Buyer's Guide 2002 - North America (NTSC)
Obviously, the biggest buzz this North American holiday season comes from Metroid Prime, which has virtually the entire video gaming community talking. But is it really for you? And what about third-party offerings such as Resident Evil and Phantasy Star Online? Fear not, intrepid shopper; N-Sider has got you covered.
Here we go:
Metroid
Prime - GameCube
Who would like it: Fans of videogames in general. Honestly, even if you're turned off by the FPS genre, you owe it to yourself to investigate Metroid Prime; the innovative and incredibly in-depth scanning function and emphasis on exploration and puzzle-solving as well as battling enemies gives the 3D update of the old classics near-universal appeal. A brilliant game. There is nothing like it.
Who wouldn't like it: Those who want Metroid Prime to be a 100% mindless FPS should steer clear. Otherwise, there's not too many who can't appreciate this game on some level. This game may be a little hard to follow for younger gamers.
Overall Consensus: Buy It - This game alone is reason enough to own a GameCube.
Eternal
Darkness: Sanity's Requiem - GameCube
Who would like it: Those who have are open to a new gaming experience and not prone to judge a game without truly giving it a chance would like Eternal Darkness. With an excellent and engaging storyline, top-notch control, a noteworthy sense of pace, and a truly unique atmosphere, ED is perfect for those looking for a game that plays the player.
The game's unique mix of action, puzzles and impressive plot make it a "must own" title for those wishing for a deeper gaming experience. A truly enriching experience and very much unique, Eternal Darkness is a rewarding experience for those interested in a mature survival adventure game.
Who wouldn't like it: Eternal Darkness is a very polished experience. It is definitely not for those who do not enjoy thought provoking games or those that don't like to invest much time into a title. However, don't dismiss this game if you dislike other titles like Resident Evil; it is a far different experience. Ultimately, most gamers would enjoy Eternal Darkness if they gave it a chance. Only those who dislike any form of linearity or have very specific tastes may be turned off by it.
Overall consensus: Buy It - Eternal Darkness is one of the most compelling games for the GameCube or any console, for that matter.
Metroid
Fusion (Metroid IV) - Game Boy Advance
Who would like it: Those who would find most enjoyment from Fusion would be fans of the previous Metroid games. Fans of Super Metroid will feel very comfortable with Fusion. Anyone who likes a good adventure with a somewhat linear feel and dramatic atmosphere will find that Metroid Fusion can do no wrong.
Who wouldn't like it: For every great game there are those who just won't find it appealing. Gamers that don't find 2D side scrolling, exploration, or intense blasting action should not even consider purchasing, renting, or looking at Metroid Fusion. Fans of previous installments that consider themselves weary of a slightly more linear and story driven experience coupled with the very intense and downright fear of being hunted by an overwhelming adversary, should steer clear. Lastly anyone who isn't fond of puzzle and strategic challenges should probably pass as well.
Overall Consensus: Buy It - A definite must have and one of the best GBA titles to date.
Time
Splitters 2 - GameCube
Who would like it: Goldeneye and Perfect Dark fans should be eating, sleeping, and breathing Time Splitters 2. Those who still enjoy a massively frantic multiplayer battle royal with up to three friends will not be complete without it. Not to discredit the game's single player modes though, since those searching for a rewarding first person shooter will feel right at home as well. It's a great single and multiplayer game, and such a comprehensive feature packed package, that it would be a shame not to have this in a software collection.
Who wouldn't like it: Anyone who doesn't like first-person shooters will find no love here. Since this game's most memorable attributes are in its multiplayer aspect, gamers that won't get many opportunities to play against others would, most likely, feel more fulfilled if they looked elsewhere. And finally, those who get motion sickness and/or epileptic seizures from any first-person shooter should opt to pass this one up.
Overall Consensus: Buy It - It's worth playing, and extremely difficult to ignore if you have human rivals ready for a little fragfest.
Star
Fox Adventures - GameCube
Who would like it: Those who are entertained by large amounts of item collecting and believe that the prospect of a Star Fox game having control and design near identical to that of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time could find themselves right at home with SFA. The game will also appeal to those unbothered by the titles lack of character when it comes to the Star Fox presentation of the title.
