Skip to content
Every copy catalogued, graded and photographed
A used or expired download code does not break complete in box
Latest: PS2 models explained: fat vs Slimline
Latest: DualShock 3 vs Sixaxis: what’s the difference?
Latest: PS3 models explained: fat, Slim and Super Slim
Just added: Gone in 60 Seconds (Director's Cut)
Just added: Reflex: MX vs. ATV
Become a member
Sign in Cart 0
Nintendo GameCube

ConsoleHome video game console2001

Nintendo GameCube

The GameCube is a home video game console developed and marketed by Nintendo. It was released in Japan on September 14, 2001, in North America on November 18, 2001, and in Europe on May 3, 2002.

Sign in to add this to your collection

First released
2001
Made by
Nintendo Foxconn
Generation
6
Units sold
Worldwide: 21.74 million (details); NA:

Overview

The GameCube is a home video game console developed and marketed by Nintendo. It was released in Japan on September 14, 2001, in North America on November 18, 2001, and in Europe on May 3, 2002. It was Nintendo's fourth major home console, succeeding the Nintendo 64, and competed with Sony's PlayStation 2 and Microsoft's Xbox in the sixth generation of game consoles.

Nintendo began developing the GameCube in 1998 after entering a partnership with ArtX to design a graphics processing unit. It was the first Nintendo console to use optical discs instead of ROM cartridges, supplemented by writable memory cards for saved games. Unlike its competitors, the GameCube was solely focused on games; games were distributed on a MiniDVD-based format, and most models cannot play DVDs or CDs. The GameCube controller uses a handlebar design with a staggered analog stick layout. GameCube accessories include a link cable that enables connectivity with the Game Boy Advance (GBA) and e-Reader, the Game Boy Player add-on for running Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and GBA games, and the WaveBird Wireless Controller. Select games supported online gaming via a broadband or modem adapter.

The GameCube received praise for its controller and exclusive games, but criticism for its toy-like design and lack of multimedia features. Though profitable, it sold far less than the PlayStation 2 and slightly less than the Xbox, only outselling Sega's Dreamcast. Nintendo sold 21.74 million consoles worldwide, much fewer than anticipated. This has been attributed to a weak launch game lineup and Nintendo's focus on younger players, a minority of the gaming audience at the time, rather than teenagers and adults. Compared to its competitors, the GameCube's third-party support was limited; some developers skipped releasing multiplatform games on the GameCube, and others reduced support due to poor sales.

Specifications

Manufacturer
Nintendo Foxconn
Developer
Nintendo
Type
Home video game console
Generation
Sixth
Discontinued
February 2007
Units sold
Worldwide: 21.74 million (details); NA: 12.94 million; JP: 4.04 million
Media
GameCube Game Disc Game Pak (Game Boy Player required)
Processor
IBM Gekko
Graphics
ATI Flipper @ 162 MHz
Memory
24 MB 1T-SRAM as system RAM 3 MB 1T-SRAM as video RAM 16 MB DRAM as Input/output, I/O buffer RAM
Video output
480i, 480p
Online service
LAN Phantasy Star Online Homeland (video game), Homeland GameCube online functionality
Controllers
GameCube controller, WaveBird, GBA, various
Backward compatibility
Select Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance games via Game Boy Player
Predecessor
Nintendo 64
Successor
Wii
Best-selling game
Super Smash Bros. Melee (7.09 million) (list)

Models

  • DOL-101
  • Panasonic Q
  • Initial version

Model names as listed by IGDB.

Games

29 Nintendo GameCube games are written up here, with trophies, patches and what still works online.

See the Nintendo GameCube games

More from Nintendo

Sources

The overview is adapted from Wikipedia and shared under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 licence.

Checked October 2026.

Spotted something that's wrong? Tell me and I'll check it.