Paper Mario says, 'OMG the GameCube isn't dead yet!'
by Joystiq Staff 
{ Jun 18th 2006 at 9:15PM }
Let's face it, Nintendo's GameCube got smoked in the current-gen console wars. But, that doesn't mean the little-box-that-could isn't going to go down without a fight -- the final nuclear bomb could be Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. There are a smattering of unique and great titles for the little lunchbox and, in October, Super Paper Mario is poised to blind side unsuspecting gamers everywhere. Go Nintendo has found some new YouTube videos -- taken at the World Hobby Fair in Japan -- of this new take on the venerable Paper Mario franchise. They're ... well, they're just beautiful. Really, have a look for yourself. On a side note, since the game is not slated to come out until the fall, wouldn't it be nice if they added a little Wii functionality?
[Via 4cr]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Babylonian @ Jun 18th 2006 9:19PM
I'm not counting on adding any Wii functionality. I think they want this to be the last purely-GCN 1st-party game so as to let the system go out with a bang.
Blink @ Jun 18th 2006 9:27PM
At the same time though, this game looks like it would work very well with the Wii. You have a cursor that draws a selection box around Mario, and then spins that to flip Mario between 2d and 3d on it's y axis. What could make it better on Wii would be having control of drawing your own selection boxes, it would just work like Super Mario Galaxy, one hand moves Mario, A to jump, and B and the Wiimote to use the cursor.
marsel @ Jun 18th 2006 9:28PM
im just glad theyre actually putting this game out, but yeah some wii enhancements.
vrf @ Jun 18th 2006 9:33PM
Place second, lose 4 billion dollars. Place third, remain profitable.
I know which one I'd pick.
Raynre @ Jun 18th 2006 9:40PM
Really Joystiq, this gets said way too often... Gamecube sold roughly 20 million units, the XBox -shipped- roughly 22 million. This number does not account for the amount sold or those that were bought to replace faulty hardware. The XBox lost 4 Billion dollars, the Gamecube remained profitable throughout its lifespan. Id hardly call that being smoked. Maybe by the PS2, but I have yet to see anyone say that the XBox got smoked as well...
I understand this is just a blog site, but please try to keep it a little unbiased, k? ^_^
Eric @ Jun 18th 2006 9:42PM
But #3, would you also like to be tagged with the label of kiddy, be receiving next-to-no 3rd party support, and be predicted by just about every analyst in the cosmos to finally drop hardware in the coming gen?
DG @ Jun 18th 2006 9:44PM
Seconded on the GameCube "smoked" thing. There are almost as many GCNs and Xboxes out there. The GC was much more successful in Japan too -- that counts.
Anyway, I thought Super Paper Mario flew way under the radar at E3. The videos looked incredible. I'm pretty excited about it.
Ethan @ Jun 18th 2006 9:53PM
to ranyre
The xbox got smoked by the PS2, there, I said it.
boots @ Jun 18th 2006 9:54PM
Don't forget the fact that the ratio of faulty Xboxes is much higher than that of the gamecube, so it's a fair bet to say that the number of active gamecubes sold was higher.
Anyway, Robert Summa and everyone else, there is going to be 'Wii' functionality on the Zelda for Wii. There's no use in adding Wii functionality to a gamecube title since there is no guarantee that gamecube owners will buy a gamecube. I just hope that the Wii version can utilize gamecube controllers though...
Oh yeah, Paper Mario 3 looks swell.
oracle @ Jun 18th 2006 9:55PM
Yeah, you have to remember that as far as consoles are concerned, Japan is like America in reverse. In a Japanese gaming mag they held a poll for which next-gen console people would buy. The vast majority said Wii, a smaller percentage said PS3, and a very small amount said XBOX 360. In an American mag I'd imagine the results would be reveresed.
PS. Cube rules, OK.
marsel @ Jun 18th 2006 9:58PM
#6, honestly i buy nintendo games because i like the quality of the games regardless that theyre aimed at my lil nephew. as for violent adult games i like them to be damn good, like far cry and eagerly awaitin crysis. and honestly i still like 2d games and prolly will continue since i grew up with them and super paper mario being a launch title for wii wouldnt be a bad thing by any means, if the controls are tight and the levels are fun. nintendo hasnt had 3rd party support since snes and they seem to be doing fine. also analysts like to see numbers in black and i believe nintendo has only had like 1 losing quater in the last decade and somewhere like 5 billion in reserves so its not keepin me up at night.
