Gamecube Release Details

Marketing V.P Discusses the Details of US Gamecube Release

    During a press conference at Spaceworld 2001, the executive vice president of marketing for Nintendo of America, Peter Main, discussed some details of the American release of the Gamecube. He reiterated the fact that Gamecube's release had been pushed back from November 5th to November 18th. The date was pushed back in order to give enough time for Nintendo to produce enough units to meet the expected demand. Nintendo plans on shipping 700,000 units for the release. At least there won't be a severe shortage like the whole Playstation 2 fiasco (which I think they planned deliberately). Nintendo will release Luigi's Mansion and Wave: Race Blue storm as launch titles, along with eight other games from third-party companies. The suggested retail price for the games is $49.95.
    In addition to launch information, Main also talked about other software titles that are in development. A Pokemon game is being developed and will be unveiled in the spring of 2002. They're also working on Mario Sunshine, which will be releases next summer in Japan. He didn't say when Mario would be released in the US, but I think it's safe to say that, judging by past events, it'll probably be in the fall. But don't quote me on that. Of course, what you all want to hear is that the new Zelda will be released (in Japan) late next year.
    Unlike Sorny, oops, I mean "Sony", Nintendo won't be using a ridiculously over-hyped advertising campaign like for the Playstation. They will stick to simple newspaper and TV ads to familiarize people with the Gamecube. Ads won't begin until late October, and then there will be a "nine-week blitz" pushing the Gamecube through November and December. Nintendo expects to pay $75 million in advertising costs.
    Later in the press conference, Main discussed third-party support for the Gamecube. He hinted that Squaresoft might be interested in going back to Nintendo, but Square's CEOs gave no comment. Main did name a couple specific games like Soul Calibur 2 and Sonic Adventure 2. Who would've thought that we'd ever see Sonic the hedgehog on Nintendo? Peter Main didn't give any comments about other third-party support. He stressed that Nintendo was more concerned with the quality of games, not the quantity. In my opinion, that's what's always set Nintendo apart from the rest. They care about the games, not about trying to squeeze as much money as they can out of the pockets of consumers (à la Sony and Microsoft).

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