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GameCube Resurgence Via RPGs?

Posted by simoniker on from the good-quality-ninty-merchandise dept.

Daetrin writes "GamesAreFun.com is reporting that Namco's Tales of Symphonia RPG for GameCube sold 200,000 copies in its first day of release in Japan. It also reports that Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles for GameCube has sold over 350,000 units since its Japanese release last month. Perhaps the influx of RPGs will help revitalize the low GameCube hardware sales in Japan?" IGN Cube has hands-on impressions of Tales Of Symphonia, and GamesAreFun also mention the "73,000 pre-orders in Japan" for GC farming RPG Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life, which comes complete with a plush cow if you pre-order Stateside.

50 comments

  1. A stuffed cow? by ZzzzSleep · · Score: 0, Troll

    Wow! Stuffed toys are what has always enticed me to buy games /sarcasm>

    --
    Emerald Astrology
    1. Re:A stuffed cow? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      What would it take to entice you to use pseudo-HTML tags properly?

      Even better, what would it take to get you to stop using them altogether?

    2. Re:A stuffed cow? by Locky · · Score: 2, Funny

      Come on, you're girlfriend will love... oh wait.

    3. Re:A stuffed cow? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Stuffed toys can be very useful if you know what you're doing.

    4. Re:A stuffed cow? by ZzzzSleep · · Score: 1

      Oddly enough, after I had posted my previous message, I realised that I do in fact have several stuffed cows sitting on my desk..... However I still don't think that the addition of a 50 cent stuffed toy to a fifty dollar game will make that much of a difference....
      You're right though... my wife does love those cows.....

      --
      Emerald Astrology
  2. What a coincidence! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Releasing more (good) games causes people to buy more (good) games!

    Maybe they'll tell us that if Microsoft releases more good games (Tao Feng and Inside Pitch definately do NOT count) in Japan, their sales will climb!

    *Captain Obvious has left the building*

  3. Every single person by ihatesco · · Score: 4, Insightful
    Every single person who commented on the low profile of Nintendo 64 (we can't say demise or total failure because N64 continued to bring a positive cash flow to Nintendo and had several hit games like Mario 64, Perfect Dark, the two Zeldas and an F-Zero, not talking about Pokemon Stadium) said that it was because they mainly scared Square and Enix off, and the other producers followed suit.

    But the problem with N64, imho, and with Gamecube (which was instead going the Dreamcast way) was that there are no crappy games produced for the masses, no serial soccer/american football/whatever (like that ugly game series of FIFA and EA sports series).

    Normal People love to be able to buy a simple game for a party, yet to be able to access to good games as well, like Gran Turismo.

    Long Time Videogame Fandom (which is still an important market) instead likes to be able to buy great games, like Tales of Symphonia and FF: Crystal Cronicles, and sometimes to buy also a party game as well.

    If Nintendo wants to be again the number one, they have to lower the prices of SDKs, and win back the hearts of the videogame publishers. But if they want to continue like they are now they can only count on a shrinking fanbase... not everyone wants to play the same game with the same "childish atmosphere" (albeit if they have a "really adult gameplay").

    --
    "I am slashbot, hear me roar!"
    1. Re:Every single person by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If Nintendo wants to be again the number one, they have to lower the prices of SDKs, and win back the hearts of the videogame publishers. But if they want to continue like they are now they can only count on a shrinking fanbase.

      Yeah. It's impossible to underestimate the buying standards of the American public. In the software world, it's the whole reason shovelware bins EXIST. When it comes to competition between games plaforms, there is often a direct correlation between a platform's market share and the amount of shovelware available for it.

      I just take comfort in the fact that OTHER people's buying habits do not affect my own, not when I have a say in it. I don't give a shit how many copies of Enter the Matrix were sold, or what kind of people could possibly enjoy that game. I'm just not going to buy it, end of story.

    2. Re:Every single person by ihatesco · · Score: 3, Interesting
      Normal People love to be able to buy a simple game for a party, yet to be able to access to good games as well, like Gran Turismo.

      Stop talking about Normal People like they're a bunch of mindless sheep. You're the mindless sheep, fucking slashbot.

