Slashdot Mirror
Portable GameCube
Bodero writes: "After Slashdot ran a story about the Portable N64 over a month ago, many of us have been enlightened to the idea of portable home console systems. The Portable N64 was more of a novelty item whose cost and development factor outweighed its feasibility. However, IGN Cube is running a hardware review on the Interact Mobile Monitor 5.4, a 5.4" LCD that hooks up to your gamecube, providing a screen and power from either AC or an included car adapter. All that for only $150. For only $50 more, Interact sells an optional battery pack, which IGN claims can power the GameCube and monitor for up to three hours."
I bought the Nintendo GameCube the night it was released. I went to my local Walmart at 11:00 p.m. and waited for them to start selling them at midnight. I bought the GameCube, a memory card, an extra controller, and 2 games, Luigis Mansion and Super Monkey Ball. Since then I have also purchased Waverace Bluestorm, Pikmin, Super Smash Brothers Melee, Tarzan, and Tony Hawk 3. I've also rented Star Wars Rogue Leader, Madden Football, Crazi Taxi, and Batman.
Luigis Mansion
This game had "good" graphics (which are complete shit compared to computer graphics but are good for a television screen) and it was interesting to play. Unfortunately the game is very short. You can beat it in about 10 hours, which by the way is about how long it will take you to get good at aiming the vacuum cleaner.
Super Monkey Ball
Lame, borring, stupid... nuff said.
Waverace Bluestorm
Hard to control and borring to play.
Tarzan
OK this game is clearly for young kids but at least it's easy to control your character (which seems to be a rarity with GameCube games).
Tony Hawk 3
If riding around on a skateboard doing tricks is your idea of good time, this game's for you. Otherwise it's completely borring. There's nothing to do. It's easy to control though.
Pikmin
Extremely difficult to control. This game seems like it was designed to work with a mouse, not a joystick. I have no idea if the game is fun or not (I'm guessing not) because after 30 minutes of fighting the control stick I through it down and said screw it.
Super Smash Brothers Melee
Easy to control, impossible to know what's going on. Move your control stick around and frantically hit your buttons. Then "GAME" appears and you either won, or lost. You're guess is as good as mine.
Crazi Taxi
Completely pointless. You're an insane taxi driver who drives around looking for people to pick up. You pick them up, take them to their destination, get paid and go find someone else. Sound interesting? Didn't think so...
Madden Football
I shouldn't have even bothered with this game. I hate sports. But since there are only a few games available for the GC right now, I wanted to check it out. I played it for about 10 minutes and shut it off.
Batman
Relatively easy to control, as long as you manage to keep the camera view on Batman. The camera constantly swings around behind objects which block your view and you can't see what's going on. And the camera angle switches to akward viewing angles. I thought it sucked. Your milage may vary.
Star Wars Rogue Leader
Disclaimer: I've never seen Star Wars and I basically hate all things "Star [insert name here]". However, to my suprise, this game wasn't bad. I should have bought this one instead of any of the others I got and ended up hating. But after renting it, I didn't think I would like it enough to pay for it.
Almost makes me wish I had bought an XBox. *shudder*
You left the part out about the Xbox version which will be out soon. The battery pack can power an Xbox for up to 4 hours along with the 4.5" LCD screen that snaps right onto the ample acreage of the Xbox controller itself. Further, there is some extra juice left over to power the Linux box sitting over on the side so you can actually use the ethernet connection to play with your friends online. As if that weren't enough, it comes in an enclosure no larger than 5 Xboxes and has a sporty green Xbox logo on the side so that everyone knows you are a gamer with a flair and style unmatched by your peers.
At the jaw-droppingly low price of $450 for all the extra hardware (Xbox and games not included), it can be yours.
And you have to admit, it is really quite amazing what they can do now with four car batteries, 20 pounds of wire, and a huge metal cart (required for portability).
Yeah, so brand me a troll. I am, after all, tired and cranky and sitting under a bridge. How about tossing me a Scooby snack while you're at it?
Curmudgeon Gamer: Not happy