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As one amazing year for Nintendo winds down,
GameCubicle.com takes a look back at the numbers. In 2001, gamers
witnessed the launch of Game Boy Advance and GameCube as well as a number
of spectacular titles from Nintendo. However, this analysis focuses on
GameCube's North American results.
On November 18th, Nintendo launched its long awaited GameCube video game
console. With a sticker price of $199.95, GameCube became available at the
lowest price Nintendo has ever launched a console (inflation adjusted). By
some estimates, 310,000 of the 740,000 GameCubes available at launch were sold on the first day. By the end of the week, Nintendo
reported sales of over half a million systems.
Since the console's tremendous launch, Nintendo has provided 100,000
additional units each week to North America. As of December 10, 750,000
GameCubes have been sold in North America. The following is GameCubicle's North American GameCube Sales projection for this
year.
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By the end of the year, Nintendo anticipates a North American GameCube
allocation of 1.3 million consoles. It's not known where Japan's revised
yearend allocation stands. With an eye on next year, Nintendo estimates international sales will total
4,500,000 by March
2002.
Not to completely leave Japan out in the cold... When
GameCube launched in Japan on September 14th, it was greeted by moderate
crowds and lackluster sales. The causes included a noticeable lack
of a true system-seller, very few launch titles, and the international tragedy
which occurred just days before that muted enthusiasm. Nintendo reported that just 300,000 of the
450,000 GameCube units available at launch were sold during the first weekend.
Later game releases such as Pikmin helped push sales over the following
weeks. On November 21st GameCube was released in Japan in both Jet Black and
Spice colors in the homeland along side Super Smash Bros. The second
launch of sorts was
met by considerable interest and sales of 147,000 GameCubes in just one week.
Entering December, 475,000 GameCubes have been sold in Japan giving
Nintendo about 14% of the next-generation console market - currently
including only PS2 and GCN. GameCube will likely finish the year with
sales of 600,000 units in Japan.
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Written
By: |
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Rick - Editor in
Chief, GameCubicle |
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