      I was not certainly talking about normal people like sheep, but in the videogame userbase you see two patterns:

      First one is the "normal people" pattern. They don't read videogame magazine, they don't know who the producers are. What they care however is to have a good, easy videogames to play. They count A LOT in the videogame biz however since they are in vast numbers and they buy a lot of games.

      The other one is the "fandom" pattern. They are the contrary.

      I was only trying to say that this was a move aimed at the fandom, but that Nintendo needs to target the common people as well.

      By the way: this is also the opinion of one of the XBox team honchos (see this article), of Carmack and even Miyamoto as well.

      By the way, my name's not Slashdot, but I like to fuck very much. :D

      --
      "I am slashbot, hear me roar!"
    3. Re:Every single person by johndoejersey · · Score: 1

      Your generalising on such a broadscale your statement carries no substance whatsoever.

      As much as the AC resorted to insults, fundamentally, he/she/it is right!

      You may have further broken down your stereotypes, but your still lumping the entire console consuming community into 2 categories, its laughable!

    4. Re:Every single person by ihatesco · · Score: 1
      Your generalising on such a broadscale your statement carries no substance whatsoever.

      Well, ok, now you and AC go and fetch figures and try to demonstrate that there is a third force that is interesting to the videogame market, expecially when we are talking about figures of sales that go from 200.000 people upwards. I live in a town that barely makes 5.000 people, and I have a hell of time trying to imagine every household here having 40 gamecubes.

      Anyway...

      As much as the AC resorted to insults, fundamentally, he/she/it is right!

      Reread his comment. He was thinking that I was disparaging the non-videogamers buying videogames. Instead I only stated a fact I can see everyday around myself, either when I read the forums, I read the magazines, I walk in a videogame shop or when I talk with colleagues, friends, expecially those people that know that I "understand" games and come to me and ask me "what game should I buy for christmas for my little Giacomo".

      Am I entitled to my opinion?

      --
      "I am slashbot, hear me roar!"
    5. Re:Every single person by Matrix272 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Well, ok, now you and AC go and fetch figures and try to demonstrate that there is a third force that is interesting to the videogame market, expecially when we are talking about figures of sales that go from 200.000 people upwards.

      I agree with you, that there are effectively 2 forces of video-game-buying people... those who know what they're getting, and those who don't. Those who don't, like you said, don't read magazines, don't look up reviews, and don't care about publishers, or developers. We are those who do. I believe what the other guy was alluding to was that he doesn't believe there are 2 forces... he believes there's only 1 massive force. You and I disagree with him, obviously.

      Generally, when I see GameCube sales for a game like Soul Caliber that are much higher than the ratio for GameCube owners to PS2 owners, I tend to think those are the "know-nots" that are buying it, just because Link is on the cover. I also concede that this is a rather bad example, because the GameCube actually does have higher technical abilities than the PS2, so the "knows" actually go along with the "know-nots" and purchase the GameCube copy. In a perfect example, the GameCube owners would be in a 1:1 ratio with PS2 owners, and we could show both sets of people the same game, with a different character on the front... and knowing what those people know, they would choose one or the other. Then we would have definitive data on whether box art, or different characters, or technical abilities effect actual sales.

      --
      "It's better to have a gun and not need it than need a gun and not have it." ~ Christian Slater, True Romance
    6. Re:Every single person by Fred+IV · · Score: 1

      But the problem with N64, imho, and with Gamecube (which was instead going the Dreamcast way) was that there are no crappy games produced for the masses, no serial soccer/american football/whatever (like that ugly game series of FIFA and EA sports series).

      I think the lack of variety turned off the hardcore audience as well (You can only play the same great titles for so long before you need to move on to another great game). I felt burned by the N64 not because there weren't good games for it, but because there weren't enough of them to go around. I decided not to buy the GameCube because of the long dry spells the N64 had near the mid-to-end of its shelf life. More variety and quantity of titles will mean a greater quantity of crap, but it also allows more opportunities for quality titles.

    7. Re:Every single person by ihatesco · · Score: 1
      Generally, when I see GameCube sales for a game like Soul Caliber that are much higher than the ratio for GameCube owners to PS2 owners, I tend to think those are the "know-nots" that are buying it, just because Link is on the cover. I also concede that this is a rather bad example, because the GameCube actually does have higher technical abilities than the PS2, so the "knows" actually go along with the "know-nots" and purchase the GameCube copy. In a perfect example, the GameCube owners would be in a 1:1 ratio with PS2 owners, and we could show both sets of people the same game, with a different character on the front... and knowing what those people know, they would choose one or the other. Then we would have definitive data on whether box art, or different characters, or technical abilities effect actual sales.

