow/red/white plugs) on your TV (or VCR), you will need to pick up a Gamecube RF adapter, but we don't recommend this method since picture quality degrades and sound is only mono.
• If you have a TV with S-Video or Component Video inputs you may want the extra cord to take advantage of the cleaner picture these hookups provide.

Software Recomendations

• Smash Bros. is probably the most highly anticipated game. The sequal to one of N64's most popular games is said to expand upon what the first started.
• Star Wars Rogue Leader is also a highly anticipated title (and probably the highest anticipated launch title), and is the sequal to the popular Rogue Squadron on N64.
• Pikmin was developed by the same person (Miyamato) who has done such classics as Mario and Zelda (but this is a strategy game, a RTS).
• Super Monkey Ball: If you are looking for a "party" (multi-player) game, check this game out.
• Madden 2002: A continuation of the long running and excellent football series by EA.
• Dave Mirra 2: Check our review for PS2.
• Crazy Taxi: If you don't have DC and never played it, here is your chance. If you have DC, get the $20 DC version. (DC review)
• Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3: If you have a PS2, you may be better off with the PS2's version seeing as how it's playable online. If you don't have a PS2 or no plans to get one, Tony Hawk 3 is a continuation of one of the best series ever. See our review of the PS2 version.
• SSX Tricky: An updated version of last year's PS2 snowboarding hit SSX (SSX review).

*Reviews of games for other systems will be different from GC's version, but can be used to get a feel for the game.

Other Recomendations

• Get everything ready before you pick up your GC. Make sure you have a free A/V outlet (if you don't have enough you may want an A/V switch box available at any electronics store), and clear a small area for GC (you don't want it sitting on the rug or in a small enclosed area since it will overheat).
• Make sure you have a plan of action for securing a GC. Whether it be a pre-order bundle (most online stores are sold out of these), or from a store that doesn't take pre-orders. If you go the second route, make sure you get to the store plenty early since there will probably be people waiting in line hours before it goes on sale (make sure you know if it will go on sale at midnight or at the store's normal opening time on launch day). Call ahead!
• Watch for stores selling GC's before the 18th! The GC will actually ship a few days before the launch and could be at the stores as early as the 14th. It's possible that stores may start selling them right when they get them even though the official launch date isn't until the 18th (this is what happened with the N64, and seeing as how the Xbox is to launch the 15th, it is very possible it could happen again).
• A good place to check out are your local 'mom and pop' type electronic stores.
• Cacluate how much money you will need (don't forget the sales tax), and then make sure you have it!
• Get plenty of sleep before hand:)

For more information on Gamecube: nintendogamecube.com

Gamecube Box	Gamecube Peripherals: Memory Card 59, Controllers (Indigo, Spicy, Clear Indigo, Jet Black)
Gamecube Game Cases