Spoon @ Jun 18th 2006 10:00PM
Eric,
Do people still genuinely use the 'nintendo=kiddy' argument? Boy, I bet you play AT LEST six hours of GTA a day! Come give me a kiss, you big manly pandabear.
On topic,
I'm glad to see my Cube getting some love. Can't remember that last time I bought a new game for it. Paper Mario makes me happy in weird places.
Robert Summa @ Jun 18th 2006 10:01PM
For the record, I love my GameCube also. :)
Josh @ Jun 18th 2006 10:02PM
Jeez, I agree with the other posters here. Coming in second is hardly being "smoked". However, since the GCN and Xbox were so close in sales (just sales, nothing else) and so far behind the PS2, both could be considered "smoked". In any case, between the two, Nintendo has surely "won" with the GCN over Microsoft with the Xbox, simply because they made much more profits. Also, Wii functionality is not possible with GCN discs, apparently, as that is one of the reasons why there are two different Twilight Princesses.
dcfox @ Jun 18th 2006 10:03PM
#6 do those labels really matter in the end? That's like saying you'd rather have the cool image than to actually be successful. And as for those analysts, remember they are the same ones that predicted the PSP would leave the DS in the dust. And we all know how accurate that was.
Eric @ Jun 18th 2006 10:07PM
No need to personally attack me Spoon. I like Nintendo as well. However, I agree with Joystiq. See, does the casual gamer care about Nintendo's profits? No. They care about incredible graphics, tons of mature content, and a large amount of games. All things Nintendo does not have.
So while they did not get smoked in marketshare or profit, their mindshare has taken a massive hit, and when it comes to the casual market, mindshare is easily the most important factor.
Joe @ Jun 18th 2006 10:12PM
Nintendo got smoked in terms of consoles sold and overall mindshare, but in terms of profitablity, you know, the hallmark of a successful business? Nintendo was the one smoking the rest.
Neal Saferstein @ Jun 18th 2006 10:12PM
Nintendo's always makes quality that are addictive.
Neal Saferstein
Eric @ Jun 18th 2006 10:20PM
I'd like to see the cent of the profits Nintendo made for you Joe.
See, Nintendo doesn't owe you anything. This is why I hate console fanboyism...companies become less of companies and more like sports teams.
Asok @ Jun 18th 2006 10:20PM
Well, I think the game should purely go to the Gamecube. Wii functionality would just be a gimmick at this point, judging from the videos. And it surely wouldn't improve the graphics one bit.
Which are truly fine enough as it is. The game looks great, I'll definitely get a copy of it.
Insomnia Bob @ Jun 18th 2006 10:33PM
It would seem that Nintendo is starting to play to it's strengths, as opposed to... whatever the hell they've been doing since the Nintendo 64.
In the last year, Nintendo has focused on innovating. Certainly, a trait of the Nintendo of old.
Also, a renewed effort by Nintendo to create more titles that make (good) use of their 'classic' characters. 2 new Mario (this one and New Super Mario Bros. on the DS. Maybe 3, if this Super Mario Galaxy is any good.) games by the end of the year that do not involve dancing, any sort of sport, or a dang water cannon, not to mention the Zelda game I, and many like me, have been craving since...well, the end of Link to the Past on the SNES.
I like Nintendo. I think we all do. I wouldn't go so far as to call myself a fanboy, but I grew up with Nintendo being the 'go to' guys for all things kickass for gaming. But for too long, it seems like The big N had lost it's way. Super Mario was a great game. Hell, so was Mario 64. And Mario Sunshine was...okay. I guess. Kinda. But these games were each...what? YEARS apart. Now, it vexes me when a game developer releases a new game every year that only marginally improves upon the last (cough EA! cough, hack...) but come on, guys! Don't string us along here! There's some really good gameplay there! DO MORE OF IT!