      Ehm... the Soul Calibur example came out after I was being called "slashbot" or whatever else.

      Anyway, for the "box art" I would like you to do an experiment. Go in a Blockbuster store, look at all the dvd covers, and count how many dvd covers there are WITHOUT one of the characters, how many of them are WITHOUT a human (or antropomorphic) face and how many of them aren't looking at you or "behind your shoulders".

      --
      "I am slashbot, hear me roar!"
  4. Re:Free Gift by asjk · · Score: 2, Funny
    ...GC farming RPG Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life, which comes complete with a plush cow if you pre-order Stateside

    No thanks, I prefer my cows more austere.

  5. Farming is fun. Who knew? by gklinger · · Score: 4, Informative
    Along side Grand Theft Auto and Unreal Tournament, games like Harvest Moon are easily overlooked and it's a real shame. The first time I encountered Harvest Moon was on the N64 and admittedly, I thought the idea of a game based around farming was ridiculous but I gave it a chance and I'm glad I did. It's fantastic. The Super Nintendo and Playstation versions are also quite good although I didn't enjoy the Playstation 2 version (called Save the Homeland) as much as it was too goal oriented. From what I've read Natsume is getting back to its roots (roots, farming, get it?) with A Wonderful Life. I can't wait.

    It's impossible to explain this game's charm. You just have to try it.

    If you want more information about the Harvest Moon franchise, check out the Harvest Moon Farm. There's a lot of good info there.

    1. Re:Farming is fun. Who knew? by muirhead · · Score: 4, Funny
      It's impossible to explain this game's charm. You just have to try it.
      That's what they said about crack!
    2. Re:Farming is fun. Who knew? by Procyon101 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Aye, harvest moon is an all time favorite of mine. Don't really know why, but it's a very fun game.

    3. Re:Farming is fun. Who knew? by n0wak · · Score: 1

      Too bad the game's release has been pushed back to January (December if we're lucky).

  6. I see how it is... by unclethursday · · Score: 1
    I go on vacation to Dragon*Con, and GamesAreFun gets Slashdotteded. Fine, see if I care. ;-p

    Thursdae
    GAF staffer

  7. If you have a GC you'll play with.... by imperator_mundi · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Hype about a console is at its high at the launch time, when the installed base is equal to 0, installed base is at its high when the last console is sold (I suppose that not so many consoles are "killed in action") when hype is gone and underground since a while.

    Hype helps selling more consoles, more sold consoles help selling more games... there are maybe a couple of millions of japanese with a GC at home who don't have exactly what I would define as an infinite choice of titles, so say that one out of eight or ten want to play without buying a PS2 and the math is quickly done.

  8. Here comes a shameless karma whore by jsse · · Score: 2, Informative

    Tales of Symphonia - A full preview complements more than 20 new screens.

  9. Maybe. Perhaps you need to look at what happened. by Inoshiro · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Nintendo has done a lot to win back video game publishers: witness such amazing events as lowered royatly rates, parterships for developing titles (Sega/Namco/Nintendo F-Zero), and farming out franchise characters for use in third-party titles (Link in Soul Calibur 2).

    Nintendo also has the crap games for the masses. They get the EA games the same as the PS2 or Xbox.

    So why isn't the GameCube more popular, since they did everything you said to do (except they did it before you posted here)? Because no one cares. They have a PS2 already (single console owners), or they have an Xbox (multiple console owners). Almost everyone who wants a GameCube has one; the rest either don't know they want it because of Nintendo's less than stellar advertising campaign, or will buy the Xbox version.

    Soul Calibur 2 and Madden 2004 prove exactly how different the audiences are. Right now, for every 3 PS2s in the North American market, there is 1 GCN and 1 Xbox (numbers aprox: PlayStation 2 18,485,673; Xbox 5,682,847; GameCube 4,429,930).

