Key Publishers Scaling Back GameCube Titles, Zelda Sequel Hints

Thanks to Gamesindustry.biz for its article discussing the list of specific games and publishers going without GameCube support, mentioning: "Joining the swelling ranks of publishers without any Cube titles in their portfolios (which already includes the likes of Acclaim and Eidos) is Lucasarts, which currently has no titles for the platform on its internal schedules." It goes on to note: "While support from Japanese publishers remains strong... Western third-party support for the Cube is facing a serious decline this year." Elsewhere, 1UP reports that a Game Developer's Conference lecture by Nintendo's Eiji Aonuma had oblique news on a GameCube Zelda sequel, since he "showed in his presentation a slide reading 'Wind Waker 2: 2XXX,' so we can expect to play the game within the next 996 years." Aonuma also "strongly hinted at the prospect of a new Legend of Zelda or Zelda-related game for the DS."

Comments

Re:It's been said before

[Anonymous Coward]

So only smart people play the cube? Crap, I'd better return mine! :)

Re:It's been said before

[Anonymous Coward]

Is this a joke? You're comparing real games versus Yet Another Mario Game? Nintendo's software is old and stale. The GC is the first Nintendo system I haven't bought, and I've yet to see a reason to change my mind in the future.

Re:It's been said before

[GearType2]

Your one of those people that bought the virtual boy because mario tennis was awesome right?

So let me get this straight, smart people don't buy stupid generic movie based games apparently... smart people buy rehashes of popular 80s titles? It's all the same to me.

I am in awe of the moderation of this post...

"soul calibur 2" succeeded right? Now was that because the other two versions were of lesser quality or because it had link in it? yes, cube owners are just too smart to fall for those simple advertising ploys right? I'm sure if another high level company made a marketable game, maybe even some kind of additional equipment being required, you would buy it, I mean what else would you buy?

Also, I don't think i need to mention that lucasarts is not on the same level as acclaim.

Re:It's been said before

[bigman2003]

Cube owners won't buy 'stupid generic movie based game number 3'.

But damn sure they'll buy stupid generic Mario based game number 10...and 11...and 12...

When Nintendo makes a game for the Gamecube, of course it sells zillions. A lot of Gamecube owners are true fanboys. And that is the problem for the 3rd party publishers. Maybe when they get older they will find out that just because Mario/Wario/Princess Toadstool are in a game, doesn't mean that it is fun.

If BMX-XXX could somehow be re-named "Kirby's Stunt Bike" it would probably sell millions too.

But your Penny Arcade comic had a little bit of truism to it. The cat in the background.

Right now publishers are leaving the Gamecube- and the only reason they would be leaving is lack of return on their investment (bringing in less money than they want). So, that will stretch the rubber band in one direction. Soon though, when there are very few 3rd party games, some third party will come out with something good and it will sell a zillion copies. This will be because people are hungering for anything a little different. Then more publishers will jump back to the cube (rubber band contracts) and the next 15 titles won't sell a damn thing. Stretch, release, stretch, release...

That's my take on it...

I can feel the tide coming

[hambonewilkins]

Look, I know this will piss off a lot of GameCube fans. As a disclaimer, I don't own any nextgen console.

I do, however, own a dreamcast. Which is looking more and more like the cousin of the GameCube.

People have bought Nintendo's marketing hype ("The reason you can't find a gamecube is they're so popular") and assumed that hey, the GameCube is doing well!

Yes, it may be doing better than the Xbox, but all the signs are there: 3rd parties dropping support, not being able to find games or accessories on the shelf. In fact, many people are having a hard time finding the GameCube in stores. And yet, fanboys take this knowledge and think: the Cube is doing fantastically!

Look, I wanted to think the same about the dreamcast as well, but it didn't happen. Nintendo will survive, of course, but it looks like the PS2 simply has a death grip on the current market. The cube's games may be better, the system may be cheaper, but its not winning over developers or consumers. Which is sad, because competition is always good and nintendo seems to produce quality games.