Can I get some Gamecube advice?

dirj1 · 09-19-05, 02:54 PM

I was wondering if someone here could give me a little advice. I've had an Xbox for a few years now, and my kids are getting old enough to play video games on their own -- but my Xbox games are really complicated and/or inappropriate for that age group.

I am planning to buy them a Gamecube system, most likely for Christmas. I was going to purchase the system, plus 3-4 controllers and 2-3 games. My question is: where is the best value for a purchase like this?

I have seen the standard packages (one game, one controller) for $100. Some bundles have had an extra controller and/or extra game. Will there be a price drop or a better bundle coming during the Christmas shopping season?

Another option I have been considering is getting a used system at one of the video game resellers. I have bought some software from these before, but never hardware. Can I buy at one of these places with confidence that the hardware will work right for the long term? Or is it generally smarter to pay more for a brand new system?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

gimmepilotwings · 09-19-05, 02:57 PM

There may be a bundle around X-Mas time as one last push to buy systems. If you really want a system now, go to a Gamestop or its equivelant and buy a used one for like $59. Spend the extra $10 if you want for a warranty on it. Make SURE that you get a Wavebird wireless controller. Playing any GC game without it sucks.

zero · 09-19-05, 03:02 PM

Buying a used system isnt a completely bad idea, just pay attention to what their return policies are regarding defective merchandise. If they have a service plan and you are buying used, the service plan is usually a pretty good idea if their used return policy is short term (most are 90 says or some even 30). The best value for your dollar on a new GC is the Smash Brothers bundle. You get the cube, 1 controller, and a free copy of super smash brothers melee. If you are going to buy a cotroller I must stress on buying first party controllers, anything less and your asking for a defect. Memory cards are a must and you can pick up the largest sized memory card (1019 blocks) for about 30 dollars, and it is an official Nintendo product; shop around if you think you can buy it cheaper. Hope I was of some help.

Not acting like a salesman right now, your friendly neighborhood
zero

pinata242 · 09-19-05, 03:33 PM

Right now CC is giving away a copy of Zelda: Wind Waker with a new system. $99 for the system, one (wired) controller, SSBM, and Z:WW isn't bad at all, imo. They also have a 2/$30 deal going on for any pair of $19.99 games. Some good stuff in the Player's Choice line.

Can you still buy the 59 or 251 memory cards? $30 for 1019 isn't bad, but probabaly overkill for the games he plans on getting.

And, oh yeah, Wavebird.

sdcrym · 09-19-05, 04:03 PM

Right now there's an official bundle for the $100 price point w/ a platinum console, a platinum controller, and a Player's Choice copy of SSB:M.

Outlaw · 09-19-05, 05:49 PM

Don't forget to get them Resident Evil 4, Game of the Year

the SSBM bundle is a pretty good deal too

littlefuzzy · 09-19-05, 06:05 PM

Do you have a widescreen TV? If so, I would suggest looking for the older version of the Gamecube. It had two ports on the back, one for regular A/V cables, and a second one for Component cables. You would need to buy Component cables from Nintendo, for about $30.

How old are the kids? Depending on their reading skills, they might love Animal Crossing.

I have heard that Gamecubes are built like bricks, so they might do much better than a PS2 or X-Box if you bought a used one.

eatntae · 09-19-05, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirj1

my kids are getting old enough to play video games on their own -- but my Xbox games are really complicated and/or inappropriate for that age group.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Outlaw

Don't forget to get them Resident Evil 4, Game of the Year

Like most people have said, the Smash Bros. Bundle is probably the best official bundle out there. However, if you have a Costco or Sam's Club membership, they have their own bundles there also. On costco.com there is a Smash Bros. Bundle that includes the console, 2 controllers, memory card 251, and the Super Smash Bros. Melee game, all for $128.99. There's not much of a savings there if you were to buy everything seperately, but a savings of about $5-10 nonetheless.

By the way, another fun multiplayer game for your kids might be Super Monkey Ball and/or Super Monkey Ball 2.

