GameCube $99 Price Drop Now Official

Sweet... by Tyrdium · 2003-09-24 05:46 · Score: 1

I might actually end up getting a Gamecube for Super Smash Bros. Melee now... This may be a prelude to Nintendo's next console's launch. Was there a similar price drop on the N64 before the Gamecube was released? Also, when are the PS3 and XBox2 due out?

Re:Sweet... by I+am+Kobayashi · 2003-09-24 05:50 · Score: 1

I was just thinking the same thing, except for Final Fantasy and the Legends of Zelda game... $99 is hard to beat. It will be interesting to see if Microsoft and Sony move to match the price, of if they don't feel they need to... I don't think PS3 or Xbox2 are expected until 2005. So I don't think that factored into Nintendo's decision.

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--Kobayashi--
Re:Sweet... by fireduck · 2003-09-24 05:54 · Score: 1

I'm fairly sure the N64 went through a pricedrop before the GCN was released. We do know that nintendo is releasing something "game related" next year. Or at the very least, announcing it at E3 2004.

I believe the other consoles are looking at a 2005 update, but i'm not 100% on that.
Re:Sweet... by shoptroll · 2003-09-24 07:17 · Score: 3, Informative

You're kidding right? The system has only been here for a year and a half. The next system is still a ways off. Xbox2 is still only on the drawing board, with ATI and Nvidia having just gotten done with battleing for the GPU on that.
Just because a system announces a price drop that doesn't mean something new is on the horizon. Heck the price dropped two summers ago to its last current price ($149).
If you read the press release on nintnedo's website it's obvious this is a pre-emptive holiday drop.
Either way, for me the question is which color to get.... Platinum matches my GBA, but Black matches the PS2 which it'll sit next to or on top of.
Decisions, decisions....

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Insert Sig Here
Re:Sweet... by Saige · 2003-09-24 07:31 · Score: 1

Does it matter when the next systems are due out? The dates don't affect the games available for any system today - it's not like they'll stop existing when the next generation systems come out.

If you think the price of a system and games is worth paying, for the games that are available now (or very close to being available), then the release of future systems won't change that. Especially since new systems are always much more expensive and have a lot less gamewise to choose from.

I learned my lesson from a console purchase in the past. Don't buy based on promised of system ability or X library of games, because you might get burned. Buy based on having a selection of games available now that justifies the purchase to you. You can't get burned then - because if you get teh games, and no more appear, then you still have enough to keep you happy.

I have 10 Cube games - and if the gamecube up and disappeared from the stores today, along with all the games, I'd be disappointed, but I'd still have plenty to play for quite a while. (F-Zero GX is keeping me busy for now, and I still have two Zelda games to finish, along with Metroid Prime on hard, tons more to unlock in SSB:M, much to find on Animal Crossing, etc, etc.

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"You know your god is man-made when he hates all the same people you do."
Re:Sweet... by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-24 09:01 · Score: 0

Lucky boy, the Platinum GameCubes sold out here a long time ago. So did the Platinum original GBAs.
Re:Sweet... by SophtwareSlump · 2003-09-24 09:12 · Score: 1

I'm going to be getting a GameCube now too. I think $99 is worth it for the chance to play a new F-Zero, Zelda, Metroid and Super Smash Brothers game.
As for when the next consoles come out, don't sweat it. Probably at least 18 to 24 months out. Enjoy the games now if you can afford them.

Bundles? by AndyBusch · 2003-09-24 05:49 · Score: 1, Redundant

Of course, the article doesn't state either way whether there will still be a pack-in/free game/Game Boy Player, or if they are moving to only a demo disc inside. Most of the freebie games are now player's choice titles, so it's still $130 as opposed to $150, so that can still help.

Re:Bundles? by brkello · 2003-09-24 06:26 · Score: 1

Odd...you are a new kind of slashdotter, you RTFA (well, one of them) but you don't read the little blurb describing the article. I'll help you out:

There's an official press release over at Yahoo which clarifies that the deal includes no bundled games

Too bad. Maybe by Christmas. If I get some spare cash I might pick one up:)

--
Support a great indie game: http://www.abaddon360.com
Re:Bundles? by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-24 06:55 · Score: 0

I think his point was that the blurb is wrong.. The article does not say what that blurb claims it says...
I read the article as well and could not find where there was any official statement either way on the bundling issue...
Re:Bundles? by PainKilleR-CE · 2003-09-24 06:56 · Score: 1

If you want Metroid (one of the bundled games at the previous $150 price), check your local Blockbuster video. Many of them were selling it for $20 new. Other than that, try looking for the others used. All of the prices should be coming down once they stop bundling them at $150. Then again, it also makes the GB Player bundle pretty much an even deal (which it always seemed to be anyway, when the games were $50). As always, just look at the bundles offered to you and get the best deal you can. The EB I bought mine from offered 3 or 4 different deals, and the basic system/game deal was the best one they had, whereas the Super Mario Sunshine deal (with a memory card) actually was more expensive than buying the pieces individually if I picked up the game used and the larger memory card. I pre-ordered my GB Player as soon as I found out the Player bundle didn't include a game.