    How are these two games proving this? Madden 2004 came out on all 3 systems the same day. Madden 2004 for the PS2 has sold 35 to 1 versus the GameCube version (it has sold about much better on the Xbox; ~5 to 1). Soul Calibur 2 for the GameCube has sold 5 to 1 verus the PS2 version -- despite the number of potential PS2 Soul Calibur purchasers being 3x the number of GameCube purchasers. It's even managed to sell more than the Xbox version, again even though they Xbox market is bigger.

    These numbers tell us a few things. Most people who only own a PS2 only care about the so-called "crap" games for the masses. They are happy with their crap games on their system with slow load times and jaggy picture, even if they could potentially get it better elsewhere.

    If they person owns multiple consoles, chances are that the GameCube is a second console; the Xbox or PS2 is the primary. If they Xbox is the primary, they will probably by the Xbox version of multi-platform titles because the Xbox version "will be better." Even if the PS2 is the primary console, chances are the owner will play mainly Nintendo titles on the GameCube because their games come out first on the PS2 compared to the GameCube.

    It also tells us that people will buy for the GameCube when there is incentive to. The PS2 and GCN versions of SC2 have PL2 and widescreen; the GCN version also supports 480p. The Xbox triumphs over this with its 720p support and Dolby Digital audio. So why is the GameCube version selling more copies? Because Link's in it, duh! ;)

    I think the strong sales of Soul Calibur 2 on the GameCube despite the existance of an Xbox version will show third parties that GameCube titles will sell well when there is a reason to buy them. So far most of what the Xbox and GameCube get for third-party titles are warmed-over PS2 ports. Nintendo is trying to bump up the third-party exclusives because they know that people won't buy those titles in any noticable quantity because of the widely-held belief that, "the Xbox version is always better."

    Hopefully this example from Namco will show third-party publishers that simply porting a title is not enough; if they are willing to put in the effort to make each version distinct and worth owning, they will sell more copies than they would've otherwise. If they support the more powerful hardware (Xbox and GameCube) by truly using the features available to them, they will also sell more copies as compared to the PS2 version recompiled and slapped on a mini-DVD.

    Time will tell. Hopefully Nintendo will be able to make good on their promise to beat Sony to the 2005 next-gen console launches.

    --
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    Internet Explorer (n): Another bug -- that is, a feature that can't be turned off -- in Windows.
  10. Re:Maybe. Perhaps you need to look at what happene by ihatesco · · Score: 3, Interesting
    Really interesting post :) anyway...

    Nintendo has done a lot to win back video game publishers: witness such amazing events as lowered royatly rates, parterships for developing titles (Sega/Namco/Nintendo F-Zero), and farming out franchise characters for use in third-party titles (Link in Soul Calibur 2).

    Yes, the lower rates and technological partnerships are something new for Nintendo, but the farming out of franchise character isn't.

    Nintendo has already let Mario, Luigi and Zelda to be stars in third party games, see Mario is Missing for the PC, Mario Typist (also for the PC), and Mario Hotel and Zelda for the CD-I. Thanks heaven Nintendo now has a tigher quality control on videogames with his own characters, so we have great third-party games like Mario Tennis and Mario Golf (I can't remind who was the publisher for the former, but I am positive the latter is from Camelot, that was doing "funny golf game" also on PSX).

    It also tells us that people will buy for the GameCube when there is incentive to. The PS2 and GCN versions of SC2 have PL2 and widescreen; the GCN version also supports 480p. The Xbox triumphs over this with its 720p support and Dolby Digital audio. So why is the GameCube version selling more copies? Because Link's in it, duh! ;)

    Link feels so "outside" the Soul Calibur paradigm :(... at least Spawn is a character that has a charisma comparable to Cervantes' (is Cervantes in SC2? Haven't played it yet... think that yesterday evening I was playing with the first, SoulEdge on PSX)

    Hopefully this example from Namco will show third-party publishers that simply porting a title is not enough; if they are willing to put in the effort to make each version distinct and worth owning, they will sell more copies than they would've otherwise. If they support the more powerful hardware (Xbox and GameCube) by truly using the features available to them, they will also sell more copies as compared to the PS2 version recompiled and slapped on a mini-DVD.

    I can remember someone bashing PS2 because all the XBox games in the end had lower resolution textures and models only because they were also on PS2 :D

    Time will tell. Hopefully Nintendo will be able to make good on their promise to beat Sony to the 2005 next-gen console launches. Hopefully I would have enough to buy all the most important consoles and enough time to play all the most important games, whoever makes them.