...and now they are. This next year bodes very well for Nintendo. And with all the upsets in the gaming market (The Price, for example), it almost seems that Nintendo is well positioned to turn the market in their favor by introducing products with MASSIVE market appeal.
Low Price + Great Games + 100s of Cheap Games at Launch (via the emulators on the Wii) = $$$$
Spoon @ Jun 18th 2006 10:43PM
Eric,
I was only teasing. I don't think I'd ever seriously call another man a pandabear. Well, there was that one time... but I'm pretty sure somebody spiked the punch.
ANYWAY, I think gamers have casuals incorrectly defined as people strictly interested in graphics/guns/rappers/ect. I mean, look at Pokemon! It's a casual goldmine void of all the former criteria.
My point is that I think there's more than one "species" of casual, so to speak. And it looks like Nintendo is trying to bring in even more, like the "gandma&grandpa/ma&pa" kind of gamer.
I honestly think graphics and mature content had very little effect on the outcome of this gen. It comes down to games. PS2 had the best(in my opinion). And so it sold a lot, lot more. And c'mon, you can't say graphics are indicative of sales while the PS2 has sold about a billion consoles.
Sabre @ Jun 18th 2006 10:48PM
"Smoked" huh? Wow we're not even trying the biased information now are we?
As for the people who STILL use the "kiddy" argument as a reason why they didn't buy the Cube (or as a reason to mock those who did buy the Cube)...seriously...grow up. You are the ones acting childing by resorting to such CHILDISH things.
"honestly i buy nintendo games because i like the quality of the games regardless that theyre aimed at my lil nephew. as for violent adult games i like them to be damn good, like far cry and eagerly awaitin crysis. and honestly i still like 2d games and prolly will continue since i grew up with them and super paper mario being a launch title for wii wouldnt be a bad thing by any means, if the controls are tight and the levels are fun."
Bingo buddy...you hit it right on the money. Someone should send a note to all these bandwagon fanboys and tell them what the whole poing of playing games is.
Blink @ Jun 18th 2006 10:53PM
You can't say Nintendo isn't going for the casual gamer. Heck, Nintendo is avoiding the hardcore gamer image just to grab more casual( and boy do I mean casual, Nintendogs casual) gamers. The want people who pick up a console for, say, one game, and it's their only console at that. The Wii hopes to do that, at least that's what Nintendo's made it out to be, with the mass nongamer appeal and the simplistic graphics, because it aims to look just about as nice as the 360/PS3 to a casual gamer or nongamer.
If you own two consoles or five games, you're a casual gamer. If you talk about video games with friends every week, you're a serious gamer. And if you visit video game websites for up to the minute news about upcoming video games and consoles that won't be out for 6 to 12 months, you're a hardcore gamer. When you're a gamer beyond that, gaming is your life.
Sloan @ Jun 18th 2006 11:04PM
Clearly PS2 smoked everybody this generation. They far and away had the most interesting and diverse lineup of games, and more developers could take chances on the system (Guitar Hero anyone?) because of the biggest installed base in the history of console gaming.
Nintendo played it somewhat safe so they could wait and see WRT online gaming. It hurt them in the short term but they seem to have a decent approach in mind now. In the meantime they produced / hosted some of the best games of the generation (Metroid Prime 1 and 2, SSBM, Wind Waker, RE4, Eternal Darkness). And they continued to own the handheld market.
Microsoft is in a class by itself, somewhat dubiously. They hemorrhaged money this generation to set themselves up for XBL and 360. We'll see how that works out for them in the long run. But without Halo, what is there?
Right now, I play more DS than anything else. And I'm far from the only one. The Wii is dominating all of the "which console will you buy" polls. And Sony appears to have leveraged too much of the capital they earned with PS2, through a crap-ass E3 showing and the second mortage-inducing launch price.
Nintendo is set to do massive damage!
Sloan @ Jun 18th 2006 11:17PM
P.S. Super Paper Mario looks fabulous. I love the cartoony 2d / pseudo-3d f/x. Too bad it's not simply a Wii lauch title - I guarantee that will hurt sales regardless of backwards compatibility. The cube's time has come and basically gone, alas. Zelda should be a Wii title period (and is, outside the US). I'd like to think of Odama as the last true cube game @:)
MosquitoControl @ Jun 18th 2006 11:18PM
I hope they continue to embrace 2D gaming.