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-PainKilleR-[CE]
Re:Bundles? by Snowspinner · 2003-09-24 08:00 · Score: 1

Actually, whoever modded that one redundant is wrong... the Yahoo press release that the blurb says talks about bundles doesn't actually say a word about them...

Mod parent up and whatnot.

--
Philip Sandifer's academic website
Re:Bundles? by Acidic_Diarrhea · 2003-09-24 08:18 · Score: 4, Informative

I e-mailed Nintendo earlier today about this issue because of the previous article. I asked when the price drop would take effect and what would be bundled with it. Here's the response I got.
Hello and thank you for contacting Nintendo,
As far as I know, the $99.95 will be for the Nintendo GameCube Control Deck only. There will be no game enclosed in the packaging.
Now, when will it be available? The new prices will be effective tomorrow (September 25th), but remember that retailers always determine the prices at which the sell their merchandise. You may want to shop around for the best deals!!

So even though the Yahoo article doesn't mention one way or the other, the Slashdot blurb is correct - there will be no game for $99.

--
I hate liberals. If you are a liberal, do not reply.
Re:Bundles? by brkello · 2003-09-24 09:09 · Score: 1

Ahh, you may be right. It is sort of implied. Here is another link to a nytimes article on the topic: click

It states the following:

Harrison also said the fact that gamers could buy a GameCube and three games for the same price as a PS2 with no games made it a more compelling value for the holidays.

It goes on to commment that the industry was hoping other hardware makers (xbox, ps2) would slash prices, but instead they are offering special bundles. In any case, the answer is no, they do not come bundled with anything.

--
Support a great indie game: http://www.abaddon360.com

Re:First Dupe by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-24 05:52 · Score: 0

hah, you fail it to my dupe post!

Well I was....... by BMonger · 2003-09-24 05:52 · Score: 1

.... about to put my GameCube on eBay (along with my XBox)... but now that I'd be lucky to get $75 out of it... I might as well keep it. Stinks that I bought it at $200 but that's obviously going to happen. And I've gotten my extra $100 out of it.

NOA President George Harrison? by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-24 05:53 · Score: 1, Funny

I got my mind set on you!

Re:NOA President George Harrison? by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-24 06:11 · Score: 0

Holy shit, I was just thinking of George Harrison and the fact that he's dead, when a Beatles song came on the iPod in the car. Now he's back! Praise Jeebus!

Gross exaggeration? by BMonger · 2003-09-24 05:56 · Score: 1

Is it just me or is this statment from the Yahoo article a gross exaggeration:

"This is not only good for Nintendo, but great for consumers," says Lucky Evani, Toys 'R Us representative. "For $99, you can now buy video game technology that you couldn't have purchased for $99,000 just a few years ago."

I'd be apt to believe *maybe* $9,900 on a bad day... unless of course he just means you couldn't have purchased it period because it didn't exist or there was only 1 or 2 prototypes sitting around.

Re:Gross exaggeration? by PainKilleR-CE · 2003-09-24 06:10 · Score: 1

I think he means that the technology wasn't even up to the specs of the GameCube a few years ago even if you wanted to spend just under 6 figures on it. That being said, a few years ago is a pretty arbitrary value, as you could've put a PC or Mac together with similar specs shortly before the release of the GameCube for much less than even $9000.

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-PainKilleR-[CE]
Re:Gross exaggeration? by bluGill · 2003-09-24 06:13 · Score: 3, Interesting

I don't know. I think there is a SGI system of a few years back that would be similear, and cost more than $90,000. I'm thinking something like a multi-way MIPS system at 90mhz from 10 years ago, with the specialized sgi graphics hardware.
Unfortunatly I've used the systems, but I have no idea how you would compare specifications to see if there was ever a system of similear power for more than $90,000.
Re:Gross exaggeration? by Rudeboy777 · 2003-09-24 06:19 · Score: 1

It is a gross exaggeration, but I think you can forgive a "Toys R Us representative" for not having clue 1 about tech.

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From hell's heart I fstab at /dev/hdc
Re:Gross exaggeration? by MORTAR_COMBAT! · 2003-09-24 06:21 · Score: 2, Interesting

The GameCube Specifications describe it basically as a 485 MHz PowerPC 750 (IBM's "Gekko"). This would be roughly analagous to a high-end PowerMac G3 or an entry-level PowerMac G4, perhaps something like the Apple PowerMac G4 Cube.

Yeah, I have a tough time buying the "$99,000" thing, because "A few years ago" was the year 2000, the same year the more powerful Apple PowerMac G4 Cube was released at 450 MHz, and the GameCube itself debuted in 2001!

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MORTAR COMBAT!