Who wouldn't like it: Anyone expecting a tight knit and true sequel to Star Fox 64 will not find it here. Anyone looking for a truly memorable gameplay experience and epic storyline, equal to or greater than Nintendo's own Legend of Zelda series, will not find it here.
Basically if you don't enjoy collecting things, are bothered by a large amount of cut scenes, did not like the control style of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, or will only accept a storyline heavily involving other Star Fox staples then it is highly suggested that you steer clear.
Overall Consensus: Rent It - It is a decent adventure game for those willing to put aside its presentation issues.
Sonic
Mega Collection - GameCube
Who would like it: Those who can't get enough of the classic Sonic the Hedgehog games will love this compilation. The game features seven classic Sonic games including Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Sonic & Knuckles. All ported to near perfection.
Who wouldn't like it: There is a growing list of people who may not enjoy these collections of games. Those who played most of the games back in the Genesis era will find little reason to purchase them again. Those who purchased a similar package for the Dreamcast or other previous Sega consoles may not be akin to spending more cash. Finally those who just never enjoyed 2D sonic games may not find much enjoyment out of these seven titles.
Overall Consensus: Skip it - Unless you have never experienced these before it becomes very obvious that Sega could have included a few more extras.
Medal of
Honor Frontline - GameCube
Who would like it: Anyone who loved Saving Private Ryan the movie or previous Medal of Honor titles for PC and Playstation. The presentation in Medal of Honor: Frontline is top notch, and players will certainly feel like they've stepped foot on the battlefield from the very first level.
This is the first time a Medal of Honor game has appeared on a Nintendo console and the amount of gameplay in the single and multiplayer game has been done very well. In a Metroid Prime, James Bond, and Time Splitters 2 world, Medal of Honor: Frontline still manages to be a FPS worth experiencing one way or another.
Who wouldn't like it: Obviously people who don't like first person shooters wouldn't enjoy this game. One of the major problems with the GameCube version of Medal of Honor: Frontline is controls that are very difficult to grasp.
Changing the controls from sharpshooter to the classic control style helps out some, but even when you get to the point where you feel like you might have the controls down, it's still sometimes hard to aim at who you're shooting at. For those who have decent PCs and prefer a keyboard and mouse setup, it's probably best to go with the PC version.
Overall consensus: Buy It.
NFL
2K3 and Madden NFL 2003 - GameCube
Who would like it: Any football fan would love either of these games. You really can't go wrong no matter which you purchase. Madden 2003 is a bit more polished with more options and just a tad bit more fun to play. If you had a Dreamcast and you're looking for a change of pace, Madden 2003 is the obvious choice.
However, if you missed the Dreamcast era and have missed playing the Sega Sports titles from the Genesis days, you might be a little bit surprised at NFL 2K3. It's definitely a solid title, but not quite as deep as Madden. If you're looking for a good football title to play with friends, NFL 2K3 might be a better choice but in the end they're both good games.
Who wouldn't like it: Anybody who hates these types of games won't find anything worth playing in either of these two games. If you're a fan of Football, you can't go wrong with either.
Overall consensus: Buy It - (Madden 2003 preferred over NFL 2K3 if it came down to it.)
Yoshi's
Island: Super Mario Advance 3 - Game Boy Advance
Who would like it: A remake of the classic SNES title of the same name, Yoshi's Island is a game that young and adult fans alike will enjoy. The game is a bit more linear in structure when compared to its predecessor (Super Mario World), but it still offers an experience unmatched by almost all platformers. The last of the 2D Mario titles, Yoshi's Island is a lesson in familiarity and simplicity that few other games can come close to matching.
Who wouldn't like it: There are few out there that shouldn't enjoy Yoshi's Island. The only individuals that may have a problem with it would be those that truly abhor 2D platformers or those that find the game to have a bit too childish theme for their tastes. However, turning a game down based on its graphical style alone is ignorant and we are sure no one would ever do that. Right?
Overall Consensus: Buy It.
Super
Mario Sunshine - GameCube
Who would like it: Anyone who is even remotely attracted to platformers should be quite taken with Mario Sunshine. The addition of Mario's waterpack is far more than just a gimmick, as it adds legitimately new gameplay possibilities and directions to the genre; for those concerned that Mario Sunshine is simply more of the same, your fears should be quelled by this.
