Not bad, considering it was only out for 6 days that month.

Madden, Mario Dominate August U.S. Game Sales

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - John Madden and "Mario" -- both roly-poly, both beloved and both featured in blockbuster video games -- dominated game sales charts in August, according to data released on Tuesday.

"Madden NFL 2003," published by Electronic Arts Inc., was the top-selling video game in August, based on units sold, according to data released by market research service NPDFunworld.

The Rock wants your candy ass on GameCube.

Based on the successful summer movie, Universal Interactive's The Scorpion King has just shipped for GameCube and PS2, to coincide with the movie's DVD/VHS release. The game was developed by Point of View Software and combines sword-swinging combat with 3D adventuring gameplay. The Rock, star of the movie, provided voice acting for the game.

Now you can take Golden Axe, Ecco the Dolphin, and Sonic Spinball with you anywhere, all on one cartridge.

According to a press release from the game's developer, CodeFire, Sega Smash Pack has just shipped for Game Boy Advance. As with all other Sega handheld titles, THQ is publishing the game in North America. Here's the full press release for more info:

CODEFIRE CELEBRATES LAUNCH OF SEGA SMASH PACK

More Nickelodeon-licensed fun is on the way to stores.

THQ SHIPS ROCKET POWERä BEACH BANDITS

FOR PLAYSTATION®2 AND GAMECUBE™

CALABASAS HILLS, Calif., September 24, 2002 - THQâ Inc. (NASDAQ NMS: THQI) and Nickelodeon today announced the release of Rocket Powerä Beach Bandits for PlayStation®2 and GameCube™. Rocket Power... Read more...

Now you can make SUVs roll over from the comfort of your own home!

Universal Interactive Has Shipped Off-Road Racing Sequel '4x4 Evo 2' for the Nintendo GameCube(TM)

Customized SUV's and Monster Trucks Race Onto Video Game Consoles Nationwide

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Sept. 24 -- Universal Interactive, Inc., a studio of the Games division of Vivendi Universal Publishing, announced today that it has shipped "4x4 Evo 2," an off-road racing game, for the Nintendo GameCube(TM).

First details of Nintendo's 84 page booklet + game video dvd are released on Nintendo's website.

Coming to various stores in Japan, the Nintendo Book 2002 is a whopping 84 pages of previews of all of Nintendo's upcoming (and some released) games, ranging from Zelda to 3rd party titles such as Final Fantasy Tactics Advance. In addition to this book, an included DVD contains videos and multimedia... Read more...

The PS2 role-playing game is headed to GameCube early next year.

While announcing that Summoner 2 had shipped for PS2 today, THQ also confirmed that the game will be released on GameCube in early 2003. The port is being handled by Cranky Pants Games, a division of THQ also working on another, unannounced GameCube title. Check out the press release for more info on Summoner 2:

Sega partners with Michael Crichton on a new title for release in 2004.

SEGA Partners with Michael Crichton to Create New Game Based on an Original Concept

Partnership Brings Together World-Renowned Video Game Developer and Best-Selling Author in Unique Collaborative Venture

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 23, 2002: SEGA(R) of America, Inc. today announced that it has... Read more...

One of our staffers just did over the weekend! Find out which Planet Staffer tied the knot!

On Saturday, September 21, 2002, Planet GameCube staff writer Nathan James Christianson (aka speedrazor in #planetchat) married Elizabeth Christina Wirtz in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Thank God she’s a gamer!

On behalf of the staff here at Planet GameCube I'd like to congratulate Nathan Christianson and his new bride Beth Christianson on their wedding!

GC and GBA titles pop up in the top 10 and Star Fox Adventures receives a medal. Details inside.

Famitsu recently reviewed Star Fox Adventures, which is due out later this week in Japan. The game fared well with Famitsu receiving a gold mark.