Should have cut the game prices instead by HotNeedleOfInquiry · 2003-09-24 06:00 · Score: 4, Insightful

A $99 console is nice, but it still doesn't mean market share when the games are $40 each.

--
"Eve of Destruction", it's not just for old hippies anymore...

Re:Should have cut the game prices instead by Iscariot_ · 2003-09-24 06:39 · Score: 1

The problem with Nintendo is not their game sales. If you look at Soul Calibur II sales for example, Nintendo is ahead of the pack. They're outselling the PS2 version 3 to 2. The problem is that game developers are not making games at all for GC because of low number of cubes owned. Nintendo is trying to get more game developers on board (or back on board as some have recently dropped GC support completely) by lowering the hardware prices and making GC development more attractive.

--

Go here for teh [sic] funny.
Re:Should have cut the game prices instead by stonecypher · 2003-09-24 06:42 · Score: 1

This is one of the big problems with Big N's extremely strict game quality control. It was a good idea when people were still reeling from the demise of the 2600, but by now we're all used to the idea that video games aren't going away and that they're a good investment.

The problem is that N isn't getting enough games. Not only is it hurting the current market, but they also don't have a backlog of games to sell at reduced prices, a la the now 300+ title "PS2 Greatest Hits" line. (I do find it telling that Sony's value line for their current console is larger than N's entire catalog for their current console.)

You're right: $40 is too much. N needs more games in order to fix this.

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StoneCypher is Full of BS
Re:Should have cut the game prices instead by YomikoReadman · 2003-09-24 07:13 · Score: 1

I find it more telling that 90% of the cheap PS2 games are absolute crap. I also find it interesting that games which hit the 100k copy mark before launch take forever to get on the list, and many of those still aren't. Oh yea, and the fact that Sony has a year and a half to get games out there has nothing to do with their larger catalog either. Bottom line, yes Sony has a lot of games on the market. They also have a year on N. Personally tho, I think that on a pure level of quality gaming, Nintendo whips Sony all day long, until you get to the Final Fantasy series, and a couple of other games aside from those. As far as $40 being too much for a game, that is right about where Sony and MS are selling games, so I don't see that as an issue.

--
I have no regrets, this is the only path.
My whole life has been "UNLIMITED BLADE WORKS"
Re:Should have cut the game prices instead by shoptroll · 2003-09-24 07:29 · Score: 1

There's still a chance the market could flop over like a bunch of fish...
A LOT of people are starting to look at the industry now... Why? Because it is making money... Not only that, it has grown during America's recent depression/recession/bubble burst/whatever. The industry makes more than hollywood.
This is probably the same reason why MS got into this in the first place.
And now we have more systems hitting the market? We got the N-Gage poised to flop, the phantom in vapor-land, and i just heard about something else new but i can't remember the name at all right now.
My point is: Before Nintendo, the market flopped due to 2 things. 1) Too many systems = too many options for consumers. 2) Too many clone games = not enough original titles.
If Nintendo has to montior what's being developed to ensure #2 doesn't happen, so be it. I'd rather have a system with 400 original games, than 1,000 games that are all ripoffs of other games.
And unless we get more companies like MS trying to force their way in, #1 probably won't happen for a while, unless Nokia's N-Gage actually turns out to be useful and fun in some strange way.

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Insert Sig Here
Re:Should have cut the game prices instead by Metal_Demon · 2003-09-24 08:37 · Score: 1

I agree that $40 game prices are standard and therefore not a Big N issue. Aside from that pay no attention to the Nintendork. Yomiko has issues with Sony (I think a big wig there mollested him) so he tends to look past the fact that for every good game on Nintendo there is at least one on Playstation. This is due in part to the fact that Playstation has far more games out, so obviously there is plenty of crap. People seem to always think however that the amount of games for Playstation is somehow a bad thing. I stick to my story that there cannot be one console to rule them all, thus I must have them all. Now that Nintendo has dropped their price I can have them all, and eat them too.
For the record me and Yomiko are good friend in RL so obviously all flames are allowed in my contract.

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Trust Your Technolust
Re:Should have cut the game prices instead by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-24 13:07 · Score: 0

Soul Calibur 2 is a bad example. All else being equal, who wouldn't want to use Link instead of the other 2 wankers?
Re:Should have cut the game prices instead by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-24 18:11 · Score: 0

No, Soul Calibur 2 is a GOOD example, since he's talking about how Nintendo's problem isn't with the ability to sell X number of games versus Sony's Y number of games (as an example). The problem he points out is the lower installed base in the U.S., that publishers see and use to affect whether they should make Gamecube ports of their games their highest priority.

