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After years of waiting, the day has
finally come. It seems like yesterday that Nintendo first mentioned the
name "Dolphin" during a press conference in 1999. "Let me
raise the curtain just a little on Nintendo's next home video game
system," NOA's former Chairman, Howard Lincoln stated. "One that
we are targeting for worldwide launch at the end of year 2000. The code
name for this product is 'Dolphin'." In the same speech, Lincoln
revealed Nintendo's $1 billion partnership with IBM and many other
participants in GameCube's development.
Of course Nintendo was late on its
proposed 2000 launch but the announcement set in motion an unforgettable
sequence of events. For the next few months, the collective imagination of Nintendo devotees everywhere would center on what may come
and what could be.
The GameCube was first unveiled on August 24th of 2000, the day before Nintendo's
Space World show in Japan. On this day Project Dolphin became
"GAMECUBE" and the world got its first glimpse of the system,
controller, peripherals, and actual game video - that evoked cheers from amazed onlookers.
It would be months before gamers finally were given the opportunity to grasp
the GameCube controller for themselves and become immersed in the great
games that, until then, they could only imagine playing.
 The
location for Nintendo's true open-play unveiling of the GameCube was also
the most anticipated video game trade event of all time, Electronics Entertainment
Expo 2001. The moment doors were opened to exhibits, a flood of
gamers rushed to Nintendo's floor. The extravagant booth remained thoroughly occupied with
very satisfied gamers throughout the show. GameCube was later awarded Best of Show at E3 2001.
Considered the turning point in the public's view of the 'purple cube',
Nintendo's display at E3 generated enormous applause from the gaming
industry.
Off the heels of E3, GameCube's showing at Space World 2001 further
impressed crowds with the unveiling of Mario Sunshine and Zelda. The lack
of a true system-seller, few launch titles, and international tragedy resulted in a subdued
Japanese launch for the GameCube. The console launched in Japan on September 14th to moderate crowds and
somewhat disappointing sales. Nintendo reported that just 300,000 of the
450,000 units available at launch were sold during the first weekend. Many
thought sales would pick up as many great titles were launched into the
holidays.
And then the calendar read November 18th, 2001... "Work hard, but in
the end it's in heavens hands."
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Written
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Rick - Editor in
Chief, GameCubicle |
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