My GameCube does "high-def"

by Blake Snow on Jan 16th 2006 4:45PM

Well, not actually, but the console does support progressive scan if you are an owner of a GameCube that was manufactured before May 2004, after which Nintendo discontinued the digital AV port presumably to cut cost. From the article: "It's not widescreen, but it's in progressive scan on 90% of the Nintendo titles, and a good amount of non-Nintendo titles... All you have to do is load the game up holding down the 'B-button' and it'll ask you if you want to enable 480p. It looks damn good."

Nintendo never really pushed this feature when the console was launched back in 2001 which in hindsight makes sense given the company's current stance of not heavily marketing tech specs. Any GameCube owners use the progressive scan setup when available? If so, how much of a difference was there? Also as a reminder, you could invest around $10 for an s-video cable to experience sharper resolution too.

Highly recommended upgrades for any Cube owner before the imminent Zelda: Twilight Princess spring release.

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Tags: GameCube

Reader Comments (53)

"If you have the TV, get the cables - Cheapest I found were on lik sang."

You must not have heard of a little website called "eBay"...lol

I've used Progressive Scan with my Cube, and I must say that a makes a noticeable difference. Objects are brighter and more rounded. Colors brilliantly stand out (ex: MarioKart Double Dash).

I've been using the component cables almost since launch day. They took a couple weeks to arrive, IIRC.

Back then I was playing on a 27" 480p/1080i Digital TV, and the image quality was immediately stunning. Vibrant, crip colors with crystal clear details, running at 60 fps in most games. It has sort of a "high rez" feel to it. By contrast, my PS2 output an image that appeared muddy and dull by comparison.

From then on I almost never allowed a game into my collection that wasn't 480p compatible. (RE, RE0, and Skies of Arcadia director's cut were notable exceptions.)

If you own a 480p capable set, this is a no-brainer. Get the cables and enjoy what is possibly the best image availabe outside an XBox 360.

FYI, the Dreamcast also had outstanding image quality, with about 98% of its library supporting progressive scan. Too bad we never got to see the system pushed to its limits.

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