Plus it shows that game designers who want to spur sales on all three consoles can do so....by making system-exclusive features. Spread the love all around, and you'll even find that some people will collect all the versions just to stay on top of everything. There are people who spent $150 on Soul Calibur II, by buying all the versions. I even know a guy who has every version of Splinter Cell because of the exclusive features in the different versions. Want to give one system's copy an extra push? Put something extra cool in, and watch the collectors climb out of the woodworks to buy that version. It's smart business, make more money for very little extra effort.
Re:Should have cut the game prices instead by stonecypher · 2003-09-25 05:01 · Score: 1

Tekken Tag/4, Grand Theft Auto, Twisted Metal: Black, Final Fantasy X, Baldur's Gate, Devil May Cry, Gran Turismo 3, Myst 3, MGS2, Midnight Club, Onimusha, Silent Hill 2, Test Drive and Red Faction are crap games?

Okay, well, you've got me on Red Faction. Otherwise, jesus, what games do *you* play?

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StoneCypher is Full of BS
Re:Should have cut the game prices instead by stonecypher · 2003-09-25 05:09 · Score: 1

> There's still a chance the market could flop
> over like a bunch of fish...

Yeah, and there's also a chance that TV could go away. Personally, I don't think either event is particularly likely.

> 1) Too many systems = too many options for
> consumers.

Sorry. When the market crashed, it was Atari and Atari. And nobody else.

> 2) Too many clone games = not enough original
> titles

Close. It wasn't that there were too many unoriginal titles. It was that almost every game out there sucked balls, that many of them outright didn't work, that there was no quality control, and that because it was a new medium people wondered if pac-man was a fluke and there really wasn't anything else coming out of those systems.

I think by now we've shown that not the case. Video games are no longer the gee-whiz new wonder that maybe won't make it through next season; they're referenced in every form of pop culture, and something that nearly everyone under the age of 25 grew up with (and quite a few people under the age of 35.)

Yes, the video game market could crash. But not for the old reasons.

As far as having a game system with 400 original games, that'd be great. The Gamecube has about a dozen (the PS2 has about triple that, and the XBox has four that I count.) Original games are all well and good, but when it comes down to it, my favorite console games are always the fighting games, and the last really innovative fighting game was Tekken 2. OTOH, I still play Tekken 4 like it was my life support.

Yes, if you could find a system with 400 original games, that'd be great. In my opinion, there aren't 400 original games total, across *all* platforms. What the GameCube needs is good cheap games to get its library to not peter out after three months if you're interested in only one or two genres, and to give a reason to charge $40 for games (it's not so bad when you have the option of buying cheaper ones; then, instead of beiung overpriced, the new games are 'premium'.)

It's all about how things are viewed.

As far as needing the N-Gage to have too many systems, I think you might want to look at the market. There are more systems now than at any point other than the late nineties in history. Hint: slashdot doesn't cover the ones that aren't new and interesting to geeks.

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StoneCypher is Full of BS
Re:Should have cut the game prices instead by YomikoReadman · 2003-09-25 06:22 · Score: 1

FFX isn't on the lst, Substance is way better than the original MGS2(I do own that, BTW), and I got tired of Twisted Metal on the playstation. Oh, Tekken 4 is about the worst Tekken game ever. No balance between characters at all. Baldur's Gate is pretty bad too. Not nearly as good as the PC version. Aside from those, good point, but even 5 out of 300 is about 2%, which is much less than 10% of all the games on the list which are good.

--
I have no regrets, this is the only path.
My whole life has been "UNLIMITED BLADE WORKS"
Re:Should have cut the game prices instead by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-26 03:38 · Score: 0

Crash Bandicoot: Wrath of Cortex, Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution, Grand Theft Auto III, Simpsons Road Rage, Tekken Tag Tournament, James Bond 007 in Agent Under Fire, Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy, NBA Street, Pac-Man World 2, Gran Turismo 3, Scooby Doo: Night of 100 Frights, Smuggler's Run, Twisted Metal: Black, Dark Cloud, Red Faction, Hot Shots Golf 3, Midnight Club Street Racing, Star Wars Ep.1: Starfighter, Ace Combat 4, Namco Museum, Devil May Cry, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3, SSX Tricky, State of Emergency, Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance, Maximo - Ghosts to Glory, Test Drive, SSX Snowboard Supercross, Onimusha: Warlords, Crazy Taxi, WWF Smack Down! Just Bring It, Virtua Fighter 4, Max Payne, FreekStyle, Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2, ATV: Off-Road Fury, Bloody Roar 3, Resident Evil: Code Veronica X, Spy Hunter, Stuntman, NFL 2K2, Myst III: Exile
This is FAR from a complete list, but I have played most of these games, and thoroughly enjoyed all the ones in bold. Thats 19 out of 42 by the way, almost half. There is no way in hell I could think of 19 games I'd even care to play on the Gamecube. Can't we all just agree to disagree?

Go Gamecube Go! by UV_Haze · 2003-09-24 06:03 · Score: 0

The gamecube is a kick *ss system and gets almost none of the respect it deserves. I'm an adult, and I like some kiddie games, but I also like games rated 'M' for Mature. The Gamecube IMO has plenty of both.

