GameCube price drop: Nintendo preps retailer [update 1]

$79.99!!! #1 reason to get a GCN: Smash Melee... Zelda too, but it's compatible on Revolution. Too bad Nintendo makes them without component connections for 480p. I bought a new one and traded it with a friend to get one with DV-Out. For those of you who never bought a Cube, now's your chance.

Could this mean a Summer launch for Revolution? Kind of like Apple's keynotes where Steve says "and, you can buy it today?"

I almost bought one last week because the price was reasonable and there were some decent games for it. I ended up not getting it because I just bought a DS and couldn't convince myself that it was worth blowing $100+games again.

But now, if it drops to $80, I'd have a hard time talking myself out of it...

I picked up a used one a year ago for $79. An amazing purchase. The kiddie rap is realy undeserved. Most of the great Gamecube games are realy cheap used. I never thought I could love Pimkin, but it is awesome. The number of amazing exclusive titles is impressive. Metroid Prime, Smash Brothers, Zelda Wind Waker, Pimkin, Mario Cart, Geist. My only real frustration with the gamecube is the lack of component cables. I recently bought a HDTV, and I can only use the S-Video. My Cube has the Digital port, but the cables are going for $80 on ebay now. I am eagerly looking forward to the Wii backwards compatability. I know Wii is not HD, but it should at least offer 480p through component.

Djork, sorry, but just *no*. They just ordered the first of the chips. You can't build a launch stock that fast, you just can't...At least not and have a decently debugged product, and Nintendo's admirably chosen quality on all but two of their releases.

In my case Revo's BC is the GCN's downfall. I'm probably not ever buying a GCN, at whatever price; I'm literally stockpiling the games now (before the rush) to play on the Revo in November.

Wow, I can see it now . . . Super Smash Brothers inexplicably remains the number one Nintendo gaming even *after* the Wii launch.

This will make a nice bargain console, with Zelda, SSB, two Metroids, Super Mario Sunshine, Mario Kart, Pikmin . . . and I agree, now might be the time to pick up your "legacy" GCN games for the new console.

You can already get GC for that price from many stores here in Finland. And it's 99€ with Mario Kart or Mario Smash Football so the cube itself is pretty cheap already.

How about they still make games for the gamecube? I think theres about 20+ games in the makeing now. :( My gamecube is so dusty.

Yowza an even cheaper Cube price. I'd sell mine and make a stockpile of new and previously unbought Cube games for the Wii launch. The monitor output would make the picture just oh-so much better on my 2405FPW. It's a damn good idea. If only I didn't start renting out games for the first time just a week ago :)

Might buy my sister one as a gift. Damn she loves Mario Kart.

Wow. I hate the GC controller, but if they dropped the price on the console (and on the games) I might just pick one up "just cause". I mean if I could grab a half dozen games and a console for 300-400$ that'd be just kicking...

theres no such thing as Revo. Only Wii

You can still order the component cables from Nintendo's website. Also, I think they'll let you send them a Rev C 'Cube for a rev B 'Cube with the DV out...

I bought my GC last year I hadn't owned a console sionce my SNES and I really enjoyed playing Zelda:The Windwaker for four months. It was well worth the price of the Gamecube just for the one game. Since then I've played: Metroid Prime, Rogue Squadron, Pikmin, Super Smash Bros, Donkey Konga, and Mario Kart. I'll recommend that if you have some extra cash get a Wavebird contoller.

Wow! They can't even give these things away... why bother dropping the price?

If only I worked at a game store.

Then I could reveal all the future "secrets" too.

I really wish Id have waiting buying a Gamecube instead of getting one at launch. The $200 price tag didnt justify the 3 or 4 good games this system had in its entire lifespan.

If your just about to pick up a Cube, do yourself a favor and get Resident Evil 4 (obviously), Eternal Darkness (its best game) and Metriod Prime. Unless of course your into Nintendo's crappy childish franchises.

If you aren't into Nintendo's "crappy childish franchises" then may I ask just what is wrong with you?

That means around $50 for preowned... really no reason for anyone not to get one, even if just for the dozen or so really great exclusives.

Ye, don't ever play Super Smash Brothers. Because it could be... *gasp* ...fun! =O

-R.Sirius

I went into my local Gamestation and they were selling these, brand new, for £29.99. The GC was an absolute flop in Europe, the games cant even get shop space. Head into any GAME store and there will be a bigger selection of GBA and PC budget games than GC titles

I thought they were going to deregulate. A while back there was news about Nintendo allowing retailers to sell the gamecube for whatever they wanted. What happened to that?

