Nintendo announces GameCube European launch date
Published: 28 Jan 2002 10:43 GMT
In a Webcast on Monday morning, David Gosen, managing director of Nintendo Europe, confirmed that the GameCube will go on sale throughout Europe on 3 May priced at a mere £150. In his prerecorded speech, Gosen claimed that "GameCube will not be targeted at kids, it will not be targeted at teens, and it will not be targeted at adults -- GameCube will appeal to anyone who enjoys being entertained by interactive gaming."
All of which might suggest bedlam come launch day, given that recent rumours have had Nintendo planning to ship anywhere between 300,000 and 500,000 units across Europe. Neither figure seemed adequate or, as it's turned out, accurate. Gosen confirmed that "approximately one million" GameCubes are to be made available across Europe for the launch period. A figure which, while mighty impressive, might still fail to meet demand given that the console will be half the price of an Xbox, cheaper than a PS2, and that there are now over three million Game Boy Advance owners across Europe who, according to Gosen "have taken the first step towards GameCube ownership by buying Game Boy Advance."
Nintendo has announced that consumers can expect "at least 20" launch titles. Among the games due for release on the same day as the console will be Luigi's Mansion, Wave Race: Blue Storm, Star Wars: Rogue Leader, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3, FIFA: Road To The World Cup, Burnout, Crazy Taxi, Sonic Adventure 2: Battle, and Batman.
With Nintendo also announcing a price-cut for the Game Boy Advance, effective as of Friday, it looks like the company is once again a real force to be reckoned with in both the hardware and software markets.
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