Also, I don't understand why xBox is getting all the props when every report I look at tells me it's doing marinally worse than the Gamecube PLUS it's sales in Japan bite the big one. AFAIK there are way to many journalists from the regular press and the games press who are far too willing to print whatever hot air M$ decides to blow up the gaming communities collective butts...

Oh.. i can just feel my karma going down. I'd better say some funny stuff to get a good rating

Um... Oh, i'm so unfunny. Even on a good day. I guess you just gotta know me.

cheers!

Re:Go Gamecube Go! by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-24 07:52 · Score: 0

You are a sad, strange little man, and you have my pity.
Re:Go Gamecube Go! by rhuntley12 · 2003-09-24 15:34 · Score: 1

Japan is the only place Gamecube is beating Xbox I believe.
Re:Go Gamecube Go! by UV_Haze · 2003-09-25 00:21 · Score: 0

Total numbers show gamecube beating xBox overal. Marginally though so it's a moot point. But still. The Gamecube is a wicked machine. and It's getting very poor reception in the press mainly cause i don't know why

Statistics for anything by kneecarrot · 2003-09-24 06:07 · Score: 4, Funny

I'm always amazed how someone can come up with a statistic to support pretty much any conclusion. I think if the Cube were to be yanked completely due to lack of sales, Nintendo would say:
"We are the only console maker to fully realize and pinpoint our maximum sales potential."

--

I always save my last mod point to mod up a good troll. You people are too serious.

Funny how Microsoft was tooting its horn yesterday by cdneng2 · 2003-09-24 06:40 · Score: 2, Interesting

Funny, we have George Harrison, as saying 'So far in 2003, Nintendo GameCube is the only home console showing an increase in unit sales compared to 2002.' ... and then you have Gamebiz quoting Microsoft 'Quoting statistics from US market research body NPD Funworld, the company claims that the Xbox is the only console which has continuously demonstrated positive market share growth in the past year, while sales of software in August grew faster than either of its rivals and boosted the console's attach rate to 5.8.'

Of course, I take that chest beating from Microsoft with a grain of salt.

Regardless, I think Nintendo's really going to break even on profit of GC hardware sales, and it will make it's money on its own first party software sales. The upcoming war now is for second place market share, especially during Xmas, when parents are shopping for that Xmas present for the kids (and themselves).

It almost seemed that Nintendo played the right strategy all along. It didn't want to compete against Sony directly, it's made a nice niche for itself with it's specific genre of games (that does not suit everybody, BTW).... and it's price point can't be beat.

Microsoft is in a precarious position. It's still hemorrhaging money from it's price war with the PS2. It's too far behind in market share wih the PS2. Now, it can't possibly compete against Nintendo's new price, and it's too late to offer kid games (especially touting kid games that are cross platform [Harry Potter]?). What's poor Microsoft to do?... and for that matter, what's with all the bad press about Nintendo 'struggling'?

OMG!(#&@#&@ by j0nkatz · 2003-09-24 07:05 · Score: 0, Offtopic

WRESTLEMANIA XIX!!!!!

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Don't mod me, bro'!!!!

Great! by EvilSporkMan · 2003-09-24 07:21 · Score: 1

Cheap computers! Somebody should port Linux to the Cube...just imagine a Beowulf cluster of these! =P

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-insert a witty something-

Hell of a Deal by Azerphale · 2003-09-24 07:47 · Score: 2, Insightful

I got the cube at $150 USD and trolled used game stores to find Smash Bros., Monkey Ball, Rogue Leader, and Resident Evil for less than $25 a piece.

Now that Metroid Prime, Zelda: Wind Waker, and Soul Calibur II have graced this little platform that could; There's almost no excuse for the hardcore gamer not to own one.

I find that it complements my PC nicely allowing me to play most of the console games that won't grace the PC. I'll even admit to being a fan of 80% of the Nintendo liscences. It's even handy to pick up and take to a friend's house (since most of them opted for the PS2/XBOX combo) and I get to keep the extra money I saved on a system for gas money to kick their sorry asses with Link in SCII

-Rob

Re:Hell of a Deal by rhuntley12 · 2003-09-24 15:36 · Score: 1

Most hardcore gamers already have all the systems. In my case 3 xbox's, 2 ps2's and a GC.
Re:Hell of a Deal by mr.capaneus · 2003-09-25 00:43 · Score: 2, Insightful

Why is God's name do you have 3 Xbox's and 2 PS2's? You really should try going outside every once in a while.

Re:Funny how Microsoft was tooting its horn yester by Snowspinner · 2003-09-24 08:05 · Score: 4, Informative

The statistics are entirely different. Nintendo claims an increase in unit sales from 2002 to 2003. That is to say that, strictly in terms of sales, more Gamecubes were sold in 2003 than were sold in 2002.

Microsoft, on the other hand, is only claiming that the percentage of people who own an XBox has consistantly gone up over the past year compared to the other two consoles. In other words, Microsoft's statistic is in comparison with both Nintendo and Sony, whereas Nintendo's statistic is in comparison only with themselves.

