Nintendo Gamecube AV Audio / Video Cable Review
Gamecube Controller Platinum Review
Cars Review
Spider-Man Review
The game parallels the motion picture's story line, steering you through a progression of challenges that begins with the hunt for Uncle Ben's murderer, and ends with a final showdown with the Green Goblin. You begin as Peter Parker dressed in his wrestling costume and must defeat a variety of thugs throughout each level before advancing to the next set of challenges. The game gets progressively tougher as you encounter, in turn, Shocker, the Vulture, Scorpion, and, of course, the Green Goblin.
Visually, Spider-Man is a treat: cityscapes unfold in realistic detail and are enhanced by sunlight shining between buildings; cutscenes offer seamless animation; interiors are painstakingly re-created; and Spider-Man and his enemies are well rendered, moving about the screen in clean fashion. As an added bonus, most characters are voiced by their movie counterparts, and the training mode features the sarcastic wit of Evil Dead star Bruce Campbell. --Larry White
Pros:
Note: This review refers to the PlayStation2 version of this game. GameCube
Soul Calibur 2 Review
Design Skins for Nintendo Gamecube - Sunny Palms Design Folie Review
Star Fox Adventures Review
Although the control system is very similar to The Legend of Zelda's, Star Fox Adventures is no simple clone. It’s your job as the mercenary mammal to find all the spellstones that will rejoin the splintered planet and defeat the evil General Scales. This entails much exploring of ancient temples and completing of subquests to help everything from Yorkshire-accented woolly mammoths to pterodactyls who've lost their babies.
The game may lack the epic scale and endless invention of Zelda but it has plenty of new ideas of its own, including a fully interactive dinosaur sidekick, some cool shoot-'em-up sections in Fox’s spaceship, and lots of ways to upgrade a magical staff--your weapon of choice when out of your ship. To add some icing to the cake, the graphics are absolutely amazing, particularly the superrealistic fur effects. --David Jenkins, Amazon.co.uk Starfox Adventures for Gamecube MODEL- DOL-P-GSAE VENDOR- NINTENDO FEATURES- Star Fox Adventures Breathtaking graphics and an epic storyline propel this all-new spectacular from Rare and Nintendo. The despotic General Scales has unleashed powers that are literally tearing apart the once-peaceful Dinosaur Planet. With the survival of Fox McClouds home planet at risk, the intrepid veteran of Star Fox 64 and Super Smash Bros. Melee gets an urgent message to battle Scales and his vast army of cackling SharpClaws. Fox gets strong support from Star Fox Team members Slippy, Peppy and Rob. Unexpected help comes from Prince Tricky, the playful heir to the EarthWalker tribal throne. On the planet surface, Fox must rely on the mystical powers of a unique staff as he battles Scales minions, befriends peaceful plant-eaters and encounters eerie spirits that hold the key to the planets survival. Most intriguing of all is Krystal, a beautiful traveler from a distant planet. Rare and Nintendo have lovingly crafted the games incredible graphics, including gorgeous water effects and Foxs phenomenally detailed fur. For a sharper and clearer image, select the Progressive Scan option when playing on a TV set that supports that feature. The sound is top-notch, too, from the uniformly brilliant voice talent to the endlessly evocative music. This game supports Dolby Pro Logic II. Star Fox Adventures supports progressive scan on TV sets that have that feature. -- SPECIFICATIONs ------------ ESRB Rating : T for Teen Genre/Category
Namco Museum Review
Gamecube Black Controller Review
Nintendo Gamecube Console - Indigo Review
Orange Spice Controller Pad for Gamecube and Wii Review
Gamecube Microcon Wireless Controller (Colors May Vary) Review
Shrek 2 Review
Nintendo Gamecube Review
Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life Review
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker Review
The first thing you'll notice about The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker is that it looks completely different from any previous title in the franchise. Nintendo has opted to use cel-shading technology on Wind Waker; the result is that the game looks like a cartoon. Die-hard Zelda purists initially howled at this change, arguing that the game skews too young. I think it's fantastic. The cartoon animation style allows for better expression of the characters, and several of the animations--like Link trying to pick up an object that's too heavy--are so cute that you can't help but laugh a little.
The second thing you’ll notice is a focus on wind. Instead of trotting around on foot, Link travels from island to island on a talking boat, but he doesn't get far without the wind blowing in right direction. Luckily, you'll learn how to change the direction of the wind early in the game, and you'll do so frequently--not only to power your boat but also to solve puzzles. Clever use of wind makes Wind Waker stand out from more conventional adventure games.
