GameCube European launch details

On its official Web site, Nintendo of Europe has revealed its plans for the launch of the GameCube in that territory. The GameCube will launch in Europe on May 3 for 249 euros, or half the cost of the Xbox and 50 euros cheaper than the PlayStation 2 in that territory. There will be 1 million consoles and a selection of 20 games available at launch. The list of games includes Luigi's Mansion, Wave Race: Blue Storm, Burnout, Crazy Taxi, Batman: Vengeance, FIFA Soccer 2002, Star Wars Rogue Leader: Rogue Squadron II, Sonic Adventure 2 Battle, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3, and more. Games such as Resident Evil and Super Smash Bros. Melee will follow shortly thereafter, and Pikmin will be available on June 14. Star Fox Adventures and Eternal Darkness will be released in Europe by year's end. Nintendo of Europe stated that there will be a total of 50 games available for the GameCube in Europe by summer 2002.

David Gosen, managing director of sales and marketing for Nintendo of Europe, stated that 3 million units of both the Game Boy Advance and the Game Boy Color were sold in Europe in 2001. Seven million copies of Pokémon Gold/Silver/Crystal were sold in Europe over the same time period. Gosen also stated that 2.7 million GameCubes have been sold worldwide thus far and characterized the link between the Game Boy Advance and GameCube as "Gaming 24:7." Gosen also challenged the notion that the GameCube is intended for kids by stating, "The GameCube will not be targeted at kids, it will not be targeted at teens, and it will not be targeted at adults. The GameCube will appeal to anyone who enjoys being entertained by interactive gaming. And that is because we believe strongly that gaming is an attitude and not an age."

According to Gosen, the number of games that will be available for the GameCube's European launch will be the largest ever in that territory, and he believes that the 3 million people who purchased a Game Boy Advance in Europe have already taken their first step toward GameCube ownership.