Menu
What's new
By:
Filters

GameCube! (pronounce as in Japanese ad`s for coolness)

Stalkid64

Stalkid64

Citizen(sixty)four
In the first of what will doubtless be a few threads worth (possibly even a `preview` style writing piece for the site) of GameCube related stuff... here`s some first impressions.
(At this point I have been able to play with it for about an hour and a half)

1. The console. Absolutely TINY, though a little `deeper` than I expected. I have the purple `Cube and, well, I think it looks great generally. Lovely little glowing orange light on the top which is a nice little touch of prettiness. Not too keen on the way the memory cards hang out as it kind of spoils the neat-n-tidy look (compare to, say, Fan Heater 2 look or XtremelyUglyCheapTackyPlasticBox look), but thats an extremely minor thing.
2. The controller. Smaller than I ever imagined, it is extremely comfortable (though the odd button placing is taking a little getting used to...) and just feels nice. The analogue shoulder buttons have a little less resistance than I was expecting, and the digital click is a cool little thing. Control stick and camera sticks are as perfect as the N64 ones (with added rubberised grip! A great touch)and a world away from the PS2/Xbox ones in terms of comfortable use.
3. The games. So far I`ve had what felt like 5 minutes on the stunningly beautiful Luigi`s Mansion... it was actually an hour, which should give you some sense of how dragged in I am. The music is fantastic, Luigi`s humming and whistling extremely funny (I can`t remember the last time a game made me laugh like that) and infectious and the sound when you first meet a ghost will probably make you jump Resident Evil style if you have the game up as loud as I do... and if not, shame on you! Rogue Leader and Monkey Ball are still to play. And on the big question... load times?
None that I`d consider worth mention! :) I was on and playing Luigi`s Mansion in LESS time than it takes to get the average N64 game through to playing. VERY impressive. :) Lets take the opportunity to laugh at PS2 and XBox... ;)

More soon... must... kill... ghosts... Luigi is whistling lol
 
OP
Stalkid64

Stalkid64

Citizen(sixty)four
After 3 - 4 hours play...

1. The console. Slight dislike for the fact that the power button is at the back of the cube (because I have my `Cube in a video cabinet setup). Even through the provided composite SCART lead (unfortunately stuck with just now) sound quality is incredible, overall effects/graphics are pretty damn smart. Fast, smooth. Nice. The internal clock affected the time setting in Rogue Leader (it was night time during the training mission - cool touch). VERY pleased with load times. Or rather, total LACK OF. :)
Noticed the little push down spindle in the drive to make the discs easier to get out; a surprisingly neat thing actually.
2. The controller. Still getting used to that button layout. I don`t even remember holding the analogue stick side, which is a testament to how comfortable it feels. The stick works great in Super Monkey Ball, sensitivity is great overall, and that rubberised grip is a superb addition. Digital click buttons are a tad too easy to activate - at least in Rogue Leader, mainly because you tend to push quite aggressively, but its not a major issue. Wondering whether they should really have left the B button as the original kidney-bean shape, as you don`t tend to naturally recentre over the A button when using it. Perhaps more familiarisation will help. The rumble feel is quite nice, and can be turned off if like me you`ve developed any kind of aversion to rumble effects. ;)
3. The games. Well, so far Luigi`s Mansion is the firm favourite. Whoever made the infamous "N64-like textures" comment on IGN should be fired. Out of a cannon, into the sun. Really, this is one of the most technically beautiful games I`ve ever played. The ghost catching is actually very similar in feel to Sega Bass Fishing - you have to pull back on the control stick and `reel` the ghost in. Hard to describe, but it adds a huge amount to the immersiveness of the game. Super Monkey Ball is quite different to how I imagined. Very fast, demanding, and a bit odd when it comes to the challenge factor. You have to be willing to replay quite a lot to get any of the extras by the look of it, a bit like Crazy Taxi, which isn`t a bad thing. Very annoyed with the fact there is no volume control to turn down the music, as concentration is key to this game. I`m a little unsure on Rogue Leader as yet, (not enough play time) though I did like the sound test facility. Basically a TIE Fighter flies across the screen, the sound passing from right to left, and loops around `behind` you, repeating over and over so you can test your stereo setup. Even with basic stereo TV you get a good surround effect. Superb idea - and a little Ocarina of Time-esque. Never a bad thing.
 
Davemc

Davemc

Dave
that seems the only bad thing about the GC, the b button. what happens in racingg games when brake is below accelerate.

needed to be kept the same as x and y
 
blizz

blizz

New member
dayve said:
that seems the only bad thing about the GC, the b button. what happens in racingg games when brake is below accelerate.

needed to be kept the same as x and y
Click to expand...

unless you used the right trigger as accelerate, and A as brake, which is more intuitive with the Gamecube controller for a racer really
 
Jaz

Jaz

Ex-Mod
blizz said:
I love Super Monkey Ball, it gets truely evil later on though.
Click to expand...

The best game in the world.. ever! Thank you Nintendo for the GameCube.. and thank you Sega for employing God's.. :D

*addicted*
 
OP
Stalkid64

Stalkid64

Citizen(sixty)four
I`d just like to point out NGC`s intense wrongness regarding "4 hours" of play time at this point. ;)
Luigi`s Mansion is absolutely great. And... the instruments... th-they play the Mario Bros. theme...! A-and the hidden button you can see in the mirror... A-and there`s a FAT GHOST and you steal his food!
A-and FIREBALLS! And water blasts! And a ghost bulldog with a ghost bone!... and THAT boss with the weird outline-y ghosts (possible winner of Best Effect So Far [t.m.] Award For Outstanding Achievement In The Field Of Excellence).
My God this game is underrated! ;)

Rogue Leader is pretty respect worthy too... the fact that I`ve spent hours chilling out in the training level surely says that. Flying aimlessly around shooting things for No Real Reason [t.m.]
A substitute for Pilotwings. Well, for now.
 
B

B*A*G*G

Emutalk Member... sorta
my $0.02
Rogue Leader totally sucked ass.

....sucks too cause it would of been a pretty good game if it didnt suck so bad.

but at leased its better than multiplayer halo,
go gamecube:thumbsup:
 
Raging Fuel

Raging Fuel

The jumbles man, the jumbles
I have a question, since I'm a poor bastard I can only afford one game at launch. Which do I choose: Rogue Leader or Super Monkey Ball?
 
B

B*A*G*G

Emutalk Member... sorta
Raging Fuel said:
I have a question, since I'm a poor bastard I can only afford one game at launch. Which do I choose: Rogue Leader or Super Monkey Ball?
Click to expand...
Rouge Leader is a pretty good game, its got nice gfx but reel cheap physics.

Monkey Ball 's a blast to play multiplayer.. (chicks just love to play too)
single player's hard as f..... tho. and gets boring without the chicks.
 
Jaz

Jaz

Ex-Mod
Not a fan of Rogue Leader.

Monkey Ball is ace.. Wave Race is pretty stunning too. :D

Haven't played ISS2 yet.. anyone?
 
Redah

Redah

Go Sweden! Not!
Administrator
GET SUPER SMASH BROS. MELEE

it was my first GameCube game too, and of all my games I still play it most. IT ROCKS
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Top