Home » Technology » Dreamcast Video Games » New Consoles - Focus on GameCube

New Consoles - Focus on GameCube

© Ryan Newman

It’s that time gamers. In a little over a week we have the Microsoft Xbox and Nintendo’s GameCube coming out in the U.S. Since you’re reading this you’re obviously a fan of Sega, so with their new multi-platform strategy, it’s tough to decide just what to go with. Hopefully, I can help you out with which you decide to purchase. I will cover the GameCube now and the Xbox next week. As a side note, this topic will change to Sega instead of Dreamcast whenever the new systems come out. Yes, it’s a sad day as this topic has gone from the Sega Saturn to the Dreamcast and now just Sega. It has been a long trip until now and although we can’t play all of our favorite games on one system, hopefully this all-encompassing topic will help you get all the information you need.

Now, back to the topic at hand. That’s right, after an arguably lackluster stint with the Nintendo 64, Nintendo is hoping to do things right now with increased third-party support and some big name titles from their formal rival.

To start with, unlike the PlayStation 2 and the Xbox, the GameCube will not have DVD playing capabilities and recently the Panasonic version that does play DVDs was announced that it would be a Japan-only product (maybe to avoid confusion the likes of which were seen during the 3DO’s day). The reason given for this decision was to bring the point home that Nintendo doesn’t want to be the center of your entertainment console or even the focus of various entertainment means, they are a gaming company and they want a system that focuses on just that – the games.

From Sega there will be the launch title Super Monkey Ball. This quirky title features monkeys running around in, well, bubbles / balls. The platform is constantly moving and you must maintain your course and not fall off the edge. It also has a strong focus on multiplying with friends, as there are numerous mini games for gamers to take part in with their friends. Utilizing two buttons gamers will partake in monkey bowling, golf, fighting, billiards, target, and racing! I am looking forward to this title, as this will be the only party game I can think of in the past years that can rival the brilliance of Bomberman. Plus, those monkeys are just so darn cute (awwwwwwwww!).

Next up is Sonic Adventures 2. To keep it different from the Dreamcast version Sega is including a link to Sonic GBA to trade items and a 2-player race mode. The graphics look similar to that of the Dreamcast, but there are new items put in, such as the huge Game Boy Advance that looks extremely swanky. Overall, this is just a solid port to bring the masses back to Sega’s mascot.

The copyright of the article New Consoles - Focus on GameCube in Dreamcast Video Games is owned by Ryan Newman. Permission to republish New Consoles - Focus on GameCube in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.