January 15, 2004 - Today, Nintendo announced that it has succeeded in seizing Microsoft's seat in the 2003 console wars, which places the GameCube as the second best selling console for 2003 (deferring to Sony's Playstation 2). According to Nintendo, recent global sales over the holidays increased by 70 percent over 2002s numbers. Nintendo believes that it will still be able to reach its target of six million global holiday sales for the GameCube this fiscal year.
Nintendo's latest estimates for 2003 state that GameCube sales in the United States increased by 35 percent over 2002, while the PlayStation 2's sales dropped 25 percent and Xbox showed no signs of market growth. December's sales of the GameCube (thanks to the price drop) increased by 69 percent compared to December 2002. Meanwhile, Nintendo claims that the PlayStation 2's sales dropped by 30 percent and that Xbox's sales have remained unchanged.
This sales boost in the U.S. is a result of the GameCube's September 25 price drop to $99. GameCube has almost sold 6.8 million units in the U.S. since its 2001 launch. Mario Kart: Double Dash!!! is currently the fastest-selling GCN game in the U.S. -- selling over one million units in seven weeks.
"With the price drop for Nintendo GameCube and strong games across the board, we expected to have a good holiday season, but these numbers surpassed even our best projections," explains George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance have become the engines powering the video game industry this year."
IGN was unable to obtain official hardware sales figures to confirm or deny Nintendo's claims. However, IGN did seek an official comment from Microsoft on Nintendo's alleged ascension into second place. "According to the latest figures, Xbox maintained its No. 2 install base overall in the U.S. and Europe. Xbox had a great holiday. Holiday momentum was driven by our strong games line-up, superior online gaming service and offers at retail. We will be updating more specific figures next week when Microsoft earnings are released," stated an Xbox spokesperson.
Sony was also contacted for a statement regarding Nintendo's recent announcement. A spokesperson said, "It's difficult to comment on Nintendo's announcement this morning, especially regarding holiday sales, specifically because Nintendo didn't list any sales figures." At the time of publication, IGN was unable to verify with Sony whether the Playstation 2 suffered a 25 percent decrease in sales in 2003.
IGN will update with more information regarding Sony's, Nintendo's, and Microsoft's 2003 market shares when sales figures are released.
Here's some stats on PS2, Xbox, and tadaa, the Gamecube.
-- PS2 --
1. Last in speed and Power.
2. Best line in games (not in my opinion.)
3. Intel Celeron Processor at 400 some Mhz, or so I've heard (Pentium 1)
4. Online capabilities.
-- Xbox --
1. 766 Mhz Intel Celeron Processor (Pentium 2)
2. Tons of special features
3. No good games except Halo (GTA3 and Vice City are better on PS2)
4. Joint with Rareware.
5. Online capabilities.
-- Gamecube --
1. Intel Celeron Processor at 1.4 Ghz, which is the equivalent of 1,400 Mhz, or so I've heard (Pentium 3)
2. 2nd best line of games (BEST LINE in my opinion)
3. Used to be in joint with Rareware.
4. Online capabilities.
5. Home to the Zelda series!
There are the stats of the systems (that I know of) and as you can see, I've done my research before I slam a system, so like I've been saying, Gamecube is the best system out. Period.
Draco>This isn't a "slam", as the kids say, on you, but how old are you. I'm asking this because GameCube fans tend to be younger than PS2 or X-Box fans which would explain why you prefer cartoonish games. This doesn't mean that the PS2 and X-Box don't have kiddy games, they have their share, but PS2 and X-Box gear more towards a mature audience while the GameCube targets children.
Originally posted by DracotheDragon
Here's some stats on PS2, Xbox, and tadaa, the Gamecube.-- PS2 --
1. Last in speed and Power.
2. Best line in games (not in my opinion.)
3. Intel Celeron Processor at 400 some Mhz, or so I've heard (Pentium 1)
4. Online capabilities.-- Xbox --
1. 766 Mhz Intel Celeron Processor (Pentium 2)
2. Tons of special features
3. No good games except Halo (GTA3 and Vice City are better on PS2)
4. Joint with Rareware.
5. Online capabilities.-- Gamecube --
1. Intel Celeron Processor at 1.4 Ghz, which is the equivalent of 1,400 Mhz, or so I've heard (Pentium 3)
2. 2nd best line of games (BEST LINE in my opinion)
3. Used to be in joint with Rareware.
4. Online capabilities.
5. Home to the Zelda series!There are the stats of the systems (that I know of) and as you can see, I've done my research before I slam a system, so like I've been saying, Gamecube is the best system out. Period.
Dude!?! do you konw what a stat is? your opinion is not a stat and it will NEVER be a stat. How can you say GTA 3 is better on PS2 than on xbox? its the same freaking game. I bought gamecube and the games suck di.ck with exception of maybe 5, otherwise i can get the same good games on Xbox that i can get on gamecube. Just because there is outta control hype over Halo doesn't mean it's the only game on xbox. Where do you get off saying gamecube has 1.4 ghz of anything? And gamecube doesn't load a whole game in 10 seconds. It does multiple loads just like all the other game systems. I play madden and they STILL have to load the teams and the stadium before the game starts (just like PCs do too.) So how in the flying f.uck can this POS gamecube load a game faster than a 3.0Ghz comp with over a gig of RAM? it can't, plain n simple.
And i hope....i mean i REALLY REALLY hope that gamecube would out sell the other 2 systems. Jesus it's half the price of one of them. That's the exact reason why i bought a damn gamecube, because $100 is like 1/2 a days work for me.