Does anyone know the wholesale of the GCN?

I don't ever want to meet the "child" who can get all 120 Shines.

Yeah, the component adapter isn't being sold by nintendo anymore. I bought it in 2/8/2005 from Nintendo.com for $29.95. That was after the $99 two controllers, platinium console, with mario kart deal. then swapped with a friend for a black one with DV. If you never played Metroid Prime (any), get that now. Also the mario sunshine levels where you can't use the jetpack were extremely challenging after they spoiled you with hover ability. nice music too. =P. I think you can get the component adapter from a Canada store. That's where i got my Emerald Green Nintendo Controller. start checking ebay.ca if not.

I have little cousins whove collected all 120 stars in Mario 64 and all the Shines in Sunshine. Theres nothing complicated about Mario games. Lol

I never got all the stars in mario 64, and I played it when I was 20

but then again, i thought the game was terrible so I didnt play through it all.

Give me Ocarina of Time any day.

"do yourself a favor and get Resident Evil 4 (obviously), Eternal Darkness (its best game) and Metriod Prime. Unless of course your into Nintendo's crappy childish franchises."

Metroid is a nintendo franchise,you little ignorant.Why did you even bother urself getting a cube if you're obviously a last minute player with no taste in gaming?

Pretty Obvious,

While I agree about RE4, Eternal Darkness and Metroid Prime I think you're selling the games a little short. Why does a game have to look realistic to not be 'kiddy'? That's stupid, most people play games because they're different from real life. I'm not so shallow as to think that just because a game is cel shaded that it won't be fun. I loved Wind Waker and while it needed another dungeon or two, it was a pretty good game that provided a fun experience. I've also owned a cube from launch and I own close to 40 games and probably two-thirds of them have pretty good replay value. SSBM is still one of the best games I've ever played. I've played through Sunshine and Wind Waker twice each. Add Pikmin, both Metroid Primes, Mario Kart and Rogue Squadron and you've got a pretty good list of exclusives that provide hours upon hours of fun without having to even kill a hooker.

"Without having to even kill a hooker"

Your awesome Prof-KOS

Kids need games to make them feel cool. Adults play games to have fun. If playing a well crafeted game makes your feel "Kiddie", then you dont understand gaming, and should probably spend more time outside. That said, As an adult I still feel silly saying Wii outloud. I want one, no matter what they call it.

I think there are two options: USD 79.99, as everyone agrees, or just removing the price tag, as they did in Japan last year [ http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=6828 ].

I purchased the COMPONENT Video Cable in March of 2006 from Nintendo Directly! They have them, but don't say so on the website. You have to call them directly.

Another reader was correct when he said you can trade in your newer Cube (to Nintendo) for one that has the Component Video Cable OUT connector.

Sorry Guys.... Nintendo is out of component cables. by net or by phone. I have tried both 2 weeks ago. The nintendo rep on the phone was nice, but he had nothing to sell me. They ran out a week earlier. Probably becuase people found out they were going for more than a new gamecube on ebay.

"Metroid is a nintendo franchise,you little ignorant.Why did you even bother urself getting a cube if you're obviously a last minute player with no taste in gaming?"

Metroid Prime is a Nintendo franchise that is a. not developed by Nintendo b. Not your average Nintendo themed title.

Honestly if I was a last minute player (whatever that means) I wouldnt have picked up a Cube or the other 2 consoles at launch.

Just reflecting as a whole on what system was worth it for an early adopter, and it def wasnt the Gamecube.

Metroid Prime not developed by Nintendo? Retro and NST are both first party studios, dude. Saying Prime wasn't developed by Nintendo is like saying Smash Bros. wasn't developed by Nintendo because it was made by HAL.

Not your average Nintendo-themed title? The game was entirely reimagined from scratch after Miyamoto got his hands on the initial build. That's the same guy who brought us such crappy and childish franchises as Mario, Zelda, Star Fox, and F-Zero.

Hardcore gamers play to have fun, not to look cool. Stop worrying that the other children will make fun of you and just enjoy yourself for a change.

Whoever this idiot is that "leaked" this information... he didn't tell the whole story.

These signs were sent out "...in anticipation of a possible price drop." At the time they were sent out, there had been no announcement from Nintendo, even in secret, to retailers.

If price drops were imminent you would have seen it come from Wal-Mart or something first.

That's a great price point! Might as well clean house before Wii comes along.