Chris_D · 09-19-05, 06:35 PM

The first pikmin and definitely Super Monkey Ball are some good games in the player choice line up.

msdmoney · 09-19-05, 06:50 PM

I have still seen last years bundle with Mario Kart and two controllers for $100 at Target. This is a little better than the SSBM bundle IMO. I would suggest Wind Waker, Super Monkey Ball and some of the other Player's Choice Titles for the kids. How old are they?

bigsoos · 09-20-05, 12:34 PM

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Ninte...arriage=befree

Homer Simpson · 09-20-05, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigsoos

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Ninte...arriage=befree

Note that link is $99 and comes with Zelda Wind Waker and Smash Bros

dirj1 · 09-21-05, 12:36 AM

Thanks for the replies, everyone. To answer the main question, the kids I am buying for (besides myself) are age 7 and 4.

I do have a widescreen HDTV, and I had heard that the older model GCs have a progressive output. That's why I have been considering the 'used' option. Are those models hard to find, or are there a lot of them in circulation?

MrKen · 09-21-05, 12:53 AM

yeah, you'll definitely want to skip Res Evil 4 for the kids, but for you, it is a great game.

I know of no different GC models but I'm no expert- I think the problem would be more in getting the cables.

UWSarge · 09-21-05, 01:03 AM

Nintendo says that 'cubes made after May 2004 won't have the digital port anymore. (I'm lucky enough to have an early model)

See here: http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/sys...ponent_faq.jsp

09-19-05, 02:54 PM	#1
dirj1 Member Join Date: Nov 1999 Posts: 240	Can I get some Gamecube advice? I was wondering if someone here could give me a little advice. I've had an Xbox for a few years now, and my kids are getting old enough to play video games on their own -- but my Xbox games are really complicated and/or inappropriate for that age group. I am planning to buy them a Gamecube system, most likely for Christmas. I was going to purchase the system, plus 3-4 controllers and 2-3 games. My question is: where is the best value for a purchase like this? I have seen the standard packages (one game, one controller) for $100. Some bundles have had an extra controller and/or extra game. Will there be a price drop or a better bundle coming during the Christmas shopping season? Another option I have been considering is getting a used system at one of the video game resellers. I have bought some software from these before, but never hardware. Can I buy at one of these places with confidence that the hardware will work right for the long term? Or is it generally smarter to pay more for a brand new system? Thanks for any help you can provide.

09-19-05, 03:02 PM	#3
zero DVD Talk Ultimate Edition Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Stockton Posts: 4,177	Buying a used system isnt a completely bad idea, just pay attention to what their return policies are regarding defective merchandise. If they have a service plan and you are buying used, the service plan is usually a pretty good idea if their used return policy is short term (most are 90 says or some even 30). The best value for your dollar on a new GC is the Smash Brothers bundle. You get the cube, 1 controller, and a free copy of super smash brothers melee. If you are going to buy a cotroller I must stress on buying first party controllers, anything less and your asking for a defect. Memory cards are a must and you can pick up the largest sized memory card (1019 blocks) for about 30 dollars, and it is an official Nintendo product; shop around if you think you can buy it cheaper. Hope I was of some help. Not acting like a salesman right now, your friendly neighborhood zero __________________ The question is not how far, the question is do you posses the constitution...the depth of faith to go as far as is needed? XBL GT-Bandit Rev0lver

09-19-05, 03:33 PM	#4
pinata242 DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Owasso, OK Posts: 27,690	Right now CC is giving away a copy of Zelda: Wind Waker with a new system. $99 for the system, one (wired) controller, SSBM, and Z:WW isn't bad at all, imo. They also have a 2/$30 deal going on for any pair of $19.99 games. Some good stuff in the Player's Choice line. Can you still buy the 59 or 251 memory cards? $30 for 1019 isn't bad, but probabaly overkill for the games he plans on getting. And, oh yeah, Wavebird. __________________ XBL: pinata242 \| PSN: pinata242 \| Steam: pinata242

