The Nintendo GameCube , Nintendo ’s 4th house console , entered its several propagation as an underdog for the first clock time since Nintendo entered the gaming industry . While the N64 was view as a step backwards for the company in full term of commercial success , the GameCube in reality sold few social unit than the N64 , even with the industry as a whole ontogenesis and becoming more popular in the early 2000s . While the GameCube ’s unmediated competitor — the Sony PlayStation 2 — was already expected to perform very well , Nintendo failing to transcend the newcomer ( Microsoft ’s Xbox ) in the console wash while losing even further ground to Sony was a pregnant surprise . Despite make a little profit for Nintendo , the GameCube lost Nintendo sizable market contribution , finishing in third place in terms of computer hardware sales , which has lead to it being characterize as a commercial unsuccessful person . Here are 10 things that contributed to the GameCube ’s bankruptcy .
10. Overreliance On First Party
While making huge tread from the 24-hour interval of the Nintendo 64 , the GameCube still had an overreliance on its first party issue . While Nintendo managed to lure Capcom back into the crimp , the majority of other developers either skip the GameCube entirely or released shoddy ports that did not take vantage of console ’s higher-ranking technological competence . When Capcom’sResident Evil 4arrived in early 2005 , it sold extremely well and provided a breath of fresh air for a troupe viewed as dusty , having only put out annual releases of their rehashed games up to that point . Unfortunately , this eccentric of scenario did not fall out often enough . Nintendo ’s first party games were among the serious of the generation , but gamers were simply looking for new ideas . Microsoft and Sony were able to acquire far more third party reinforcement and that hurt the GameCube ’s library dear .
9. No Online
The sixth console multiplication ushered in a move toward online gaming , with the Sega Dreamcast being the first to dive in and the Xbox locomote online a few year after with far more achiever . The PlayStation 2 follow suit with its own on-line model , involve the leverage of an adapter while offering the factual online avail for complimentary . The GameCube had no true online support and this importantly suffer its solicitation . Despite the PlayStation 2 ’s somewhat fundamental online armed service , they were at least able-bodied to compete with Microsoft ’s more sophisticated Xbox Live service in this area . The GameCube ’s lack of an online avail was viewed by many as a absent feature . away from hurting them during the GameCube coevals , Nintendo ’s aversion to severely pursuing on-line gaming is something that would haunt them for generation , as they still lag behind the rivalry with the Wii U ’s unexciting online serve to this daylight .
8. Poor Launch Titles
Nintendo console table were have it away for launching with Mario titles . These launching titles were always among the best of the entire system ’s lifespan and were as influential as they were fun . While the N64 was the first Nintendo console not to admit a plot practice bundling in with the system , Super Mario 64was available to be purchased separately at launching and helped deal the system regardless . With the GameCube , Nintendo did not have a Mario claim quick . or else , they plunge withLuigi ’s Mansion , a glorified technical school demo of the GameCube ’s in writing capability . While it has fall a craze keep up in the years since , Luigi ’s Mansionwas a very abbreviated game that did n’t appeal to adult gamers . multitude were looking for Mario , meaning thatLuigi ’s Mansionwas view as a dashing hopes . Nintendo got cocky and felt their system would trade no matter what . The organization also launched withWave backwash , Super Monkey BallandStar Wars Rogue Squadron 2 — all excellent games ; however , none were capable to reach the popularity that Mario would have had and were unable to sell the arrangement .
7. Loss of Rareware
Rareware , the fellowship responsible for a large number of N64 gems such asBanjo - Kazooie , Perfect Darkand Conker ’s Bad Fur Day , were pried forth from Nintendo just as the GameCube was launch . Microsoft buy them and Nintendo had a luck to match the offer , but turn down . While Rare would not go on to develop many great deed for Microsoft ’s cabinet , their loss stung Nintendo greatly . Aside from no longer producing the excellent title of respect with extortionate British bodily fluid they were known for , their departure signaled a symbolical end to Nintendo ’s aureole day . Gamers felt betrayed losing the company they value so dear and Rare ’s departure allowed these same gamers to find comfortable switching to Microsoft or Sony ’s side . No ship’s company was capable to draw rein the graphic capabilities of a Nintendo console table as Rare did and their red significantly bruise Nintendo ’s repute .
6. Microdisks
The GameCube was the first Nintendo cabinet to habituate ocular disks as its media data formatting . While the PlayStation 1 used a certificate of deposit - fixed storage driveway to eclipse the Nintendo 64 ’s cartridge , the PlayStation 2 stepped things up even further by providing DVD as the console ’s physical media . Nintendo would move to the DVD data format as well , but stop shortly of using traditional DVDs . In an effort to subjugate piracy and lower production costs , Nintendo choose or else for miniDVD , also know as a microdisk . This formatting used an 8 centimeter disc , as compared with the traditional 12 cm for DVDs ) . Unfortunately , this program at last backfired . The small disk course had a small storage content ( 1.5 GB compare to right 4 GB DVD ’s ) . This meant that FMV vista and audio were more compressed to fit on a single disc , reducing their quality and founder the PS2 and Xbox the edge in terms of what they could admit on a disc .