Give me a Castlevania like this.
Give me a Metroid like this.
Give me another Castlevania like this.
Awesome.
someone @ Jun 18th 2006 11:18PM
On the "smoked issue between the cube and the box...that's odd...anyway:
remember that when M$ launcheed thier console, everybody just kind of laughed and said "awww, that's cute" nobody really viewed it as a major cometitor (and I dare say it wouldn't be without Halo) However, "the box" has gained support and come to the point where people consider this a main stream console.
Consider Nintendo's state, their a market veteran, their consoles have been around for years and have a long standing name for good games. However, it is still debated (as is evident by these comments) whether or not Nintendo clearly came ahead this generation.
Basically, despite the fact that they may have sold less consoles, they have gained the audience neccesary to hold on to a signicant chunk of the market. So, a newcomer (a newcomer with giant cash funds I might add) gave a long standing veteran a run for it's money.
In the end, it comes down to Halo vs. Gamecube.
Blink @ Jun 18th 2006 11:21PM
I want a road sign that says "Dangerous when wet, watch out for giant crabs"
Xbox 360 is doing a fine job with the Arcade, but the games aren't diverse enough on there...yet. There's Wik, Marble Blast, Geometry wars, and a ton of ancient arcade games and geo wars ripoffs. Until we see Street Fighter, Small Arms, and the GRAW content, there isn't much on XBox Live's Arcade that I'll be spending points on...though I've downloaded close to every demo they have out. That's always been an awesome thing to do in your free time, it got me sold on Marble Blast Ultra, though without an Xbox Live Gold account ATM, I won't be picking it up quite yet, I'll beat my new but used copy of Monkey Ball 1 first.
Raynre @ Jun 18th 2006 11:31PM
@ Eric #19
I actually own NTDOY stock, and it has made me a nice couple hundred bucks over the past five years.
Not everyone roots for one company based on blatant fanboyism. =P My wallet votes Nintendo.
striderhayasa @ Jun 18th 2006 11:32PM
I remember, there was an interview with Prince years ago and the interviewer asked this question in a very ignorant manner..."How does it feel to not have a number one song on the charts in years?" Prince replied..." I don't have to be number one on the charts, I'm number one at the bank."
That's how I see Nintendo. In this gen, some of my best memories were with the cube even though I own all three current gen consoles. I was in awe over Metroid, pleasantly surprised at Zelda WW, etc. There were many quality ie: "non kiddy" games for the Cube that people slept on because they are on a Nintendo console. I'm glad to see Nintendo is still supporting it and their fans. I agree that Super Paper Mario didn't get its due at E3.
I have great memories of with my Xbox too but if I had to sell one tomorrow, my xbox would be the first to go.
Lou @ Jun 18th 2006 11:38PM
There were more 1,000,000+ selling titles on the GC than on the Xbox. The Xbox started falling in sales to the GC around September on monthly global sales basis that I am not even sure if the lead exists to a point worth mentioning and after this holiday season it may not exist at all since there is still some life in the GC and companies with smaller budget may release titles for the GC and still would let the games be played by Wii owners.
Let me ask you a question. What's the next hot Xbox game that's coming out? Nobody knows and nobody cares...
On the GC people are excited for Super Paper Mario, DK Bongo Blast, Naruto 2 (and 3 and 4), Legend of Zelda(GC verion), Baten Kaitos Origins and Super Monkeyball Adventure...
idioteraser @ Jun 18th 2006 11:50PM
Nintendo had damaged themselves by being arrogant towards the third parties. Thing is Nintendo can survive and be extermely profitable by it's own titles.
Unlike Sony or Sega or Microsoft Nintendo will never go third party game developer since they always make a profit on their games and their hardware.
Heck game division wise they make more then Sony.
Nintendo has had the number of people working on their games the same size even though gaming budgets have drastically increased as well as the amount of coding required. So games take much longer. Nintendo has realized this and increased the amount of gaming staff as well as figuring out that quick simple games based on a fun concept can be cranked out fast. They are handing more stuff off to divisons they trust can handle the work load while just overseeing the quality.