09-19-05, 06:05 PM	#7
littlefuzzy DVD Talk Ultimate Edition Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: In my secret underground lair, plotting to TAKE OVER THE WORLD!!! Bwuaaahahahaha!! Posts: 4,590	Do you have a widescreen TV? If so, I would suggest looking for the older version of the Gamecube. It had two ports on the back, one for regular A/V cables, and a second one for Component cables. You would need to buy Component cables from Nintendo, for about $30. How old are the kids? Depending on their reading skills, they might love Animal Crossing. I have heard that Gamecubes are built like bricks, so they might do much better than a PS2 or X-Box if you bought a used one. __________________ littlefuzzy's HUGE...... tracts of land.... -- My Anime My manga (check the Browsing... box to the left.) I just want to tell you both good luck, we're all counting on you.

09-19-05, 06:35 PM	#9
Chris_D DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Osaka, Japan Posts: 2,493	The first pikmin and definitely Super Monkey Ball are some good games in the player choice line up. __________________ The Pulse of the Japanese Gamer \| Twitter \| YouTube \| XBL: Mr GT Chris \| PSN: Mr_GT_Chris \| My Backlog

09-19-05, 02:57 PM	#2
gimmepilotwings Suspended Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 3,598	There may be a bundle around X-Mas time as one last push to buy systems. If you really want a system now, go to a Gamestop or its equivelant and buy a used one for like $59. Spend the extra $10 if you want for a warranty on it. Make SURE that you get a Wavebird wireless controller. Playing any GC game without it sucks.

09-19-05, 04:03 PM	#5
sdcrym DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Starkville, MS Posts: 1,657	Right now there's an official bundle for the $100 price point w/ a platinum console, a platinum controller, and a Player's Choice copy of SSB:M.

09-19-05, 05:49 PM	#6
Outlaw DVD Talk Platinum Edition Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: MD Posts: 3,137	Don't forget to get them Resident Evil 4, Game of the Year the SSBM bundle is a pretty good deal too

09-19-05, 06:50 PM	#10
msdmoney DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,712	I have still seen last years bundle with Mario Kart and two controllers for $100 at Target. This is a little better than the SSBM bundle IMO. I would suggest Wind Waker, Super Monkey Ball and some of the other Player's Choice Titles for the kids. How old are they? __________________ DVD Collection (DVD Afficionado) Music (Hip Hop) Collection (Guzzlefish) Video Game Collection (IGN) Book Collection(Mediachest) We must deceive them so as not to hurt them, and in that way, we honor them - Dwight Shrute 360 Gamertag = Mos Mike D

09-20-05, 12:34 PM	#11
bigsoos DVD Talk Ultimate Edition Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Sachse, TX Posts: 4,033	http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Ninte...arriage=befree __________________ "The last time I saw a pair of jugs that big, two hillbillies were blowing on them." "I guess irony can be pretty ironic sometimes."

09-21-05, 12:36 AM	#13
dirj1 Member Join Date: Nov 1999 Posts: 240	Thanks for the replies, everyone. To answer the main question, the kids I am buying for (besides myself) are age 7 and 4. I do have a widescreen HDTV, and I had heard that the older model GCs have a progressive output. That's why I have been considering the 'used' option. Are those models hard to find, or are there a lot of them in circulation?

09-21-05, 12:53 AM	#14
MrKen DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Northern California Posts: 2,161	yeah, you'll definitely want to skip Res Evil 4 for the kids, but for you, it is a great game. I know of no different GC models but I'm no expert- I think the problem would be more in getting the cables. __________________ I have nothing to add.

09-21-05, 01:03 AM	#15
UWSarge DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: May 2000 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,388	Nintendo says that 'cubes made after May 2004 won't have the digital port anymore. (I'm lucky enough to have an early model) See here: http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/sys...ponent_faq.jsp __________________ UWSarge w00t! w00t!