5. Missing Genres
The GameCube ’s subroutine library , while much more diverse compared to the N64 ’s , was still shallow in certain areas when viewed directly with the Xbox and in particular , the PS2 . A main source of defeat for gamers was the deficiency of RPGs . Sony continued to eclipse the JRPG writing style , with Squaresoft leading the room . Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts alone were able to sell the console . Xbox meanwhile had developed quite their own niche , allow excellent Western RPGs such asFable , Star war : Knights of the Old RepublicandJade Empire . These sandbox - style RPGs provided undecided worlds and would eventually become far more pop in North America than the traditional linear JRPGs , which master the former earned run average . On top of RPGs , Nintendo was unable to allow caliber alternatives to run feigning such as Gran Turismo . Nintendo also flush it to speak the highly free-enterprise crusade game market ( other thanSuper Smash Bros. Melee , of course of study ) . Put this altogether and the lack of diverseness in Nintendo ’s depository library was manifest .
4. The Controller
The GameCube control was a long - hold up controller ( it can still be used today to play Wii U title such asSuper Smash Bros. ) ; therefore , it ca n’t be viewed as a complete failure . The truth is that the controller was designed specifically for Smash Bros. and while functional for other title , was not as polished as the oblation of its competitors . Firstly , the lack of a true second analog stick was jarring , as the c - stick was just not as precise as the PS2 or Xbox ’s analog stick . Secondly , the “ Z ” release was not replicated on both side , which effectively think that GameCube control pad was missing the other shoulder button find on its competitors ’ controller . Finally , the colorful layout , from the large green “ A ” button to the yellow blow - peg to the ruby “ B ” button made the controller stand out , but did n’t await as sleek as Microsoft or in particular Sony ’s professional designs . The build caliber may be gamey but audiences preferred Sony ’s offer by a significant margin .
3. Immature Perception
merchandising played a cruel role in causing the GameCube to dislocate to third place . Sony had built a reputation for releasing caliber titles aimed at mature adults and their game offer complex plot line that put the secret plan of Nintendo ’s game to disgrace . Microsoft then entered the orbit and advertised the Xbox as the console of selection for more dedicated gamers ; a home for intense competitory gambling which lead off to take billet with their online - focussed model . The GameCube , still sway over the brand of the N64 , was viewed as a console geared for tike . Nintendo set about their honest to judder this repute , offeringEternal Darkness : saneness ’s Requiemas an other title that was critically acclaimed and certainly geared for grownup , but once a reputation is developed , it is hard to shake . The GameCube would continue to release megabyte - rated title such asResident Evil 4andKiller 7,yet it was the PlayStation and the Xbox which care to ply to an older gang and Nintendo allow for with the less sizable unseasoned demographic .
2. Appearance
With gaming becoming more mainstream and satisfactory at this time , video games were no longer perceived as toy . They were now regard a pursuit to be enjoyed by everyone . Unfortunately , the GameCube was the dupe of oppose advertising which usher their console throw the appearance of a plaything rather than being a serious gaming console table . Despite actually outclassing the PS2 in terms of bare-assed hardware power , its small size of it and carrying handle did it no favors in convince the masses that it could compete with the opposition . The choice to have the indigo purple colouring as the model of alternative for advert effort was a poor one , as the colorful , shining did it no favor when do next to a black PlayStation 2 or Xbox . The overly - colorful restrainer add to the perception that the GameCube was a toy and make the console to not be occupy seriously . Aesthetics are an integral component of a console table ’s success and the GameCube failed on this front .
1. Lack Of DVD Player
It may seem lilliputian today , but the Gamecube ’s deficiency of a built - in DVD player caused the console to take a huge smasher in sale . The PlayStation 2 launched as an attractive secret plan console that could also play DVD movies , a novel applied science that would substitute VCRs . A videodisk player in the year 2000 cost was similar in cost to the console itself , so the PS2 having the instrumentalist build - in was seen as a two - in - one package . The majority of home did not yet have a videodisk role player at the meter , so it was very attractive leverage . The Xbox launch along with the GameCube and Microsoft also included DVD applied science . The GameCube , opt for their proprietary microdisks , had no such videodisc player . For most gamers on the fence during this console war , this was a deal breaker . The lack of DVD support did not appeal to parent especially , who were more inclined to go with a PS2 or Xbox , as these system provided more value for the intact household . This genesis was settled by a DVD player which may seem comical in hindsight , but at the time was a very openhanded deal .
