Matsushita, maker of the GameCube / DVD hybrid named Q, is developing a follow-up to the console that allows for Tivo-like television recording on an internal hard drive. Though the system is rumored to be scheduled for a Summer 2003 release in Japan, there's been no word as to whether or not it will ever see a North American release. 

The site of Rare Ltd. received an upgrade today following Microsoft's announced acquisition of the firm. The site features the official Microsoft press release, a letter to fans, the company's promo video, and more. We hope they'll reconsider the design soon.

"Microsoft Corp. today announced it has purchased U.K.-based Rare Ltd., one of the world's leading video game developers, further demonstrating Microsoft's commitment to providing the most innovative interactive experiences available on its Xbox game..."

THQ and Volition announced today that a Nintendo GameCube version of Summoner 2 is currently in development and will be available in early 2003. Summoner 2 for Gamecube is being developed by Cranky Pants Games, THQ's newest game development studio located in Washington. In Summoner 2, players travel to more than 30 exotic and imaginative locales as they guide Maia, Queen of the Halassar, and a host of unique party members through an original fantasy universe inspired by literature, folklore and mythology. Players may fully customize their party with their own set of skills and spells. Summoner 2 features a complex, character-driven storyline, hundreds of skills and spells, and an all new, real-time combat system that breaks the mold for traditional RPGs.

Despite being available for just five days in August, Super Mario Sunshine was the number two best-selling game of August according to CSFB. Super Mario Sunshine sold more than 350,000 units and was topped only by Madden NFL 2003 for PS2, which moved 930,000 units.

Nintendo's limited edition Platinum GameCube may hit store shelves ahead of schedule according to some retail sources. Initially scheduled for a November 3rd release, the Platinum GameCube now appears to be on target to hit retail around October 21st. Nintendo has yet to officially comment on the early release. The Platinum Edition Nintendo GameCube will come packed in with a controller of the same color and carry a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $149.95.

Story updated with official comments from Nintendo. In December of 2001, U.K. game developer Rare Ltd. mailed out Christmas cards wishing season's greetings to members of the video game industry. The back of the card featured a a Christmas tree...

IBM announced today that it has shipped 10 million Gekko processors for Nintendo GameCube. Gekko, a customized 485 MhZ PowerPC processor based on IBM's .18 micron technology, is the result of a $1b multi-year contract between Nintendo and IBM...

Last week, GameCubicle.com reported the first details of Nintendo's sale of its 49% position Rare Ltd. For the first time ever, Nintendo officially acknowledged the sale in the form of a press release. The full press release follows...

MetroidPrime.com, a site dedicated to one of the most anticipated GameCube games this year, went live today. The site features a video of Metroid Prime, which looks more visually stunning than ever. Click over to MetroidPrime.com for more.

IBM will announce tomorrow that it has shipped 10 million Gekko processors for Nintendo GameCube. Gekko, a customized 485 MhZ PowerPC processor based on IBM's .18 micron copper wire technology, is the result of a $1 billion multi-year contract between Nintendo and IBM. GameCubicle will have the announcement when it comes through the wires.

During a press conference today at the Tokyo Game Show, Blizzard Entertainment unveiled StarCraft: Ghost, a tactical-action console game set in Blizzard’s epic StarCraft universe. StarCraft: Ghost is currently under development for multiple next-generation consoles. The game will be co-published by Capcom and Blizzard Entertainment in Japan; further announcements regarding platform/country specifics will be announced in the months to come. In StarCraft: Ghost, players take the role of Nova, a lethal Ghost operative skillfully trained in the arts of espionage and tactical combat. Twenty years of ruthless physical conditioning and techno-psychological instruction have made Nova a being of terrifying potential. With the help of a determined group of allies, players follow a series of story-driven missions, engaging in a deadly mix of planetary battles and dangerous solo operations. To complete their mission objectives, players must execute intelligent tactical decisions while mastering an advanced arsenal of sophisticated weaponry. "We’re very excited about returning to the StarCraft series," stated Mike Morhaime, Blizzard Entertainment president and co-founder. "Our roots are based in console gaming, and we look forward to developing this universe for the next-generation console systems."

Black Isle Studios, the RPG division of Interplay, and leading console game developer High Voltage Studios today announced their plan to bring the Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance franchise to Nintendo GameCube. Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance will be a port of the PlayStation 2 version of the game, which has sold over 500,000 copies worldwide.