In other news, The Legend of Starfy (GBA) and Zoid VS. (GC) takes the second and third spot respectively in the Top 10 sales ranking from September 2 to 8. Super Mario Sunshine slides to the sixth spot behind DC's Ikaruga.

Finally. Get the exclusive first words right here…

Discuss it in Talkback!

According to our inside sources within Nintendo of America, Nintendo has given the green light to companies to distribute demo discs.

The first demo disc that will be released will be Resident Evil 0. It’s unknown if this will be the same demo released in Japan,... Read more...

With PSO released, Sonic Team brings us another surprise.

Discuss it in Talkback!

At TGS Sonic Team announced their next GC title, PSO Card Battle.

PSO Card Battle will be an online game sharing the same lobby as PSO. Players will be able to chat and find other players to engage in a four player card battle.

Sonic Team also stated that there would be two types of decks, a Hunter Deck and an Enemy Deck.

Kiss Banjo-Kazooie, Conker, and Miss Dark good-bye. You will no longer see new games with these characters on Nintendo systems.

Discuss it in Talkback!

We posted the press release about Nintendo "dropping" Rare a little earlier today, but we've learned some additional news from our inside sources that the press release seemingly left out.

Rare will retain the rights to Banjo Kazooie, Conker, and Perfect Dark. You will no longer see new games with these licenses on Nintendo systems. Rare owns these licenses.

It's time to drive the portable car on your portable game system.

Discuss it in Talkback!

THQ Ships ``Matchbox Cross Town Heroes'' for Game Boy Advance and PC

Wednesday September 18, 8:25 am ET --CALABASAS HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 18, 2002--THQ® Inc. (Nasdaq:THQI - News) today announced the release of "Matchbox(TM) Cross Town Heroes(TM)"... Read more...

Can someone make some "vroom vroooooom" noises? Thank you.

Discuss it in Talkback!

NASCAR THUNDER 2003 SHIPS ON FOUR PLATFORMS

Best-Selling EA SPORTS NASCAR Game Offers Most Complete NASCAR Experience with New Modes such as Lightning Challenge and Deepest Career Mode in NASCAR Gaming

Redwood City, Calif., September 19, 2002 - Get behind... Read more...

A new pal is joining Sonic and pals for Sonic Advance 2!

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Sega showed Sonic Advance 2 at the Tokyo Game Show. They also introduced a brand new character to the Sonic universe. Her name is Cream the Rabbit. A translation of this page reveals that Cream is designed for beginner players and her game is easier. She also has a pet Chao at her side. The page also has video and screenshots of Sonic Advance 2.

You know you need to check this out!

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While still early, Nintendo’s official Metroid Prime website now up and running!

Currently little more than a teaser page, the site promises a November 2002 release date and houses an impressive 1:10 of game footage, including heat and X-ray vision as well as other visual treats.

Multi-platform action-puzzle hyphenated-entertainment.

Discuss it in Talkback!

EGGSTRA! EGGSTRA!

RETAILERS NATIONWIDE EGGSTATIC OVER THE ARRIVAL OF KEMCOS’ EGG MANIA SERIES

Addictive Action-Puzzle Gameplay Hits PS2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance

Seattle – Sept. 19, 2002 – Japanese publisher and developer Kemco has shipped

The official statement from Nintendo that you all may have, or may not have been waiting for.

Discuss it in Talkback!

Nintendo Cuts Development Ties with Rare, Ltd.

Decision Reflects Strategic Move To Expand And Redirect Game Development

LONDON--Sept. 20, 2002--As part of a strategic redirection of its

game development investments, Nintendo announces it has sold its 49

From Software has released a trailer for Rune II and we've got it online!

We've uploaded a new trailer for From Software's Rune II.  Rune II is

shaping up quite nicely, and looks much improved from the first Rune

title. You'll get a good look at some of the new summons, environments,

and characters.  This trailer is a highly compressed MPEG, so without

further compressing it into a WMV, we left it the way we found it.  Enjoy!