Who wouldn't like it: Much like Resident Evil, Mario sticks to its tried-and-true formula established in Super Mario 64 in spite of a new addition. It's different enough to be a fresh experience, even after playing Super Mario 64, but it doesn't have justification for those not fond of the platforming genre to make a purchase. Still, for the majority, Mario Sunshine should make a wonderful holiday gift.
However, people expecting a completely classic Mario experience might not enjoy it as much as Mario titles in the past. One of our staff thought it was a little bit off base from past Mario platformers and the radical change of the game was a bit of a turnoff.
Overall Consensus: Buy It.
Resident
Evil - GameCube
Who would like it: If you're a previous fan of the Resident Evil games, you're obviously going to be a fan of the remake. Even those who owned the original on their PSX should investigate the GameCube version, as enough has been added/changed to make the gameplay experience significantly different.
Who wouldn't like it: This is still classic Resident Evil, so those who never liked the series won't have any reason to be drawn in now. In addition, if you've never played a Resident Evil game before, you may want to give this one a rent to make sure you can get comfortable with the controls; there are some who simply cannot deal with them.
Overall Consensus: Rent It First.
Resident
Evil 0 - GameCube
Who would like it: See above. Like any other Resident Evil games? You're going to like 0.
Who wouldn't like it: Again, see above. RE0 may feature a new "partner-zapping" system that allows you to switch control between two characters, but aside from that, it doesn't offer up anything new for those harboring a dislike for the series. It is also worth noting that the controls have not been changed for RE0; in fact, Control Type "C" from the GameCube Resident Evil remake -- widely regarded to be the best control option -- is not included in RE0.
Overall Consensus: Rent It First.
Star
Wars Jedi Knights II: Jedi Outcast - GameCube
Who would like it: Fans of Star Wars will be very accepting of Jedi Outcast. The game utilizes the Quake III engine to its fullest extent and brings the first acceptable lightsaber combat system to a Star Wars videogame. Basically the direction you move while pressing the attack key determines what lightsaber move you perform. Difficult to explain, but relatively easy to pickup; the combat system is very needed to keep the game from feeling too much like its Quake predecessors. Those who enjoy a long and (at times) tedious single player story mode should find Jedi Outcast right up their alley.
Who wouldn't like it: Gamers that had a chance to indulge themselves in the PC version of Jedi Outcast (released this past spring) will find the GameCube version to be lackluster in comparison. The entertaining online multiplayer modes are gone entirely; replaced by a split screen 4-player mode. The 4-player mode is great but pales in comparison to the fun of online multiplayer with this type of game.
Gamers expecting lightsaber action right off the bat will also be disappointed. Players will not even receive their lightsaber until the later half of the gamefar beyond where most players will call it quits. Those hoping for great variety in gameplay will also come away disappointed as Jedi Outcast has little. Things tend to get very tedious at times.
Overall consensus: Rent or Avoid It.
GBA
Power Grip Battery Pack - Game Boy Advance
Who would like it: Those who spend far too much cash on batteries for their GBA should definitely check this device out. It not only provides about 10-15 hours of gaming before needing a recharge but also comes with an AC adapter.
For those that find the GBA rather small, the Power Grip is also a nice remedy. The Power Grip adds two large Mickey Mouse ear-like handgrips to the bottom of the GBA. The device may feel uncomfortable at first because it changes the way one holds the Game Boy Advance. However, after a little while many will begin to like the additional space for their hands and began to use the device regularly.
Who wouldn't like it: Those who enjoy using regular batteries may want to skip this one. Also, those who have smaller hands shouldn't even consider purchasing the Mad Catz Power Grip.
Overall Consensus: A worthwhile purchase. While not perfect, the savings on batteries and the added AC adapter make the Power Grip a good buy. For those who find the GBA to be too small this is a must have.
Wavebird
Wireless Controller - GameCube
Who would like it: If you're intrigued by the idea of being freed from the shackles of corded controllers, the Wavebird is for you. Able to operate at ranges no normal gamer would ever play at (upwards of 40 feet), and sustaining battery life admirably (estimates range between 50 and 100 consecutive hours of play time), the Wavebird is the standard that all future wireless controllers will be measured against.
