The Nintendo GameCube, a Tough Lesson | VideoGameDocs

To Celebrate the GameCube's 20th birthday, let's take a look at the history of the GameCube, how it came to be, why it didn't succeed as much as other Nintendo consoles, and what it might have led to.
Following the release of the Nintendo 64 in 1996, technology not only continued to innovate and grow more complex, but it did so at a rapid rate. By 1998 Sega had released the first of the 6th Generation of home consoles, that being the Dreamcast. A technical powerhouse blowing the PlayStation, Saturn, and even the Nintendo 64 out of the water, the Dreamcast was hailed as the future of not only 3D Graphics but home console gaming as a whole. Not long after, in March of 1999 Sony unveiled the PlayStation 2, which was by far superior to the Dreamcast in just about every aspect. Finally, by May of 1999 Nintendo would announce they were indeed working on a successor to the Nintendo 64.
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00:00 - Part 1: Introduction
01:50 - Part 2: A Dolphin needs its Flippers
05:30 - Part 3: An Unfortunate Delay
11:55 - Part 4: The Nintendo Difference
27:17 - Part 5: Nintendo, the Unexpected David VS. the Sony and Microsoft Goliaths
34:40 - Part 6: The Legacy of the GameCube

[@Notryanarden12]

While I did grow up with the N64, I feel like GameCube is my true childhood console because it’s where I have the most memories. Playing Mario Kart double dash with my cousins, waking up one Christmas morning to Sonic Adventure 2 Battle in my stocking. I still remember going to WalMart with my grandparents and them buying me a GameCube with Mario Sunshine. Powerful stuff. Still to this day I’m emulating GameCube games and playing them, currently playing Star Fox Adventures on dolphin on my steam deck. GameCube will always be one of Nintendos best consoles

[@destineeharper4905]

KZbin, fix your algorithm! This guy deserves all the views : )

[@BeerMeTV]

When I was in jr high, my school held an assembly celebrating student accomplishments with prizes. I knew one of the prizes that day was a GameCube, and given that my PS2 had bit the dust, I really wanted the GameCube. I ended up winning it that day, along with copies of Luigi’s mansion and Star Fox adventures, and fell in love with the system. Sure it wasn’t my ps2, but I could play games again. Looking back now, the system still holds a special place in my heart.

[@ImWithTeamTrinity]

The gamecube DID have better graphics, I had ps2 until about 2011 and I can admit as much, nothing on ps2 could touch Rogue Squadron. Honestly, if it had come with a dvd drive, I would have chosen it over the ps2.

[@RetrOrigin]

The Game cube is probably my 3rd favorite Nintendo system, only 3rd to NES and SNES.

[@jbbrolic]

I like SNES and GameCube. I don't think N64 aged well. Way more PlayStation games I can still enjoy.

[@leeartlee915]

I love all these systems but I cannot deny how many hours I’ve put into my Switch. I think it easily passes every other video game console I’ve ever had… which is strange since I’m an adult now (I technically was when the GC came out but entering college isn’t exactly “adult” adult). Because of how much I’ve played the Switch, it had to become one of my top 3 systems, doesn’t it?

[@leeartlee915]

@@jbbrolicI think a lot of PS1 games also aged poorly. The ones that didn’t were basically nice versions of 16 bit games. But try and go back to racers on the PS1. They are straight trash.

[@retroactivekev]

Excellent video, I love the Gamecube era of Nintendo.

[@EvilDarkCow]

I grew up on team Playstation, but the GameCube has always been a favorite of mine. I didn't know until years later that the GameCube didn't really do all that well. It's a shame, because I consider the GC era a golden age of Nintendo first-party games.

[@VideoGameDocs]

I grew up with the GameCube and had no clue why games were deciding to skip it until I got older and learned that it did WAY worse than the PS2. In my mind though I got to play Luigi's Mansion, Mario Party, Mario Kart, Sunshine and Melee so I really didn't care haha.

[@crazedlunatic43]

It was no commercial failure, but it wasn’t very successful either like the PS2 or GameBoy Advance.

[@shadowguy20004]

As a 30 year old who was a PlayStation guy just now discovering the GameCube, it’s saddens me what I missed and that GC wasn’t that successful

[@VideoGameDocs]

I feel that. I was a GameCube guy, always jealous of how successful the PS2 was when I was younger lol. Still saddened it wasn't as successful since it's probably my favorite console, but hey, it's what happens. Much love for the PS2 though, some really great games on that system.

[@ananasstudio6221]

Great console in a time where “mature” games where the most important asset for a console until the arrival of the Wii

[@soggypretzels4227]

Return of the king

[@VideoGameDocs]

is that me? or is it you Soggy Pretzels

[@IronicSonic83]

Great documentary. Love you used Last Wave to end the video. Perfect choice (same as the Dreamcast doc!)

[@GameRetro]

I am enjoying your videos immensely!

