It's really sad to hear that people are buying consoles because of their 'coolness' factor. How 'cool' it would look right next to the TV, how 'cool' the color is, how 'cool' it is because its black & has all this extra plastic that just adds weight, how 'cool' it is because there's this 'cool' green plastic in the middle... etc. ad infinitum, ad nauseaum.
I think Nintendo needs not to change the GameCube design in any way. I think the critics are wrong, this system is perfect. Why? Because it has everything that a 'gamer' needs when playing games. When did DVD playback became a standard in game consoles? And according to a close friend, the PS2's DVD player plays like sh*t. Also on the GameCube, we're given an option for broadband or dial-up. I think that's great! You're not stuck with one format. A system that needs serious redesigning is a console that's still stuck with 2 controller ports.
Its also sad to note that many people don't know how to judge good design from bad. Being an architecture major, I think the GameCube can be summed up in a design philosophy by Frank Lloyd Wright- 'Form follows Function'. That is the Gamecube & it beats out all the competition. Why? Everything on the GameCube has a function, the lines, the buttons, everything! Unlike another console that needs serious redesigning, because there's this huge, useless piece of cheap green plastic in the middle. But from what I heard, you can see a certain 'Bill' taking a bath if you stare at it long enough. *hehe*
What Nintendo needs to do is to reintroduce the GameCube through an extensive marketing campaign. I'm thinking sort of like the I-Mac ads. Simple, Informative, & Entertaining. Also, Nintendo should do a user poll and ask which colors of the Gamecube they would buy then produce the colors that would come out on the Top 10. They should emphasize the simplicity, & functionality of the GameCube. Also, since their competitors are playing dirty with them, Nintendo should join the Mud wrestling. Throwing in comments like, 'Which console do you think is stuck in the 80's? The one with 2 controller ports or the one with 4. The Nintendo GameCube. It's Born to Play.'
I just hope I made a few insights here. Well, till my next post!
Also, I want you all to know that I do have a GameCube. I have the purple one & its 'sweet'! ^_^