Nintendo has stated they have learned the mistakes of the past. Something sony is heading into.
Exbzurg @ Jun 19th 2006 12:05AM
for the who smoked who argument, i do belive pc smoked everybody....
Sabre @ Jun 19th 2006 12:16AM
"for the who smoked who argument, i do belive pc smoked everybody...."
Sure...you keep thinking that. Take a look at console vs. PC gaming #'s and you'll see that consoles have been smoking PCs for quite some time.
WedgeTalon @ Jun 19th 2006 12:55AM
To get "off topic" and make a comment on the article:
I for one am disappointed. I loved Thousand Year Door. But it looks like this Paper Mario has gone the route of Action RPG. Don't get me wrong, those are fun too. It's just the big N has had so few quality traditional-type RPG's recently (or...at all), this would have been a very nice note to exit the system with.
Nntendo @ Jun 19th 2006 12:58AM
The game look great. I think Nintendo really wants to make a memorable game since it will probable be the last big game we´ll see for the gamecube.
Blink @ Jun 19th 2006 1:01AM
That depends on your defenition of "smoking" someone. PCs smoke consoles' graphics, but consoles smoke PCs' sales. PCs smoke their profit though, with cheaper developement costs, but they're smoked when it comes to hardware, as consoles give you high quality power at a cheaper cost. PCs smoke consoles at expansive customization, but consoles smoke PCs at convenience.
marsel @ Jun 19th 2006 1:10AM
i think we should all pick up smoking
marsel @ Jun 19th 2006 1:12AM
mmmm im in flavor country, population: fanboys
sadly not enough fangirls, its a chelsea, west village type thing, or all of san fran.
ipodfanboy @ Jun 19th 2006 1:21AM
HOw about this gamecube and xbox smoked the playstation2 in graphics and loadtimes, how do u like them apples fanboys. Who cares ps2s sold the most consoles besides most of the console that were sold were replacments from clumsy casual gamers that live in the projects in nyc from people living in rich ass mansions in the O.C. Either way I Gamecube was and still is my favorite console. out of 53 console games i own including gamecube xbox ps2, 25/56 are for the gamecube not bad for an hardcore gamer. I love the gamecube.
LongshotX @ Jun 19th 2006 1:56AM
I think Nintendo did get smoked as Joystiq pointed out. Although the Gamecube and the Xbox were very close in sales, the limited 3rd party titles really hurt the system. You really can't say that for the Xbox. It had a number of awesome 3rd party titles. The Xbox was also Microsoft's first venture into the the console gaming business. Nintendo has been in the game for years. There is no excuse for it's poor showing this generation or the last (N64). Time and time again they make these strange decisions. With the N64 it was sticking with expensive cartridge based medium, and a controller that you either loved or hated. Then the Gamecube came and it had no online connectivity, it didn't play DVDs but instead used a BS mini-DVD medium. The controller was as equally strange as Nintendo's failure to include these must haves for that time period. I don't know if any of you have tried to play Madden or a fighting game on the Gamecube controller but it was absolutely horrendous. Now the Wii is coming out, and although many have said they like the controller it's still uncertain how the masses will react to using it. I honestly don't think Nintendo is going to get wide acceptance like it think it does. What parent or grandparent or any one who has never bothered to really play a video game is just going to up and decide "Hey, I'd like to swing my arm around and point the controller to play this game and simulate playing tennis or throwing a pass!"? I mean come on let's think for a moment. Then the visuals are a slap in the face. Why in God's name would you want to play games on new hardware that look the same as the old hardware? Then there is no DVD playback out of the box. So basically you're getting a Gamecube with an unproven controller aka the Wiimote, "potential" DVD playability, no new means of data storage, no HD support,and the Virtual Console to play old titles that you have to pay for. Wow, now that's a bargain!!!
