The Nintendo Gamecube brings a lot of nostalgia to every gamer’s heart. For many of us, it’s one of the first gaming consoles. So many of us experienced the magic of gaming inside such a console, and so many of us discovered a lifetime of gaming by playing it.
There had been 12 million units sold in the US, making it the country with the most Nintendo Gamecube globally. However, since it stopped production in 2003, getting your hands into this classic console can be tough without spending hundreds of dollars.
So what made the Nintendo Gamecube so phenomenal, and how can you gain access to the console today?
The Nintendo Gamecube
The Nintendo Gamecube is one of the first consoles produced by Nintendo in the early 2000s. It quickly racked up sales worldwide because of the boom of gaming at the time. It didn’t sell as much as the Playstation 2 (it sold 155 million units worldwide!), but it was only behind the Xbox by about 3 million units.
Such a console has been known to have some of the generation’s best games. Resident Evil 4, considered the best Resident Evil game ever, was first released on this console. This game’s release was enough to push millions of people to play it. It also had other exclusive titles such as Super Smash Bros. Melee and Mario Kart, millions of followers.
Comparatively, the Nintendo Gamecube also had better graphics than the Playstation 2 but didn’t surpass the cleaner looks that the Xbox presented at the time. It also had a better controller when compared to its console counterparts.
Interestingly enough, the Gamecube also used a CD-ROM, which the brand never did again. It’s certainly the gaming console that made Nintendo’s firsts and lasts.
Phenomenal Exclusive Games
As we have stated earlier, Gamecube’s exclusive games were enough for people to purchase the console. But we’ve only scratched the surface when discussing Gamecube’s exclusive games.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
The innovative The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is considered the most innovative Zelda game out there. It looks amazing for a twenty-year-old game, and its influences can be seen in the Breath of the Wild today. It’s one of the main reasons people want to get their hands on a Gamecube today.
Super Mario Sunshine
Another innovative title that came out with the Gamecube is Super Mario Sunshine. This title defined the next Super Mario games, and its influences can be seen in many 3d platformers we have today. It looked great and played well, and it had a good plot! That’s a first for every Super Mario game out there.
Talking about these two phenomenal games might make you feel nostalgic. So how do you gain access to such a console today? One of your options is purchasing one online.
Nintendo Gamecube on eBay?
Since the US had the most Gamecube sales, it’s also one of the countries that have the most Gamecube in circulation in the market today. Online auctions can sell this console at a price point between $30 to $60 for used consoles. However, untouched consoles with factory-sealed packaging can be sold for over $300.
If you’re looking for limited released versions of the Gamecube, such as the Pokemon edition, you’ll have to prepare to spend a fortune. Such a Gamecube can cost you over $1,000 to purchase. However, resell value you can have in the future is worth the price point alone.
If you don’t want to spend any money but want to live the Gamecube nostalgia, your best option is to download a Gamecube Emulator.
Dolphin Emulator
Currently, the best Gamecube emulator in the market is the Dolphin Emulator. It’s free and easy to install, but getting the games is a different story. You’ll have to purchase and rip the game files yourself for you to play it.
The Dolphin emulator is your best choice if you want to relive the old Nintendo Gamecube days using your computer. However, to use the Dolphin emulator smoothly, you’ll still need to find someone who could build a good entry-level gaming PC. It does require a bit of processing power and a decent graphics card to run optimally. If you have access to a budget gaming PC, you can run this emulator with no problem.
Play With a Friend
Lastly, if your friend has this old console, you can certainly play with them! It’s the cheapest and easiest way to relive the good old days. You can build your memories from such an experience as well.
The Nintendo Gamecube might not be the best-selling console at its time, but it’s certainly the most nostalgic. Thankfully, we still have access to this classic console through various means.
Meta title: Exploring the Nintendo Gamecube and How You Can Access it Today
meta desc: The Nintendo Gamecube is considered to be one of the best gaming consoles ever. But how can you have access to it today without having the console itself?