Considering that Nintendo released a Zelda game early in the year, my guess is that they then had a slow quarter somewhere after that, so their share did not substantially increase in a given quarter, while their overall sales increased dramatically for the year.

--
Philip Sandifer's academic website

Mike Hawk predicts the future... by Mike+Hawk · 2003-09-24 08:22 · Score: 2, Insightful

Replace Dreamcast with Gamecube.

Not that I like linking to IGN, but it was the first that came up from google.

Re:Mike Hawk predicts the future... by Daetrin · 2003-09-24 08:32 · Score: 3, Insightful

And your point is? Are you trying to make the correlation that the GameCube is going to go the way of the Dreamcast? If so, how are you making that argument?
All three of the current consoles have cut prices multiple times so far since their release, so why are you singling out the GameCube? Because it was first in this particular round? Sony was the first in other rounds, yet they're still around. Nintendo and Microsoft followed suit in those cuts, and Sony and Microsoft will do the same in this round as the holidays grow nearer. Because it was the first to get below $100? GameCube started out the cheapest, so of course it's going to be the first to go below $100 (unless either Sony or Microsoft had _really_ screwed up)
So what is the rationale for this claim, or are you just being a troll?

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This Space Intentionally Left Blank
Re:Mike Hawk predicts the future... by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-24 09:07 · Score: 0

"So what is the rationale for this claim, or are you just being a troll?"

Bingo. Mike Hawk is a troll. Look at his posting history, he decries Nintendo at every given opportunity and says nothing positive about anything worthwhile.

He is also quite a Nokia shill.
Re:Mike Hawk predicts the future... by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-24 10:17 · Score: 0

Hey Mikey, how many billions of N-Gages do you think Nokia will sell when it's released? Inquiring fans want to know!!
Oh yeah, when's the release date buddy?

IGN says "NO BUNDLE" by Trillian_1138 · 2003-09-24 08:23 · Score: 3, Interesting

According to an article on IGN Cube [ http://cube.ign.com/articles/451/451364p1.html?fro mint=1 ] Harsison, VP of marketing and communications had a conference call with media reps and such. Durring the call he fielded questions, and IGN posted quotes of the call. Here are some of the choice picks:

"This is an aggressive move by Nintendo. This is an indication that this generation of consoles is about to enter the mass market."
"We believe this [GCN price at $99] is the best value in the history of videogames."
"Between now and the New Year more than 100 new GameCube titles will hit the shelves."
On GBA and GCN now selling at the same price: ""I don't think it creates a problem. In fact, you can buy an SP and a GCN for the price that you now pay for a PlayStation 2 bundle. We continue to sell as many GBAs as we can get."

And, perhaps most interesting to those without GC's or (like myself) those with but still interested in how Nintendo is planning their marketing strategies:

"We don't have any plans to do any software bundles."

Personally, I think this is a poor choice. Even a Player's Choice bundle worth $20 (with Star Fox Adventures, Pikmin and Luigi's Mansion now at $19.99) there's a mental bonus to getting a system with a free game. And, as far as I know, those games are not huge sellers so I doubt Nintendo would lose a huge number of game sales from the deal...

Also of intrest, Harrison said, "GameCube production will begin again later this fall."

-Trillian

Re:IGN says "NO BUNDLE" by StocDred · 2003-09-24 08:47 · Score: 1

Absolutely. Realistically, the Cube has been $100 for months now if you include the value of the "free" game in the bundle. And anyway, what GameCube owner would not have wanted Wind Waker, Metroid Prime, or Mario Party 4?
At least throw in a couple of stinkin' eCards.
Re:IGN says "NO BUNDLE" by shoptroll · 2003-09-24 09:12 · Score: 1

*Bzzzt* Wrong....

Check the nintendo website... Their press release for this price drop also mentions Metroid Prime and others hitting Greatest Hits.

Basically 1/2 the games available for bundle are now $30. Do the math = you come out $20 richer than before.... Unless you get a mem. card. Then you're par for the course.

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Insert Sig Here
Re:IGN says "NO BUNDLE" by Trillian_1138 · 2003-09-24 10:01 · Score: 1

Shoptroll said, "*Bzzzt* Wrong....Basically 1/2 the games available for bundle are now $30. Do the math = you come out $20 richer than before...."

Well, sort of. As far as I can tell, including looking around the Nintendo sight, I am right about Nintendo dropping the bundle. But I didn't say it wasn't a better value than it used to be, because in that respect you are correct. Getting a $99 Gamecube and a newly added $19.99 or $29.99 players choice game is cheaper than the old bundle, $149 for a GCN and a game. In addition, the new price breaks the $100 price barrier, which is a mental thing.