Importers rejoice. Nintendo's v.90 Dial-Up Modem, which was released earlier this week in Japan, is region-free according to Japanese sources. For those of you interested, the modems work flawlessly with Panasonic's Q system as well. 

Nintendo Co. Ltd. was recently ranked number one among the 2,308 Japanese companies evaluated for fiscal excellence in a survey conducted by Nihon Keizai Shimbun. The report cites Nintendo's record profits, financial consistency, and lack of debt as key reasons for Nintendo's high ranking. Other companies ranked highly by the survey include Takeda Chemical, Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical, and Seven-Eleven.

Activision today announced Wreckless: The Yakuza Missions for Nintendo GameCube. The once Xbox-exclusive racer will be released in November. Like the upcoming PlayStation 2 version, the Nintendo GameCube title will feature all of the ultra-realistic missions of the Xbox game, plus 20 all-new missions, two-player action, 16 more vehicles to drive with mounted rockets, new sub-missions, interaction with pedestrians, 60 fps gameplay and a "Free Roam" mode. GameCubicle.com first reported rumors of this title's GameCube release last month when a Nintendo.com game page for Wreckless was discovered.

Initially announced at this year's E3 Expo with a November 11th release date, Wario World now appears to have slipped into 2003. This news comes according to various retail sources. GameCubicle.com contacted Nintendo of America for confirmation and was told, "We're estimating Wario World will be ready for release sometime during the first quarter of 2003." We've speculated on a likely delay since Wario World was first unveiled because of the title's limited sales potential among holiday season competition. It is important to note that release dates are estimates and always subject to change.

Japanese gaming publication, Famitsu is reporting that Capcom will unveil Mega Man .EXE Transmission for Nintendo GameCube at this month's Tokyo Game Show. A scan of Famitsu shows the first in-game screens. A related GBA title will also be unveiled.

Nintendo Co. Ltd. has updated GameCube release dates on it's official site, announcing that The Legend of Zelda will launch in Japan on December 13th. Meanwhile, the game's North American is still scheduled to release in February or March of next year.  Importers, ready your wallets.

Shares of graphical processor chip manufacturer ATI soared 8% on Tuesday in a releif rally for the stock. An anonymous analyst told Reuters that a royalty boost by Nintendo for ATI's chips is anticipated in fiscal 2003. ATI manufactures the high performance graphics chip named Flipper that powers the Nintendo GameCube.

TimeSplitters 2, the highly anticipated FPS from creators of GoldenEye 007 and Perfect Dark, will be released on October 15th for Nintendo GameCube - one week later than the game's PS2 and Xbox release. According to Steve Ellis of Free Radical, "The reason it may be slightly later is quite simply that once the game development is finished and it gets handed over to Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft for manufacturing, Nintendo will take longer than the others. Unfortunately there's nothing we can do about it." Nintendo manufacturing can take upwards of 10-12 days in the months preceding the holiday season. This may also explain similar delays such as that seen in the late release of NFL 2K3 on GameCube. TimeSplitters 2 is unquestionably one of the most anticipated games of the year. We've waited this long... an extra week won't hurt.

Eidos has released an all new trailer for the upcoming GameCube FPS, TimeSplitters 2. The new trailer features big guns, thrilling locals, and fast action fun. Click to download the 15MB trailer from Eidos. TimeSplitters 2 is due for release on October 15.

According to a Nintendo press release, the North American launch of Super Mario Sunshine was reasonably strong. "The world’s favorite plumber has returned with a bang! During its first 10 days of availability, Super Mario Sunshine for GameCube...

Bandai will soon begin development of games for Nintendo GameCube. Currently planned for release by Bandai on GameCube are Treasure Battle, Shaman King, Mobile Suit Gundam, and Meat Man World 2. The first of the games will arrive this November in Japan. Bandai is well known for their Digimon and Gundam franchises.

Through the month of September, Wendy's is offering small Mario toys with their Kids' Meals to promote the release of Super Mario Sunshine. The toys range from a Mario racing cart to Mario suction cups. Click over to Wendy's site for additional details.

On the strength of Super Mario Sunshine, GameCube outsold PlayStation 2 and Xbox in the last week of August, moving 6,506 units. By comparison, 6487 PS2s and 2,179 Xbox's were sold in the week. Toys "R" Us also reported moving 40,788 units of SMS. By comparison, #2 on the list was SOCOM, which sold 8,587. It should be noted that Toys "R" Us' numbers naturally lean in favor of GameCube but these are the numbers we have.

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