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More GameCube Accessories Before New System

by Mike Sklens - February 9, 2004, 5:34 pm EST
Total comments: 19 Source: Nikkei News

Successor hardware still planned for 2006. Updated with official comments from NOA.

Earlier today the Nikkei News reported that Nintendo would not be releasing a new home console. According to the report, Nintendo would instead continue to support the GameCube by releasing various peripherals and games. These accessories would take the place of a new console by improving the gameplay and furthering connectivity with the Game Boy Advance.

While the article begins by suggesting that no new console is planned, it goes on to say that one actually is planned, but will not be released for two to three years (around 2006). Satoru Iwata, president of Nintendo, has previously said that "customers are fully satisfied with the performance of the current model." Given various quotes from Nintendo, this was actually the plan all along. The company has said on prior occasions that they will release their new model around the same time as their competitors do. Both Sony and Microsoft have hinted at 2006 releases for their new consoles, so all of this falls perfectly in line.

If anything, this article only states that Nintendo will continue to support the GameCube while they are in development of a new console. There are no details on what these new accessories may be, but Nintendo has previously shown a portable LCD monitor, the SD memory card adapter, and other as yet unreleased add-ons for its system.

Update: After this article first went live, Planet GameCube received the following official response from Nintendo of America's Director of Public Relations, Beth Llewelyn:

"We are staying in the hardware business. We are working on a next-generation console and plan to launch it at the same time as our competitors. Nintendo has several hardware strategies for the future underway. In addition to the ongoing development of the next console, we are also considering accessories for the GameCube."

There is still no information on what those accessories might be, and Nintendo representatives did not indicate that an announcement was planned in the near future. We can only assume that something will be revealed at E3 in May.

Talkback

BiLdItUp1February 09, 2004

Glad to see we're starting to see news on the site now, not the forums.

I'm not giong to keep my hopes up, considering that most of this stuff could easily a bunch of gimmicks instead of really useful stuff.

Bill AurionFebruary 09, 2004

The LCD monitor that Ninty showed was really nice...I hope they didn't ditch the idea... =(

Jonnyboy117Jonathan Metts, Associate EditorFebruary 09, 2004

Quote
Originally posted by: BiLdItUp1
Glad to see we're starting to see news on the site now, not the forums.


Look for a site announcement on this issue later tonight. Hint: it's good news. :-D

cubedcinder128February 09, 2004

It really ticks me off when the press tries to put down Nintendo with every single opportunity they can get. Seriously, the gaming press needs to stop acting so biased and actually think before they speak. Who knows? Nintendo may have an interesting enough next generation to make all the press eat up their own words. Especially in this article where it sounded quite contradictory from beginning to end.

Until that time, although I'm glad Nintendo denied these claims as always, I am thoroughly disgusted at most (I repeat: most) of the gaming press as they act like Sony/Microsoft drones, and I will remain disgusted until people start to take Nintendo seriously.

RobageejamminFebruary 09, 2004

amen

PolemistisFebruary 09, 2004

Woo hoo !! Well I for one am excited to see new accesories being made face-icon-small-smile.gif Now, what could they be...

theRPGFreakFebruary 09, 2004

Memories of the Sega CD just went through my head...lets hope that its not the same thing

odifiendFebruary 09, 2004

I'm thinking expansion pack-esque booster. The waffle iron slot IS used for something.

DjunknownFebruary 09, 2004

*fingers crossed* Please let it be that fancy LCD Screen (didn' the one they showed at E3 2k2 take advantage of the 'Cube's progessive scan support?)

Jonnyboy117Jonathan Metts, Associate EditorFebruary 09, 2004

Yes, it was proscan and beautiful. I played the whole first level of Metroid Prime on one of them.

jasonditzFebruary 09, 2004

Quote
Originally posted by: theRPGFreak
Memories of the Sega CD just went through my head...lets hope that its not the same thing


Seriously? The Sega CD was arguably the most successful peripheral of all time (it sold more peripheral specific titles than anything else).

If Nintendo can release an addon that creates enjoyable titles like Popful Mail and Vay, that's an incredibly good thing.

Maybe a HDD addon? Everyone else has one.

It'd certainly make Gamecube Linux a lot more entertaining.

Rob91883February 09, 2004



I first read this on Gamespot, and they claim that the Nihon Keizai Shimbun article said, " the earliest that machine(next-gen console) would be released would be 2007." I have come to trust Planetgamecube over the years so, is it because Planetgamecube got the official response from Nintendo of America's Director of Public Relations, Beth Llewelyn, and not Gamespot?

Ocarina BlueFebruary 09, 2004

Uh, this gives me a bad feeling. The Sega CD and DD64 come to mind. Oh well, I guess if it's just an LCD screen and an SD adapter things won't be too bad. From most of the previous responses, it looks like they're at least apealing to the only people who will buy them: The fans.

SpellBoundFebruary 09, 2004

Wow this made front page news headlines on yahoo and the AP and Reuters.. nice face-icon-small-thumbsup.gif

nolimit19February 10, 2004

all i know is that if nintendo doesnt launch its console against ps3 and xbox2, it will be a mistake.

nemo_83February 10, 2004

DS= LCD screen for Cube= 3d vr glasses

Sounds like Nintendo placing the blame on hardware rather than fessing up to making horible buisness decissions starting with ending its agreements with Sony and going through VB, N64, GBA (without backlighting at first; thats dirty buisness no matter what spin you put on it, and you won't sound very credible arguing against the point if you agree that Sony was wrong for inflating PS2 numbers by making shoddy hardware), and ending with the infamous purple lunchbox that has fisherprice written all over it in Japanese semen.

Its time Nintendo changed into a version of itself that is not enslaved by its legacy, image, and zooted ideas like the future of gaming lies in conga peripherals. I'm tired of being the most alienated kind of gamer; a Nintendo gamer who must shell out $600 bucks to play the games I want.

Remember long ago Atari thought they could stick with the same basic hardware and play the rehash game. They didn't realize the market; this market unlike most can come and go in half a decade. Look at them now; they're owned. I smell a "Sega" and its going to get a new name; a "Nintendo."

BloodworthDaniel Bloodworth, Staff AlumnusFebruary 10, 2004

Wow, that rant was completely out of place. And saying that the GBA not having a backlight is dirty business is just silly. I rarely had problems playing my GBA, and it sold phenomenally. The high sales of the GBA drove those screen prices down, allowing them to introduce the SP at a reasonable price.

KDR_11kFebruary 10, 2004

According to Slashdot, this news is bull.

OldskoolFebruary 10, 2004

Please, let add-on consles die. N64DD should have been the final nail in the coffin, although I did want a F-Zero track creator...

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