[@VideoGameDocs]

I'm so glad! This one I took some extra time with and I believe it was worth it!

[@GameRetro]

@@VideoGameDocs definitely! Keep up the good work! Looking forward to the next installment in the series. Also your editing is great.

[@bpcgos]

Another quality content as always...

[@HieiDaHellSpawn94]

I wish Nintendo bought Rare during the gamecubes life cycle so that we can play Donkey Kong Racing

[@JaminWarrenPMS]

Great video! I love the custom Luigi paint job!

[@VideoGameDocs]

Thanks! I did it in High School and looking at it now it has some rough edges lol

[@GigaChad_169]

Well done analysis!

[@J.Wick.]

GC was the last of the generation that I purchased. It became my 2nd favorite behind the Xbox. Loved the multiplats on it. Never have been big into Nintendo ips. But had alot of fun with the GC. Perfect system to take to friends houses and play Madden or NBA/NFL Street or THPS.

[@bradywitt3070]

12:06 Best part of the video

[@VideoGameDocs]

agreed

[@3finger10]

GameCube was my favorite…..

[@Rayito_]

Great content

[@VideoGameDocs]

Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@PoutingTrevor]

I thought you had 815k subscribers, and I was like 'how does this have less than 3k views??' Cool video!

[@VideoGameDocs]

I wish! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MaxAbramson3]

Having been burned by SEGA years earlier, I never bought anything from the Saturn on. However, the Dreamcast painted a prettier picture, and the NEC PowerVR did some things in hardware that the PS2 couldn't do at all until years later. I had a PS2, but it became obvious that the "75 million polygons/sec" was never going to happen, and no game ever even exceeded 7 million. In hindsight, the Dreamcast (averaging 3-5 million and better rendering) was the better system. The PS2 won because of false advertising and being the cheapest DVD player that most people could buy at the time.

[@touchingevil2302]

Great video, what is the music in the beggining ?

[@VideoGameDocs]

The intro music is "A Heart Made of Pixels" by Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen. Hope this helps!

[@grinbrothers]

It's a shame that their is such an aura of gloom to the life of the GameCube as it was such a neat system with a stellar line-up of games. A fascinating tour of the history of this console with some particularly interesting insight with the stuff covered in the 'The Dolphin Needs Flippers' being mostly new to me. The many comparisons of both tech and employee count against it's competitors was also informative and well presented.

[@VideoGameDocs]

I think in recent years the perception has turned around to be much more positive. I'm glad there was something new for you to enjoy! And in reality I thought that the comparison would help paint a picture as to why Nintendo has made certain decisions, like not using DVD with the GameCube. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@soulripper31]

@@VideoGameDocs I think a Gamecube Mini would easily outsell a PS2 Mini for the following reasons: - Being able to play DVD's would no longer be a factor - The best PS2 games are mostly third party which would be expensive to license for Sony - These mini consoles only hold a limited number of games, so the PS2's much bigger library would be a non-factor - Nintendo's games have aged much better than any other game from that generation. Just imagine how many people would buy it to play SSBM in HD and maybe even added online play.

[@G.L.999]

@@VideoGameDocs Nintendo didn't have their own semi conductor factories like Sony did at that time. So it would've been more expensive for Nintendo(much like how it was with Microsoft as they were losing over $220 off of each Xbox console sold at that time; hence why they lost over $7-billion that generation) because of expensive royalties off of each disc drive sold within each said system sold. So if DVD was the future, it was the future only for Sony as they had more resources than Nintendo did at that time.

[@hippo2020]

great video, hope you can do for Neo Geo Aes and PC Engine also

[@VideoGameDocs]

Hoping to do a video on most Consoles, so I'll add those to the lineup!

[@crazyjimheath]

cool stuff

[@crazedlunatic43]

The GameCube wasn’t a finical disaster, but it wasn’t as popular as the PS2 or GameBoy Advance. I would argue that the GameCube was the last good Nintendo console before they started favouring weaker specs that have a specific gimmick as a selling point.

[@polycube868]

I agree, and Nintendo still turned a profit from the GameCube.

[@turismofoegaming8806]

I agree 100%, the game cube blew me away when I finally got one and a copy of the resident evil remake shortly after that game released!! I got the purple game cube (as in my mind it was the original) that came with Mario sunshine and I got an extra controller, memory card and a copy of resident evil and went home and was absolutely shot at just how good the game played and looked?! As well as how comfortable the controller was, despite my thoughts to the contrary!! Everything about it was awesome and it felt special?

[@magnawaves]

There is no argument, it is the truth. It all goes under the Miyamoto motto "INNOVATE OR DIE." I would love a funny little nintendo box that has horsepower half a gen behind current gen each time the other 2 guys bring out their updated not-pc machines. I have gotten a ton of miles out of my switch, but it's the only nintendo console I have ever had to buy a second one of, in additional to multiple controllers, because of its low quality.