Now before you Nintendo fanboys bash me let me say this.I wish Nintendo the best of luck in the next generation. I know their going to tunr a profit, that's a given. But their going to have their work cut out just like in previous generations. I swear I hope they don't pull another Virtual Boy, Nintendo 64, or Gamecube because that changed my mind about Nintendo. Nintendo was the first console I ever played. It's a shame to see them unfocused and not commiting themselves to what people want. They don't necessarily have to go with the flow and do what every one else is doing but for God's sakes why must the BS consumers who want better generational hardware. There's just no excuse to have to buy an adapter for DVD playback in 2006, and so on. No excuse. And just so my comment stays relevant the Dreamcast is more alive than the Gamecube. The Gamecube died months ago. May it rest in peace. Because Mario, Zelda, Pikachu and Samus just can't do it by themeselves...not anymore.
adam @ Jun 19th 2006 2:06AM
Wow, the original topic was about the new super paper mario. it became fanboy central about "who smoked who".
All of y'all need to chill the hell out, and play a game or something.
Sabre @ Jun 19th 2006 3:40AM
"no new means of data storage, no HD support,and the Virtual Console to play old titles that you have to pay for. Wow, now that's a bargain!!"
(1) It's already been stated that USB storage devices can be used since it DOES have USB ports.
(2)No HD support. Woop-de-freakin-do. It's still expensive to buy, expensive to develop for and has not fully penetrated the market.
(3) Umm...the 360 is doing the same thing with Xbox Live Arcade and people don't have a problem with it. Plus if it means not having to have 5 other systems hooked up and reducing the clutter then people will do it. It worked for iTunes...it will work for this.
GamerG @ Jun 19th 2006 3:44AM
Anyone who doesn't think Nintendo didn't get smoked should go and look at the available games in their local stores.
Every gamer I know bought a gamecube but only a few titles say 5 or 6 games tops i'd say but all the big librarys are PS2 and Xbox games.
You cant bring in the $4b lost on the Xbox as a factor as MS could easily stomach that and used it to get 2nd place in the console business and gain credibility, the 360 is where they'll start making money.
Afterall I wouldn't be surprised if the development cost of the PS3 comes in close to that figure!
Sabre @ Jun 19th 2006 3:53AM
"Every gamer I know bought a gamecube but only a few titles say 5 or 6 games tops"
Hate to bust your bubble but I own (last time I counted) 30-35 games for my Cube.
"the 360 is where they'll start making money."
Won't be happening for quite sometime so that $4b debt ain't goin anywhere. (I bought a 360 2+ weeks ago btw and don't regret it.)
Jay @ Jun 19th 2006 3:54AM
wow, one of Summa's first posts and it's a doozy.
GamerG @ Jun 19th 2006 4:12AM
...but I dont know you Sabre!!!
I think they will start making money on the 360, they own all the rights to the hardware when they did not last time which is why they lost so much money, Nividia and Intel did not lower their prices over the course of its life span and the Harddrive was a fixed cost they could not reduce either.
This generation they have managed to get the price of games up while still selling on DVD9 which will mean more profits and more developers, they are selling plenty of Microsoft points and Sony have shot themselves in the foot by making their machine overly expensive which can only mean more market share for them this time round. Getting out first has also helped them especially if they get to the 10m units they expect by the time PS3 comes out (almost half the total of their last gen sales).
The 360 core will be going for $200 before you know it and then sales will kick in i'm sure for gamers who aren't early adopters and dont have HD TV's.
Sabre @ Jun 19th 2006 4:20AM
@ GamerG:
Well that shows that you shouldn't make blanket statements like that.
The reaosn they increased the prices of the games is b/c it costs more money to develop them...which will be to big problems for PS3 and 360.
Anything else said from that point is 100% speculation and can't be proven in anyway so there is no real reason in even mentioning it.
GamerG @ Jun 19th 2006 6:06AM
blanket statements like....
"EVERY GAMER I KNOW bought a gamecube but only a few titles say 5 or 6 games tops i'd say but all the big librarys are PS2 and Xbox games"
Its true every gamer I knew who had a gamecube has no more than 5 or 6 games often less. The same people have loads of games on Xbox and or PS2. I dont know anyone who has the gamecube as their sole console and I dont know anyone who has a large collection of GC games, these are FACTS! I was not saying that that applies to EVERYONE perhaps you should properly read what I posted first!!