    --
    "I am slashbot, hear me roar!"
  11. PS2 has the titles...baby. by CheeseEatingBulldog · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The only reason I bought a Ps2 was because of 2 game titles..no more, no less. Gran Turismo and Final Fantasy. And seeing as FFX-2, FFXI and FFXII will be released on the Ps2, I am one happy puppy.

    Now, If I were into furries and cereal box characters I would have bought a non dvd playable game cube. Nintendo just doesn't have the titles, and even if you have chronicals, I have heard that a gameboy advanced is almost a neccesity...I think I'll stick to the Ps2.

    --

    It's always funny until someone gets hurt. Then it's just hilarious. -B.Hicks-
    1. Re:PS2 has the titles...baby. by PainKilleR-CE · · Score: 2, Insightful

      So you bought a game console because of 2 currently released titles and you're saying the GameCube doesn't have anything?

      hmmm...

      Granted, I bought my PS2 because of Tekken, GT3, and Final Fantasy, but those aren't even the games I currently play on it (well, Final Fantasy 2, but I could've played that on my PS1). I probably won't be buying FFXI (MMO, no thanks), and might wait for FFX-2 and FFXII to drop in price a bit (or maybe wait for a US release of FFIII, if that's ever going to happen), because I have a lot of other games to play at the moment and FFX was not a high point for the series.

      As for the GBA needed for FF:CC, I already have a GBA and GBA-SP (actually bought the GBA after the SP, but that's a twisted story, and it was cheap), and plan to buy another SP next paycheck (the black ones are coming out on the 9th and I want to have one I don't have to compete with my girlfriend over playing, I'll probably trade in the non-SP towards it). Not to mention FF:Tactics Advance coming out on the 8th.

      --
      -PainKilleR-[CE]
    2. Re:PS2 has the titles...baby. by NonSequor · · Score: 1

      I'm willing to bet that most Gamecube owners already have a Gameboy Advance.

      --
      My only political goal is to see to it that no political party achieves its goals.
    3. Re:PS2 has the titles...baby. by CheeseEatingBulldog · · Score: 1

      I thought FFX was a good test for what is to come, I mean the spoken dialog and fab graphics need a bit of fine tuning with the actual FF series, but still I wasn't dissapointed....

      Well ok I beat the end in 30 minutes because I had the sacred weapons and was pissed that I was killing so called end bosses with single limit break.....ok yes I was really pissed...

      But still ..I have high hopes for FFX-2...I think.

      --

      It's always funny until someone gets hurt. Then it's just hilarious. -B.Hicks-
    4. Re:PS2 has the titles...baby. by evilhayama · · Score: 1

      Regarding the GBA nescessity for FF:CC, I think Penny Arcade said it best in their strip.

  12. Re:Maybe. Perhaps you need to look at what happene by PainKilleR-CE · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Link feels so "outside" the Soul Calibur paradigm :(... at least Spawn is a character that has a charisma comparable to Cervantes' (is Cervantes in SC2? Haven't played it yet... think that yesterday evening I was playing with the first, SoulEdge on PSX)

    iirc Cervantes is an unlockable character in SC2 (I unlocked most of the characters this weekend so I'm not completely sure, I just know that he's definitely in there).

    I'd say the only reason Spawn doesn't feel right in SC2 is because I know he is an outside character. He also has one or two moves that are a little outside normal for SC (ie shooting green crap across the screen, similar to the fireballs and other distance attacks in Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat).

    The original XBox controller also seems to work really well, imo, for the game, and has gotten me through my inability to find the SC2 arcade stick in any local stores quite nicely (to the point where the only reason I really want that arcade stick is to have a multi-platform arcade stick for my other games).

    When it came down to it, the added video and audio modes are pretty much what sold the XBox version over the GameCube version for me. Sure, Spawn seems to fit better than Link, but that's a non-issue to me. In fact, I'll probably buy the other two versions when they're budget titles just to get to play Link and Heihachi in Soul Calibur.

    --
    -PainKilleR-[CE]
  13. Party games? by Andy+Dodd · · Score: 1

    If there's anything where the GameCube and N64 excelled, it was at party games.