But when I origonally said "I think this is a poor choice," I should have expanded on that. What I meant was that, while I think the price drop is great, I think removing the bundle is a poor decision. That's because, as I said before, with a bundle there's actual incentive of getting a game, but there's also, I would argue, a higher mental incentive. People see paying one price for 2 things, even when the new deal offers 2 things for 2 prices that total cheaper than the old 1 price. If that makes any sense.

So I applaude Nintendo dropping their price and really do hope it works to sell more systems and games. But I think it would have been even BETTER had they included some game. Any game. Pikmin. Luigi's Mansion. As far as I can tell, not many people are buying them. I said it before and I stand by my claim the added percieved value to the bundle would outweigh the cost to Nintendo.

-Trillian

Here's the link by Trillian_1138 · 2003-09-24 08:26 · Score: 1

Sorry about the above link. Guess it didn't like me. Here's a link to the IGN Cube story. -Trillian

im glad I didn't buy one yesterday by wanderers_id · 2003-09-24 08:30 · Score: 1

I bought an SP instead..... all the better for FFCC!

Perhaps the narrow focus will win. by nobodyman · 2003-09-24 08:46 · Score: 3, Interesting

Many analysts have faulted the Gamecube for it's inibility to play DVD's. However, the gamecube's narrow focus as stricktly a gaming machine has enabled it to go to a pricepoint that Sony and Micrsosoft (probably) won't match.

Imho, $99 put's the gamecube in the "impulse buy" range. Also, Nintendo now has a line of budget titles. This might be the gamecube's turning point. Certainly not a level of success on the order of what the ps2 has seen, but perhaps a rehash of the situation with the N64 -- the market was big enough to attract developers and turn a profit.

Re:Perhaps the narrow focus will win. by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-24 09:12 · Score: 1, Interesting

The GameCube is already profitable, for the very reason you cite: It is a dedicated gaming machine. No R&D, no DVD licensing issues, no extra hardware cost, low-power-usage CPU (PowerPC variant), etc. mean that the GameCube has always been the least expensive of all the current consoles to manufacture. At $100, I think the margin is extremely small, but I still think that, given the times and the fall of associated manufacturing costs, Nintendo will continue to make a profit on every GameCube sold, even at $100. The competition can't claim this, and they won't for the life of themselves try.
Re:Perhaps the narrow focus will win. by Mike+Hawk · 2003-09-24 12:33 · Score: 2, Funny

At $99, its in the "mom wonders what is wrong with the system that it is so cheap" range.

Here's another game product under $100, but I don't think anyone expects it to compete with XBOX and PS2 because of its pricepoint.

The smell of desperation will be too much at any price now.
Re:Perhaps the narrow focus will win. by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-25 00:41 · Score: 0

At $300, how will the N-Gage do?
Mikey, when will the N-Gage be released? I WANT TO PLAY TONY HAWK PRO SKATER!!!
Re:Perhaps the narrow focus will win. by MIKE+HAWK+TROLL · 2003-09-25 02:34 · Score: 1

Nokia Rules!
Go buy your N-Gage today! It's fun and the graphics on it are better than anything the Gamecube has got! Seriously, Tony Hawk Pro Skater is the best around - it doesn't get better than that, even if you're a professional skateboard. Kick it!

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Buy your Nokia N-Gage Today!

Re:Funny how Microsoft was tooting its horn yester by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-24 08:56 · Score: 0

Also the release of FF:CC and the new Tales game in Japan gave Gamecube sales a big shot in the arm that actually propelled the GC past the PS2 if only temporarily.

In other words... by Thedalek · 2003-09-24 09:08 · Score: 1

Recent Slashdot headline not a baseless rumor!

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Happiness is relative, Based upon the way we live.

clu76 predicts the future... by clu76 · 2003-09-24 09:10 · Score: 1

I predict Nintendo will make more money than Sony this fiscal year. How are my odds looking?

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the cosmos in 20 words or less: thumbuki.com

Well, there's a project at Step Zero... by leonbrooks · 2003-09-24 16:20 · Score: 1

...on the path to a Beowulf cluster of these. And of course, it could run stuff and then you'd have lots and lots of games. Of course, the game developers might not be entirely happy about the end result, but y'get that. (-:

I wonder if it'd be possible to usefully adapt a 512MB SDRAM stick for the GameCube? (-:

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Got time? Spend some of it coding or testing

Re:Well, there's a project at Step Zero... by stonecypher · 2003-09-25 05:11 · Score: 1

Though that's certainly neat, it's not much for bang for the buck, especially when you consider the interconnects. You'd get better cycles/$ from remaindered alphas. Also, alphas are sexier.

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StoneCypher is Full of BS
Re:Well, there's a project at Step Zero... by zonker · 2003-09-28 13:05 · Score: 0

if i remember correctly, the cube can't address that much memory via the memcard unless you were to do some clever tricks (llike bank switching or somesuch). i can't remember what the deal was, but there was some internal limit to card size.

