CTP thats only stateside, and quite frankly yes it is for technology over 3years old now.
3 years after release both the n64 and gamecube were under $100, and yes that was still with a game.
Currently the GC is the only reasonably priced console on the market - you add to this the fact that XBox and PS2 games are $10-20 more than the GC games. It's getting to be highway robbery when it comes to consoles, people who used to by games quite oftenly can't afford to anymore - and companies are wondering why they're not making AS much money as they once were. Ironically if they just cut off $10 from each unit they'd be able to capture larger markets or the same market more often because people wouldn't be broke from getting games.
Remember the majority of gamers are between 12-28, which is essentially people who are still in fulltime education and can't afford huge amounts of cash to throw around.
Quote: "They gotta get a game like morrowind or something (some kind of "I can do whatever I want" RPG) for the gamecube"
take it you've missed Phantasy Star Online 1 & 2
1 is a remake of the Dreamcast version (almost carbon copy if it were for the graphics overhaul) and 2 is the GC personal version which is different to 2 on the XBox because that is the XB's personal version.
However you can go online with XB and GC users who are using both in the overlap sections.
Not quite the same as FFXI but then personally i never liked either FFX or FFXI. Looking forward to FFXII comming later this year though
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however i will agree, the GameCube has an EXTREMELY SMALL games library (a mere 65games over the 3 games theatres, only 38 of them Western) - despite such a small selection it does however have the biggest selection of quality titles.
unfortunatly most are simply remakes of old games, not even rehashed sequals ... and those which are sequals don't exactly bring much to the table over the N64 versions except bigger and better graphics.
If Nintendo doesn't open up the console to alot more developers rather than the finacially sound developers they won't be around long enough to released the "Akira".
I hope within the next year they learn that they have to finally give in and get some more smaller western developers.
Becuase its only here in the Western gaming world they're actually struggling ... to be honest i'm not sure why, becuase the true range of GC games in the west is pretty good - you have the Jedi Knight games, Mario, SSBros Melee, etc...
there is a good selection, i think the major problem is that there really arn't any FPS - there is Metriod Prime but thats it, and it doesn't even come close to games like UT2K3 or Halo.
What Nintendo have to do is also try to capture more on the Online market. Single Player is a good focus, and multiplayer is often fun too ... but the ability to also take you gameing online will help.
I am and always will be a Hardcore Nintendo fan, and i do honestly believe that it is simply the best games machine out.
However even i have to admit how it is being run atm is short-sighted and will mean that a new western version of the GC isn't likely to happen unless something drastic happens.