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What’s with the strange comparison I hear you cry?
Well, the sugar cube and Rubik’s Cube both represent how a consoles life can turn out, and in this case, it’s another cube; the Gamecube.
The question is; will the Gamecube be a successful and long running cube like the sugar or be a craze that will soon be forgotten like the Rubik’s?
Whilst there’s no denying that Mr. Erno Rubik’s small multi-coloured cube of hair pulling frustration was fun, popular and a financial success, it proved merely a 70’s and 80’s fad, that most sane people have long since forgotten about and is now confined to the history books along with other similar crazes, but will the Gamecube go this way I wonder?
Sugar cubes revolutionised the way people lived their lives, many didn’t need to measure out sugar in their tea with a spoon anymore, and since their invention (whenever that was), horses and donkeys have regularly voted them as their favourite snack (although I bet they also like candy cigarettes and Mars Bars).
Sugar cubes will be around forever (until a more ergonomically designed shape like a sugar sphere or pyramid is invented). I know the Gamecube won’t be around forever, but hopefully it’ll have a longer lifespan that the Dreamcast did.
Sugar cubes even come in multiple colours like the Gamecube.
Whilst the clever (or not so clever) cube analogy is there, this is really a question about whether three consoles can survive in the massive but possibly overcrowded games market. It hasn’t happened yet, and there’s the old saying that “two’s company but three’s a crowd” (catchy name for a “who will survive in the crowded console market” post...)
Will Nintendo’s lovely little purple (or black depending on your preference) find it’s niche in the market but have a short lifespan the way the Rubik’s Cube did? Or will it be a long lasting success like the under-advertised sugar cubes? The low price tag, tradition of great gameplay and great looking games will help, but it does arrive a lot later than the others which doesn’t help, but the wait shouldn’t matter to true gaming connoisseurs. Hopefully Nintendo will advertise the Gamecube a bit as well, something which has greatly helped the PSOne and PS2 achieve their great success.
I personally feel that this time around there can be room for three consoles in the market, although the relative failure of the Dreamcast puts a dent in people’s confidence about owning all three, many people are excited at the prospects of all three consoles, as each system has some great looking “killer apps” to look forward to.
Not forgetting the Gameboy Advance of course, I’ve been avidly playing Golden Sun over the last couple of days and it’s a tremendous title, and in terms of quality and lastability outshines many other games on next-gen systems (If you own a GBA I highly recommend it). Then there’s the gaming wonder that is Broken Sword coming very soon.
I had a DC, and whilst it did provide some great gaming experiences like MSR, Shenmue, Jet Set Radio, Powerstone, Soul Calibur etc. It did lack some great game genres like football sims (a decent version of ISS for example), however it looked like it was going to be a massive hit, but it lived the life of the Rubik’s Cube: fun while it lasted but didn’t go the distance. I just hope the Gamecube doesn’t go the same way.
Although here I am assuming that the Gamecube is the underdog, when I suppose it’s the Xbox which has the most to prove (especially in Japan) being Microsoft’s first foray into the competitive video game console business, and it must live up to expectations to justify its high price tag.
I already own a PS2, will probably get an Xbox when there’s a price reduction and I await my Gamecube with great anticipation having pre-ordered it many months ago. I’m mainly a Nintendo fan, so I’m hoping that the GC has the success and addictiveness of the Rubik’s Cube and the staying power and sweetness of the sugar cube.
Hopefully, each console will have many years of great gaming to look forward too and all three can survive; because in the end, the more great consoles and games that are on the market, the more gamers like you and myself will benefit.
Well, the sugar cube and Rubik’s Cube both represent how a consoles life can turn out, and in this case, it’s another cube; the Gamecube.
The question is; will the Gamecube be a successful and long running cube like the sugar or be a craze that will soon be forgotten like the Rubik’s?
Whilst there’s no denying that Mr. Erno Rubik’s small multi-coloured cube of hair pulling frustration was fun, popular and a financial success, it proved merely a 70’s and 80’s fad, that most sane people have long since forgotten about and is now confined to the history books along with other similar crazes, but will the Gamecube go this way I wonder?
Sugar cubes revolutionised the way people lived their lives, many didn’t need to measure out sugar in their tea with a spoon anymore, and since their invention (whenever that was), horses and donkeys have regularly voted them as their favourite snack (although I bet they also like candy cigarettes and Mars Bars).
Sugar cubes will be around forever (until a more ergonomically designed shape like a sugar sphere or pyramid is invented). I know the Gamecube won’t be around forever, but hopefully it’ll have a longer lifespan that the Dreamcast did.
Sugar cubes even come in multiple colours like the Gamecube.
Whilst the clever (or not so clever) cube analogy is there, this is really a question about whether three consoles can survive in the massive but possibly overcrowded games market. It hasn’t happened yet, and there’s the old saying that “two’s company but three’s a crowd” (catchy name for a “who will survive in the crowded console market” post...)