[@PianistTanooki]

It does suck that Nintendo doesn't compete with the other guys… as the Wii was noticeably weaker than the competition… in a way where it was incredibly obvious when you looked at the Wii's games compared to its competition. But I disagree that this was their "last good console." I'd argue that this doesn't really matter as much anymore. We're at the point where each new jump in graphical power with each generation has given us diminishing returns. If the rumors are true that the Switch 2 will have PS4-esque visuals… I doubt most would notice the difference between the Switch 2 and the other current-gen consoles. Especially with things like DLSS among other things…

[@leeartlee915]

You act like that’s some hot take. It’s not at all. You basically sound like most Nintendo followers.

[@papas182]

Subbed

[@G.L.999]

27:30-27:35 was the main reason Nintendo had to 'drop out' of competing against Sony and Microsoft during the 7th generation. They didn't have a choice back then; it was the only way for Nintendo to survive as both a gaming company and a console manufacturer. And people out there sadly still don't get that message!

[@MFjaYWiLL]

Drop out? More like they won 😂

[@G.L.999]

@@MFjaYWiLL You apparently didn't get the context of my message!

[@MFjaYWiLL]

@@G.L.999 you’re right! But even back then I’m not sure Nintendo was a David. Hell Sony wasn’t too hot outside PlayStation and monitors/tv’s. They are even worse now. Phones are basically gone. Laptops gone. Walkman or Mp3 obsolete. Microsoft obviously had more money. But damn I just assumed Nintendo had more cash back then. Then had enough cash and balls to tell Microsoft screw off 😂😂

[@roahnosh]

@@MFjaYWiLL Lmao if by you mean hot is revenue Sony owns FGO one of their biggest moneymaker that is still pulling billions today.

[@jennyholiday88]

You got some great content here. The presentation is a bit stale, but the research is ace! Can't wait to see more

[@madmax2010ok]

Why blur the disassembly of the console? I'd like to see it's insides.

[@paulearl8203]

The PS2 was not by far superior to the Dreamcast it had a DVD player.

[@slowmercy69]

Gameboy Advanced?

[@saywhatagain5999]

I honestly think it would have sold better as a game pyramid but what do I know about console design

[@VideoGameDocs]

game sphere

[@polycube868]

It's spherical...SPHERICAL!!!

[@artyboy1377]

I don't understand their stubbornness in using cartridges and mini-discs and their indifference to developers' concerns regarding programming woes. Their quest to deter piracy has gone way overboard and they are only hurting themselves. Its the same with Sony requiring the use of their proprietary memory cards for their handhelds which cost them dearly.

[@jimmybuffet4970]

Dreamcast 1998 in Japan *********

[@misterham8111]

games?

[@danielhayes3607]

I guess Activision just has an affairs division

[@Clodd1]

They were pretty arrogant, in some way, they still are. Iwata said: we don’t need them (third parties).

[@ultimate_pleb]

19:50 anyone want to translate this? I don't speak nerdise

[@sebastianbjork1974]

The mod work could be better right?

[@VideoGameDocs]

Oh definitely. Did it rather hastily and it was my first time doing something like that. Gonna need to touch it up here soon lol.

[@pal6341]

You sound like crosgrove

[@almadabestest2897]

As someone who waited in from of CompUSA when I was like 12 from 4 am to get a console I was definitely disappointed with the launch titles, I bought Super Monkey Ball (loved it), Luigi's Mansion (hated it) and a 59 block memory card which costs as much as a game. TBH that pissed me off more as the memory card costs me Melee until wayyy later. I liked how Xbox had a HD

[@DaoistYeashikAli]

comment for the Algorithm

[@VideoGameDocs]

Thank you sir!!

[@bigbrisk8423]

Gamecube was trash, a few decent games but nothing that made me buy the console lol

[@VideoGameDocs]

You my good sir have obviously never experienced Luigi's Mansion.

[@bigbrisk8423]

@@VideoGameDocs I have without a GameCube lol its great but I'm not about to buy a GameCube just to play Luigi mansion lil

[@bigbrisk8423]

@@VideoGameDocs that's why I said a few decent games. The controller was absolutely garbage and the little disc's were dumb lol. Luigi mansion is one of the few decent games but it wasn't not enough to make me buy a gamecube

[@mrcrunch8000]

@@bigbrisk8423lol, claiming the controller was trash just proves you have no experience with the console and your opinion on the gc has no value.

[@foxsux6000]

Hardware wise the dreamcast was a real turd and they should have gone with the PPC..

[@ironinquisitor3656]

Not really.

[@riselikethephoenix1]

Im a playstation guy. I always felt nintendo consoles were overrated... except for the gamecube. I LOVE THAT THING!

[@ukasztarnowski7741]

Those specifications mean nothing. Anyone who played all these machines know that Xbox graphically destroyed all of the competitors.

[@davidortiz6284]

Show some emotion in ur narrative damn!

[@YouTubePremiumWatch]

🙏