I bought it because Metroid and Zelda look like great games. Maybe I should have rented one first? I thought it would be nice to be able to choose from the best games from any of the three consoles. If something looks interesting, at some point you have to take a chance and buy it, right?

I rented a couple of games and I'm liking the cube more. Resident Evil didn't do much for me, but it's very early for that one. Eternal Darkness is pretty good, I'm having fun with it. My favorite is Pikmin. Very original (something I was looking forward to with the GameCube) and a lot of fun so far.

Sorry if I've come across as too negative. The GameCube is a very nice system, I just wasn't sure if the games were a good fit for me. I'm liking it more though and I'll probably keep it.

Was just sitting around yesterday, figured Best Buy might crack down on the SMS Bundle + free game, so went out and picked up the SMS bundle w/ Metroid, Eternal Darkness, and preordered Zelda so I got those two games with it... I happy

Honestly I had kind of felt that way when I first got my GC (after I had played through RE and there was not much else already released I wanted at that time. But then Metroid and RE0 were released and also the prices on games started to come down (picked up BloodRayne, Baldurs Gate, Eternal Darkness, etc) and it has been keeping me busy.

I don't have a lot of time or $$ to spend on games, so I don't have to have a new game every week. I'm glad the prices have started coming down, opening up some game opportunities to me that I would not have purchased at near full price.

And you are correct, you now have your pick of any new game on any console platform, since you have all 3.

I've had my wavebird since june, and I've changed the batteries twice. Once over the summer when I was playing all the time (as I wasn't in school or working. The next batteries lasted me from then until january when I was playing a lot on x-mas break.

I'd say the 100 hour estimate is pretty accurate.

Well, the default batteries lasted through Metroid Prime which was enough for me.

So, the free game deal is not supposed to apply to the Mario bundle? Also, is there a Mario bundle available in black? The local Best Buy only had them in indigo.

The SMS bundle only comes with the Indigo GC, you don't have a choice on the color.

Happened to see Mario Party and Metroid Prime at Kmart packaged in an "exclusive Kmart package", each had a Wavebird prepackaged in. Not sure of cost, as usual not a soul around to provide assistance in the Kmart.

That might make for a good deal, if someone can get them to give them this package as the free game with purchase of the console.

This week, Circuit City is offering a free copy of Bloody Roar: Primal Fury when you buy a GC in addition to the free game from Nintendo. I don't know if they will honor the deal with the SMS Bundle in-store but the deal is valid (after rebate) on their website. I'm debating whether to try my luck getting the deal at the store or just using my MSN dollars to pay for part of it on line.

What made me finally decide to get a GC is the number of inexpensive games available. Besides Beach Spikers and Home Run Kings at Best Buy for $10 each, I've also picked up NCAA Football 2003 from samgoody.com for $9 with free shipping.

Is Beach Spikers still $10 at Best Buy? Online it's $30.

No, Best Buy raised the prices of Beach Spikers and Home Run King to $30.