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Large print giveth, and the small print taketh away

Used Gamecubes? by dafoomie · 2003-09-24 19:58 · Score: 2, Interesting

How much are used gamecubes now that the price has gone down, at places like EB? They were $100 used and $150 new... Does that mean a used GC will go for $50? Probably higher, which makes it not worth it to go used.

Re:Used Gamecubes? by Acidic_Diarrhea · 2003-09-25 05:30 · Score: 1

gamestop.com is showing the used GC's for $89 now and the new GC's for $99 (just to show that they have updated their pricing). At that price point, I think it's worth it just to spend the extra money and get a brand new system. Of course, perhaps the used price will go down. After all, retailers would be selling used consoles that they paid consumers X amount for on the trade-in so they certainly wouldn't want to sell them back to people for anything below X. But now that the new GC's are at 99, when you trade one in, you'll get less and therefore, theoretically, the store could sell used ones for sell and still make a profit. Who knows though - I'd say for the time being the used GC's will be at $89.

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I hate liberals. If you are a liberal, do not reply.

It's happened before... by userloser · 2003-09-24 21:31 · Score: 0

Since when has cutting the price of a console EVER helped out sales?

Gamecube is just sooo 'dreamcast'!

Re:It's happened before... by Acidic_Diarrhea · 2003-09-25 03:54 · Score: 1

The NES, SNES, Genesis, and PSX all showed improved sales figures after price cuts. Do you think the PS2 would have an installed worldwide base of over 50 million if the price had stayed at $300 in the U.S. the whole time?
The price drop I believe you are referring to was when the Dreamcast dropped to $79.95. This came at the same time that Sega announced it was getting out of the hardware business and was clearing out all remaining inventory. Nintendo, on the other hand, has done nothing of the sort and has committed to another generation of hardware. So your comparison of the Gamecube to the Dreamcast is quite thin when one really thinks about it. Price drops help get consoles into more hands - simple as that.

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I hate liberals. If you are a liberal, do not reply.

Re:Funny how Microsoft was tooting its horn yester by PainKilleR-CE · 2003-09-25 00:38 · Score: 1

Someone else already pointed this out, but I wanted to clarify a bit:

Funny, we have George Harrison, as saying 'So far in 2003, Nintendo GameCube is the only home console showing an increase in unit sales compared to 2002.'

Nintendo says: We sold more consoles this year than we did last year. Sony and Microsoft did not sell more consoles than they did last year. ... and then you have Gamebiz quoting Microsoft [gamesindustry.biz] 'Quoting statistics from US market research body NPD Funworld, the company claims that the Xbox is the only console which has continuously demonstrated positive market share growth in the past year,

Microsoft says: The percentage of XBoxs sold vs. GameCubes and PlayStation2s sold has increased throughout the year (meaning during no quarter has it decreased or stayed the same). Nintendo and Sony both saw at least one quarter in the last year in which they didn't increase their percentage of consoles sold.

Also:

while sales of software in August grew faster than either of its rivals and boosted the console's attach rate to 5.8.'

Translation: KOTOR broke XBox sales records by being the only game since Halo that everyone wants, and selling 250,000 copies in 4 days. Since everyone that owns an XBox owns Halo and KOTOR, and most owners of XBoxes bought the XMas XBox bundle from last year, which includes JSRF and Sega GT2000-something, and everyone bought 1 or 2 other games, usually multi-console titles, we have an attach rate of 5.8 games per console sold.

Yeah, like I would actually have SegaGT and JSRF if they hadn't come with my console. Then again, I own a few more games than 5.8 for the XBox.

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-PainKilleR-[CE]

Re:Funny how Microsoft was tooting its horn yester by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-25 07:45 · Score: 0

yeah, it's all funny numbers... if they sold 40 games in may, and 40 games in june... that's a 200% jump in sales... if sony pushed 53,123 through in may and june saw sales of 53,124, then there's quite a bit smaller increase... it's about consistency of high sales, not growth from barely anything to barely anything.

Anything said in Latin makes a bigger sound? by leonbrooks · 2003-09-25 12:37 · Score: 1

Sorry, just trying to decipher your tagline.

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Got time? Spend some of it coding or testing

Re:Anything said in Latin makes a bigger sound? by stonecypher · 2003-10-01 06:06 · Score: 1

It doesn't translate well. "Sounds bigger" isn't a great transliteration; it means sounds more important. Lean towards "imposing."

If I remember correctly, it's a nasty comment thrown at a british parliament member which had a tendency to quote senators in the pompous effort to make himself seem learned and wise, by another parliament member which was witty and mean.

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StoneCypher is Full of BS

My question by Dachannien · 2003-09-27 15:55 · Score: 1

...is, when will Sony cut the MSRP on the PS2 to compete? I could give a rat's ass about the GC, but would really like to play the .hack series, and have about $130 worth of "points" on a credit card that I'd redeem for a PS2 if the price came down.

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GameCube $99 Price Drop Now Official

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