The third thing you’ll notice is that the game is just plain fun. Puzzles are innovative and refreshing, and despite some tricky puzzles, I never felt too frustrated to keep playing. The locales you'll visit are invariably exotic and fun to explore, and the host of bizarre creatures you'll encounter (friendly and otherwise) are always a kick in the pants. Moreover, though the look is radically different, Wind Waker feels like a classic Zelda game. Veterans of the early games in the franchise will experience more than a bit of nostalgia while playing it.
The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker is everything you've come to expect from a Zelda game, and it's one of the best adventure games to date. This is a must-have title for any GameCube owner. --Jon "Safety Monkey" Grover
Pros:
Cons:
Wii with Wii Sports Resort - Black Review
Console-based video gaming is one of the most popular of modern digital technologies, cutting across age, demographic and gender divides. Today's players have three dominant platforms to choose from: Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 by Microsoft. Each is an impressive multifunctional device, with designs meant to encourage integration into existing home entertainment systems and networks, but each goes about this in different ways. Taking a few minutes to examine the main features, and getting more familiar with available options, accessories and possible limitations of each console is the optimal way to determine which is the best choice for the players in a household.
Wii View larger | PlayStation 3 View larger | Xbox 360 View larger | |
| Models and Pricing (prices may vary) | Wii with Mario Kart Wii - 9 | 160 GB memory - 0 320 GB memory - 0 | 4 GB memory - 0 250 GB memory - 0 |
| What's in the Box |
|
|
|
| Motion Gaming? | Already included | PlayStation Move (sold separately) | Kinect for Xbox 360 (sold separately) |
| Colors (limited edition colors may be available) | White and black | Black | Black |
| Drive Type | CD (just games) | CD/DVD/Blu-ray (games, music, movies) | CD/DVD (games, music, movies) |
| Online Play | WiiWare | PlayStation Network (PSN) | Xbox LIVE |
| Additional Accessories | Additional controllers - -45 | Additional controllers - -50 | Additional controllers - -50 |
| Price Range of Games | New releases: ~ - Downloadable: ~ - | New releases: ~ Motion: ~ Downloadable: ~ - | New releases: ~ Motion: ~ Downloadable: ~ - |
| Backwards Compatibility | Plays all GameCube game titles | Offers compatibility with PS1 games | Over 300 titles developed for the original Xbox console are currently available |
| Graphic Quality | 480p | 1080p | 1080p |
| Great For | Designed for Junior to Grandma with titles generally focused on family fun, party games | High-powered and highly customizable system for the technical-minded consumers | Offers a wide selection of games and accessible entertainment, with user-friendly social tools |
There is not just one kind of console video game, and so the machines that are are used to play them are different as well. Considering the types of games to be played, their availability for the consoles being considered and the ability of those consoles' to present the best gaming experience possible for the game's genre and content is important. The games developed for Wii tend to be more easily accessible, family-friendly productions heavily influenced by Nintendo's classic gaming history. Filled with cartoon-like and childlike characters as well as Arcade-style gameplay situations, Wii games are often referred to as "Casual Games," or "Party Games" typified by brief, simple "mini-games." These small games-within-games are tailor-made for players new to the puzzle-solving aspects of gaming and how that is translated through game controllers to the screen by the player.
PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles are the current version of earlier console releases whose user bases were rooted in game genres such as Action-Adventure, Shooters, Racing, Sports, Role-playing games (RPG) and so on. Gameplay developed in these genres tends to require more focus on the part of the player, and more graphics processing power from the console in order to maintain a quality experience. That is what continues to be the main focus of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Capable of full 1080p HD quality graphics presentation when used with the proper cables and displays, in this area Xbox 360 and PS3 are far beyond what Wii is capable of. Iconic game franchises like Halo, God of War, Fable, Metal Gear Solid, Gears of War, Killzone, Mass Effect, The Elder Scrolls and many others have grown up on these platforms, feeding off of their power. And with the rise of online multiplayer gaming through Xbox LIVE and PSN the high energy, fine graphical specialties of these platforms only continues to grow.
Although motion gaming has been front and center since the launch of the Wii in 2006, the other two consoles have their own motion gaming offerings that provide unique play opportunities on their respective platforms that have also found a wide audience. See a breakdown of the motion gaming capacity of each of the systems below.
