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Afterall, it is only a few weeks after Spaceworld that the GAMECUBE is launched in Japan.
That is why I fear all of the rumours that are flying around regarding what will be on show may only lead to disappointment.
As amazing as E3 was, with many games revealed, and so many surprises, the absence of Zelda and Mario was something of a disappointment. But there was a hint that they would both be at Spaceworld.
Of course with anticipation of these games so high, the rumour has developed to a stage where many Nintendo fans are expecting to see a Mario game revealed that will be a launch game!
I don't see this as being very likely, given how little time nintendo will then have to spread the word to the Japanese consumer befre the launch.
Also Yamauchi seems certain that only 2 games from Nintendo should be available at launch, so that others do not undersell, with other releases coming in the following months.
Why annoy all those games that have already placed pre-orders, placed their money on Luigi's Mansion, and Wave Race. Japanese gamers, much like the rest of us can be a very fickle bunch!
So I imagine we'll see Mario, but he won't be around for launch. If he is, what do we have to look forward to?
The rumours regarding Zelda, are also flying. Some very interesting talk regarding the game being more more fight oriented than previous games, with the 'camera' stick being used to control the sword, whilst you move with the regular stick (or whatever the heck they call it!)
That sounds all very good, and could well be true, but the rumour that probably isn't true is the one that states that the game is much further along the development track than you'd think.
I can't see this game coming out until the tail end of 2002 at the very earliest, again for the simple reason that you don't want to deliver all you've got right away, or what will people have to look forward to? If it's only sequels to these games, some gamers may become dissatisfied. You've got to hold some of the stars back...
So anyway, other rumours. It has been confirmed that Bomberman Generations will be on show for the 'CUBE. Rumour states that a GBA version is also on the cards, and it will be the first game to take advantage of the GAMECUBE link. Now it's quite possible that this could be the case, but I think Nintedno want to sell each system on it's own merits before the link up is really used. Though GBA?GCN Bomberman would rule, and Nintendo have a remarkably good relationship with Hudson. Mind you, would Konami's buy into Hudson have an effect on this relationship?
I don't believe that any third party, no matter how could a relationship would get to use something like this first, that's why I see a Pokemon link-up game being revealed. Not playable, but certainly shown to be in the pipeline.
Anyone notice that Phantasy Star Online has slipped from the US release dates? It was scheduled for December, but now just '2002'.
I guess that would be because Nintendo would like to show something off themselves first? Show the world that their machine can be played online, and will have a number of great games compatiable, rather than just PSO, and a wait before anything else is around?
So, summing up, at Spaceworld, on the GAMECUBE front, I see Mario and Zelda, but not to be delivered in a great hurry.
I see a game that takes advantage of the GAMECUBE/GBA link, probably Pokemon, but again, not for a while.
I see some sort of announcement on the GAMECUBEs online state, maybe a Nintendo game to utilise it.
I see a bunch of the more Japanese oriented games getting another public airing, given that it's a Japanese show, such as Animal Forest, Animal Leader, and Doshin the Giant.
And Third Party stuff. Plenty of it.
Or is it me that's now expecting too much?
Easy to get carried away, isn't it?
Please correct me if i am wrong.
Anyway, the 2 games confirmed are for the Japanese launch.
I reckon that they'll put a few more in (hopefully Smash Brothers and DK Racing) for our launch.
We should get the final details for the UK release when NIntendo do that show in England instead of ECTS.
> I agree totally.
I'm sure Luigi's Mansion will be much more "advanced", though.
Mario was the first game to set the benchmark with 3d gaming.
This is why Miyamoto is regarded as a genius.
Concerning the original message- Nintendo have once again underwealmed with quantity. Like the N64 (which had only 1 launch game in Japan- Mario), the GC will not begion life with a list of Ninty games. However, with the N64 Mario was more than enough to turn heads. It was the quality of the release that counted. And the Gamecube? There is no inovation by Nintendo bar more polygons.
A completely unbiased view of the GCs launch:
Little advertising to compete with the Xbox, or try to sway the PS2 masses
Few head turning games to make casual gamers buy the console
Great pricing is an up
Ninty better hope the Ninty brand name holds their heads high.
NiGHTS!