GameCube
Nintendo's 2001 home console, which plays games from 8 cm optical discs, for collectors and anyone comparing it with the PS2, Xbox or Wii.
Model history · 2 models, 1997–2002
- 1997Nintendo 64Compare
- 2002GameCube
- Type
- Home console
- Output
- 576i
- Memory
- 40 MB
- Storage
- –
- Weight
- 1,400 g
Specifications
Report a wrong or missing specPerformance
- Type
- Home console
- CPU
- IBM Gekko (PowerPC), 485 MHz
- GPU
- ATI Flipper, 162 MHz
- Memory
- 40 MB
- Disc drive
- Yes
- CPU
- IBM Gekko (PowerPC-based) at 485 MHz (Nintendo UK)
- GPU
- ATI/Nintendo Flipper at 162 MHz, with 2 MB frame buffer and 1 MB texture cache (Nintendo UK)
- Memory detail
- 40 MB system memory (24 MB 1T-SRAM main memory plus 16 MB auxiliary DRAM); Flipper also has 3 MB embedded graphics memory (Nintendo UK)
- Storage detail
- GameCube Game Discs (8 cm, miniDVD-based, up to 1.5 GB); saves on GameCube memory cards (two slots)
- Storage expansion
- Serial ports for the broadband or modem adapter; Hi-Speed port underneath for the Game Boy Player
Display and video
- Maximum output
- 576i
- Built-in screen
- No built-in screen
- Video output
- Analogue AV out (composite or RGB SCART); DOL-001 also has Digital AV out, but PAL games offer 576i or 480i rather than native 480p
- Audio
- Analogue stereo; 16-bit Macronix DSP with 64 channels at 48 kHz (Nintendo UK)
Design and power
- Weight
- 1,400 g
- Power use
- 39 W AC adapter rating (12 V × 3.25 A; Nintendo UK)
Connections
- Ports
- 4 × controller ports, 2 × memory card slots, analogue and digital AV outputs, 2 × high-speed serial ports, 1 × high-speed parallel port (Nintendo UK)
- Controller
- GameCube controller; WaveBird wireless controller sold separately
Pros and cons
Pros
- Compact and light, at 1.4 kg
- Four controller ports, with a Game Boy Player add-on for Game Boy games
- Plays games from 1.5 GB miniDVD-based discs with short load times
Cons
- Doesn't play DVD films or audio CDs
- Saves need a separate memory card
- Online play needs a separately sold broadband or modem adapter
Closest rivals
Model | Type | Output | Memory | Storage | Weight | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home console | 576i | 64 MB | 8 GB | 4,000 g | Mar 2002 | |
| Home console | – | – | – | 900 g | Nov 2004 | |
| Home console | – | 36 MB | – | 2,200 g | Nov 2000 |
Previous model: Nintendo 64. Newer model: Wii.
Sources
- nintendo.com/en-gb/Hardware/Nintendo-History/Nintendo-GameCube/Technical-Detail…
- nintendo.com/en-gb/Hardware/Nintendo-History/Nintendo-GameCube/Accessories/Acce…
- consolemods.org/wiki/GameCube:Games_with_Alternate_Display_Modes
- nintendo.co.jp/corporate/en/history/index.html
Photo: Evan-Amos, Wikimedia Commons