The Wii Remote Plus controller is the standard wireless controller that ships with each Wii. It combines the intuitive motion controls of the original Wii Remote with the precision technology of the Wii MotionPlus accessory, all built-in to a single unit. The device is handled in a wand-like fashion, and uses internal gyroscope and accelerometer technology to pinpoint the players movements and physical positioning which it then relates into a game via a sensor bar connected to the console. The Wii Remote Plus has only a few buttons making it easy to use. It also contains a speaker, a rumble feature, and an external connector for other input devices like the Nunchuk controller and the Classic Controller.
PlayStation Move offers a new and innovative gaming experience for the PlayStation 3 (PS3) system by fusing realistic, high-definition gaming along with accurate, intuitive control. Consisting of a PlayStation Move motion controller, a PlayStation Move Navigation controller (optional in most games) and a PlayStation Eye camera (all sold separately), PlayStation Move enables sophisticated, ultra accurate motion control and immersive gameplay only possible on the PS3 system. In addition, the PlayStation Eye features the ability to process up to 120 frames/second and a built-in 4 microphone array for pristine video quality and video chat capabilities.
Easy to use and fun for everyone, Kinect sensor for Xbox 360 utilizes revolutionary full-body tracking to put players in the center of the fun that is 100% controller-free. After configuring itself by registering a range of points across your body, this amazing technology allows Kinect to recognize and mirror your movements in the game, in effect making your body the controller. The sensor is compatible with every Xbox 360, features a color VGA motion camera (640 x 480 pixel resolution @ 30 frames per second), a depth camera (640 x 480 pixel resolution @ 30 frames per second) and an array of 4 microphones supporting single speaker voice recognition.
 Wii Remote Plus & Nunchuk. View larger |  PlayStation Eye & Motion controller. View larger |  Controller-free Kinect sensor play. View larger |
Online functionality is a major focus in console gaming. Each of the three consoles can be used offline, but by integrating them into your home broadband connection you can greatly expand their potential. Each posses a significant online component, but differ in the ways users can interact with it.
WiiWare is a service that allows Wii players to download games and applications directly to their Wii console in exchange for purchased Wii Points on the Wii Shop Channel. Online gameplay requires a code to play. It's free to play and there are no names, so kids are protected against unwanted contact. Through Wii's online component players can also gain access to hundreds of classic arcade games available for download through Wii's Virtual Console functionality. The Nintendo Channel allows players to watch gameplay videos, trailers, developer interviews, and even download Nintendo DS game demos wirelessly. Additional Wii online functionality includes a web browser and connectivity with Netflix,* which allows users to stream video efficiently and quietly by means of the console's low energy consumption internal processing.
PlayStation Network is an all access pass not only to a world of gaming, but also one of entertainment at-large. The service is 100% free, only requiring a PS3 (or PlayStation handheld) and a broadband connection to the Internet. Once you are in visit the PlayStation Store where users can download games, previews, DLC add-ons for games, game demos, game extras, music and streaming video. Purchases can be made using a credit card or a PlayStation Network Card purchased offline. Content can be stored on your console or external media. Online multiplayer gameplay through PSN is simple, yet robust. Simply slip a compatible multiplayer disc into the console, select the multiplayer option and set up your own game or wait to join one in progress. The service also contains Netflix access,* a range of original gaming-oriented video programming, as well as access to PlayStation Home, a 3D world where gamers can interact in a virtual environment.
Xbox LIVE is the online entertainment hub for Xbox 360. The service was launched with the original Xbox console in 2002, and has evolved and grown with Xbox 360. The service is two-tiered, with every user receiving a free "Silver membership," which allows for access to content such as free game demos, downloaded video rentals, Xbox LIVE avatar functionality and chat. A paid "Gold Membership" provides access to these and expanded features, including online gaming, HD movies and TV shows through services such as Netflix,* HBO Go,** ESPN, and Hulu Plus, downloadable games, facebook, downloadable content (DLC) for games and more. Players use Xbox LIVE points, which as easily purchased online and offline to access much of the online content. Both Xbox LIVE membership levels allow players to increase their Gamer Score, a running tally of the achievements they have unlocked in games. This is commonly shared information among gamers around the world and a source of pride in the community.
* Existing Netflix unlimited membership account required.