Will Nintendo’s lovely little purple (or black depending on your preference) find it’s niche in the market but have a short lifespan the way the Rubik’s Cube did? Or will it be a long lasting success like the under-advertised sugar cubes? The low price tag, tradition of great gameplay and great looking games will help, but it does arrive a lot later than the others which doesn’t help, but the wait shouldn’t matter to true gaming connoisseurs. Hopefully Nintendo will advertise the Gamecube a bit as well, something which has greatly helped the PSOne and PS2 achieve their great success.
I personally feel that this time around there can be room for three consoles in the market, although the relative failure of the Dreamcast puts a dent in people’s confidence about owning all three, many people are excited at the prospects of all three consoles, as each system has some great looking “killer apps” to look forward to.
Not forgetting the Gameboy Advance of course, I’ve been avidly playing Golden Sun over the last couple of days and it’s a tremendous title, and in terms of quality and lastability outshines many other games on next-gen systems (If you own a GBA I highly recommend it). Then there’s the gaming wonder that is Broken Sword coming very soon.
I had a DC, and whilst it did provide some great gaming experiences like MSR, Shenmue, Jet Set Radio, Powerstone, Soul Calibur etc. It did lack some great game genres like football sims (a decent version of ISS for example), however it looked like it was going to be a massive hit, but it lived the life of the Rubik’s Cube: fun while it lasted but didn’t go the distance. I just hope the Gamecube doesn’t go the same way.
Although here I am assuming that the Gamecube is the underdog, when I suppose it’s the Xbox which has the most to prove (especially in Japan) being Microsoft’s first foray into the competitive video game console business, and it must live up to expectations to justify its high price tag.
I already own a PS2, will probably get an Xbox when there’s a price reduction and I await my Gamecube with great anticipation having pre-ordered it many months ago. I’m mainly a Nintendo fan, so I’m hoping that the GC has the success and addictiveness of the Rubik’s Cube and the staying power and sweetness of the sugar cube.
Hopefully, each console will have many years of great gaming to look forward too and all three can survive; because in the end, the more great consoles and games that are on the market, the more gamers like you and myself will benefit.
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Yeah, he's got egg on his face now, hasn't he?
Weird Wonder wrote:
> But RM18 ... you now as well as me it won't sadly... top class post!
Would u like to repeat that please.
> But RM18 ... you now as well as me it won't sadly... top class post!
Would u like to repeat that please.
Another reason why all three consoles could succeed is that companies like Sega, Capcom and Konami are developing games for all.
They each bring massive frachises to particular consoles like Resident Evil on GC, MGS2 on PS2 & possibly Xbox, ISS on PS2 & GC. So each system has plenty of decent third party support.
Sega are going to make me poor, as they're bringing out great games for each one like JSR Future & Crazy Taxi 3 on Xbox, PSO & Monkey Ball on GC and Rez & more i've forgotten about right now on PS2
Not forgetting the rumoured Square & Nintendo dealings...(Secret of Mana on GBA PLEEEAAASSEE...)
They each bring massive frachises to particular consoles like Resident Evil on GC, MGS2 on PS2 & possibly Xbox, ISS on PS2 & GC. So each system has plenty of decent third party support.
Sega are going to make me poor, as they're bringing out great games for each one like JSR Future & Crazy Taxi 3 on Xbox, PSO & Monkey Ball on GC and Rez & more i've forgotten about right now on PS2
Not forgetting the rumoured Square & Nintendo dealings...(Secret of Mana on GBA PLEEEAAASSEE...)
Yeah, I can see that the GC is going to have a whole different market sector at it's mercy, and that was always nintendo's intention.
But, as you've said ==SHADOWRAV-->, their games are great fun and intelligently designed, so they would appeal to all ages. So had they gotten in on the act sooner, couldn't nintendo have had a larger slice of sony and microsoft's end of the market, despite the family orientation of their console?
But, as you've said ==SHADOWRAV-->, their games are great fun and intelligently designed, so they would appeal to all ages. So had they gotten in on the act sooner, couldn't nintendo have had a larger slice of sony and microsoft's end of the market, despite the family orientation of their console?
Hey, good post Totoro.
In response to Rainier Wolfcastle, I disagree. While the PS2 and Xbox are clearly aimed at the older market- acting as home entertainment devices (ie playing DVDs) and having a range of realistic games- the GC is aimed at a "family" market. Nintendo make games that everyone loves to play!
The difference in markets is clearly defined in the price of the consoles- family gamers will have no problem buying a GC for little Johny as it sports some great, fun games.
In response to Rainier Wolfcastle, I disagree. While the PS2 and Xbox are clearly aimed at the older market- acting as home entertainment devices (ie playing DVDs) and having a range of realistic games- the GC is aimed at a "family" market. Nintendo make games that everyone loves to play!
The difference in markets is clearly defined in the price of the consoles- family gamers will have no problem buying a GC for little Johny as it sports some great, fun games.
spose
But surely a lot of the less serious gamers will only opt for one console? In this case if you already have a PS2/XBox that you are happy with, then Nintendo are going to have to really pull off something special to get you to trade in for a GC.
i've got a ps2 and i'm getting a GC so i dont think it will matter nintendo releasing it later
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