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Gamecube
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Gamecube brings back memories of N64 launch by
Jolex Del Pilar
Friday, May 11 2001
Troubled launch of previous console a bad omen?
The Gamecube is set to launch in November of this year in the United States. Originally slated to come to American shores in September of this year, President Yamauchi has promised a solid launch date of September in Japan, November in the U.S and finally Spring of 2002 for the European continent. Grumbling gamers will have to wait another two extra months for Nintendo's next-next generation console. Under similar circumstances of Nintendo's last big launch 5 years ago, Nintendo's next big thing is ultimately falling prone to the same problems as before.
Nintendo's word is about as trustworthy as the Hamburglar. They give you one launch date only to recant a week later. Is it their strategy to create artificial hype for the system or just faulty precognition ? One can't deny the trend. Six years ago, Nintendo was being left behind in the technology jump when Sega decided to have a surprise launch with its 32-bit Saturn in late 1994 (ultimately an ill-fated decision). Then the Sony Playstation launched a few months later in early 1995 with over 10 launch titles. The race was on and Nintendo hadn't even laced up its running shoes. Then in March 1995, Nintendo announced that their super 64-bit console, the "Ultra 64" would be out during the Christmas season of 1995. Excited Nintendo gamers rejoiced at the thought of having a new Nintendo console before the year ended. June came, then September, finally November. Expectedly a press conference was called, many major media figures from the gaming industry attended and Nintendo took the podium. Excited at the prospect of a new Nintendo console, many expected an inspiring speech from the leaders of the videogame industry about their expected launch only a month away. With pencils ready, and notebooks opened, Nintendo dropped the bomb. The Ultra 64 would be delayed six more months. Booing and jeering ensued, and Nintendo's PR people quietly snuck out of the room avoiding the barrage of rotten apples and banana peels. Well, not really, but Electronic Gaming Monthly(EGM) ran an article the next month questioning the new launch date that Nintendo had set, June 1996 to be exact. They had good reason to do so.
In June of 1996, many major gaming mags were excited at the prospect of Nintendo's super console being released for the Summer months as well as a space action movie called, "Independence Day" starring Will Smith. The Summer would be an exciting time for Nintendo gamers and movie go'ers alike. Ten titles promised at launch and even a pack-in game. Again excited press figures began writing lengthy articles about Nintendo's eventual rise back to the top. A funny feeling was descending over the industry as Nintendo remained eerily quiet so close to the expected launch date. However, many agreed that Nintendo would never announce a second delay. Lightning would not strike twice they thought. However, right on cue, another delay was announced. This time September was the new month. Gamers and industry leaders alike moaned in disgust. Nintendo had pulled the proverbial rug from underneath their 64-bit hopes not once, but twice in a six month period. People were both angry and jaded, and not without cause.
Nintendo knew they were taking a beating in the press from their two delays. Major mags were writing about the blasphemy Nintendo was commiting by toying with gamers wants and dreams. To help cull their resources and remaining fan support, Nintendo went on a marketing blitz. Now there was no way but forward. The ads promised "eden" and more with bold slogans such as "Is it worth the wait ? Only if you want the best." Nintendo had drawn the line, it was either September 30th 1996 or go back down that yellow brick road and ask the wizard for a brain because it would have been an extremely stupid mistake to not make that date and install yet a third delay.
September 30th, 1996 a day that will live in... ah forget it, too cliche. No, there was no delay here. However, the infamy was ever present. Only a meager 1 million N64 units were available for launch (for an estimated 30,000,000 wanting gamers). Gamers who had spent the night in Walmart parking lots were coming up empty handed and even more jaded than PS2 gamers who would experience the exact same scenario five years later. To add insult to injury, only two games were available for launch. Shigeru Miyamoto's masterpiece, Super Mario 64, and the underwhelming Pilot Wings 64. They would be the only Nintendo 64 games for almost 4 months.
So we have come around full circle, it is no longer 1996, and the N64 is in the same position the 16-bit Super NES was in 1995. The N64 is on its last legs, with no major titles planned beyond the current year. The Gamecube has already been delayed once, many are expecting twice anytime soon. Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if Nintendo announced a second delay for the Cube. It is certainly within the realm of possibility. I suggest you pick up a copy of Independence Day on DVD. It's already out and the copies will be plentiful. It's a great movie with the extras like "Behind the scenes" and a little segment about the special effects of the movie. Unlike Nintendo, in the movie the humans come through on the advertised date. Would be a little silly if they didn't, don't you think ?