    Three words: Super Smash Brothers

    --
    retrorocket.o not found, launch anyway?
    1. Re:Party games? by ZzzzSleep · · Score: 1

      The Mario Party games is another great series that are wonderful for parties, although they do take a larger time commitment than SSB.

      --
      Emerald Astrology
  14. Re:Maybe. Perhaps you need to look at what happene by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You can switch PS2 Soul Calibur II into progressive scan mode by holding X and Triangle right after the game starts and auto-loads your save file.

  15. The Gamecube doesn't have the titles? by Man+In+Black · · Score: 4, Insightful

    F-Zero GX, Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Super Mario Sunshine, Mario Kart Double Dash, Wario World, Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles, Metroid Prime, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Animal Crossing, Phantasy Star Online, Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour, Sonic Adventure 2 Battle, Sonic Adventure DX, Soul Calibur II, Ikaruga, P.N. 03, Luigi's Mansion, Starfox Adventures, Mario Party 4, Super Monkey Ball 1 & 2, Viewtiful Joe, Pikmin, plus a horde of multi-platform titles like Tony Hawk and EA sports games.

    I'd say that's enough incentive to buy a Gamecube. It certainly beats buying a system for two games like you did.

    --
    -"One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man." -EH
    1. Re:The Gamecube doesn't have the titles? by blueskatz · · Score: 4, Interesting

      No kidding. I now have more Gamecube titles than any of my other [currently supported] consoles. In my opinion, there are plenty of really good games on other consoles, but the best games are found on Gamecube (though they're mostly first party). I'm really looking forward to Tales of Symphonia and Crystal Chronicles as well.

      All the gamecube really needs is more memory and a better advertising campaign. Maybe Nintendo will get that right next time.

    2. Re:The Gamecube doesn't have the titles? by rhuntley12 · · Score: 1

      I think you listed every single game for the gamecube. For the record PN03 isn't even released, and got really shitty previews. And I don't think Viewtiful Joe is out in the US yet either. Off the top of my head Phantasy Star Online is kind of a waste to get on gamecube. Have to buy an adapter I believe, and it's the same as the DC, PS2, and Xbox versions. Crystal Chronicles isn't even out in the US yet either. Sonic Adventure DX didn't get very good reviews either. I believe it was also just a DC port. I'm not even going to argue some of the other games, mainly just personal opinion. You did miss the only reason I own a gamecube though, Eternal Darkness, freaking awesome game. I don't regret buying a GC just for that game.

  16. Re:Maybe. Perhaps you need to look at what happene by Schnapple · · Score: 1
    Nintendo has already let Mario, Luigi and Zelda to be stars in third party games, see Mario is Missing for the PC, Mario Typist (also for the PC), and Mario Hotel and Zelda for the CD-I.
    Mario is Missing and Mario Typist were "educational" titles (not sure what Missing is educating you on) so it's less of a big deal that they were on the PC. As for the CD-I titles, Nintendo had inked a deal with Phillips to make a SNES CD-ROM drive, but when that deal, like the Sony deal before it, went south, Phillips got to use some Nintendo characters in CD-I games.

    But yeah, Nintendo farming out franchises is a newer phonomenon.

    --

    Schnapple

  17. Re:Maybe. Perhaps you need to look at what happene by Fred+IV · · Score: 1

    But yeah, Nintendo farming out franchises is a newer phonomenon.

    Don't forget about Square's Super Mario RPG for the SNES. In any case, I think it's too soon to say if this is a trend or not.

  18. Re:Maybe. Perhaps you need to look at what happene by Moonshadow · · Score: 1
    Link feels so "outside" the Soul Calibur paradigm :(... at least Spawn is a character that has a charisma comparable to Cervantes' (is Cervantes in SC2? Haven't played it yet... think that yesterday evening I was playing with the first, SoulEdge on PSX)

    Yep, Cervantes is unlockable, and is every much as bit a bitch as he was in the original Soul Calibur. :)

    Link fits in suprisingly well, actually, much better than I had hoped. I think I've had more fun playing him than any other character thus far, because he really does bring his own style to the game.

  19. I'll see that and raise you one. by Eevee · · Score: 1

    My sister-in-law bought a Gamecube for one title: Animal Crossing.