LAG> 16. Problem? I prefer the "kiddy" games like Spyro and Kirby and stuff, but I also like Final Fantasy 8, DOOM, Halo, Desert Storm 2: Return to Baghdad, and other mature games, I am a person who can sit back and say things like I'm a hardcore gamer because I'm willing to try all types of games, not just certain types like you, because you are too scared to admit you are just a big kid inside, btw, how old are you, 20, 30, somewhere around there. I think that I'm right, because you wouldn't bring in the fact that Nintendo gears it's games towards younger kids, but correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Gamecube have every Resident Evil game ever made (I'm a VERY big fan of this series, 2 was the best)? And, btw, Nintendo is the leader in the gaming industry, Nintendo came out way before Sony or Microsoft even thought of a gaming console. Nintendo bought the Clecovision off of a small company, Called it the NES, and WHAM! Nintnedo became the leader of the gaming industry. Mega Man was an AWESOME game series, nintendo was stupid to sell to SCEA, and so was Metriod. The gamecube controllers are the most form-fitting controllers out there, yes the z button is in a terrible spot, but otherwise its great. PS2 is second to comfort, and Xbox is just an abombination to gamers everwhere, LINKALICIOUS> And my stats are mostly correct, so don't go there. The processors for PS2 and Gamecube are what I've heard, so technically they're not my opionion, and the only opinion there was the Zelda series. LAG> The Zelda series has been rated #1 on MTV 2's Ultimate Video Game Countdown, or did you even bother to watch something like that? How anyone can call me childish without knowing me in real life is beyond me. CGTUNA21> I know EXACTLY what I'm talking about since I'm me. Gamecube is the FASTEST system out, ur right, PS2 can't load for shit, and how you can relate to Xbox being the best, when it has no good games whatsoever on it (Halo is the only good title, cuz all the other games are on another system) is beyond me. Unless you buy to play, then Xbox sux, because it only has features instead of games. EVERYONE> I stand by all of what I've said unless someone can give cold hard facts. Gamecube is the best, I'm the hardest Nintendo fan you'll ever meet, and Xbox is just a horrible system.
Ummm...
1 Splinter Cell on xbox was better than ps2 and it's a great game.
2 Rainbow Six 3 is another great game.
3 Project Gotham racing has better graphics and more realistic driving than Gran Turismo.
4 Unreal Tournament online is great.
5 Amped is a great snow boarding series and it's better than 1080 because i've played them both to compare.
6 Brute Force....yet another great game.
7 Dead of Alive 3 very nice fighting game. (xtreme volleyball is the greatest)
there's 7 real quick for you, i'm sure i could find more...but i can't even seem to think of 5 on gamecube...let alone 7
draco the dragon ur just a video game fag and don't know what ur sayin. o ya xbox has no good games, let me tell u. gamecube sux, and it's only on tv jus 4 ppl 2 buy it more and did u c what linkalicious put... ya ur a dumbass u don't no what ur talkin about whatsoever so jus dont talk nemore...*******!!!!!!
Originally posted by Linkalicious
Ummm...
1 Splinter Cell on xbox was better than ps2 and it's a great game.
2 Rainbow Six 3 is another great game.
3 Project Gotham racing has better graphics and more realistic driving than Gran Turismo.
4 Unreal Tournament online is great.
5 Amped is a great snow boarding series and it's better than 1080 because i've played them both to compare.
6 Brute Force....yet another great game.
7 Dead of Alive 3 very nice fighting game. (xtreme volleyball is the greatest)there's 7 real quick for you, i'm sure i could find more...but i can't even seem to think of 5 on gamecube...let alone 7
I'm a huge fan of xbox myself(shown from my previous posts) but in no way does PGR 1 or 2 beat Gran Turismo series...Gran Turismo series is the king of racing games period...
but PGR2 is an amazing game also
yeah no racing game can compete with the GT series. All of those other games listed are of the shittiest games on xbox. xbox does have some evtertaining games though. Gamecube is the worst system out of PS2 and xbox. if your going to pay a 100$ on a gamecube why not wait another couple of weeks, save your money and get a good system like xbox or PS2
xbox has the biggest most unorthodox shit controler i have ever seen, N64 was bad Xbox is worse, quit dissin PS2 cuase it murders Xbox. look at the sales dead last. dont gimme no crap about loading time 15 or 20 seconds oh no. at least im playing a game with some backbone snake would kick fisher's ass
Originally posted by DracotheDragon
Here's some stats on PS2, Xbox, and tadaa, the Gamecube.-- PS2 --
1. Last in speed and Power.
2. Best line in games (not in my opinion.)
3. Intel Celeron Processor at 400 some Mhz, or so I've heard (Pentium 1)
4. Online capabilities.-- Xbox --
1. 766 Mhz Intel Celeron Processor (Pentium 2)
2. Tons of special features
3. No good games except Halo (GTA3 and Vice City are better on PS2)
4. Joint with Rareware.
5. Online capabilities.-- Gamecube --
1. Intel Celeron Processor at 1.4 Ghz, which is the equivalent of 1,400 Mhz, or so I've heard (Pentium 3)
2. 2nd best line of games (BEST LINE in my opinion)
3. Used to be in joint with Rareware.
4. Online capabilities.
5. Home to the Zelda series!There are the stats of the systems (that I know of) and as you can see, I've done my research before I slam a system, so like I've been saying, Gamecube is the best system out. Period.
Actually the GameGube has a custom PowerPC IBM Gekko 485 Mhz processor. Not 1.4 Ghz Pentium 3, and 1,400 Mhz is 1.4 Ghz, lol its just an easier way to say it.
So furthermore you CLEARLY haven't done your research so you say, X-Box has a superior graphics processor, superior Dolby 5.1 Surround sound for ALL its games (compared to GameCubes, Dolby Pro Logic 2) And GTA was graphicly improved vastly on the Xbox.