Two things I'd like to address here. First of all, Jaysonguy, I'm afraid you're on your own with this one. Normally, I can see where you're coming from with statements like this, but saying that the GameCube almost killed Nintendo is going overboard. In fact, the only similar thing that I've heard worse was when someone said that Wind Waker almost killed the Zelda series. As already stated, Nintendo made significant profit with the GameCube, even more highlighted by the facts that it was even doing this at a time where Microsoft and Sony were losing money AND that Nintendo's own games contributed to this gain. Calling it a failure sales-wise is about as far as you can go here, and considering that it was the only system that didn't support a lot of the features its competitors did, even that could be consider a stretch. Simply put, it would have taken a Dreamcast-like diaster for the GameCube to do as much damage to Nintendo as you're making it out to be.
Also, the case you're making about the games you mentioned is a tad inaccurate, to say the least. The fate of most of those franchises had nothing to do with how they performed on the GameCube. Heck, the Viewtiful Joe series actually did better on the GameCube than it did on the PS2, a system with five times the installed base. That series didn't do well because no one was really interested in it, period, and it pains me a bit to say that. As for Soul Calibur, the GameCube version of SCII actually did better on the GCN than any other system, and its sequel still became a PS2 exclusive. That also had nothing to do with the GameCube, as there were many looking forward to that game on the system had Namco actually decided to make the game for it. All of the Resident Evil games were successful on the GCN, and perhaps the only M-rated series that was able to generate interest from the GameCube faithful. You're also overlooking the fact that series like Sega's Sonic franchise and Namco's Tales series were treated to a level of popularity that either hadn't been there in years or from a worldwide perspective, and fans have been awarded with follow-ups in both series for the Wii. I will agree that the GameCube performance in regards to third party software may have affected their stance on the Wii from the outset, but it also didn't help that most developers didn't have enough faith in the Wii system itself to even try to create compelling software, which is seperate from the GameCube.
One last note before I end this particular issue. I noticed your inclusion of what Mr. Yamauchi said about the DS, but what you failed to mention was how big a risk the DS was all by itself. Nintendo decided to experiment in the one area it was still unrivaled with at the time, afterall, and removing the Game Boy name from its portable division could have done enough damage by itself, if the DS wasn't successful. Not to mention the fact that the PSP was also getting ready for its launch, and it could have controlled that market if the DS bombed. I'm sure Yamauchi's remarks had more to do with that and the direction Nintendo was heading than what the GameCube was able to do. So yeah, agree or not, that's my take on this.
Ok, now onto the REAL topic of this thread, the Wii is superior in my opinion. I was an avid GameCube supporter, but even I have to admit that the Wii just has more to offer right now. Nintendo's own lineup of games right now is for the most part better than the GCN's. As much as I loved Super Mario Sunshine, Metroid Prime, and Super Smash Bros. Melee, I love all of the Wii counterparts a heck of a lot more than their prequels. It's also funny that you failed to include the Wii lineup of games (including the revolutionary Wii Sports), games like Wario Land: Shake It, Animal Crossing: City Folk, WarioWare: Smooth Moves, and Fire Emblem Radiant Dawn, which proves that not only has Nintendo made better games this gen, they've actually made more games at this point. I will agree that the quality of third party games were probably better at this point for the GCN, it's still not THAT large of a gap to make up for what the Wii provides right now, especially when there are some solid third party Wii games here and there. Factor all of this, WiiWare and Virtual Console games, and the backwards compatibility with every GameCube game you mentioned and then some, it's a no-brainer for me. It just amazes me how so many elements of the system are overlooked when we talk about this $250 system, which is just $50 more than what the GCN was at launch, by the way.
Madmangamer364
I haven't posted in these forums in ages, but I just had to comment on this post.. Well done! You elaborated, provided alot of arguments which made for an interesting read despite its length!
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