    Oh, she also got a spare memory card (one comes with AC) and a gameboy.

  20. Re:Maybe. Perhaps you need to look at what happene by The+Munger · · Score: 1

    I think the strong sales of Soul Calibur 2 on the GameCube despite the existance of an Xbox version will show third parties that GameCube titles will sell well when there is a reason to buy them. So far most of what the Xbox and GameCube get for third-party titles are warmed-over PS2 ports. Nintendo is trying to bump up the third-party exclusives because they know that people won't buy those titles in any noticable quantity because of the widely-held belief that, "the Xbox version is always better."

    Or perhaps it's because there's a lack of top-notch fighting games on the Cube, while the XBox has (for example), Dead or Alive 3? What it says to me is that Cube owners want a fighting game that can hold its own and XBox owners can go elsewhere for their fighting fix. While I haven't looked, I'm sure you can get DOA3 for bargain bin prices. Take a look at 9+ ratings for the Cube on IGN. The only fighting competition is Super Smash Bros. Certainly not everyone's idea of a fighting game.

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  21. Not quite. by Inoshiro · · Score: 1

    All things equal, the rough numbers are 3 PS2 customers to 1 Xbox customer to 1 GCN customer. Assuming that the Xbox customer happens to also have a GameCube, what makes him choose GCN version over the Xbox version?

    That's the point of the paragraph. Soul Calibur 2 is not just selling well because it's a good fighter on a console with few fighting games (Mortal Kombat aside), it's selling even better than expected considering how many multi-console homes are. People are choosing the GameCube version over other ones. That is the point I was making.

    If Nintendo and third-parties can harness this, then people will buy the GameCube version more.

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    Internet Explorer (n): Another bug -- that is, a feature that can't be turned off -- in Windows.
  22. Sorry but.. no. by AzraelKans · · Score: 1

    FF chronicles has little to no chance to "revive" the GC. First of all the "each of your friends must have a GBA to play" is not exactly a final sale statement. 2nd, is not even final fantasy anymore is more like "Legend of mana" with 3d "ultra cute" characters. (IMO the main characters borrowed the teletubbie faces) put them against the hyped Final Fantasy X 2, and Final Fantasy XI online (both not available in the cube) theres no competition.

    If nintendo really wants to recover its ground it has to do 3 things:
    1.-Get rid of their damned "Nintendo is for kidies" image and release games like GTA and silent hill for the system, I want a system in which I can play any game, not just the ones some suit considers are "not so bad" for me, Im old enough to vote people!
    2.-Get online! Nintendo is refusing to use a system they already sold! "here! have a broadband adapter you can use it for PSO and it also makes a great doorstep! " what kind of respect to their customers is that? Nintendo needs to concentrate on keeping up with the growing online console fan base. (pokemon and yugi online!)
    3.-Have some good and original content based on franchises which are not 20+ years old! and that dont look to be made for preeschoolers We had our fun as kids with Mario and the gang, is time to let go and build something NEW a new franchise for teenagers and young adults, Nintendo original fan base has grown up is about time they realize that!
    If they do that, people would realize the GC is a cheap, portable and pretty capable console.
    But guess what? I dont really think Nintendo is even considering any changes. As soon as the GBA keeps being king of the handhelds expect the GC to dissapear silently with some fanboys trying to clutch to it until the new console is released and the cycle starts all over again.

    --
    Go ahead MOD my day!
    More opinions here
    1. Re:Sorry but.. no. by 31+Flavas · · Score: 1
      3.-Have some good and original content based on franchises which are not 20+ years old! and that dont look to be made for preeschoolers

      You know what? Mario maybe 20+ years old, but he still sells very well, no need to retire him. The same goes for the rest of Nintendos characters (Samus, Kirby, Megaman, Link, Capt. Falcon, Pokemon, etc).

      Nintendo says in bussiness and is profitable because they sell franchises and characters that Nintendo fans want. Nintendo doesn't need to alienate their existing customers with GTA style games; They are already profitable from what they currently sell. Which is more than you can say about some companies *cough*xbox*cough*

      If anything, I'm sure it is you "mainstreamers" who are jelous that you don't have better characters to represent your version of SoulCalibur 2. Like I said, Nintendo is having no problems selling 20+ year old characters.