Who wouldn't like it: Players who simply cannot live without the "rumble" function will want to steer clear of the Wavebird. Otherwise, it's a must-have.
Overall Consensus: Buy It - A definite must have.
Animal
Crossing - GameCube
Who would like it: If you're looking for a fresh gameplay experience, you can't do much better than Animal Crossing. Though fans of "life-simulation" games such as The Sims may be a bit more at home here, the truth is that Animal Crossing's appeal extends well beyond that genre.
Who wouldn't like it: Animal Crossing demands constant (daily) input from the player, but at the same time, it's not a game meant to be played for hours at a stretch. In addition, there is no ultimate objective to the game; while this may appeal to some, others may find the lack of a true goal frustrating. Goodies such as tradable items and unlockable NES games may be enough to redeem Animal Crossing in the eyes of those who traditionally would've steered clear, however.
Overall Consensus: Rent it first and then buy it. Or buy it first and then rent it. Either way you should end up buying it.
Super
Monkey Ball 2 - GameCube
Who would like it: Those who enjoyed the original Super Monkey Ball will find its sequel to be nothing short of superb. SMB 2 features an expanded single-player campaign, even more mini games, and a story mode. While the story mode is corny at best, it does a nice job of setting the gamer up for more monkey action.
Fans of other party games such as the Mario Party series should also give Super Monkey Ball 2 a try. Monkey Bowling, Monkey Baseball, Monkey Billiards, Monkey Racing, Monkey Boxing, Monkey Target, and many more mini games provide the backdrop for serious multiplayer action.
Who wouldn't like it: Obviously, those who don't have a group of friends to come and join the frenzy should avoid SMB 2. The only other viable reason for letting this title slip through your fingers would be if you don't enjoy party or multiplayer games in general. Even though it has an expanded single player campaign, the game will not satisfy most on single player modes alone.
Overall Consensus: Rent It - Although definitely a welcome addition to most game libraries, it is more of an event and party type of game.
Tony
Hawk's Pro Skater 4 - GameCube
Who would like it: Fans of the Tony Hawk's games will feel right at home with this latest edition. Those who found the time limits of previous installments constraining will also feel much more at home with Pro Skater 4. Multiple combo's, massive objective based levels, no time limits, quite a few mini games, and new game modes unite to make Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 the best game yet in the series, and one of the best extreme sports games available for any system.
Who wouldn't like it: Those who didn't enjoy previous games in the series will not find happiness with Pro Skater 4. The game does not revolutionize the series in any way so those discontented with the lack of innovation in previous installments should also avoid Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4. Basically if you don't take pleasure in remembering and executing (sometimes) long and complicated button combinations in diminutive lengths of time to score varying amounts points then it might be wise to rent this one first.
Overall Consensus: Buy It - Those hoping for a fresh feel for the series will find it herethose hoping for drastic changes should look elsewhere.
Phantasy
Star Online: Episodes I & II - GameCube
Who would like it: Anyone desiring to go online with his or her GCN should immediately pick this title up, as it is the only online-ready title to be released for the console so far. The online-capability is not simply an added bonus, but rather the meat of the game; although PSO is a fun single-player quest, it is clear that the most enjoyment can be derived from questing with others online.
Who wouldn't like it: Those without online access or no desire to play console games online should not purchase Phantasy Star Online. The single-player mode, while good, simply is not justification enough for the game, as it is largely standard RPG fare. If you're an RPG nut without internet access, you may want to consider a rental, but otherwise, steer clear.
Overall Consensus: Buy it if you have a viable connection to the Internet and access to the necessary peripherals. Avoid it otherwise.
What we've covered is just a taste of what games are available for Nintendo consoles this Christmas. Shoppers who are just now purchasing a GameCube as a gift to someone else may want to look at our PAL Coverage of our guide as they may feature some of the titles that were released in North America some time ago.
If you're still confused, you may want to consider something like a Blockbuster gift card and a gift card to another store like Best Buy, Target, Wal-Mart, Toys R Us, etc. to let your gift recipient rent games with your first gift card and then use your second gift card to ultimately buy a game of their choosing.
See you next year, right here in the land of the free.
Josh Righter, Jeff Van Camp and a special appearance by former Editor-in-Chief Brent Childers.